SE5 map generator not so random?

[Shadowstar]

I just started a new game from scratch, generated a new map and everything, and when the game starts it's the exact same map as the last game I ran, complete with player starts. The system names are different, but everything else, right down to the planet graphics and positions is exactly the same. The values of the asteroid fields in my system are even the exact same.

Now, either that was one hell of a coincidence or SE5's map generator isn't quite so random after all. Course, it's also possible that I've somehow breached the fractal code of the universe and the Earth will implode the minute I run my first turn.

[PsychoTechFreak]

If it is similar to the "randomized" SE4 map generation then it is not such a hell of a coincidence. There seem to be only 4-5 maps that the random generator can pick from.

[Puke]

are you kidding? the se4 generator was totally random. the quadrant types file contained all the paramaters for generation, and you could make custom shaped quadrants and such.

all of the variables were in plain sight, and you could lean on the "generate quadrant" button all day long, and see all sorts of new patterns being generated.

Are you sure its different from that? maybe theres some other explination, or a failure to wipe the old quadrant from memory or something.

[Shadowstar]

I ran alot of map generations in the next new game and it always came up with a new map. I haven't seen the duplicate map bug since, but you may be right, a memory quirk or something.

[Thy_Reaper]

Neither SE4 nor SE5 have totally random map generators, it seems to me. The first clue is that I have a game in SE4 with the exact same map layout as SE5. Also, many other games in both SE4 and SE5 have had that same map layout, and a picture of it is posted at spaceempire5.com
http://www.spaceempires5.com/en-US/node/244

I'm not the one that posted that, so when it came up as the random image one time I was quite surprised. The only differences I can see is that the warp points aren't all the same.

[Fyron]

Puke said:
...a failure to wipe the old quadrant from memory or something.

There is one, and it makes SE5 crash after so many map generations in a row.

In SE4, I have never once seen the same star positions generated exactly the same twice in one session, and I've generated a lot of maps before (especially when testing).

[PsychoTechFreak]

Maybe there is a difference if you unload the game before generating a new map? However, I tried it within the same game session and it was repeating (every 4-5 times the same map with the same positions of the races).

[Fyron]

SE5 or SE4?

[capnq]

Puke said: are you kidding? the se4 generator was totally random.

I believe PTF is referring to the SE IV Map Editor, which wasn't anywhere near as random as the New Game map generator.

[PsychoTechFreak]

Yes, SE IV. I just downloaded the demo version of SE V so far.

[Fyron]

Well, don't use the map editor to generate maps, and it'll be ok. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif I generated 30 or so mid-life maps in-game, and did not see any repetition of system placements. Sure there was the occasional similar cluster of stars, but that was still random in occurrence.

[Shadowstar]

Speaking of map editors, anyone have any idea when/if there will be a SE5 map editor?