another thing to fix soon - the map generator

[Portuguese]

Thx

 

[Leo826]

sorry, this is a tad off topic, but I dont want to start a new thread for something so miniscule. I was wondering if any of you know where to find a Europe map. If you know where to find one or if you have one, could you post the link/file either here or in a private message? thanks a bunch

 

[Lt. 'Killer' M.]

I *think* there's one at civ3.com

 

[Portuguese]

Here:
http://civ3.com/maps.cfm?startimg=22&page=8

 

[Lt. 'Killer' M.]

Oh I am soooo feed up!!!


7(!) pangaea, lots of land huge maps in a row gave me two large continents, one ven had three!!!!!

 

[Pembroke]

Looking at the "archipelago" maps in the previous posts, it seems that one big reason they end up as continent maps is that most small island seeds get placed too close to each other and eventually connect. That is, of course, the random generator working, but if this occurs constantly then isn't that a sign that there simply is too little room to get a real random archipelago map (i.e. lots of small islands that _won't_ get connected)?

Firaxis probably is not that keen to make any major changes, but how about simply increasing the land/sea proportion spread? After all that probably is only a parameter to the map generator. The choice is currently 60% - 80% water. If you could also create a 90% water world then I think that an archipelago ought to look more like a real archipelago. The available land area would not be a problem either, because you could achieve about the same actual land mass by choosing "large map with 90% water" instead of "standard map with 80%".

 

[Lt. 'Killer' M.]

Pembroke. That ould at least fix the archipelago maps! I was mor thinking along he lines of a second go-around for the map generator, i.e. rcreate the map, then fix it where it doesn't fit. Like find the connecting land bridges and gut them.. That way, pnagaea maps could also be fixed. But it would involve a lot more effort then your suggestion

 

[SirJethro]

Hey, Killer. If you are looking for better starting positions, I think we are going to be stuck with fixing it in the editor. If you don't want to see the map yourself, tell me what you want and I'll create you a map and change the start locations for you.

It would actually be nice if people posted some good maps without posting the mini-maps, for folks who want a "random" mystery map, but want to know it has good start locations and fits the descriptions.

I'm thinking of downloadable maps called: True archipelago, everyone isolated at start. Nothing more descriptive than that.

 

[Lt. 'Killer' M.]

SirJethro: I am still extremely busy here (have to ahnd in my hesis by Friday), then I'll be gone for a quick holiday. After that I have already planned some serious editor work - fo just that purpose

You'll do mine and I'll do yours

 

[SirJethro]

I couldn't resist...I took about 10-15 shots at a random islands map, and finally had to resort to minor editing on one that was almost good.

This one looks like fun...huge map, everything else random. Looks like wet 3 billion yrs. There are only 3 islands with 2 civs. Everyone else is alone, no islands with 3 civs. I don't expect the islands with 2 civs to last very long without wiping one out.

Feel free to give it a shot.

 

[Lt. 'Killer' M.]

SirJ: could you please mail me the file I can't DL attachments.....

 

[SirJethro]

Originally posted by Lt. 'Killer' M.
SirJ: could you please mail me the file I can't DL attachments.....

done

 

[mydisease]

Originally posted by Lt. 'Killer' M.
I wish someone (not me, to stupid) could find the map formula.

I suppose it would be possible to find a map formula, but it would take absolutely ages. You would have to test separately for civ no, map size, each separate environmental setting, % water and type of landform. I make that 1139062500 squares to count to ensure that the investigation is fair. Anyone fancy doing this?

As for pangea maps, I had to have pangea maps when investigating the science formula and a map with all civs on one continent will show up about 10% of the time.

And the archipelago problem could be solved by using the following to override the RNG in the map generator:
max number of land tiles per landmass = total no. of land tiles/(number of civs - k)
k could then be variable in the editor, with bigger values giving more variation.

 

[Teemu]

Even on 256*256 map size setting and 80% water map generator makes sometimes so that it is possible to connect 14 of 16 civs with great light house.

 

[SirJethro]

Originally posted by Teemu
Even on 256*256 map size setting and 80% water map generator makes sometimes so that it is possible to connect 14 of 16 civs with great light house.

True. But firstly, that may not be geographically inaccurate. An archipelago is a collection of small islands. That usually means shallow water (relatively). Think of the Bahamas or Phillipines. Many of those islands could have been connected with small boats.

Also, even with the Great Lighthouse, on a huge map it is going to take quite a long time to circumnavigate and find all of the other Civs.

 

[Pembroke]

I think in ToT there was this scenario map feature that allowed you to create N different pre-made maps and the game would then pick one by random. With this you could have nice-looking and balanced worlds but still be guessing as what would be where at least until you had explored enough to determine which map you were on. Assuming you could even remember them all, of course.

Too bad they didn't implement this in Civ3, too. Can't think it would be very difficult to code.

 

[Lt. 'Killer' M.]

Pembroke: this, at lest, is partly possible in Civ3. Just close your eyes before clickin a scenario file and scroll up and down some..

 

[Agamemnus]

I have a simple map gen program that I made, but it only makes 0's and 1's.

Anyone know if it is possible to create a map of your own using a different program? Or what data civ uses? or if one could just replace part of civ3's map gen with a different program? If so, where and how? ???