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Author |
File Description |
RF_Gandalf |
Posted on 12/29/05 @ 02:20 PM (updated 03/13/06)
Big Continent
A random map script for AOE3
by RF_Gandalf
Big Continent is a new random map for Single-player or Multiplayer use. This map is in response to requests from other players for 'bigger maps'. It is derived from my previous map, Island Continent, and it has been improved with many new features besides the size. This is version 3, upgraded to fix a few minor bugs, but also with some increase in variability in appearance of lakes and hills, of trade routes, and in 2-player game starting positions compared with the original script.
Big Continent represents an 'unknown' island continent with a wide variety of randomly chosen terrain patterns possible(20 patterns total), each with fauna, treasures, and decorations to fit the theme. The Native Americans also roughly fit the terrain patterns as well. Player starting positions will randomly vary a good bit, especially on 2-player games. The map is fully twice the height and width of Carolinas for a 2 player game, and about 1.9x the size of Carolinas for other player numbers. Doing the math shows that the area on a 2 player map is 4 times that of Carolinas!
The map is of a single large island type continent, with water on all sides, with a possibility of some cliffs, and a lake, mountain, canyon or hill in the center. On this map there is more variation in elevation than on the standard ES maps, and the above listed terrain features are not just included for appearance - their presence can influence gameplay by acting as natural barriers. Trade Routes randomly vary between 7 different types of routes, each with 2 possible patterns of Trade Post placement. For example, there can be a single long route around the periphery of the continent with 6 or 8 Trade Posts, or there can be 2 semi-circular routes following the same course, or a singe long route across the map dividing the teams. There are always at least 2 NA villages, but the number of variations in number and location of the Native Villages has been increased greatly(11 possible patterns). There can be as few as 2 villages, or as many as 6 in a 2 player game up to a maximum of 10 on a map with 8 players. These will be of one or two types per map. The NA villages can be placed one or two per player or at certain places along a map axis or per side of the map. This gives a great variety in possible map play and strategies.
The food resources on each map can vary slightly. There are always 4-5 'herds' of some type per player - the numbers vary randomly and types will vary per map theme. Most of the maps have sheep, cows or llamas, and those that do not have an additional group of huntable animals. Most of the maps patterns have some berries at the start area. All of the maps have a good supply of fish and some whales in the surrounding sea. All maps have 2 silver mines per player near the start area (though the second is just out of the starting screen), with an additional several per player further off. Forests are placed fairly and are scaled better than on the new large ES maps, and all players have 2 small clumps of trees near the start area to be sure initial wood access is equal.
Treasues or nuggets are placed in increased numbers and are keyed to the map type or pattern - a total of 6 per player per map - 2 of the easy ones nearby, and 4 of increased difficulty further off.
This map has an amazing number of randomly chosen variations possible - each of the 20 terrain patterns or 'skins' can have 2 lighting sets for a variety of appearances, 2 different patterns of fauna choices, and each has a few variants in the possible terrain features. Each map has the above-mentioned multiple variations in Native and Trade Route patterns, and the player starting positions varies unlike the standard ES maps. 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. Effective play involves scouting the various resources, Native types and locations, Trade Routes, map terrain, and of course, the enemy. Of course being a significantly larger map, rushing is changed and delayed slightly, affecting gameplay and causing the need to consider new strategies. It is much easier to take to the water for fishing in this map due to the lessened effect of a rush.
This map supports FFA play, and extensive tensting on the current version was without problems. My testing has not shown dropped player resources for larger player numbers, but on a more crowded map that could be considered a possibility.
One feature to consider for larger player numbers is that teammates starting positions are closer than normal for a map this size - there is some variability in this distance as well, but this is designed to help teammates work together to counter a doubling up attack on a player.
To play this map, the two files (big continent v3.xs and big continent v3.xml) must be placed in the folder: My Documents\My Games\Age of Empires 3\RM. I recommend deleting any previous version to prevent confusion. 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; even though this is an updated version the name will still appear as Big Continent. 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 compatability problems in Multiplayer.
