The Random Map Generator

moodgiesanta · #1 October 11th, 2006, 02:49 AM

First of all, the random map generator went beyond my expectations and I like it very much. It's probably my favorite new thing in Dominions 3 and I figured it deserves its own thread.

OK, so I've figured out how to fish out random maps I like that are created for games (just go into the save game directory), but there are some things I would like to know about the random map generator utility that is under Game Tools. What does ruggedness mean? What is a good pixel size for a given map, that is, how many pixels by how many pixels is appropriate for, say, 300 or 400 provinces or 40 for that matter? Is there any chance in the future of having a wraparound option?

Nerfix · #2 October 11th, 2006, 02:51 AM

My only gripe is that sometimes it puts mountains that are half in the sea, haha.

Saarud · #3 October 11th, 2006, 04:32 AM

I like the random map generator as well. I don't have any answers to your question but I can verify that if you're making a map with 800 provinces about 3200*2400 pixels does a good job.

DominionsFan · #4 October 11th, 2006, 06:52 AM

Yep, the generator is pretty cool overall, we've just started a 3 player blitz yesterday night, and the small map was rather interesting. It was very strategical, the mountains were placed in the perfect positions, but maybe we were just lucky with that random map.

NTJedi · #5 October 11th, 2006, 02:32 PM

I was very impressed with the random map generator... it's a great improvement!

Only one technical problem I've seen is how the random map generator places the victory crowns. The provinces with 2 or 3 point victory crowns will only show one crown. Perhaps the 2 and 3 point victory crowns can be made with different appearances.
(EXAMPLE = Silver Crown_1pt, Gold Crown_2pts, Gold Crown with diamonds_3pts)

Only two visual dislikes I've seen. One is the rivers, perhaps with a future patch they can look as equally great as the rest of the map. Another are victory crowns will sometimes appear on the borders making it difficult to determine the exact location.

Only one suggested improvement would be having a few provinces which provide one-way traveling. Even if this cannot be included within the random map generator hopefully the functionality will be introduced as a .map edit command.

Arralen · #6 October 11th, 2006, 02:57 PM

Quote:

NTJedi said:
Only one suggested improvement would be having a few provinces which provide one-way traveling. Even if this cannot be included within the random map generator hopefully the functionality will be introduced as a .map edit command.

This has been discussed in the Dom2 forum months or even years ago already - it is not possible with the current way maps work: Either 2 provinces are neighbours, or they are not. If they are neighbours, you can travel between them. Unpassable mountains are in fact non-existant neighbour connections.

If this would be changed, there would have to be 2 neighbour declaration in the map file - bringing it to 2x the size and, more importantly, invalidating all maps currently available... .

The_Tauren13 · #7 October 11th, 2006, 05:33 PM

Quote:

NTJedi said:
Only one suggested improvement would be having a few provinces which provide one-way traveling. Even if this cannot be included within the random map generator hopefully the functionality will be introduced as a .map edit command.

Hmm... I think I'm missing the point. Why would this be such a great improvement? I don't think it would do much more than annoy me... Also, what is the thematic justification for such a situation?