Max number of bases (and units)?

[Psyringe]

Hi

I just fired up SMAX again and found out that with my current PC, I'm able to generate maps as huge as 256x256 tiles in one or two seconds. That's the advantage when you're playing games which where designed for 100MHz PCs, you may be able to play them on a truly epic scale now.

My question is whether there are some limitations that would make the game unplayable (or at least not enjoyable) on maps of this size. Possibilities are:

- Limited number of bases. If there is a hard limit (say, of 256 bases, if they store it in a single byte variable), then playing maps of this size is pointless.

- Limited number of units (same reason)

- Research speed: Does it scale with the size of the map? It should be slower for larger maps (it's no fun to have copters before you've even met anyone else). Does SMAX lower research speed automatically, or will I have to mod that?

- Game end time: Currently fixed at 2500/2600 AD, I'll probably have to mod that. Fortunately that's easy.

So, if anyone has experience with SMAX games of this scale, any help, answers, or hints are welcome.

 

[Ultima Dragoon]

Lucky you. I wish I could have at least seen a game of SMAX before it was off the shelves

And yeah, it is good being able to play older games on newer comps.

 

[Sukenis]

I ahve done this before and I never hit any limit. The issue with a map that big is that many variables are based on map size. Reaserch is very slow and having a high effiecy rating also is less useful (both are based on mape size). Until orbital insertions, war is almost impossible as well. I am not saying these games are not fun, just very different. The Morgaons becomea super powerhouse having 100+ cities all making +1 energy per square. The Hive (and Spartans) are insane to play when you have more units than you can count as well.

 

[Cuivienen]

I have vague recollections of hearing about a unit limit and a city limit, but I've never actually encountered one even one larger-than-huge maps.

Research is greatly slowed on large maps.

The bad part about large maps is that the AI just doesn't know what to do with all of the space. After a certain point, all AIs will slow expansion to a crawl even those that would usually keep building until the map is full.

Of course, my biggest problem with huge maps is that you run out of base names too quickly. You get the standard set of names, then Alpha to Omega Sector, but then the odd bug that names any new base [Faction] 47 (IIRC the number is 47) kicks in.

 

[Psyringe]

In another forum (where I asked the same question), I was told that there was a limit of 512 bases.

There was also a mention of the AI not being able to use the space. I'm not sure whether this is related to the limit of 512 bases. Perhaps the AI wants to expand further, but can't due to this limit. But then again, players probably would have felt the limit too, and they don't seem to have.

I've decided to start with a 90x180 map (double-huge size), look how it goes, and go upwards from there.

Btw, the "magic number" for base names is 52 for the Gaians. Might be different for other factions though.