POA2: Maps

[Combatengineer]

Once the game is stable, what I would like most is about 4 larger maps that we could all use to create scenario's on. One Korean, One Eurpean, One Desert/urban, one what ever. The maps that are include are just not large enough! I would like about 1/2 again as long as the Korean one and the same width as length. If we form some teams we should be able to do the maps in a shorter time. Once we get the maps we should be able to at least use the auto scenario generator to make a fair number of games for download, who about it?

I know that Nick Bell has said that each map was 100+ hours work. Hence the team approach, my wife has been activated by the Army for the last 14 months, I know about time constraints! Any idea's?

John

[Don Maddox]

I'm doing some work with the map editor as we speak. I'm not going to kid you, this thing is the most non user-friendly map editor I have ever used. It does have one really huge redeeming value though: if you have the time and patience, you can make any type of map you could desire. ADC2 isn't a cookie cuter type approach like other map editors which lock you into a inflexible design. With ADC2, you can totally change everything about what the player sees on-screen. You can change the zoom levels, replace the unit icons, completely start over with new terrain, or whatever else you want.

ADC2 wasn't really designed as a true "map editor." It was designed with boardgaming in mind. The intent was that an author could take the few maps available for a boardgame, port them over to ADC2, and then be done with it. It was made with power and flexibility in mind, not ease of use. Using it as a tool to create multiple maps in a shaort peiod of time just doesn't work well. There's no way around it, this is going to be a setback for the POA2 community. Don't expect to see large numbers of third party maps appear anytime soon because I just don't see it happening. On the other hand, there is the potential for a talented author to create some truly awesome maps that are far better than what we currently see in the game.

I have some ideas floating around in the back of my head. Will they ever see the light of day? I don't know, but I'm tinkering as we speak.

[Combatengineer]

Snip

ADC2 wasn't really designed as a true "map editor." It was designed with boardgaming in mind. The intent was that an author could take the few maps available for a boardgame, port them over to ADC2, and then be done with it. It was made with power and flexibility in mind, not ease of use. Using it as a tool to create multiple maps in a shaort peiod of time just doesn't work well. There's no way around it, this is going to be a setback for the POA2 community. Don't expect to see large numbers of third party maps appear anytime soon because I just don't see it happening. On the other hand, there is the potential for a talented author to create some truly awesome maps that are far better than what we currently see in the game.

snip



I agree, I have had ADC2 for years and all I use it for is to play computer versions of board wargames, so far it has been to much to create a board wargame for. However I would be willing to try to split up the labor for one large map.

I agree on this limiting POA2, however once we get 3 or 4 larger maps the scenario generation portion looks quite creative.

John

[Don Maddox]

I have been having better luck in the last few hours. I have finally been able to make a small 10 hex x 10 hex ten map, with the elevations and proper terrain. This isn't as easy as it sounds as the terrain symbols have to be linked to the map and there is some basic math required to figure out what size the map should be.

I will do several maps that I will release for public consumption before long. Hopefully, scenario authors will elect to us ethem.

[Ivan Rapkinov]

Dunno - getting the Topo parts to work is easy. Getting the bricks part is harder, but at least it has a GUI.

hell, at least you don't need Notepad and a hex editor a la the Squad Battles map system.