2 replies to this topic

[Meltegez]

According to Community Warfare - Phase 2 - Update Oct 22 there will be no random maps because they are unbalanced...

I believe that especially for the CW a random map generator, which will take into account variables different for each planet, is a must for having a successful warfare across hundreds of planets.

The well balanced maps might be fine for the MWO as it is right now, but it will be no fun at all for CW.

I prefer to have bad luck from time to time and drop into a bad position, than learn by heart a set of moves and repeat them match after match.

Random map generators can really push forward the competitive gameplay as the best pilots and and thus the best teamwork can really be seen when units have to adapt to new situations and new environments.

I play this game more than a year now, and I haven't quited yet because of the upcoming CW. I haven't participated in the forums much as I do not have time for it, but I write now cause I think that a random map generator can make the difference in this game.


I copy the exact question and answer on random maps:

Quote

Have you guys ever thought of creating a map generator using different parameters such as max and min: altitude, temperature, water on ground, building (city, industrial), destruction of the objects (if they are almost all brand new or mostly destroyed), etc; so you can create a base for lots of maps using existing objects in a quicker fashion and possibly generate all maps like this? Also, have you gave any thought of applying specific maps to specific kinds of planets? For example: Hot maps to notoriously hot planets as they are described in sarna?

Random map generators do not create well balanced multi-player PVP maps. They do generate some cool co-op and single player maps. Things random map generators do not take into account are sightlines, pathing, timing/pacing of gameplay and the dynamically changing battlefield in terms of player locations and activities.

We have Randall Bills going over the planets and giving us write-ups about each of them. If we can adopt a map/planet combination that is suitable, we will do it.

[Zephonarch II]

I'm on board this bandwagon, for many reasons. There's little immersion in the game already. Clan mechs fighting along side IS mechs? CW with the limited maps we already have? With as many maps as there are planets even shown in the Faction Tab map?

A random map generator is fine. Seriously for this game, you don't need to carefully analyze every new map and release one every month to add immersion. No this game needs random events when mapping out an environment: Climate, environments like whether it's going to be a grassland, swamp, urban fortress, spaceport, tundra, etc. It needs simple skyscraper/structure building blocks that can be placed anywhere a significant location is randomly placed. That way, nav points for destroying relay buildings actually will mean something. We need destructible environment, and we need it to be efficient so it won't lag the game. Seriously, and logically I'm not looking for 12 "nice" looking maps in this game. I think everyone would appreciate 12 different environments in settings we're already familiar with. Instead of Therma for ex. we'll get:

• Volcanic Region#555 - Planet#5555 or Planet: "insert name here"
  
• Region temp: ---F / ---C
  
• Region desc: Mountainous hot, few scattered magma pits in area, ruined FreeWorlds League Repair Depot NW, little cover from LRM strikes/ aerial bombardment
  
• Drop locations: Isolated near
  
• Weather: Ash debris, Visibility: Low, recommended use: Night vision

If a player community was given a map-tool editor, then seriously PGI would just need a pending process for their own map rotation if it must exist. That would help, I'm hopeful about that. And with randomly set variables, well why not try and develop different weather conditions? For every map enviroment we have now. Say Crimson Strait, and similar maps generated could have Sleet, snow, rain, a storm, fog, night, evening, day conditions all met. That'd be great, I just don't know how long it'd take to code all that.. I know it's long-term, that's what always concerns me, but please... AFTER CW. Somehow, try at least. This would help MW evolve into something that WoT imo could never compete with. Player-base wise, I think more people play that than MWO right now, but random-map generation along with Battletech's Giant-walking humanoid/chicken-legged tanks could be advertised. So you can compete.

Edited by Zephonarch II, 10 November 2014 - 06:43 PM.

[The Massive]

I'm hoping one day we get smaller (less than 12 v 12) recon, raid, escort, defend type missions as well as the big invasion mission. Radom maps might suit the smaller missions while the invasion mission would be fought over a large premade map.