Anyone know what the new script for Small Continents does?

razor436

Chieftain
Joined
Nov 18, 2005
Messages
44
If I'm to ever buy the Scrambled Continents map pack DLC, I'm very much interested in knowing what exactly the new script for Small Continents does. If anyone finds out, please inform....
 
Pretty much what it says on the tin. Gave it a try. There are basically a few continents. Chances are you'll have one of your own. Think of "Islands" but with each landmass being about four times bigger. I like it a lot.
 
I tried one game with it...started on a larger landmass with 2 other civs and 3 or 4 other CS' s. Alex wasn't too far away on a smaller landmass within short sailing distance. Small islands randomly placed, some with CS.

So it seems like you could start on your own tiny landmass or on a bigger one with a couple others.
 
I wouldn't say it worth 5 bucks then. You can get teh same outcome with standart small continetns but adding high sea level.
 
believe that in addition to "small continents" there was also "large islands," at least there was in G&K, haven't checked for it yet in BNW.. Between the two of them, as well as archipelago, all the bases were already covered.
 
Just loaded up a game with Indonesia on the new small continents and this map type seems perfect for them. I started on a "small continent" with Russia and Netherlands, both of whom quickly expanded and took all the good spots on our landmass. So I scouted into the waters and discovered smaller island chains perfect for Indonesia to take advantage of it's UA. Unfortunately for me I found out that if you settle on a luxury with Indonesia then that luxury gets deleted and replaced with one of the unique spices. So instead of having wine and nutmeg in my second city I only had nutmeg...so I rage quit...:cry:
 
My impression after one playthrough is that it makes a more playable map than the original "small continents". Some of the CSes are on islands like the "plus" maps, but not all. The continents players start on are large enough to hold two players, so unless you pick an odd total number of civs you won't see somebody running away or suffering (depending on the civ) from starting alone.

I still like Terra better, but it was more fun than the times I've tried the original. I bought the pack for the prospect of the "Scrambled Earth" map more than anything, but I haven't tried it yet.
 
Description: "A new approach to the original Small Continents map, adding sprawling island chains and better continent generation."

I looked through the file and used a plugin to compare the code with the original Small Continents.

It looks like it's basically Small Continents with the IslandMaker code included and applied to GeneratePlotTypes. Nearly all other values are the same, except for sea levels.

Also, the "better continent generation" is basically supported by the lower sea levels it uses, for less snaky continents. The original Small Continents used a Normal sea level of 75% and a Low of 69%. This one uses 72% and 65%. Additionally, tectonic islands and island chains further reduce that a bit, for even more land. I don't think the island chains code overlaps and adds onto the existing land plots generated the same way tectonic islands do (which is also applied in this script, just like the original), they need space and are placed in water. Also, For reference, Continents uses a Normal of 72% and a Low of 67% and doesn't decrease further because it doesn't get tectonic islands or island chains applied. So, with this map script, you're getting a lot more land! Expect lots of hostile natives in the fog! :viking:

Nonetheless, it produces some nice results, and the extra islands create even more passageways to link the world for early exploration and contacts. Though, I think I would recommend using a low sea level, to avoid nearly all coastal settlements and excessive choke points which may cripple the tactical AI; and mountain chains just exacerbate the issue. It could even lead to a lot of frustrations with the player as you're shuffling units around. (1UPT needs space! :D)

Also, unlike the other "Plus" maps, this one doesn't push all the city-states away from the major civs to the outer, infertile areas of the map. They're all mixed-in like usual, which in my own opinion, is most ideal for balance.

EDIT: Actually, the Normal sea level setting seems adequate enough. One problem with the Low sea level setting on this is that it creates a lot of land. That's usually a good thing, but if you don't modify the resource settings as well, you'll have luxuries really spread thin. Also, on Low, you may want to increase the civ total by +2 and the city-states by +4, since there's going to be a lot more space.

small%2520continents%2520plus%2520examples.jpg
 
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