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Gandalf's Giant Random Land Map - Silk Road
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Author |
File Description |
RF_Gandalf |
Posted on 12/04/07 @ 10:17 PM
File Details |
Game Version: |
TAD |
Gandalf's Giant Random Land Map - Silk Road
A random map script for AOE3: The Asian Dynasties
by RF_Gandalf
Gandalf's Giant Random Land Map - Silk is a new random map for Single-player or Multiplayer use, for The Asian Dynasites, based on my recent Giant Random Land Map-Asian version. This map is an 'unknown' type map based on locations and features from TAD. See the description of that map if you have questions. This map differs in that the trade routes all will have 'Silk Road' style trade posts which are convertable with eliminating any treasure guardians nearby or by capturing from the enemy. The number of trade routes (1 or 2) and the trade posts varies randomly. There are a dozen different trade route patterns possible, each with varying numbers and/or positions of the trade posts.
One difference in the map from the previous version is that there is less variablility of the treasures or nuggets - these items are keyed to a feature called the 'mapType'. Each map pattern has its own 'mapType', but there are only 3 'mapTypes' that work with the Silk Road feature. Therefore all of the treasures are like those on the 3 variations of the Silk Road map (like on Yellow River, Mongolia or Himalaya maps)
This map has an amazing number of randomly chosen variations possible - each of the 9 terrain patterns or 'skins' can have 2 lighting sets for a variety of appearances, at least 2 different patterns of fauna choices, and each has at least a few variants in the possible terrain features. Each map has multiple variations in Native and Trade Route patterns, and the player starting positions varies unlike the standard ES maps. In standard 2 team games, teams are opposite, but can start in any of the 4 quadrants, at a variety of distances from the map edge. The distance between players on a team can vary significantly, causing the need to consider different strategies for teamwork and mutual protection. Sometimes teammates will be relatively close together for such a large map. For 2 player games, there is even more variation in the player start positions and the enemy may not be directly opposite you! Other features that have been randomly varied include the size and shape and height of cliffs, the size, density and underbrush of forests, the size and number of lakes, forested hills or elevation, and many other features.
In my testing this map produces extremely fair, balanced maps for 2 team play with a wide variety of possible strategies. I have tried to eliminate any 'map screws' as much as possible; ‘fair maps’ are one of my main goals, achieved through use various types of map symmetry and testing to eliminate dropped resources and features. Effective play involves scouting the various resources, Native types, Trade Routes, map terrain, and of course, the enemy. Scouting is a much harder task on this large map, requiring a longer time to find the nearby and distant resources, features and the enemy. Of course being a significantly larger map, rushing is changed and delayed somewhat, affecting gameplay and causing the need to consider new strategies. This map supports FFA play.
To play this map, the two files (Gandalf's Giant RLM-Silk Road.xs and Gandalf's Giant RLM-Silk Road.xml) must be placed in the folder: My Documents\My Games\Age of Empires 3\RM3. Please do not place them in the game's install folder - that will not work. When you start up a skirmish game in Single-player or Multiplayer, use the small blue 'Custom Map' button, which allows you to then select one the random maps in that My Games folder from the drop-down window. The files will transfer in Multiplayer if your allies or opponents have not downloaded the files. Please do not edit the files or you will have compatibility problems in Multiplayer. Do not try to play this in the original AOE3 or in TWC, as the new terrains and natives will not work.
A point about the startup: the map area is 4 times larger than the Carolina or similar ES maps and the map script is 4-5 times larger than the standard ES map scripts so it takes longer to load - be patient!
Thanks to ES for making map scripting possible.
Feedback appreciated!
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Author | Comments & Reviews ( All | Comments Only | Reviews Only ) |
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Tyranick |
Posted on 12/07/07 @ 12:32 PM
Sounds like another...fantasticly cared for map by the one and only gandalf :D.
Will review after play =] |
edonite |
Posted on 12/26/07 @ 09:27 PM
Gandalf no one make maps like you ES should be employing you to make all of their maps! This one is excellent as well as all the others for TAD. One request though could you please make another water map (i.e. Gandalf's Isles). I think some of us like the naval aspects of the game. Kudos again!! |
edonite |
Posted on 12/26/07 @ 09:31 PM
Playability: 5
I have not encountered a single problem, the thick fog in one game made it particularly interesting.
Balance: 5
I like a challenge, and this map seems to be well balanced.
Creativity: 5
Always loved Gandalf's maps!
Map Design: 5
What I have come to expect from Gandalf!
Detail/Accuracy: 5
Delightfully random.
Additional Comments:
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RF_Gandalf
File Author |
Posted on 12/26/07 @ 10:26 PM
EDONITE - thanks for your comments. I have been thinking of doing the Gandalf's Isles for TAD - the biggest problem is that for many of the Asian land types there is not really a matching ocean - Himalayas, Deccan, Yellow River, Siberia and Mongolia do not match up ideally with any of the existing seas. I can try to make do with what is available but it might not be as good in appearance as I would like. That might be my next map (a conversion of the Transcontinental map should be posted within a week). |
beachbum13 |
Posted on 01/18/08 @ 12:33 PM
Playability: 5
(Insert Playability analysis here)
Balance: 5
(Insert Balance analysis here)
Creativity: 5
(Insert Creativity analysis here)
Map Design: 5
(Insert Map Design analysis here)
Detail/Accuracy: 5
(Insert Detail/Accuracy analysis here)
Additional Comments:Another Great Map!!!!!
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Tyranick |
Posted on 07/02/08 @ 08:16 PM
I forgot to rate...lol 7 months later xD!!
Playability: 5
Godlike!...as always :D
Balance: 5
extremely well done, love the variations
Creativity: 5
Your so under appreciated, excellent stuff please keep making more! :D
Map Design: 5
Better than ES :D
Detail/Accuracy: 5
Brilliantly random, love how it seems to "flow" so ell :D
Additional Comments:
Keep it up, make more :D |
HGDL v0.8.2 |
Rating |
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5.0 | Breakdown |
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Playability | 5.0 | Balance | 5.0 | Creativity | 5.0 | Map Design | 5.0 | Detail/Accuracy | 5.0 |
Statistics |
Downloads: | 5,933 |
Favorites: [] | 0 |
Size: | 27.02 KB |
Added: | 12/04/07 |
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