13-09-2005 23:39									#1
	Map Size Help yourself to an AD-FREE life

I read in the compiled literature and speculation about Civ 4 that the conversion to 3D would force the designers (and ultimately the gamers) to be more economical about map sizes . Does anyone know what has been discussed? I've done some digging but have been unable to find any hard numbers.

I can only assume that there will be that famous built-in level of customization that will allow the player to utilize larger maps and longer games if they so choose.

Fortunately for me, I intend to invest in a fairly high-end computer in the near future that should be able to handle the demands the game will place on a computer system, but for anyone that may be skirting the minimum requirements, it might be good to know just how much will be lost in the trade-off.

	13-09-2005 23:55									#2
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization 2

I hope we don't lose Huge maps.

	13-09-2005 23:57									#3
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization 2

every other civ game as had the ability to go"large" on maps

why change that now?

	14-09-2005 00:12									#4
	Got spare money?

who cares what peoples comps can do? imo the map sizes should be unlimited,even 100000x100000, if your computer freezes its your own fault

	14-09-2005 01:27									#5
	Suffering from ads?

hey, just curious... I've seen lots of screens, but haven't seen this addressed anywhere... are the maps still cylinders? or are they actually globes now?

	14-09-2005 02:08									#6
	Support Apolyton, buy GURPS/ Alpha Centauri

quote: Originally posted by Sava hey, just curious... I've seen lots of screens, but haven't seen this addressed anywhere... are the maps still cylinders? or are they actually globes now?

AFAIK they are as the old tradition, only they "stretched" it over a half sphere to simulate the globe view.

	14-09-2005 12:38									#7
	Support Apolyton

As long as the AI algorithims work on maps made larger than optimum - which they DIDN'T in Civ 3 - then we will be fine. The map size will be moddable at minimum in XML, but it needs to be playable.

	14-09-2005 19:10									#8
	Re: Map Size Lose 30 kilos (of popups)

quote: Originally posted by ruby_maser I read in the compiled literature and speculation about Civ 4 that the conversion to 3D would force the designers (and ultimately the gamers) to be more economical about map sizes . Does anyone know what has been discussed? I've done some digging but have been unable to find any hard numbers.

The maps are indeed smaller, but I don't believe it is due to the 3-D interface. At least, they have not said that is the reason, and it doesn't make sense that it would be.

	15-09-2005 02:14									#9
	Re: Re: Enter the AD-FREE zone

quote: Originally posted by sophist The maps are indeed smaller, but I don't believe it is due to the 3-D interface. At least, they have not said that is the reason, and it doesn't make sense that it would be.

Doesn't make sense to you anyway.

Seeing as how a 3D interface and gameplay at larger map sizes both weigh heavily on system resources, it makes perfect sense to me that, if the designers wanted to keep system requirements reasonable, including 3D would necessitate some concessions elsewhere. Paring down the map sizes is a logical choice.

	15-09-2005 05:34									#10
	Re: Re: Map Size Get a bigger avatar today!

quote: Originally posted by sophist The maps are indeed smaller, but I don't believe it is due to the 3-D interface. At least, they have not said that is the reason, and it doesn't make sense that it would be.

They have said that it was done because of the demands of 3-D.

If the early interviews are accurate, the maps are slightly smaller than Civ3, but of course the mod abilities should allow for much more