Re: CF: Re: Progress on random map generator? Incorporating the disease patches?

["Mark Wedel" <mark@icp.siemens.com>]

> Perhaps actual map files should declare themselves as random and then the
> rest of the file contains modifiers on the randomness of the map.  Things
> like terrain style and corner style, and a list of objects that must find a
> place in the map. It may also be an idea to take into account the level of
> the user entering the map when it's generated so it's always a challenge -
> unfortunate if a lower level character wanders in after, but such is life.

 But the main point of random maps is to be able to create and endless supply
of maps with minimal effort - so the more that can be done automatically (at
some point, setting up the map could make it so complicated that just making a
complete map could be easier if it goes too far).   Players maps are likely to
always be better than what the computer generates.


> What would be cool but which may not be practical to implement would be NPCs
> that build the maps as they wander about.  They could either follow simple
> scripts, like ants, or they could do it randomly.  The rate of growth and
> style could be determined by the number and types of NPCs put in there.  So
> that the changes are continuous there may be other NPCs with different
> ideas.  There's a risk of people getting walled in, though - they may end up
> waiting for something to dig them out.

 It would be better to allow players to do this.  Corner house bargain - 500 gp
and you get the house.  Maybe have it an empty shell, and the player can make
walls or something (either via spells or collecting the raw materials.)  In
some sense, a map maker within the program (but more limited - the player isn't
going to be able to place monsters, but perhaps allow some method of
recruiting?)  This could sort of be ala dungeon master (or was it dungeon
keeper).

>
> Would it be easy to modify maps on the fly?  If they only modified the
> terrain immediately under themselves then screen updates for anyone watching
> them would be automatic when they moved off.

 Depends on the extent of modifications.  But you probalby don't want to modify
much on the fly - doesn't make sense for a player to be standing in the middle
of grass and then next second be in the middle of a forest.


-- 

-- Mark Wedel
mark@pyramid.com
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