24-02-2005 18:48									#1
	What map size do you prefer? Lose 30 kilos (of popups)

I prefer map sizes of gigantic proportions. 200x200 suits me fine. Sure...it makes for a longer opening game, and less contact between facs, but I like it that way.

What's your preferred map size?

Asmodean

	24-02-2005 19:40									#2
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Big as possible. I just love having little transports or isles out pod-popping in the middle of nowhere.


Once had three Mark II Ogres out of it in fairly rapid succession....

	24-02-2005 20:58									#3
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quote: Originally posted by molly bloom Big as possible. I just love having little transports or isles out pod-popping in the middle of nowhere. Once had three Mark II Ogres out of it in fairly rapid succession....

Yeah...I know exactly what you mean. I love that too. Plus you get more room to expand, which is always nice. I'm a builder at heart.

Asmodean

	24-02-2005 21:15									#4
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I'll state the obvious:
size doesn't matter!

Actually, I prefer the huge maps, for my expansionistic, peace-loving tendencies.

	24-02-2005 22:41									#5
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Huge to huge plus. I haven't had the hutzpah to modify the game so I can run 512 x 512. If I didn't have a toddler, I would.

	24-02-2005 23:19									#6
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large or standard. I don't like long games anymore.

	25-02-2005 01:10									#7
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recently i've been playing a lot of games on tiny, basically doing an 'almost OCC' with about three or four cities and being non-aggressive all throughout the game.

	25-02-2005 01:30									#8
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quote: Originally posted by shawnmmcc Huge to huge plus. I haven't had the hutzpah to modify the game so I can run 512 x 512. If I didn't have a toddler, I would.

What mod is needed to do that?

Asmodean

	25-02-2005 03:00									#9
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I find bigger maps tend to aggravate the problems of the AI even more, so I play on normal or large, no bigger. Any bigger than that, and the entire game becomes a cleanup exercise, since the AI can't pressure me early enough to make the game a challenge.

	25-02-2005 04:14									#10
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quote: Originally posted by shawnmmcc If I didn't have a toddler, I would.

quote: Originally posted by Asmodean What mod is needed to do that?

Well, see, when a mummy Talent and a daddy Talent love each other very much...

I kid. I think all you need to do is mod the relevant portion of the alpha.txt. Currently mine reads:

quote: #WORLDSIZE 5 Tiny planet|(early conflict), 24, 48 Small planet, 32, 64 Standard planet, 40, 80 Large planet, 44, 90 Huge planet|(late conflict), 64, 128

...so I'm guessing if you change that '5' to '6' and add 'gigantic planet' (or whatever) and its dimensions...
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, as I almost certainly am

	25-02-2005 04:31									#11
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Normal is the largest size I prefer.

	25-02-2005 05:23									#12
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Yes, if you add a "gigantic" world size in the text file, it appears as an additional choice when you run the program.

	25-02-2005 05:57									#13
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My favo is just around 64x128 - huge standard.
However, when playing with my friends - they get tired when more bases come to play.
There is also some map size which I consider a good medium one:
50x100
It no longer gives me feeling of being too small, yet is better for multiplayer games when people dislike having too many bases

	25-02-2005 06:51									#14
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quote: Originally posted by Zoetrope Yes, if you add a "gigantic" world size in the text file, it appears as an additional choice when you run the program.

True, but the map generator won't produce a map larger than 256x256, no matter what parameters you specify in the text file.

	25-02-2005 06:54									#15
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quote: Originally posted by Petek True, but the map generator won't produce a map larger than 256x256, no matter what parameters you specify in the text file.

I did it Petek. Would you like larger map? Tell me the size. SMAX? SMAC? pm me your email, and I will send it to you

	25-02-2005 07:26									#16
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Thanks, but upon further consideration it's not necessary. I was thinking of what happens when you use the "Custom Size" option when starting a new game. In that case you don't get a map larger than 256x256. Just confirmed thar you _can_ get larger maps by changing the alpha text file. Thanks.

Petek

	25-02-2005 09:18									#17
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I think I can get larger than 256x256 by the option in the scenario editor. No need to change alphax.txt

	25-02-2005 11:59									#18
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As much as its fun to play huge maps with tonnes of bases, I get bored after awhile and never finish those games.

I prefer Standard size. Its nice and comfortable.

	25-02-2005 13:22									#19
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I play almost exclusively on "huge" maps. I've played a little on 256 maps, but they slow the game down a lot.

	25-02-2005 15:18									#20
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quote: Originally posted by shawnmmcc If I didn't have a toddler, I would.

You haven't built your Children's Creche yet ?


Shame on you!


Time to get that little talent trained in the Way Of SMAC/X .


Now get outside and plant that tree farm.

