The map that will never be

[Kristoffer O]

Hi,

Sometimes during the development of dom3 I started to do a map, but since we made a random generator and some Lutes maps, I never finished it. The main problem is that I tend to be pedantic and I make maps in the same way I make sprites, pixel by pixel http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Not all the time, but often enough that I get tired of mapmaking.

As I'm finished with the serpent cult (hmm, I forgot to make that undead hydra my brother suggested) I felt like doing something else. The recent map discussions and the interesting semirandom (that I didn't get to work properly http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif ) inspired me to start up the old map.

The map is supposed to be a east-west wrap around, originally made for about 10 EA nations with fixed starting positions, but a free start version will of course also be made.

http://ulm.illwinter.com/dom3/wrapmap.jpg

Here is the reason it will never get ready http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

http://ulm.illwinter.com/dom3/niefel.jpg

And here is one of the home sites of the nations in question.

http://ulm.illwinter.com/dom3/marv.jpg

I hope I will finish it some day. I have worked on it for about 12 hours today, so I'm making progress http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Tyrian]

You make this pixel by pixel http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/redface.gif
You are very talentfull... But you are totally crazy http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

[Ballbarian]

KO,
You are insane, but it is looking beautiful. I can't wait for you to finish it so that I can play a few dozen games on it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Kristoffer O]

> You make this pixel by pixel

I do copy stuff, like mountains and trees, but then I suddenly feel like doing a rice field for Yomi, or the Great Irminsul for Ulm, and then I'm stuck for an hour or two. Perhaps three http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Gandalf Parker]

Excellent work. Please dont let it rot on your machine.

[PvK]

Yes, it looks like it will be very nice!

[Edi]

Amazing. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Sombre]

Noice. Hope the thread title is incorrect.

[lch]

Kristoffer O said:
I do copy stuff, like mountains and trees


Yeah, I wanted to call shenanigans because I see copy&paste templates for mountains and trees in the oceans... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Gandalf Parker]

Ahhh the little storage areas in big blank areas. Ive used those. And when they start seeming stale then you slightly rework them so you can keep pasting.

[Morkilus]

KER-BUMP!

I was just wondering if this gem got a little love since the patch was pretty much finished.

[PashaDawg]

nice looking map!

[Kristoffer O]

A bit further since last time, but I've been slightly preoccupied lately. Most of my energy has gone into school (or rather sleeping when returning home from school) and recently our other IW project. I'm a bit stuck Dom3-wise, waiting for the crashed computers to be restored to enable patchwork again. I have done some map-work while waiting. Added shades under most forests and smoothed mountain edges.

[Gandalf Parker]

Kristoffer O said:
and recently our other IW project.


Did anyone else hear that grenade go off?

[Shovah32]

Grenade? Aren't you being the conservative one, Gandalf http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif.

[Kristoffer O]

I've been making some mapping progress today. Thought I should post a screenshot to encourage myself http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

http://ulm.illwinter.com/ctismap.jpg

Edit: here is one more.

http://ulm.illwinter.com/marvmap.jpg

[PashaDawg]

wow! nice! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Zylithan]

these are beautiful i can't imagine doing a MAP pixel by pixel. You should post a % complete thing like how Zepath has done in his Warhammer map.

[Kristoffer O]

I have no idea as to how complete it is. I don't work in a structured way. Hmm, I could perhaps appreciate how much different things are made.

90% of Land mass is made.
10-50% of nicing up land and sea.
75-90% of forests are probably finished.
90% of mountains I would guess.
50% of borders.
5-25% of features and sites are made, depending on how much inspiration I get. Most likely 10% are made. This is the timeconsuming part, but also the fun part.
0% of mapstuff, preset sites provinces etc.

[Kristoffer O]

C'tis update.

http://ulm.illwinter.com/ctismap2.jpg

[Kristoffer O]

The map is not 180 MB, just the layered stuff

[Meglobob]

This is a fantastic looking map, I hope it is eventually complete and appears in a future patch.

I would play alot of games on it.

I also imagine it will get used in MP alot as well.

[zepath]

This really does look great, Kristoffer. I love the way you blended the marshlands over the plain yellow at the mouth of that river. All the ruins look outstanding as well.

[Kristoffer O]

Whole map without stuff and crap in the sea. A few more sites added. Some new forests I did not expect yesterday.

http://ulm.illwinter.com/nevermap.jpg

[Dedas]

Looking extremely good. I love all the thematic starting positions, reminds me of the excellent Dawn of Dominions map.

[Kristoffer O]

Ermorian regions, before the fall.

http://ulm.illwinter.com/ermap.jpg

[Zylithan]

very nice looking. especially like the reflecting pools they built in the ocean http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Kristoffer O]

I'm actually starting to believe this map will be finished http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Amhazair]

Kristoffer O said:
I'm actually starting to believe this map will be finished http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Hurray!

[Mordici]

Awsome Map....what kind of specials might be on it???

[Kristoffer O]

Any and all http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Morkilus]

I'm very excited. I hope that works for encouragement http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

[Autochthon]

Kristoffer O said:
Any and all http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif



O-Ho! Does this mean we actually get Blood Sites on this map? Blood for the Blood Pretender?

I always wondered what sort of place provided a steady stream of virgin sacrfices, and how I could get me a piece of that action /threads/images/Graemlins/Woman1.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Woman2.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Woman3.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Woman4.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/icon30.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/eek.gif

[Endoperez]

IMHO "any and all" means "any one of the existing sites, and all the interesting ones", not "anything you ever wanted and all the things we never actually implemented in the game".

