Map Art Style & Icons

[jngpng]

It just struck me as I was playing Jason Lutes' maps, after having played Karan for the Last few weeks, that the styles used by the different map artists are really quite diverse. This is great and definately gives the game a different atmosphere based on which map you are using. However, the icons used to designate castles/temples/income/ownership etc are always the same, which can end up looking rather odd depending on the map. Wouldn't it be great if map artists were also allowed to designate(or include) a set of map icons to go with their map? I think it would massively increase the visual appeal of the game.

Any chance of this being implemented Illwinter? I'm just salivating at the thought of Jason Lutes'/Targa's maps with complementary icons.....

Anyone else agree with me or have other similar ideas?

[Kristoffer O]

Flags are already moddable. Other icons might be as well. What icons did you have in mind?

[jngpng]

Yes, I knew that flags were moddable. If castle/temple icons etc can be modded too then even better. I guess I wasnt being too clear with my explanation. What i was asking for was the ability for a map-artist to specify in the .map file which set of map icons are to be used. I suppose this is the same as being able to specify in the .map file which mods are to be loaded, although ideally the new set of icons would be included with the map rather than as a mod...

Keep up the good work! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif
Julian

[Gandalf Parker]

Im not big on mods but Id love someone to make the independent flag something smaller. I do want to see the other nations flags so I dont want to turn flags off, but the independent flag kindof gets in my way visually.

[ April 07, 2004, 15:57: Message edited by: Gandalf Parker ]

[jngpng]

Ooh I just realised I didn't even answer your question! I'm obviously not paying enough attention today... The specific icons i was talking about were:

* Flags (already moddable I know)
* Fortress icon
* Temple icon
* Income icon

I don't think any others are placed directly on the map...

Julian

[Gandalf Parker]

the one for a Victory Point also.

I think everything else (arrows and army size) are drawn images. The technical term being vector instead of raster. A size setting increments might be nice but it would be a whole different subject.