mitsho
Deity
Of course, it would have to be taken to an abstract level. We can't have as many arrows as on these maps above. It somehow must be able to have an effect without cluttering the map!
mfG mitsho
mfG mitsho
Ocean Currents
- Thread starter AndrewH
- Start date
Ivan the Kulak
King
Hmm, currents are an interesting idea. I would prefer some sort of graphic to indicate currents, maybe a slightly lighter blue and some animated waves going in the current flow direction (I am hoping for animated water in civ4, that water even in the early screenshots looks really nice).
Some things to keep in mind: Currents early on would be a big exploit for the player, who would be sending triremes down every current showing, and beating the AI to the other land all the time, so currents maybe shouldn't even show until you discover an Ocean Faring tech later on, right before Magnetism.
Dead zones with no wind would be far more realistic for becalming ships, I don't know how you'd represent that though.
In the spirit of animated water, I'd like to see some animated storms, too. These could be frequent in the ancient age, and force galleys to put in to shore constantly. If you take a galley out to sea, you will probably see storms at every turn, and perhaps have a chance to run from them if you haven't used all your moves yet. You would probably be forced in a direction you didn't want to go, though. Stop in a storm and you sink. Your oarsmen should get tired after awhile too, as you would run out of food, so move points for galleys should be reduced after a few turns at sea, that might put an end to the suicide galley strategy.
Some things to keep in mind: Currents early on would be a big exploit for the player, who would be sending triremes down every current showing, and beating the AI to the other land all the time, so currents maybe shouldn't even show until you discover an Ocean Faring tech later on, right before Magnetism.
Dead zones with no wind would be far more realistic for becalming ships, I don't know how you'd represent that though.
In the spirit of animated water, I'd like to see some animated storms, too. These could be frequent in the ancient age, and force galleys to put in to shore constantly. If you take a galley out to sea, you will probably see storms at every turn, and perhaps have a chance to run from them if you haven't used all your moves yet. You would probably be forced in a direction you didn't want to go, though. Stop in a storm and you sink. Your oarsmen should get tired after awhile too, as you would run out of food, so move points for galleys should be reduced after a few turns at sea, that might put an end to the suicide galley strategy.
Admiral8Q
Prince
Excellent ides Ivan! 
You stimulated my last brain cell.
Perhaps currents could be graphicaly represented by flowing seas. Also air currents could be displayed by froth or waves on the water surface, and the way trees, grass, etc is blowing on land. And yeah, no arrows on the screen, heheh.
So there would be no obvious indication of sea currents or air currents.
You stimulated my last brain cell.
Perhaps currents could be graphicaly represented by flowing seas. Also air currents could be displayed by froth or waves on the water surface, and the way trees, grass, etc is blowing on land. And yeah, no arrows on the screen, heheh.
So there would be no obvious indication of sea currents or air currents.
sir_schwick
Archbishop of Towels
This will sound complicated, but allow a lot of flexibility when dealing with movement rates related to combat/winds/currents. Now Sea movement has two stats: MP and Rate. Rate is about the saem as speed, and is modified by currents, winds, and has some effect in combat. Each MP lets you go a certain number of squares based on rate. It would possible not to head very quickly or even not be able to go a certain direction at all because of currents.
Ivan, very good ideas.
Admiral, love the graphs.
Ivan, very good ideas.
Admiral, love the graphs.
Admiral8Q
Prince
Thanks blue towel guy. 
um, yes it would be complicated, but the random map seed seems to work very well grouping land together and sea and even similar terrain types like mountain chains.
I believe a random yet ordered mathimatical equation could be generated.
um, yes it would be complicated, but the random map seed seems to work very well grouping land together and sea and even similar terrain types like mountain chains.I believe a random yet ordered mathimatical equation could be generated.
AndrewH
Prince
Im surprised this thread got so many Replies. Thanks for the ideas tho guys.
And thinking about ur mountain chain idea.. they could also bring glaciers in...
And thinking about ur mountain chain idea.. they could also bring glaciers in...
Admiral8Q
Prince
Andrew, this was a genius idea. Remember that genius is not studied from a text book, but comes from pure thought.
AndrewH
Prince
You are the first person to tell me that i am genius. Thanks 
... Is that 2 of my ideas that you have liked?
... Is that 2 of my ideas that you have liked?
sir_schwick
Archbishop of Towels
Good or terrible ideas usually get a lot of replies.
Also, enough with the back-patting please. It artifically bumps the thread.
this idea would also transform oceans from the bastard child of terrain to something that seems as unique as the land.
Also, enough with the back-patting please. It artifically bumps the thread.
this idea would also transform oceans from the bastard child of terrain to something that seems as unique as the land.
AndrewH
Prince
If you add Seasons and weather, you would have to have "warm" and "cold" currents, and that would make it even more complex. I dont know what that would do though.... :/