That said, the new patch will add some sites.

[DigitalSin]

Looking downright awesome. Keep at it!

[Edratman]

Autochthon said:


I always wondered what sort of place provided a steady stream of virgin sacrfices, and how I could get me a piece of that action /threads/images/Graemlins/Woman1.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Woman2.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Woman3.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Woman4.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/icon30.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/eek.gif



Your mast location is SoCal. That makes me think that you are already there. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Autochthon]

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Sacrifical, yes.

Virgins? Mmmmmmaybeeee...

[Edratman]

Autochthon said:
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Sacrifical, yes.

Virgins? Mmmmmmaybeeee...




Hilarious response.

I concede your point.

[NTJedi]

Hey KO,

Just tossing a few ideas for the map you're creating which looks like it's evolving nicely.

1) Mixing uncommon terrains such as forest with swamp or farm with deep sea will allow you to be more creative with the map.
2) Adding some insignificant independent commanders using the forum names from popular posters.
3) Having some independents on the inside of a castle while others are patrolling on the outside. This can be added after the #patrol command arrives. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Gandalf Parker]

multiple .maps in various game styles that all go to the same image

[Edratman]

KO,

I not going to allow you to easily escape after you exhibited that very fine looking, but incomplete map. About every month or so I'm going to bump this.

This is the bump for November.

[Kristoffer O]

Thanks http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Kristoffer O]

Hmm, some new images might be in place. I have worked a bit today, but most of this was made a month ago.

http://ulm.illwinter.com/dom3/map_erm_arco.jpg
http://ulm.illwinter.com/dom3/map_heim.jpg
http://ulm.illwinter.com/dom3/map_kailasa.jpg

[PashaDawg]

Nice details! I am looking forward to this map whenever it is finished.

[Kristoffer O]

I've made some progress today. Still a lot to do, but I made a tga version and made a playable map file. Currenty without seas. The finished one will have about 250-275 provinces.

[DigitalSin]

Damn that map looks downright sexy.

[malthaussen]

I like NTJedi's idea of having independents named for Forum stalwarts. There's some good potential for humor in that idea.

Map looks very nice. The only criticism I can offer is that some of the coastlines are a bit too smooth to look natural.

-- Mal

[Endoperez]

Shhh! We don't want him to rework all that coastline! We want the map!

[VedalkenBear]

I don't know about everyone else, but I would pay money for a map of each era that had fixed starting locations that evolved in each era. (IOW, complete maps.) The game has awesome flavor, and to see it played out on a map would just be awesometastic. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Kristoffer O]

> The only criticism I can offer is that some of the coastlines are a bit too smooth to look natural.

I havn't started on the sea yet.

[Agrajag]

I disagree, you have definitely finished it http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Edratman]

December bump.

I didn't think waiting for the middle of the month would be right because of the holidays and all.

KO, no reason to thank me. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[DigitalSin]

Yarr, merry christmas to all!
Hey, could this be sorta a christmas present to us, the devoted fanbase!?

[Kristoffer O]

Since my modem broke down last weekend I spent some time working on the map instead of doing useless stuff on the net (actually it turned out to be the broad band provider that had changed my IP adress, but they weren't aware so they sent me a new modem ??? ).

Since my LAN is still bugged I will not post any screenshots atm, but rest assured that there was some progress.

[Kristoffer O]

A patch is more likely than the map for christmas.

[DigitalSin]

Haha, it's all good!

[lch]

Kristoffer O said:
A patch is more likely than the map for christmas.


Nothing against this nice map, but I for one, am anticipating the next patch a lot more. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[Edratman]

January bump.

[Torin]

wheres the map image?

[NTJedi]

Torin said:
wheres the map image?



It's on the same server as the progress page. Both are temporarily gone, but will return when Illwinter returns from the astral planes. It's where they go to gather information on new horrors.

[Zorax]

KO, I want you to know that I went through all the labours of registering an account on this forum just so I could give you major credit for your work on this map. You're a man with a vision, and that vision is people wasting people in a land you created. That's something worth working for, my friend. It's all worth it.

[MKDELTA]

OH MY PRETENDER GODS it's beatiful!!! Awesome map.

[DigitalSin]

I <3 the look of this map.
Does /threads/images/Graemlins/Cake.gif help you work?

[Edratman]

DigitalSin said:
I <3 the look of this map.




That is a new one for me. What does "I <3" mean?

[llamabeast]

I think <3 is a heart. So it's "I love".

[Agrajag]

<3 is indeed supposed to be a heart.
In fact, the first time I saw it, many years ago, I thought it was an *** (the kind that is usually used before "hole") wearing a hat, and thus I called it "asshat". Not long after that, "asshat" became a popular insult. (and since then it's popularity has faded.)
Not that I'm implying there's any causality involved.

[DigitalSin]

Ahaha, my bad, I assumed people all over the interweb woulda heard of the <3. I particularly like your interpretation of it Agrajag.

[lch]

The stories I could tell about embarrassing moments in SMS history when I literally asked "why are you always writing less than three?", which was answered by a "less-than fraction three"...

[lch]

Agrajag said:
I thought it was an *** (the kind that is usually used before "hole") wearing a hat, and thus I called it "asshat". Not long after that, "asshat" became a popular insult. (and since then it's popularity has faded.)
Not that I'm implying there's any causality involved.


The etymology of asshat. (http://www.mtannoyances.com/?p=341)

[cleveland]

3>


I fixed it.

