Does anyone have someone in mind that could make a map for us if we asked them to (as opposed to generating and perhaps modifying a random one)?
Ginger Ale directed me to this thread, and I suggested that I'd be happy to work on a map if requested. If I were selected to do the map, here are the questions I'd ask of the teams:
- Do you want a completely customized map, or a normal map script with minor tweaks to ensure fairness? (This is the most important question, IMO.)
- How much contact between teams is desired, and how early should it come?
- How much of a role would the teams like navies to play?
- Do the teams want a "very balanced" game (equal access to resources and similar land), a "somewhat balanced" game (only enough tweaks to make sure individual teams aren't grossly disadvantaged), or a "random" game.
Let me throw out some map ideas for consideration; here are a few scripts that could potentially work well:
Pangaea: Everybody know this one, simple and to the point. Lots of contact and early action. One of the biggest problems is that teams in the center are disadvantaged by having more fronts to defend. Can be customized in a lot of ways, depending on what the teams want.
Wheel: One of the better Multiplayer maps for this sort of game, and a very "fair" map, with equal territory for all civs and access to each team. May be too unnatural for some teams' tastes.
Donut: A fun script added in the expansion. All the teams start on the outside edge of the donut, with a large region of peaks in the middle. The peaks can also be replaced by water, or standard terrain, if desired.
Global Highlands: A more interesting take on Pangaea, IMO. The peaks make for all sorts of wacky geographical formations, and interesting decisions on where to settle. Lots of customization options in the settings too.
Archipelago/Snaky Continents: One of my personal favorites, due to the crazy and unpredictable land forms it spits out. Navies will be emphasized more heavily on this script.
I could go on, but that should at least give some ideas for starters. I'll be happy to tailor the map to whatever the teams want.