Are maps truly random?

[caralampio]

Are maps created each time you play by randomly placing tiles, or are they chosen from a large but finite set of pre-designed maps? Sometimes I feel like "I've already been here"...

 

[Willem]

No they are created randomly. The game uses a "seed" number in order to create them so if by chance that number is duplicated at some point then you might end up with a similar looking map. If you open up your Warlords folder, go to the Assets/Python folder, you'll find a file there called CvMapGeneratorUtil.py. The codes in there are pretty much what creates all the maps in the game and the person who came up with them added in alot of comments about what all the different codes do, so you can learn alot just by looking at that file.

 

[r_rolo1]

Well, they aren't random like if hitted tiles with rocks blindfolded, but they are generated using some rules that include a random generator. If the script gives too little freedom in terms of use of the RNG ( like for example, solid shoreline pangea ), the maps may result very similar from time to time.

 

[warpstorm]

This is especially true of maps like Continents or Pangaea as it is obligated to give you 2 or 1 land mass of roughly the same general shape and spacing every time. It will mix the details up a bit though.

In addition, there is a very slim (but non-zero) chance that you actually get the same seed more than once.

If you are really interested, you can look at the map generator scripts. They are pretty simple to work with and you can make all sorts of changes.

 

[Willem]

This is especially true of maps like Continents or Pangaea as it is obligated to give you 2 or 1 land mass of roughly the same general shape and spacing every time.

I don't find this to be true playing Hemispheres maps with just two hemispheres. With that script maps are quite varied and unique, much more so than Continents. I ended up getting pretty bored with that one.

 

[Scoottr]

Try Fractal...it seems to be the true random script.

 

[Turquoiside]

Yes............

 

[Faramel]

Not always, on fractal I got maps that look almost the same.

 

[Airefuego]

Try tectonics 60% water for some real (unpredictable) fun

 

[FlyinJohnnyL]

Just play forum games you'll never get the same map twice

 

[Godwynn]

Are maps created each time you play by randomly placing tiles, or are they chosen from a large but finite set of pre-designed maps? Sometimes I feel like "I've already been here"...

I always get the feeling the AI is trying to shaft me with starting locations.

 

[bippukt]

I always get the feeling the AI is trying to shaft me with starting locations.

Regenerate Regenerate Regenerate!!!

PS - It is nice to see someone who has been on the forums longer than me

 

[Godwynn]

Regenerate Regenerate Regenerate!!!

PS - It is nice to see someone who has been on the forums longer than me

Don't travel to Off-Topic much do you?

 

[bippukt]

No, I play the game very slowly and hence use up most of my "Civ time" to playing the game

 

[Turquoiside]

Not always, on fractal I got maps that look almost the same.

No they are all random, but seeds have a small chance of being used twice in a row.

 

[caralampio]

I always get the feeling the AI is trying to shaft me with starting locations.

Sometimes I feel that if you quit in the first few turns (because you don't like the map) and do so several times, the game starts giving you worse and worse starting locations, like if it is punishing you.