[Agrajag]

Piqued by Ich's post I looked around my file system and according to filestamps the best I could come up with is that I first used asshat "definitely before 2006. probably around 2002.", so that doesn't tell me much :S

And in a more topicy note - give us that map http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[DigitalSin]

..lol. What monster have I created?

[Edratman]

Thanks for the definition and the very interesting discussion of "asshat".

DigitalSin, you did not make a mistake, but this forum has a more diverse membership than usual on the gaming circut. A substantial percentage of us are 40 or older.

And I, for one, toyed with IM for a while, but decided to opt out of the text message world for many reasons. I also know that many of my temporal peers also eschew the communications mode in its various forms.

[DigitalSin]

Ah yes. Me being a youngun, I have no grasp of how varied the interweb is, I just assume almost all 40+ers are like my parents.. technologically incompetent.

[lch]

Agrajag said:
Piqued by Ich's post I looked around my file system and according to filestamps the best I could come up with is that I first used asshat "definitely before 2006. probably around 2002.", so that doesn't tell me much :S


Your interest made me look a little further and it seems that asshats are popular since the 60s to 70s (http://www.viralgrapevine.com/etymology-of-asshat-or-asshats/) at least.


DigitalSin said:
I just assume almost all 40+ers are like my parents.. technologically incompetent.


Ah, so I am not alone. Phew.

[Edratman]

DigitalSin said:
Ah yes. Me being a youngun, I have no grasp of how varied the interweb is, I just assume almost all 40+ers are like my parents.. technologically incompetent.



But if you give it one moment of thought you will come to the realization that we (the 40+ers) invented the technology, the web and PC gaming. So not only are some of us technically capable, but also living proof that "once a true gamer, always a true gamer".

There are a couple of us on this forum who have been gaming since the first week, if not the first day, of the home computer. The first PC game I played came on a cassette, identical to the cassettes used for stereos. I will always remember the thrill I got when something I did triggered the cassette drive, because it always meant that I did something right. It was another year or two before the 5" floppy came out. And I was in my early 30's at this time. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Zorax]

I feel like I should kneel down after that last post.

[DigitalSin]

*Kneels*

[lch]

"Why you young whippersnappers! I remember the days of my 300 baud modem the size of a los angeles phone book, wired to a dial phone. And those damn tiny switches, trying to get them right. And the contest to imitate the sound of making the connection.

You had 300 baud? We would have killed for 300 baud! We had 110 baud, half-duplex, and WE LIKED IT! Yellow-paper chattering teletypes and all!

Bah. We had to use punched cards and paper tape. I can remember how amazed and awed I was by my first teletype machine, chunking along at something like 4 or 5 characters per second. Then, one day, someone invented one that saved time by typing while the head was moving from both left to right AND right to left.

Luxury! We used to use semaphore flags to move data from one server to another in the same office.

Flags! We would have given our right arms for flags! It was so smoky in our offices (back in the day, of course) that you could not see flags from across the room. We had to relay data in envelopes hand- carried by midgets. I believe these were the first "packets". Occasionally the midgets fell over (hard to see in the smoke) and produced what we called "compressed headers". I think there's an RFC on that.

Midgets! We DREAMED of having midgets! We had to get up at 5 in the morning, go out to the woods, cut some sticks, sharpen the sticks, and punch the cards by hand!

Cards?! We had to chip flint into pieces with sharp edges, then use the edges to peel the bark off the trees and then use the sticks to punch pieces of bark.

Bark... ah, how we dreamed of bark! We had to chew wood fibers with our own teeth, spit them out and roll them flat with stones and leave them to dry in the sun!

You had stones? We had to mix water and dirt and let it dry in the sun for centuries!

How we used to dream of the sun! We had to wait for eons in the formless void, waiting for The Word to separate the light from the darkness!

Word? HA! All we had was an amino acid soup!

Amino acid soup! How we dreamed of amino acids! We had big piles of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen and had to assemble our own organic molecules. FROM SCRATCH!

You had elements?! All we had were protons and electrons. We had to mine our own subatomic particles to make neutrons and then in a single precarious step, combine the neutrons with protons and send electrons into precise orbits. And you think your system crashes were hard to deal with? Imagine the fallout *we* handled every day...And we didn't have any of that wussy lead shielding, either, back in the good old days, and we *liked* it that way.

Electrons?!?!? God, how we DREAMED of electrons, sitting there, all alone in our probability fields.

Matter? They had MATTER? Man, you guys are lucky! Back in my day we had to create the molecules out of quantum vibrations. BY HAND. And you had to be lucky enough to find someone to do it for you--it's not like we could go to www.outoftheformlessvoid.com (http://www.outoftheformlessvoid.com) and read the FAQ, you know?

Quantum vibrations!? A formless void!? We could only dream of a formless void... we were all packed into a singularity of spacetime having no dimension, and we liked it!"

See also: http://mirrorshades.org/wc/2007/07/back_in_my_day.shtml

[DigitalSin]

Ahaha, truly words of wisdom! Hands up all who think this thread went off on a bit of a tangent?

[lch]

I have no trouble to get this thread pretty off-topic until there's a map or a patch, or both... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

[Endoperez]

I'm also particularly fond of some of the things Gandalf Parker has used in his sigs. Particularly "Get a life? I already had one. Now I'm retired, and can play as much as I want to!" http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

I've still got several decades before I get to use that, but it's good to know there's something for me to look forward to.

[Edratman]

Zorax said:
I feel like I should kneel down after that last post.



