3D Map Idea

[CaptSpoogy]

This is an idea I just had. It's probably unrealistic to see it implemented in SE IV, but maybe it can be used for SE V!

I would like to see a 3D map introduced into the game. It would add more depth and strategy to the game, not to mention more realistic.

Here's my idea:

With either the galatic map or system map, you would have an isometric grid on the bottom of the window. Objects (systems, stars, planets, ships, etc) would occupy different heights (along the z axis) with a faint line pointing to the grid to give the x and y axis co-ordinates.

If done neatly, this could be a wonderful improvement from the current 2D universe!

What do you think?


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[Atrocities]

Nice idea. Perhaps SE V or VI will have this feature. In addition, make the map look like space. Instead of a grid with white cubes, make it look like space with differant color stars that represent systems.

[Will]

This is something that I would like to see in the game (much later Versions, of course)... Have local galactic space represented as a sphere that can have it's position changed by four controls in the corners (rotate x-axis, rotate y-axis, rotate z-axis, zoom). The system map wouldn't really need to be 3D, since systems (as far as we know are flat anyway. Would be nice to have a hex grid instead of a square grid, though And 3D combat space that works on a coordinate system, with engines rated by thrust, meaning one engine pushes that escort a lot farther than that dreadnaught. And weapon facing, factors for inertia and gravity, seperate supplies for weapons, crew consumables, and fuel... Lots of things that will be really neato, but probably won't happen

I can still dream!

[Suicide Junkie]

well, if you look at the galaxy, its mostly flat anyways.

You could use the map editor to make a multi-level map.

If you want a system directly above some other one, just place it one square away.

You could have systems:

.....A...W
X.....B.....Y
..Z...C.....

Pretend A,B & C are above each other in space.
A connects to B, B connects to C.
B connects to WXY &Z.

[Trachmyr]

Yeah I know what you mean... I would love to see a game that goes into detail and respects physics. It could be done, the game would have to be "simultaneous turn", and your position would be more of a "Emperor" controlling the people that control your empire (i.e., you would have less control over the small details). The system could be dynamic (planets actually orbit the sun), and movement between planets would have to be planned (best orbit position, fuel supply, etc.). This extra detail would probally mean that the game would have far fewer systems, and more emphisis would be place on good habitial worlds (for the particular race: Gravity, Atmosphere composition/pressure, Terrain, Radiation, hostile weather/life, etc.) and the LONG process of terraforming.

I dream too (in color and surround sound!)

[Aussie Gamer]

The best 3D map and ship movement display that I have ever seen for space warfare was "Ascendancy". The AI was brain dead but the map for the system and the galaxy were great.
The worlds would rotate around the sun. It was like a bit of a jigsaw finding out were the links between the systems went.

One problem for animated system like that is Stellar Man instead of attacking a planet just put a sun in it's flight path, it's cinders for the world!

[Marty Ward]

I don't see any benefit to 3-D on the system map, it's more a strategic map, but a 3-D tactical combat map would be great! If you had fields of fire and different weaknesses from different angles you could have more interesting tactical combat. Maneuver and ship size/type would be more important than they are now.

[CaptSpoogy]

This seems to be a popular discussion.

Someone mentioned that star systems are relatively flat - which is true - so maybe the system map should remain 2D. But, I would really like to have 3D maps for combat and galatic views!

[Aussie Gamer]

You should not knock the 3D galaxy, it looks fantasic. You can spin it around, zoom in/out.
Adds a real good feel to the game.

But the 3D combat would be great. I think that the programming for that would be very hard to do, to get it change which components are destroyed first depending on which part of the ship was hit.

The game "Ascendancy" did not really allow for behind shots and like that but it would be great to have different turrents which allow limited firing angles etc.

[CaptSpoogy]

3D Combat that follows the same rules as the current combat would be relatively easy. The only big changes would be using 3 location co-ordinates rather than 2. The programming would be similiar, but a little more complex. The hit caculations would be still based on distance (even though the formula would be a little bit harder!)...