The .xml file has been updated to show a map description at the startup screen.
Feedback appreciated! |
Author | Comments & Reviews ( All | Comments Only | Reviews Only ) |
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Felix Hermansson |
Posted on 01/01/06 @ 07:29 AM
Looks good! The basic idea is similar to my 'Land Unknown' map, but instead of truly randomizing e.g. the trade routes you've added several fixed possibilities to get a similar effect.
It might be interesting to combine the many different map skins you used with the truly random placement of players, trade routes and natives I implemented on my map.
Btw, there is still a bug in your script, on line 3905: The constraint there belongs a few lines back with the others, within the for-loop it produces an error as soon as it is called a second time. |
RF_Gandalf
File Author |
Posted on 01/02/06 @ 06:52 AM
Thanks for the comments.
The reason I did not truly randomize the placement of trade routes and NA villages is to prevent unfair maps - players will complain too loudly if all of the Lakota villages are in the enemies side of the map, for ex. There is enough randomization to keep the map fresh and a challenge for a long time. Fair maps for all players is always one of my goals.
I assume you are talking about using the map debugger. It seems to work in the running of the actual script in the game without the debugger. I will look at this to see if it really needs changed or not - no need to change the script if the only problem is setting off the map debugger but there is no real effect on the map or gameplay.[Edited on 01/03/06 @ 10:00 AM]
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dr nefarious |
Posted on 01/03/06 @ 07:09 AM
Rating: 5
Great map! It's a bit like all normal random maps rolled into one. There is a lot of variation there, even though the map is not completely random but rather "patched together" from different pre-defined components. This makes it much more interesting to play than the usaul "random" maps which are rarely random at all.
One detail: The trade route placement is sometimes not properly executed, i.e. the circle does not close properly. But that's no big deal. |
RF_Gandalf
File Author |
Posted on 01/03/06 @ 09:58 AM
Thanks for the comments and review.
Actually the trade route feature you mention is on purpose. Two of the variations in trade routes include an outer ring trade route or an inner one - and each one has the possibility of being one complete ring or two 'semicircles' - this should make you keep on your toes with regards to upgrading the trade route - you need to scout to see if you will be upgrading only your own TPs or the enemy's also. |
egel |
Posted on 01/04/06 @ 09:26 PM
Nice. RF_Gandalf, do youknow of any tutorials to teach us how to make RMs. Or maybe you'll even write one if you have that much spare time??? Because your maps are really good. |
RF_Gandalf
File Author |
Posted on 01/07/06 @ 10:54 PM
egel - learn from looking at scripts and by checking out guides written for AOM. Also, Monty Python has written a guide, still a work in progress, links to it at the Age of Wiki page. The Wiki itself has some info as well.
Good luck.
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Litning1 |
Posted on 01/16/06 @ 12:34 AM
Really good Map, Lost of space, and the way the map is laid out it doesn't lend itself to "Turtling" strategy easily (which is the strategy I like to employ). Overall, really good map.
The one that I'm suprised no one has done yet is a California Map. I played through all the maps that came with the game, and they had all the way to the Rockies, but no California. It would be rally cool if you guys had a Calif Map. OR maybe a Whole North America MAp, or an All of US, or All of Canada map, hell, even an Atlantic Map would be fun to play. Just some ideas for you guys. Keep up the good work. |
Rand al T |
Posted on 04/08/06 @ 09:23 AM
Have a problem with this map in LAN
Get this message every time.
Saving "out of sync"
Works fine in Singelplayer tho.[Edited on 04/08/06 @ 09:23 AM]
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sumit_friends4ev |
Posted on 09/08/06 @ 12:01 PM
hey bro.
excellent map!! i have always been a big fan of ur maps!!! but do u have some large map with a gr8 scarcity of resources all arnd??? |
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: | 29,423 |
Favorites: [] | 0 |
Size: | 22.49 KB |
Added: | 12/29/05 |
Updated: | 03/13/06 |
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