Not at all. Just remember it 30 years from now when the kids (and I guarantee that you will think of them as kids) consider you technologically handicapped.

My children probably will tell their grandchildren that they had to walk to the TV to change channels when they were little.

You will probably tell your grandchildren that you only had 250 channels on the TV when you were growing up and it was low def, 2 dimenisional. And they will think that you were raised in the stone age. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

[DigitalSin]

Haha, isn't technology great?

[Zorax]

Back on topic, let's see some more screens!

[Mordici]

Yeah stop trying to derail the thread you young whippersnappers http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Edratman]

February bump

[Kristoffer O]

Aha http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Next week is a spring vacation week. I will probably make some progress then.

[PashaDawg]

Yay! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Edratman]

March bump.

[Kristoffer O]

Lol.

I haven't done my homework lately. Easter break next week. Should try to work some then, but I suspect I will get caught up in other work. Mostly with our new project, but also with the new nation Gath.

I'm having a dilemma. I'm in a creative phase, and I haven't got enough free time. I want to do everything. But everything is quite a lot. Ftaghn!

[Aezeal]

You have a bipolar disorder?

[lch]

Who doesn't?

[Edratman]

KO

Don't worry about it. You and your brother have been very productive lately, above and beyond any resonable expectations. (I vaguely remember a post that there is also someone else recently added to the mix.)

But I became very intrigued with this map when you offered your initial taste and in what may be a minor fit of hubris, I appointed myself to the semi-official and honorary position of "Pain-in-the-***", aka PITA, a position whose responsibilities are limited to this map.

[Kristoffer O]

> You have a bipolar disorder?

No disorder here, but I sometimes become a polar bear. Then I go to sleep for several months. This mostly happens in winter http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

>Don't worry about it. You and your brother have been very productive lately, above and beyond any resonable expectations. (I vaguely remember a post that there is also someone else recently added to the mix.)

My brother is not very productive. He's studying http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif
JK on the other hand have been more productive, but mostly on stuff that you don't see atm.

> But I became very intrigued with this map when you offered your initial taste and in what may be a minor fit of hubris, I appointed myself to the semi-official and honorary position of "Pain-in-the-***", aka PITA, a position whose responsibilities are limited to this map.

I don't mind a PITA. It increases the chances of me actually finishing the project. I'm not much of a finisher.

[Lingchih]

Must have new map. Donger needs new map. Please finish map that will never be.

[Kristoffer O]

It might get some work soon, but currently I'm all caught up in Gath and the Rephaim. Fortunately work is proceeding very well, and I might actually finish all three ages within a couple of days. LA is done and MA more than half done. EA might take a bit longer, and then I must add summons for all three.

This time I was clever and started with descriptions before I started to make the sprites. Descriptions tend to be a bit annoying to make, when you already have a nation that is more or less working. Now, with all descriptions finished, I just get inspired by them, making me more effective and structured when I work with the nation.

[Shovah32]

You? Structured Work? Clearly the apocalypse will not be far behind.

[llamabeast]

Descriptions first sounds very clever. When I did Tomb Kings it was effectively finished for ages before I released it, just waiting for me to do the descriptions. They were, indeed, quite annoying to do.

Goodness knows how you complete nations so fast though. Tomb Kings was a significant project for me over months. This will be three nations in just a few days!

It is interesting that we (or at least I) still have absolutely no idea what to expect from Gath. I think you like keeping us in suspense!

[Gregstrom]

Goliath came from Gath, and that's all I know about it.

[Kristoffer O]

I'm having an easter break, and since JK is working on his day time job he can't prevent me from working on Gath instead of working on our new project http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif. Actually, he doesn't try to, but it is more fun to work together on that project, so when I'm free I tend to switch back and forth between dom3 and our other project.

I'm proud to say I almost succeeded in making the tartarian 'shattered soul' mechanics work without aid from JK. It didn't work all the way though, and he has to take a look at it, and also add the special stuff.

The first units take some time. I spent several hours on the first of the Gittites and the Kohen Gadol, but then it gets easier, changing equipment and colors and stuff. Giving them stats is just a matter of minutes once the sprites are made.

Simple sprites (human units) might take half an hour for the first one and then about 5-10 min for the rest. Unless I want them to differ more.

Gath is as Gregstrom said the home of Goliath. The nation will be a near eastern nation of giants with influences from Israelites, Canaanites and Philistines. It will be based on accounts of giants in the bible and near eastern texts, such as the Ras Shamra Rephaim texts, Book of Enoch and the like.

Since the Rephaim are huge of stature (size 4) I get stuck in details (I tend to evaluate sprites pixel by pixel even when the sprite is 80 pixels high) and the first ones took a lot of time. Once you have a warrior template and a mage template things tend to go faster.

Gath was a bit quicker than the earlier eras, since they have a larger human population. It was also clever to begin with them since I could rezoom them to make crude Rephaim templates to work from. Making a size 4 unit from scratch is a bit more time consuming.

Descriptions were finished four weeks ago when I has a spring break from school. It was about when 3.15 was about to be released, so I didn't want to make new units that would end up half finished in the map, so I made descriptions instead. It really helps with creativity. You should try it.

[Gregstrom]

Mmm, I wonder if we'll get Nephilim as well? Not to be asking a leading question or anything, really. I like the sound of the word, mostly.

[Kristoffer O]

There will be Nephilim in the early era. The Rephaim are their descendants.

