An Isometric map in the future?

[DarthVeda]

Civ II operates on an isometric system, will this ever be implemented in Freeciv?

[Kumiorava]

Is there any real need for it? It might look prittier, but it realy doesn't effect gameplay, does it now? Well, maby movement a bit, and the shape of the city radii, but that's pretty much it, no?

[Thue]

It doesn't affect the shape of the city radius.
We have a GPL'ed set of isometric tiles already, just a point of someone implementing the engine.

[Kumiorava]

Intresting! So I guess we're gonna get an isometric view then... I don't mind.

[paulz]

quote: Originally posted by Kumiorava on 05-11-2000 01:09 PM Intresting! So I guess we're gonna get an isometric view then... I don't mind.

Just because people want it doesn't automatically mean someone is going to program it.

[Kumiorava]

I know that, but since there already is an existing tileset, as you said, and since people seem to want to go for ismometric, it should only be a matter of time until someone implements it into the code. However, an isometrc map is not included in the To-Do list. I figure it's not that urgent, but it might be a good idea to ad it anyway...

But how about taking the map concept to new hights: How does a hex based map sound like to you guys? I saw some preliminary shots of the openciv3 map model, and it seems like thay are going to be using hex.

[paulz]

Regarding freeciv and Hex map, see this thread: http://arch.freeciv.org/freeciv-dev-.../msg00124.html

[Kumiorava]

paulz, you should become a librarian!

That Aerth seems very promising, if one could only get hands on the source. A 3D map would deffenitely be something new in the Civ genre. It would mean quite a bit of re-writing in terms of rules and AI, though, as well as the terrain generator and engine of course.

[DarthVeda]

Well I just think top-down maps are quite hideous. They add no idea of a more 3-d perspective, and I thought that isometric would bring the project closer to a modern civ.

[paulz]

quote: Originally posted by DarthVeda on 05-11-2000 05:06 PM Well I just think top-down maps are quite hideous. They add no idea of a more 3-d perspective, and I thought that isometric would bring the project closer to a modern civ.

Since there is no 3-D in freeciv (or any of the other Civ games IIRC), the game is played in 2-D, so the current view is IMO easier to play with and understand. Beauty has never been a primary goal with the Freeciv project.

[Kumiorava]

And Freeciv certainly beats Civ I in graphics, even with a top-down view.

[deepone]

quote: Originally posted by paulz on 05-11-2000 05:26 PM Beauty has never been a primary goal with the Freeciv project.

While that is true there certainly are developers that care about beauty... I expect that there will be some version with (optional) isometric view sometime in the future... Depending on how much free time we get...

[paulz]

FYI http://www.freeciv.org/poll.phtml?num=32

[Kumiorava]

That openciv3 for Windows is really puting up some competition: They are implementing a 3D map. Can't mach Freeciv in gameplay yet, though.
Go take a look at the "Competition" thread.