Map Size options in Civ 4.

[Zenith Omega 3]

I heard that there will not be any ability to play in a large and/or Huge map in Civ 4. I really enjoy playing Civ 3's Huge map in order to be involved in a longer game that feels more realistic. I hope Firaxis sees this posting and decides to keep the option for multiple sizes of maps in Civ 4.
Has anybody heard anything different? I hope so!

 

[Commander Bello]

Sorry to disappoint you, but it has been said by one of the developers (don't find the link at the moment) that 3D comes with a prize. That is, huge and large maps are not so huge and not so large as they were in Civ3.
This bothers me as well as I like to play on over-huge maps (although in Civ3 this is of limited fun due to the max. number of cities).

 

[Zenith Omega 3]

I wonder why the developers would make the maps smaller? Smaller maps aren't as 'realistic' to some players. Oh well. I hope the huge map is still large enough to alow for long games and realistic world sizes.

 

[Legionary37]

I have to say I'm disappointed the maps are going to be smaller. I always found the largest maps with the most other players to be the funnest. All the diplomatic entanglements and wars...

 

[Zenith Omega 3]

My thoughts, exactly! Why would the developers not have taken this into consideration? Maybe they did, but decided against it for the sake of adding the 3D effects into the game...I am not sure, but from my lay point of view, it appears to be so obvious that the players and fans of this game enjoy larger maps.

 

[Icevulture]

I don't mind small maps. It's easier to micro-manage, and each city is that much more precious to lose or gain because there are fewer to take over. If you only have 8 cities, losing one is going to hurt you a lot compared to if you play a HUGE map and you have 25 cities.

Smaller maps are fine by me, as long as the resources are balanced.

 

[Legionary37]

I'm not saying we shouldn't have the option of smaller maps, but what I don't understand is why they can't just make the "3D" maps bigger? I am having a hard time imagining the engine itself is keeping them from just making larger maps.

 

[Zenith Omega 3]

True! I understand there are players who do not mind playing in the smaller maps. However, there are players that enjoy large maps. Therefore, why couldn't the developers develop maps to fit both types of players. It's such an easy concept to develop.(I believe)
I have a hard time imagining the same thing Legoinary37 said.

 

[dc82]

i think the problem is, the larger the map, the slower the game will run - one of the complaints about civ3 was the long slowdowns, esp. on larger maps. when making the game, the developers prob. felt that some of the new features wud be worht having a smaller size. at the same time, i'm sure u can mod or change this eventually - it's prob. just default settings in which the largest default map size won't be as large as the large in civ3. but w/ all the modders out, i'm sure u'll find immense maps soon after.

 

[Legionary37]

Perhaps they were concerned about lag issues? Or maybe larger maps would cause the system requirements to balloon? Can we get some theories here people?

 

[smallstepforman]

Speaking from experience (my HotW game), the issue with large maps is AI pathfinding. For each additional map tile, you have to evaluate if it's worthwile travelling there. Multiply this by the increased number of AI units in the game, and you suddenly have a VERY SLOW (aka not fun) game.

 

[Markus6]

Guys this has all been said in another thread, can't be bothered finding it but the title is pretty obvious.

 

[CyberChrist]

I am a bit puzzled here, exactly why would moving to a 3D environment require smaller maps? I thought one of the arguments for moving to 3D was that it would be less memory hungry? If the argument is that more processing power is required for the 3D rendering then that requirement should be more or less static, since it will only (and always) have to generate what you see on screen at any one time - and I just don't see why map size should affect this (extremely unqualified programming excluded).

 

[fuad]

maybe on larger or huge maps all the units cost could be increased either by 10 or 15 and also the worker jobs turns too to be increased by 14 turns more , i've tried this on 180 x 180 and 256 x 256 and even on 362 x 362 , but it takes huge effort to work the terrain around ur cities for good production ....... it works in civ. 3 and conquests the games aren't as slow as they used to be ...but i don't know if this will workout or not in civ 4. i hope that we will still have a good large and huge maps to play on even if they will be smaller comparing to the huge and large civ.3 maps

 

[warpstorm]

The exact quote from Barry was "It was easier to make really huge maps in 2D. The largest maps in Civ 4 will be a bit smaller than their Civ 3 counterparts but there is a lot more going on with all the animations and all the available information."

 

[Illini Rule]

smaller maps are a horrible idea, the huge maps are the most fun. it sounds like they are giving us more graphics and less in game play options

 

[FireStorm5]

My thoughts, exactly! Why would the developers not have taken this into consideration? Maybe they did, but decided against it for the sake of adding the 3D effects into the game...I am not sure, but from my lay point of view, it appears to be so obvious that the players and fans of this game enjoy larger maps.

I agree. I often see developers ruin a great game because they take so much out of the game for the sake of up to date graphics and animations. Graphics are nice but if it comes at a price of having to take alot of great features out of a game then I would rather have older graphics. I'm really hoping this isn't the path Fraxis is taking.

 

[Andrew_Jay]

My understanding is that they are giving you the option to actually play a longer game - with the quick, standard, and epic lengths. I personally like that.

 

[wotan321]

What about flat maps? I have seen lots of maps and that spinning globe.... but I assume flat maps, necessary for some scenarios, will be an option.

 

[Himalia]

If theres a really big demand for huge maps they may well change things in one of the extensions that the ywill do at some point. Yes it will be a large drain on your computers resources but if you have the resources it best its there. Afterall you dont ahve to play on a huge map and i would be very disapointed if there not going to be all that big.