Animated Maps.

[Telvannia]

* Suggestion Idea:
Animated maps.
* Specifics:
Have a third option in your settings of map type, animated or not animated, not all maps would have to be animated but if it was then the people who chose to turn on animations would see it. No artists would be told to animate their maps, but they would have the option because i know DiM had a animated AoM. The animations would not change borders just add things like boats sailing around on AoM, or the clouds moving on king of the mountains.
* Why it is needed:
It is not needed, but i think it would look good, and some people might like some eye candy while playing games.
* Priority** (1-5):
2 at most, not very important just a bit of eye candy.

[Rybal]

Or people could just make a gif map - these could be animated without too much additional bandwidth usage. I would put this on a 1 as far a priority goes - changing the current maps would probably be more work than it is worth.

[gimil]

he didnjt say change all the current maps. he said make it optinal to have a map animated.

Im up for these animated maps.

Telvannia decided to put a nice littel animation on my current map under development which could of been good.

[DiM]

i would definitely like animated maps. here's what i posted on 19 Apr 2007 17:52 in page 34 of the AoM map:

unfortunately it was kinda shot down for eating bandwidth. but as a 3rd option it would be really nice. it wouldn't be mandatory for all new maps. but the people that want to animate them would be able to do it.

also the size does not increase that much.

i got bored so i animated the map. like it?
it's my first animation ever so don't be too picky.
i did it because i wanted to learn how to do an animation and exercise my skills.
more difficult animations can be done like marching troops explosions etc. it would be nice if we had like 3 maps: small large and animated.
edit// it seems on some conections it could be slow.

[BobHacket]

I like the idea, animations would be neat,as long as they were a little bit better than DiM's
I really like the idea of the clouds on king of the mountain...

[DiM]

I like the idea, animations would be neat,as long as they were a little bit better than DiM's
I really like the idea of the clouds on king of the mountain...

that was my first animation ever

[gimil]

I like the idea, animations would be neat,as long as they were a little bit better than DiM's
I really like the idea of the clouds on king of the mountain...

that was my first animation ever

DiM im so pround

*sniff*

There you got me started.

hes all grown up.

[KEYOGI]

One of my major concerns with animated maps is file size. DiM's quick three second animation comes in at 600kb, that's an extra 400kb over the existing AoM map.

Now to get an animation to a decent level of visual appeal will take a lot more work and will require a lot longer animation. You're going to be looking at image sizes in the MB's not kb's and I really don't think this is a practical idea.

[DiM]

One of my major concerns with animated maps is file size. DiM's quick three second animation comes in at 600kb, that's an extra 400kb over the existing AoM map.

Now to get an animation to a decent level of visual appeal will take a lot more work and will require a lot longer animation. You're going to be looking at image sizes in the MB's not kb's and I really don't think this is a practical idea.

actually the map i submitted was 1MB but lack compressed it down to 200k

anyway here's what i posted in another thread:

i partly agree with keyogi.
yes the animations have to be very lengthy in order for them to provide an accurate feeling and they have to be done in taste to not distract attention.


what i don't agree is the file size problem.
let me develop this thought.

we now have small and large maps which are mandatory for a map to get quenched.

i say an OPTIONAL large animated map is good. the map maker creates it and it is added on the site as a third option.
yes it will be a large file but if you have a slow connection you're not forced to play it. just go with small or large. not to mention the animation will take time when you first load it then it is stored in the cache.

[unriggable]

The animations only have to be a few frames long. Just to have a guy stand, take aim, fire, that's three frames. Plenty enough of animation, and not mmuch more space than the current maps.

[Ronaldinho]

* Suggestion Idea:
Animated maps.
* Specifics:
Have a third option in your settings of map type, animated or not animated, not all maps would have to be animated but if it was then the people who chose to turn on animations would see it. No artists would be told to animate their maps, but they would have the option because i know DiM had a animated AoM. The animations would not change borders just add things like boats sailing around on AoM, or the clouds moving on king of the mountains.
* Why it is needed:
It is not needed, but i think it would look good, and some people might like some eye candy while playing games.
* Priority** (1-5):
2 at most, not very important just a bit of eye candy.

Ni i just looked at DiM's boat thing, after 3 seconds it pissed me off, f*ck that being in one of my game, option or no option, lack dont' do it im begging you