[HoneyBadger]

So, Kristoffer, how *is* Dominions in Space coming along? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Kristoffer O]

Tzing! Tzing! Banzai! /threads/images/Graemlins/MusicalNote.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/MusicalNote.gif

[llamabeast]

Was that a reference to Star Control? Or just general bizarreness? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Kristoffer O]

Star Control?

[HoneyBadger]

Star Control 2, actually.

You might know it better as The Ur-Quan Masters. That's the free (and best) version. The source code is also free, I believe.

It's basically the most complete gaming experience you can get in a space game. It's got role-playing, good story, really evil villains, a few dozen fairly fleshed out unique/interesting/bizarre alien races, actiony space combat, a sense of ownership, a great sense of humor, some strategy (a bit too light for my tastes, but it's there), a comfortable level of graphics, and a heck of a lot of depth. It's even free. I just wish it A: didn't have a time limit, B: wasn't a click-fest when it comes to combat, and C: had more strategy and open-ended sandboxness (it has them, I just want more, because I'm greedy).

If Master of Orion is a 4X game, then Star Control is, like, 9X. It really gives you a sense of being inside of a good classic space opera.

[quantum_mechani]

HoneyBadger said:


If Master of Orion is a 4X game, then Star Control is, like, 9X.

Exploration, Expansion, Exploitation, Extermination... then Excursions, Examinations, Excellence, (fatal) Exceptions, and finally Exhaustion?

[Kristoffer O]

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[HoneyBadger]

I think you forgot Erotic Extraterrestrials /threads/images/Graemlins/icon27.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/heart.gif

[Amhazair]

HoneyBadger said:
I think you forgot Erotic Extraterrestrials /threads/images/Graemlins/icon27.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/heart.gif

Ooh! You just convinced me, I have to check this out. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
Where can I find it?

[HoneyBadger]

It's an Infinite Universe, so they must be out there, somewhere...just keep looking up! /threads/images/Graemlins/icon10.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/icon10.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/PointUp.gif


In the meantime, go to Google or Wikipedia (or both) and type in "The Ur Quan Masters".

Just don't forget to sign the petition http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Endoperez]

Amhazair said:


Ooh! You just convinced me, I have to check this out. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
Where can I find it?

[/quote]

Admiral Zexx and his Shofixti Maidens aren't what you think they are, though, and I never found the Syren homeplanet.

sc2.sourceforge.net

[lch]

Wait for it... wait for it...

[llamabeast]

(double post)

[llamabeast]

Tzing! Tzing! Banzai! /threads/images/Graemlins/MusicalNote.gif/threads/images/Graemlins/MusicalNote.gif



Tzing sounded like the kind of noise some of the ships make when firing in Star Control. One of the ships (the Shofixti) is kamikaze, and I could imagine it saying "Banzai!" as it shot in to its own destruction (I'm not actually sure what banzai means). Finally, the winning ship always played its own theme tune after every battle. So you see, it was a perfect fit!

Incidentally you should all definitely download the Ur-Quan Masters. It's awesome. Especially for an open-source game (it was originally commercial but later the code was made available).

[lch]

llamabeast said:
I'm not actually sure what banzai means


The Banzai charge was the infantry equivalent to the Kamikaze airborne attacks.

[llamabeast]

Okay, thanks.

[Zorax]

April Bump

[Lingchih]

I want to change this post to "The map that will certainly be"

[Cor2]

'''Imagine a beautiful woman saying this''''
I want the map that will never be. It looks so cool.

Now will you finish the map? pleeeease http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Martini.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/beerglass.gif

[lch]

Zorax said:
April Bump


There it is! But... that's not Edratman! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/shock.gif

[Edratman]

lch said:

Zorax said:
April Bump


There it is! But... that's not Edratman! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/shock.gif



Can I sue? Who and for how much? :grin http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/Injured.gif

If this was a union shop I would at least get a grievance and 4 hours pay. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

I am still holding onto my self-bestowed semi-offical title of PITA. As the late, great Charlton Heston once said "From my cold, dead hands." http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

[Kristoffer O]

Charlton http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rant.gif

[Aezeal]

Some threats should be locked for general being boring and to much useless posts of KO in particular.. look at his last replies...

[NTJedi]

Aezeal said:
Some threats should be locked for general being boring and to much useless posts of KO in particular.. look at his last replies...



KO needs to vent in the forums... he's suffering internally because his subconcious mind hungers to work on Dominions_4, yet he's currently enslaved working a new project.

At this time we can pray for him... and maybe capture him some blood slaves.
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Kristoffer O]

My subconscious mind also tells me there is so much that would have to be done to make dom4 good it would only make me sad http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

I prefer prayers. Blood slaves tend to get icky when sent by postal services. They are also difficult to discard, since there is no gore-waste-bin in the local recycling station.

[Gregstrom]

That's okay, we'll send them dehydrated - that way they're only 4 inches high and don't struggle in the parcel (that's how blood mages carry them around while teleporting/Cloud Trapezing/flying - they sprinkle a little water on them just before battles start). As for the gore afterwards, just dig it into the garden. It'll bring your dahlias up a treat.

[Kantha]

Bump! Bump-bump-bump..!

[Rathar]

Bump! Almost about to fall off the first page!!

/crackswhip!

[Edratman2]

May bump.

[Edratman]

June bump.

Note that I've got my original name back in the last month.

[wazawak]

How about releasing a playable beta? Even if it isn't perfect, it's still a damn sight better than the generator.

[Lingchih]

KO will release it eventually. It will probably be in a game udpate.

[Kristoffer O]

My summer vacation has just started. That is probably good news for the map.

[Gregstrom]

And a huzzah to that.

