Overland Map Changes

I think the plan at the moment is to concentrate on "story instances first"

I'm in 100% agreement with this ... at the moment this is not the case and I don't realistically know if they will be able to accomplish it

At the moment - what changes in a hex - is the location of resources (for exploit reasons - I hope they have enough variety)

The landscape at the moment is simply disjointed but I really hoping that we get precisely what you are asking for - I really want it too!

 

I would STILL like to hear from Starr exactly what he meant when he said it "wasn't going anywhere..."

 

It was Chris not Starr who commented on the problems they were having with the 3d approach

 

Richard Garriott said that there will be a handful areas for each zone (forest, swamp, hills etc.) and that they cycle somehow. So if you want to explore hex after hex you will walk through the same areas eventually. Maybe not with the second or third hex you enter but with the forth of fifth.

So for me, exploring the world hex by hex doesn't make sense. Therefore I would either prefer to explore the world in a detailed lush, 3D overland view or with a classic map like in Dragon Age or Baldur's Gate with fewer but more unique areas you fast travel to.

 

From everything I've read, current thinking is that hex scene environment I semantic to be static but update able. This means that a 'world' event could occur to modify or change the hex. But for the most part the environment is static. What is meant to change is the number of NPCs and possibly their placement, even for the same hex.

 

I was referring to this post. Did Chris elaborate somewhere I missed?

 

Personal message I guess

 

I am aware that if you explore hex after hex, you'd eventually run into the same exact map. What I was questioning is that if you came back to a certain hex at a later time would that particular hex still be the same map, or would it randomly change each time you zoned into it.

 

Some hexes will be identical - like the POI - the majority (undetermined number) will not

 

I believe that it would change by a random pattern, otherwise the areas within the hexes would somehow have to be saved for you, which wouldn't make sense in multiplayer or the hexes would really all have a pre-designed area attached to it.
Maybe a dev can clear that?

 

pretty sure the devs said it would be linked to a specific map.

 

Sorry, but instead of this:



we really should accept this as a subsitution???



I am speechless...

 

Based on the two examples I noticed that they added clouds in the paper map version. ;-)

Seriously though, there does seem to be a bit of a visual discrepancy.

 

Another thing with the stylistic approach is that every landscape will look the same as there is only one tree- and one mountain- and one village-art...? If they want to stick with the visual style of the overland map representing the cloth map of the game, then the whole world will look the same, every wood will look the same, every mountain range and every village?

 

I'm all for going back to the 3D version, it looked good, but had some faults

• it still needed some work to hide its hexes, the rivers curve too precisely
• the wolf, something was... off about it.
• Towns are not well indicated; four buildings don't scream "town" to me.

However, there are things I like on the new "map" view as well.

• I really want to keep the runic banner with the location names.
• Better indication of points of interest

 

I like the cloth map version.

On a real cloth map, there would be typical symbols to indicate villages or towns, and to the side there might be an image to indicate something unique in that town.
But most towns and villages would just be a common symbol.

I think it's an interesting way to present overland travel.

 

I like the cloth map version too, but i understand your concerns.

 

I went back and looked at the "Game of Thrones" intro that the team quoted as their inspiration. If they want the SotA map to look like that then I have no problem with it but there are still quite a few differences. Game of Thrones Intro

In Game of Thrones:
1- The map was huge and spread out.
2- Cities were all unique looking and represented the size of actual city itself. (Even represented some of the major buildings)
3- Artwork for trees, mountains, etc.. was much more realistic looking. (Major difference)
4- The map shows elevation in different areas. (not necessary here though but breaks up the flat surface look)
5- Desert, Forest, Snow areas are clearly defined.

I'm not saying the one we have is horrible but there is certainly a lot of room for improvement.

 

You avoid comparing it with the first version.


As i can't play hard for me to judge the feeling.

But from what i see at the moment i would not mind staying longer playing time on the first version

The cloth map version does not do that from the visual presentation. Reminds me of the travel sequence in Indiana Jones. It's purpose is to give me a sence of travel. But not more.

 

I didn't mean to avoid comparing it with the first version. I thought it was implied and would be understood.

Let me be more specific:

I like the cloth map version better than the previous live action version.