What map size do you prefer?

[Petek]

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

[Mart]

I think I can get larger than 256x256 by the option in the scenario editor. No need to change alphax.txt

[Kaboth]

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.

[Sikander]

I play almost exclusively on "huge" maps. I've played a little on 256 maps, but they slow the game down a lot.

[molly bloom]

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.

[Asmodean]

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

[Clear Skies]

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

[livid imp]

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.

[Dis]

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.

[Mart]

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.

[livid imp]

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.

[Googlie]

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)

[Dis]

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.

[GeoModder]

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?

[Asmodean]

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