Continents info

[m15a]

For coders would it be possible to some how map out zones on the map that would dictate continental shelfs? Which could dictate when bonuses kick in.

It is definitely possible to come up with a way to split up landmasses into continents, if that's what you're asking. It's not even necessarily as hard as it sounds because the game is both generating the map and defining the continents simultaneously. A first pass at the map can be generated, and then basic continental areas can be defined (like maybe landmasses over a certain size will be split into 2 or 3 contients) and then the map can be modified with ocean tiles and mountains or whatever so it resembles separate continents (and it doesn't even have to do that good a job since it's just a game).

That's way easier than having a computer decide on the dividing line between Europe and Asia. And maybe for user-generated static maps, there will be a way of manually assigning continents to certain tiles.

 

[Eagle Pursuit]

Dividing a contiguous landmass into two or more continents doesn't even have to have physical barriers as long as there is an easy way to differentiate the parts, like one of those lenses they touted.

 

[m15a]

Dividing a contiguous landmass into two or more continents doesn't even have to have physical barriers as long as there is an easy way to differentiate the parts, like one of those lenses they touted.

I think a lens will be useful if not necessary no matter how they split landmasses (if they do). But it would still be important to have some sort of logic in continental borders. Like, on Earth, it'd be really odd if Australia was split north/south into two continents and North and South America were counted as one. Or if the border between North and South America was at the US-Mexico border or something silly like that.

 

[stealth_nsk]

I think a lens will be useful if not necessary no matter how they split landmasses (if they do). But it would still be important to have some sort of logic in continental borders. Like, on Earth, it'd be really odd if Australia was split north/south into two continents and North and South America were counted as one. Or if the border between North and South America was at the US-Mexico border or something silly like that.

Well, in real life we have North and South America which were a single landmass before Panama Сanal was built. And Africa was a single landmass with Asia before Suez Canal was built. And we divide Europe from Asia although there's no thin line, just some mountains, etc.

It would be good if the split will be based on mountain ranges and lakes as the border between Europe and Asia, plus some more or less narrow passages like the border between Asia and Africa.

 

[chaosprophet]

I agree that even with lenses, if they divide continents that way, it would be nice if it was also easily to understand by just looking at a mountain range, river, etc.

 

[Plus Ultra]

Dividing a contiguous landmass into two or more continents doesn't even have to have physical barriers as long as there is an easy way to differentiate the parts, like one of those lenses they touted.

While that is certainly true, having your troops suddenly loose/gain combat modifiers based on their position on a single contiguous landmass seems wierd, doesn't it?

I'm hoping that will only happen when there is a clear chokepoint between two areas, created by mountains or sea. I'm also hoping at least some sort of slight biome variation between continents, as we had in Civ V (not that anyone noticed).

 

[kaspergm]

The logical choice (imo.) will be to have a continent being a unit of land masses that are not separated by oceans. That would mean the "England" map has two continents: One on the left, including two satellite islands; and one on the east, including one large satellite island (with the cultural city state).

One can argue that satellite islands above a certain size could count as separate continents, but I think it's easier and more clear-cut to count them as same continent as long as they are only separated by coastal water. Dividing coherent landmasses into several continents will be extremely confusing for the player, except maybe if you have clear separaters like very pronounced mountain ranges, but even then ...

 

[Felis Renidens]

At least with their bonuses the English may have good reasons to vote on not being part of a continent...

 

[Yzman]

I wonder about that too. I always play Pangaea maps. But we still have 14 civs to get full details, So I would assume their are certain traits that will play well on a Pangaea map.

But yeah play as the Americans on a Pangaea is abit OP, so I wonder which civ and trait would counter this

Unless if there is only 1 continent the ability won't take affect.

 

[ChloePech]

Be intresting if the game actually made continental shelfs and built landmasses and mountain ridges based on that

 

[qwerty25]

Be intresting if the game actually made continental shelfs and built landmasses and mountain ridges based on that

Plus Volcanoes!

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[Eagle Pursuit]

When Ed Beach mentioned that he likes volcanoes, it made me think we will be seeing several as Natural Wonders. Heck, we've already seen Crater Lake.

 

[Liex]

It'd be interesting if we could choose how many continents should be formed, and how many of them should be empty at the start of the game, with options to randomize and set minimum and maximum quantities.

Actually, the map setup and generation really could use some improvements over Civ5's.

 

[Haig]

I bet that there will be some Goverment Civics that affect the continent system, like a civic or policy called "Colonialism" that gives bonuses to cities settled on another continents, "Imperialism" that gives combat bonus to other continents etc.

 

[JtW]

While that is certainly true, having your troops suddenly loose/gain combat modifiers based on their position on a single contiguous landmass seems wierd, doesn't it?

I'm hoping that will only happen when there is a clear chokepoint between two areas, created by mountains or sea. I'm also hoping at least some sort of slight biome variation between continents, as we had in Civ V (not that anyone noticed).

Having Teddy start in France on an Earth map and become angry with a Mongol invasion of China due to "warmongering on his continent" would also be weird.

 

[Callonia]

Having Teddy start in France on an Earth map and become angry with a Mongol invasion of China due to "warmongering on his continent" would also be weird.

Maybe it also applies to distance from his own borders. If its really really really faraway on opposite end of the continent. Teddy won't care much? Maybe cast an disapproving glance in chinese's direction?

 

[Plus Ultra]

It'd be interesting if we could choose how many continents should be formed, and how many of them should be empty at the start of the game, with options to randomize and set minimum and maximum quantities.

Actually, the map setup and generation really could use some improvements over Civ5's.

Hear, hear.

Having Teddy start in France on an Earth map and become angry with a Mongol invasion of China due to "warmongering on his continent" would also be weird.

That would indeed be wierd, but only because you are placing Teddy's America in Europe, on an TSL Earth map, during the Mongolian invasions of China. Nothing non-wierd can come from that scenario.

In case your argument is "too much distance", would you be ok having Teddy start in Chicago and become angry when the Brasilians attack the Inca in Chile?

Distance between Seattle and Puerto Montt = 11051 km (straight line, source)
Distance between Paris and Ulan Bator = 7058 km (straight line, source)

Anyway, I'm sure they'll figure out a way to make it work. Even if there are sudden changes of continents within the same contiguous landmass, that could work with different biomes or natural barriers (mountains, desert)

 

[TheMarshmallowBear]

Well, we know they have names, so continents for what it's worth are formally recognised.

The question now begins, is if continents can share a landmass and still be two distinct continents.

 

[KrikkitTwo]

Well, we know they have names, so continents for what it's worth are formally recognised.

The question now begins, is if continents can share a landmass and still be two distinct continents.

And can 2 separate landmasses be part of the same continent.

 

[Browd]

Sure they can. Europe and Asia (and sometimes India) are all regarded as "continents" (in India's case, sometimes a "subcontinent," although it sits on its own continental plate). But all form a single land-mass that is often called Eurasia. And North and South America are connected by a tiny isthmus of land (Panama), to form a single continuous landmass (you could walk from the Bering Strait to the Strait of Magellan, although you would have to put on your bathing suit to swim across the Panama Canal). Mimicking that in the game seems appropriate.