Randomizing a Map each turn?

WidowMakers · Post by **WidowMakers** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 7:22 am

At the start of each game can a certain map choose from several different layouts and XML files. If there is a map with the same number of territories and bonuses but he connections are different. Strategy would be different since you would never know what map configuration you were getting.

So I guess my question is:
Can the program randomly pick between several XML and Jpeg files for a map when it is initiated?

wcaclimbing · Post by **wcaclimbing** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 11:43 am

it could probably work. that would be fun, but it would be A LOT of extra work for the mapmakers.

Hoff · Post by **Hoff** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 9:54 pm

i dont understand what you are saying.

cowshrptrn · Post by **cowshrptrn** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 10:12 pm

Hoff wrote:i dont understand what you are saying.

i'm pretty sure he menas that you make a couple of maps w/ X countries, but the continents and borders are different on each one. For every new turn the map changes, so a clump of countries coudl be a continent one turn, then in the next have a mountain range and continent borders going between them.

sfhbballnut · Post by **sfhbballnut** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 10:22 pm

someting else that would be cool is just being able to pick random for the map when you set up a game.

Then you could have it hidden on the join games menu so that no one knows what map they're playing on 'til the game starts

cowshrptrn · Post by **cowshrptrn** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 10:41 pm

sfhbballnut wrote:someting else that would be cool is just being able to pick random for the map when you set up a game.

Then you could have it hidden on the join games menu so that no one knows what map they're playing on 'til the game starts

You'd ahve to be careful with that, or you might have 6 ppl on a tiny map, maybe if you set a list of maps and it woudl randomly choose a map from the list you set up.

This shodul probably go into a different forum....

WidowMakers · Post by **WidowMakers** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 6:20 am

Actually the territories on the map are the same each time. It is the boarders and attack lines that change. Like a map with Hi and Low tides. Hi tide with the extra water some territories do not touch therefore you cannot attack, and low tide a lot less water is there so many more territories touch.

So the main question is:
-Can we have the same territory layout?
-3 or 4 different Jpegs showing different attack routes?
-3 or 4 XML files associated with those Jpegs?

Marvaddin · Post by **Marvaddin** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 12:17 pm

Interesting idea... we could block some attack routes in winter due to snow

Is it possible?

Forza AZ · Post by **Forza AZ** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 1:28 pm

Marvaddin wrote:Interesting idea... we could block some attack routes in winter due to snow

Is it possible?

Yes, you could make 4 seasons for example. In winter a few mountain passes are blocked, in fall a few rivers are uncrossable due to heavy rainfail and in summer a few deserts are to hot to cross for example.

And then make each turn start a new season.

RexRegis · Post by **RexRegis** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 3:47 pm

Forza AZ wrote:
Marvaddin wrote:Interesting idea... we could block some attack routes in winter due to snow

Is it possible?

Yes, you could make 4 seasons for example. In winter a few mountain passes are blocked, in fall a few rivers are uncrossable due to heavy rainfail and in summer a few deserts are to hot to cross for example.

And then make each turn start a new season.

each turn = new season
Bad idea... if you play 4 players every player will get his own season.
there should be something else controlling the seasons.

WidowMakers · Post by **WidowMakers** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 3:50 pm

It would be random. You would never know what "season" was coming. It would be possible for the same season to happen 3 times in a row. Just like the dice, we would randomize the attack routes.

sully800 · Post by **sully800** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 4:41 pm

And idea similar to this was discussed in the map ideas thread. It would be possible to have the image of the map change because the image could be a gif. However to have the borders/continents change you would need a dynamic XML which I don't believe is possible. Or you would need several XML files that the computer would choose from to determine borders (and place the corresponding image) but I don't think that is possible either.

It would be an awesome feature but I don't think it can be done.

Econ2000 · Post by **Econ2000** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 5:54 pm

great idea but it would take alot of work and time and its a little too complicated. I mean i get it but its just complicated

qeee1 · Post by **qeee1** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 6:10 pm

sully800 wrote:And idea similar to this was discussed in the map ideas thread. It would be possible to have the image of the map change because the image could be a gif. However to have the borders/continents change you would need a dynamic XML which I don't believe is possible. Or you would need several XML files that the computer would choose from to determine borders (and place the corresponding image) but I don't think that is possible either.

It would be an awesome feature but I don't think it can be done.

With the coding as it is at the moment it couldn't be done, but from what I know of coding (very little) it shouldn't be too difficult to implement.

WidowMakers · Post by **WidowMakers** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 7:28 pm

Who would I talk to to find out if it could be done? Is there a specific person who I should contact?

I myself do not know much about programming either. However, after each player takes a turn, the computer does compute many things. Why couldn't one of those things be randomizing the XML file and JPEG to a different variation of the map. This would greatly enlarge the amount of map possibilities.

SargentFluffy · Post by **SargentFluffy** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 8:22 pm

that's a SWEET idea!

I'd totally help set that in motion!

Forza AZ · Post by **Forza AZ** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 4:51 am

RexRegis wrote:each turn = new season
Bad idea... if you play 4 players every player will get his own season.
there should be something else controlling the seasons.

What I meant that in each round the "season" changed. So every players plays 1 season first and then in the next round the next season etc.

KEYOGI · Post by **KEYOGI** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 5:47 am

Interesting concept, but it would frustrate me too much to bother playing that style of game. If it's a random event, it just adds another element of luck to the game and I think there's more than enough luck involved with cards and dice.

I don't object to the idea, I just wouldn't like to play that style of game.

WidowMakers · Post by **WidowMakers** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 7:21 am

I know it adds another random event into the game. However, it requires a player to make better choices about troop deployment. If there were 3 diferent attack route maps for the classic map, AU would not be able to be secured by dumping armies into Siam. Not everyone will like it. But it would enable a much different experience on the site. Again does anyone know who I talk to to see if this is possible. Names people. I need names.