[Endoperez]

Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah!

[DigitalSin]

Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah!

[Lingchih]

Vacations are for mapmaking. Hurrah.

[Ballbarian]

Good news for the map is great news for us. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[HoneyBadger]

"...after eighty-three days in the wilderness of Zambizi, our food supplies cut drastically short, with barely enough clean water to keep us alive, our only companion the constant drumbeats of the Tsutsuwanna tribe, I began to realise that, for some of us, the Map, the great impossible Map, was becoming our God. And then I knew fear, for where would this map possibly lead us, if not to our graves?"

[Lingchih]

Did you really quote that from some writing? Or did you just make it up?

[NTJedi]

Kristoffer O said:
My summer vacation has just started. That is probably good news for the map.



Anytime you wish to retire early and devote more time for playing and developing games... we're here for support !

[llamabeast]

Hmm, I wonder if Honeybadger's quote is from King Solomon's Mines or something.

[Sombre]

It's rare to be so happy about a Finn taking a holiday. Uusually that sort of news makes me resentful, angry and slightly hungry.

[HoneyBadger]

No I just made it up http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[HoneyBadger]

But thanks!!! It's not every day my writing gets compared to the incomparable H Ryder Haggard http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

I did base the name of the "Tsutsuwanna" on the Kukuana tribe in King Solomon's Mines, so there is some connection, apart from any writing style I may have borrowed.

[djo]

That's a nice, evocative quote. I thought it sounded like it could have come from "Heart of Darkness". Which I have admittedly not read.

If Yarnspinners 3 ever happens, we now know who to recruit. But that would be madness, pure madness.

[HoneyBadger]

We really ought to do something like that for Dominions 3.

Maybe have a contest to see who can write the best story set within the Dom3 "universe"?

[Gandalf Parker]

I think an AAR could sell. Especially if they did it with the story on the right-hand pages with the game moves on the left-hand pages. Could generate some real interest in the game.

I can show someone how to get it offered online as professional printed books with no money layout.

[HoneyBadger]

That would be great, Gandalf, except I don't know what an AAR is...

[Zeldor]

If winner gets his feature implemented then I'm in http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Atreidi]

Will the map ever be?

[Kristoffer O]

It always was, is and will be.

[Gandalf Parker]

HoneyBadger said:
That would be great, Gandalf, except I don't know what an AAR is...


After Action Report
Its a generic gaming term for posting your impressions after playing a game or after taking each turn. Most of our RPG storyline threads are in the AAR subforum here. We have an AAR subforum for many of the games on Shrapnel.

[HoneyBadger]

So, sortof our own little version of Boatmurdered. Not a bad idea, except I wouldn't really be able to participate-no computer to play on.

[llamabeast]

Ah, boatmurdered was awesome.

[djo]

To my knowledge, a succession game has never been tried on these forums, Dominions 2 or 3. That would certainly be a lot less work per writer than Yarnspinners was.

[HoneyBadger]

oooh, succession SP? That might be interesting.

[djo]

Start a thread and see who bites!

[Lingchih]

bump, de, de, bump bump.

[Edratman]

July bump.

Also this is the one year anniversary of the initiation of the thread. Happy anniversary KO.

[Johan K]

Kristoffer is currently on a short internetless vacation, so he won't be able to read this until next week or so.

[Sombre]

But you can read of our love for you and your mod friendly ways Johan.

[Lingchih]

Johan K said:
Kristoffer is currently on a short internetless vacation, so he won't be able to read this until next week or so.



Internetless vacation? How is that possible. Won't he die without the internet? I know I would only last about 6 hours.

[Kristoffer O]

A bit of an update. Some eastern regions (although it is a wraparound, so it's not east when in play).

http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/uploads/625291-east.jpg

[calmon]

Wow nice map! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

[llamabeast]

Very nice!

[Gandalf Parker]

Will this have multiple .maps?

I like the semi-transparent borders. I do the same on my maps. Are the water borders semi-transparent blue?

[Kristoffer O]

I guess there will be multiple .maps.

It is intended for EA with placed starts and specials, but there will be a blank one as well.

[Endoperez]

Wow! This looks great! I think I see a jade pagoda.

[Kristoffer O]

Indeed http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[HoneyBadger]

I noticed the jade pagoda, and also the little Buddha statue across the bridge, and the golden temples on the mountain. Very nice! Do the things that look like the entrances to caverns actually lead underground?

[Kristoffer O]

The golden temples of Kailasa.

Not atm. There will be a Patala cave, but it will be hidden in the mountains, not outside the map.

Hmm, on the other hand it might be nice. I'll consider this a bit.

[Kristoffer O]

An update on %

100% of Land mass is made I think.
80% of nicing up land.
10% nicing up sea and rivers.
90% of forests are probably finished.
100% of mountains I would guess.
100% of border layout, but they need some fixing to look nice.

50% of features and sites perhaps. This is the timeconsuming part, but also the fun part.

0% of the map data.

[Ballbarian]

The map is looking great KO!

You should probably change the thread title to "The map that might soon be" http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Sombre]

I'm very impressed KO.

When do you want your dark elves? ;]

[Mordici]

The more I see of the "map that will never be" the more impressed I become!

[Kristoffer O]

> When do you want your dark elves? ;]

Hmm, what about mid august? My vacation is over then http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Kristoffer O]

I'm thinking a bit about the borders. I tried dotted borders, but I'm a bit uncertain. The borders are already transparent, so the dotting might be a bit superflous.

6449

[Ballbarian]

I would go with solid borders.