	25-02-2005 15:44									#21
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When you select cutom map, the game warns you that playing on huge maps (especially larger than 200x200) there is a chance that the game will crash on you.

Asmodean

	25-02-2005 17:13									#22
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I created a gigantic planet map at one point, but never got around to playing on it; I got fed up of drawn-out games on huge maps and started playing around on small and even tiny ones. Having four momentum factions start on the same continent can be funnn, especially if you're the fifth as Deirdre. Took some nasty diplomacy to get out of that one alive :E

	25-02-2005 19:48									#23
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quote: Originally posted by Mark123jansen recently i've been playing a lot of games on tiny, basically doing an 'almost OCC' with about three or four cities and being non-aggressive all throughout the game.

I had a concept for a faction based around the 'almost OCC' idea.....you can see it here

When I plugged in the values and tried the faction out, it was incredibly fun. Because these cities grow up, instead of out, you want to leave room between them so ICS is out. It is almost like jumping to a late game style of play were you trying to squeeze every last EC and Lab you can get out of a city, rather than just the typical more cities equals more production.

	26-02-2005 01:06									#24
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will the game crash if you attempt to build 256 bases?

I think I'll try a game on the smallest map size. I have never tried that. Could be interesting.

	26-02-2005 01:09									#25
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quote: Originally posted by Dissident I think I'll try a game on the smallest map size. I have never tried that. Could be interesting.

I played a tcp/ip game with my friend on the smallest = tiny map. AI was not at all improved by any enhacements or such. Just we started a regular game. Somehow AI performed quite good. It appears, the smaller the map the better AI does.

	26-02-2005 03:10									#26
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Try playing: Tiny Map : 30-50% Ocean : Weak Erosion (and dont add in the Pirates).....

If you are lucky you'll end up with no (or very little) ocean. Games are fast as lightning. Normally bad factions tend to do well. Believers and Cult do very well against unprepared squishy neighbors. Builders don't have free reign to snatch up all the SPs without a defense to hold them. Without water there are very few if any choke points to hold a stupid AI. Plus a spread out AI will often attack from multiple directions.

Last edited by livid imp on 26-02-2005 at 12:01

	26-02-2005 07:06									#27
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quote: Originally posted by Petek Just confirmed thar you _can_ get larger maps by changing the alpha text file.

For anyone who is interested, here's what to do:

go to the #WORLDBUILDER section of the alpha.txt or aplhax.txt and change the first 2 lines from (all changes in italics):

#WORLDBUILDER
384, ; Land base (Seeded land size of a standard world)
256, ; Land modifier (additional land from LAND selection: x0, x1, x2)

to

#WORLDBUILDER
512, ; Land base (Seeded land size of a standard world)
384, ; Land modifier (additional land from LAND selection: x0, x1, x2)

(or whatever larger-than-that size you are comfortable working with given the constraints of your rig)

then the last 2 lines of that section from:

3,6,12,18,24 ; Ratio (Continent size ratios)
36 ; Islands (Higher # increases island count)

to

3,6,12,18,24,36,72,108 ; Ratio (Continent size ratios)
108, ; Islands (Higher # increases island count)

Then change the next section (#WORLDSIZE) from:

#WORLDSIZE
5
Tiny planet|(early conflict), 24, 48
Small planet, 32, 64
Standard planet, 40, 80
Large planet, 44, 90
Huge planet|(late conflict), 64, 128

to

#WORLDSIZE
7
Tiny planet|(early conflict), 24, 48
Small planet, 32, 64
Standard planet, 40, 80
Large planet, 44, 90
Huge planet, 64, 128
Giant planet, 128, 256
Humungous planet|(late conflict), 192, 384

(or whatever size you want your "Humungous" planet to be, but not larger than you specified in Worldbuilder - I find that 192 x 384 to be a good size planet for extremely late conflict)

	26-02-2005 09:57									#28
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just finished a game on a tiny map. I did even better than I normally do.

I got a fastest transcend score.

although one reason I might have progressed so fast through the tech tree is because I got about 7 or 8 techs (automatically because 3 other factions got them) because I was playing the Datajack Angels.

This was my first game with the angels. Even though I didn't use them how they were supposed to be used (I did not initiate one probe team action the entire game). I just went demo/free market/wealth the entire game. I started in that crater, so I had some good minerals to start out with.

	26-02-2005 20:18									#29
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quote: Originally posted by Googlie (or whatever size you want your "Humungous" planet to be, but not larger than you specified in Worldbuilder - I find that 192 x 384 to be a good size planet for extremely late conflict)

So, I take it you only want to start a war around 2499?

	26-02-2005 21:44									#30
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quote: Originally posted by GeoModder So, I take it you only want to start a war around 2499?

As a builder, I can say that that would suit me fine. I always try to avoid conflict. I now that is not entirely possible, but that is my aim.

Asmodean