Eureka: The invention of the Hyperdrive

[Shadowstar]

I think I may have come up with a solution to the Hyperdrive problem I've mentioned on a few other threads thus far.

I have been thinking about all the discussions that have occured over the past weeks and worked most of this out in my head, but I think this will work. I will still need an able programmer to do this, but it will not involve modifying ANY existing game code nor copying any of the existing game files.

The idea is to create a third party map generator. This map generator is designed to create maps filled with empty systems with the usual mix of normal systems in it. The idea was based on a mention of another map someone (I forgot who, sorry!) created. The FTL map I think it was. Because designing these kinds of maps would take a long time and alot of work in the editor, it would be impractical to do it by hand. However, if we had a computer program do the work for us, it would be much easier, and practical. All the program would need to do is create an appropriately configured map file (with all the empty systems). I can't see anything wrong with designing a program to do that, since it would be utterly useless without the rest of the SEIV files, and would not require any changes whatsoever. In fact, the map editor would not even be used by the players! It would be something only I would use to generate new maps. The Starscape mod that players would use would be similar to the other mods out there.

Anyway, let me know what you all think about this. If someone is willing to put together the map generator, let me know.

[TerranC]

Which map are you talking about?

There's the one with Hyperspace Zones, made by CapnQ, then there is the one made by Suicide Junkie (I think) with the FTL map.

[Spoo]

IIRC the map format is encrypted (to prevent cheating?). If you want to make your own map editor, you would need to get the map format from MM or decifer it yourself.

[capnq]

Suicide Junkie made his FTL map with a lot of work in the Map Editor.

I made my Hypermaze mod to avoid all that work. My mod doesn't do much of what SJ was trying to simulate.

[Bman]

Could you not modify the data-files (systems.txt??) that are used by the random map generator to create systems: Put some empty systems in it. Then make a quadrant that favors these empty systems (like say 50% of all systems are empty). Now, using the builtin map generator you can quickly get your map with lots of empty systems. Now you just gotta figure out a way to have the star-systems only have warppoints leading to the empty 'hyperspace' systems.

[Shadowstar]

Originally posted by Bman:
Could you not modify the data-files (systems.txt??) that are used by the random map generator to create systems: Put some empty systems in it. Then make a quadrant that favors these empty systems (like say 50% of all systems are empty). Now, using the builtin map generator you can quickly get your map with lots of empty systems. Now you just gotta figure out a way to have the star-systems only have warppoints leading to the empty 'hyperspace' systems.

Hmmmmmmmmmm

Interesting idea... Never messed around with systems.txt before... It's worth a shot, and it would make things a hell of a lot easier. If there would be a way to make it so that the map editor could make lots and lots of the empty systems... Hmm, is there a way to change how many systems the map editor makes with each quadrant type? Also, we'd need a way to make it so it would name empty systems differently, such as by coordinates instead of system names.

[Phoenix-D]

"Hmm, is there a way to change how many systems the map editor makes with each quadrant type?"

Yes.

EDIT: to be more specific there's a file that allows you to set the chance of each system type down to .1 %'s. What you *can't* do it have more than 255 systems total.

"Also, we'd need a way to make it so it would name empty systems differently, such as by coordinates instead of system names."

Can't be done currently. (well, except for manual map editing)

[ June 17, 2002, 21:45: Message edited by: Phoenix-D ]

[Lord Kodos]

As in the LR mod FTL is easily done.heres the ways

1:INSANELY fast engine
2:Make all ships fighters and have carriers be the only ones,you get a dune like result with massive highliners towing ships.
3:Have the engine create a warp.
4:Make a map.