[Edi]

The solid borders look better in my opinion. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Gandalf Parker]

Having the borders less obvious would be fine if thats what you had in mind but for some reason the dashes seemed to make it stand out even more.

[Kristoffer O]

I agree

[Sombre]

I'll try and have /some/ Dark Elves ready by mid august http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

Just the basic troops perhaps. Witch elves and corsairs and executioners and all that.

And yeah, solid borders gett he thumbsup.

[PashaDawg]

Looks mighty sassy! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[PvK]

I like solid, though they could be fainter or thinner.

[Lingchih]

Dotted borders would be hideous for the full map. Please lose them.

Solid border, with transparency , look great.

[lch]

Here's one voice for dashed borders. I think they look better.

[Gregstrom]

I think the dashed borders stand out better, which I rather like.

[llamabeast]

Another vote for the solid ones here.

[Mordici]

Dashed = Bad

Solid = Good

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

[Edratman]

I have no preference for either. If I had to choose I would base it on zoom out definition.

By that I mean I zoom out frequently and I stop zooming out when province definition and/or detail is no longer discernable.

[llamabeast]

Interesting. I always play really zoomed in.

I wonder what that says about our personality types. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Gandalf Parker]

I play zoomed in also. I think its the RPGer in me. If I was more of a statician player then Id probably always be zoomed out.

[Edratman]

WOW. You are making me feel like a wierdo.

I just quickly checked a map. The game starts with a view of approximately 10 provinces on my screen. I always play with a zoom out view of 20 to 25 provinces. I will zoom in for a specific view on occasion, but 99% of the time my screen shows 20 to 25 provinces.

[DigitalSin]

I always play with the map zoomed out to the maximum I can while still being able to discern which units are in provinces. Of course that can be bad on small, wraparound maps where I end up looking at any given province 2 or 4 times on the screen at once..

[Sombre]

I use the default zoom usually, unless it's too far in or out. I can imagine playing zoomed further out, but not zoomed in. I have no idea why you'd play really zoomed in.

[NTJedi]

Sombre said:
I have no idea why you'd play really zoomed in.



It allows you to watch the armies patrolling, building and camping within a province.... oh wait that's in Dominions_7. nevermind

[Gandalf Parker]

And in Dominions_10 (with Holodeck support) you can actually walk amoung your peoples.

[Ballbarian]

you can actually walk amoung your peoples



You can already do that in Dungeon Keeper (& DK2). http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
(I really loved that game!)

[HoneyBadger]

No, he means actual people, as in Johan and Kristoffer show up at your house and enact Dominions in full costume, for your entertainment pleasure. You can't beat the graphic quality, but the processing really slows down if you try to play more than 2 nations at a time.

[Luckmann]

This map is so hot. I just felt a need to let you know.
How many regions will it be, approx.? Only a pity it's in EA, and I almost exclusively play MA (Marignon/Machaka) http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[Sombre]

Luckmann: There will be a free version of the map which you can use in any age. If KO doesn't do one I will.

[lch]

llamabeast said:
Interesting. I always play really zoomed in.

I wonder what that says about our personality types. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif


I'm almost always playing at the default zoom rate, when the sprites on the map are at the same size as on the unit list in the left. Maybe zoomed-out people need the view to get the feeling that they're really watching their people from above?

[Luckmann]

Sombre said:
Luckmann: There will be a free version of the map which you can use in any age. If KO doesn't do one I will.

Yeah, but there won't be "scenery" starting areas and notes for MA nations. Like the areas of Ermor (before the fall) or the Pyramids of C'tis. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Mordici]

I wouldn't put it past Sombre to change the map to make it more generic. He is one of the elder gods of Dominions modding!

[Edratman]

August bump.

My first post in the pretty new forum.

[JimMorrison]

I love map!

<3

I really like dashed borders, but I'll throw in with the solid borders lot on this one, probably because of the nice translucent lines.

[HoneyBadger]

I'm going to vote for solid, translucent, and dashed borders, all in one map. Why? Because that way, it looks more like a real map, with crazy regional dividers, with a human behind it, crossing things out and modifying things behind the scenes.

For reasons of clarity, though, I'll go with translucent lines.

[Psientist]

Kris O - do you have the sea / land as separate layer files? I don't want to be presumptuous or anything, and I am sensitive to the tremendous amount of creative ownership you've put into this map... but I was interested in applying some of the shading/ texturing effects I experimented with for my Antilarium map. It's a major effort you have here, and I was moved to see if I could make a small art contribution.

[Kristoffer O]

The map has several layers.

Background, waterlayover, grass, stuff, forest, civilization, borders, dots. IIRC.

I intend to give you the layered gimp-file so you can cut and paste mountains and sites into your own maps.

[Ballbarian]

That would be very cool KO! :cool:

[Kristoffer O]

Testing attachments in the new forum.

I'm also testing the picture gallery.

Cave provinces added to map.

[Dedas]

I'm drooling all over this map (sorry). :)

[Ballbarian]

The detail is amazing KO!
Really looking forward to playing on this one. :)

[Gandalf Parker]

With so many interesting images on the map I am eager to see a .map file with creative provinces (in addition to a just-play .map file)

[JimMorrison]

The detail is amazing KO!
Really looking forward to playing on this one. :)


I can't believe anyone is going to sully this gorgeous map by covering it in all manner of troops and castle/temple icons! Shame on you blasphemers! At least, make a vow not to rut all over this beauty with your base urges, until you have had the map silk screened onto heavy linen that can be hung in your war room, as it belongs. :shock:

[HoneyBadger]

I'm actually getting it tattoo'ed on my back...

