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I play most of my games with SMAX on gigantic maps (180x180 or larger). I've always been dissatisfied with the assignment of the starting locations (both for me and the AI-controlled factions). Most factions start on small islands, even if the map contains large continents.
I think that I've discovered how to change this behavior. I found that if I start the game from a saved map file (instead of using a map that's generated at game time), the starting locations are much better. All factions start on reasonably large continents.
I've tested this theory on multiple maps: First I start a game with a computer-generated map. I open the scenario editor and note the starting locations. I then save the map and start a new game using that map. In almost every instance, all factions start on large continents when using the saved map file.
I've attached a typical example. The zip file contains two SMAX saves. The one named Generated map, 2101.sav has the game in which the computer generated the map to start the game. The one named Saved map, 2101.sav has the same map, this time loaded from a save file. You can see that the worst starting location in the second game is better than the best location in the first (judged only by size of the starting continents).
Note: The two save files occupy almost 6MB when unzipped.
Using a saved map also seems to prevent another annoying SMAX problem in which some factions might be eliminated right at the start of the game.
I tested this procedure on smaller maps. It seems to result in better starts, but the effect is lesser. I also tested with SMAC, but it doesn't seem to make a difference. In SMAC, the starting locations are much better even using generated maps.
Just thought I'd pass this tip along in case someone else finds it useful.
I think that I've discovered how to change this behavior. I found that if I start the game from a saved map file (instead of using a map that's generated at game time), the starting locations are much better. All factions start on reasonably large continents.
I've tested this theory on multiple maps: First I start a game with a computer-generated map. I open the scenario editor and note the starting locations. I then save the map and start a new game using that map. In almost every instance, all factions start on large continents when using the saved map file.
I've attached a typical example. The zip file contains two SMAX saves. The one named Generated map, 2101.sav has the game in which the computer generated the map to start the game. The one named Saved map, 2101.sav has the same map, this time loaded from a save file. You can see that the worst starting location in the second game is better than the best location in the first (judged only by size of the starting continents).
Note: The two save files occupy almost 6MB when unzipped.
Using a saved map also seems to prevent another annoying SMAX problem in which some factions might be eliminated right at the start of the game.
I tested this procedure on smaller maps. It seems to result in better starts, but the effect is lesser. I also tested with SMAC, but it doesn't seem to make a difference. In SMAC, the starting locations are much better even using generated maps.
Just thought I'd pass this tip along in case someone else finds it useful.
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