[DigitalSin]

Those.. those caves.. they're beautiful!

[Kristoffer O]

With so many interesting images on the map I am eager to see a .map file with creative provinces (in addition to a just-play .map file)

I intend to make most provinces special in some way. The chance of getting a Jade Pagoda in the right province is quite slim unless scripted :)

[Mordici]

Did you just say 'I intend to make most provinces special in some way'!?!? That is music to my ears :happy:

I was a big fan of the Faerun map back in the days of Dominions 2. Right now I'am having a blast with the storyline, special magic items and cool Unique Indy Commanders in Antilarium 3. A map this beautiful with specials thrown in would be an early Dominions Christmas Present :D

[Jack_Trowell]

Any update on this map ?

It wouldn't happen to have been included in the new patch by chance ? (one can hope :angel)

[Gandalf Parker]

Had anyone else noticed the Kristoffer has an image gallery with a bunch of images from the map? Way cool.
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/album.php?albumid=9

[Edratman]

September bump.

[Kristoffer O]

Hmm, thanks. I think I will need some deadlines to make myself productive here :)

I'll try this:

I hereby announce that I will have two new screens ready by the end of this weekend!
At least one must show some new details of the sea.

Hope that works :)

[Jack_Trowell]

Yes, an update, thanks Kristoffer ! :D

Hum, I've just realized that your message was from last week.

Any news on the promised screens ? :P

[lch]

He made the big error of saying "this weekend". A coworker of mine always says "by the end of the week", or "on Tuesday", but never specifies WHICH week or which Tuesday. ;)

[Tifone]

I've just ended up here! Wow the details of the map look great, congratulations! I just can't find the attachment around, so probably it isn't finished yet? If 'n' when it becomes downloadable could someone plz PM me? It would be very, very highly appreciated ^^

Peace ;)

[Kristoffer O]

Hmm, the weekend promise didn't work out. I'm too easily distracted. I'll try to focus and do some work today.

No Tifone, the map is not finished yet.

[Ballbarian]

Did you spend the weekend making cute little Spore abominations KO?
For shame. :nono:

http://ll-690.ea.com/spore/static/image/500/070/690/500070690943_lrg.png

[HoneyBadger]

I wonder who it will be to make the first Spore nation?

[Kristoffer O]

> Did you spend the weekend making cute little Spore abominations KO?

I'm not into cute. If I would make spores they would be abominable (and probably die an early death). :)

Unfortunately I fell asleep on my couch yesterday, so no updates as of yet :)

[Sombre]

So how do you explain how cute the bogbeast is?

In addition to being terrifying and awe inspiring.

[Kristoffer O]

The bog beast is an abominable (and short lived) creature. Everyone knows that. Not at all cute !!!

Hmm, perhaps I should get spore so I can make a bog beast. Unless someone here is willing to spore some bog beasts to cheer me up :)

[Ballbarian]

No time right now KO, but I will fix you up tonight if nobody beats me to it. :)

[Foodstamp]

Haha, I actually made a badass looking Pan as my race in Spore. It's funny when you reach the space age and your getting missions from a Pan, straight from planet Pangaea no less :). When I get home, I may upload him so you guys can see, critique ;).

[Trumanator]

The question isn't when we'll see Spore nations. The question is when will Spore be overrun by Dominions races/nations.

[DigitalSin]

I find it really hard not to make cute things in spore. I find that it's the eyes that do it.. The only truly fearsome things I've made tend not to have eyes.

[Ballbarian]

The bog beast is an abominable (and short lived) creature. Everyone knows that. Not at all cute !!!

Hmm, perhaps I should get spore so I can make a bog beast. Unless someone here is willing to spore some bog beasts to cheer me up :)

Here ya go KO:

http://ll-933.ea.com/spore/static/image/500/080/933/500080933294_lrg.png

This was my 2nd attempt and was a quicky. The first one was lost when the game crashed while trying to upload video to youtube. (I knew that I should have saved first. :mad: )

[Foodstamp]

Here is my pan guy. I actually made him in game using the parts I found, so he doesn't look exactly how I would build him in the creature creator, but good enough :).

Edit: Next I would like to make a race of Risen Oracles :).

[djo]

You folks should start a new "(OT) Spore" thread in the main forum for more visibility. I'm sure there a lot of other Dominions fans playing Spore. I am, too, but unlike you two, I don't have anything cool to contribute.

[lch]

There already is one, of course. Every forum in existance got a token "(OT) Spore" thread. I don't care, though.

[DigitalSin]

I made a ravener from Warhammer 40k and a carnifex from Warhammer Fantasy. They ran into the age old problem of cuteness, however..

[Sombre]

A Carnifex in Warhammer fantasy? Jesus. Poor enemy troops.

[Humakty]

"And then, there was this horrible thing, must have been a mutated troll, balls of blue fire shooting from it's jaws, our swords could nothing to harm him, he chewed through our ranks emiting a strange hissing, I barely managed to ran away before I got killed myself, please, show mercy my lord..." Memories of the trial of captain Heinrich Boersachs.

[DigitalSin]

Aw, my bad >.<
I have a terrible memory, let alone when I'm procrastinating out of study for Religion exams.. Bah, a carnosaur. It was close enough, and I would imagine that the outcome would be similar, just with less blue fire and more chomping.

[Zeldor]

Bump...

[Lingchih]

But it is the map that will never be! Why bump it? :)