Whats missing from this picture?

Its like weres Waldo, for elemental.

from Elemental Forums

So, I was doing some "elemental war of magic" screen shots, and I ran across something that slapped me in the face.  I have spent plenty of time in Elemental, "the game", and are currently finishing the novel on my free time.   I totally did not notice this, can anyone tell me what they see in these screen shots thats not in the game... graphics aside.

If you get it... why is it not in game?  It looks like it was planned.   My best guess you ask?  There was no advantage to have them in the game because we did not work tiles for improvements.  Regardless of that fact, as a geographer by trade its a physical feature of the land which creates a natural boundary.  Many of battles were fought to keep or disable them.  They have served as live lines and areas of trade.  After thinking more about this, I'm a little shocked it was excluded. 

Now if someone has seen them, apparently I have not run into them, I'll eat my words in this case.

My suggestions on why to have them?  Simple, they are a defensive break for opposing forces.  They are a offensive hurdle for aggressive armies.  They are a source of trade and  source of life for agriculture and sustainable societies.  Come to think of it... how is there "fertile land" tiles without them, unless its an underwater reservoir.  

Anyways, thought I would do a little input on some randomness after a bottle of wine.  

Cheers!

 

 

elemental
12,748 views 16 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

They still exist in the map editor if you want to create your own map you can place them easily enough.  There is even a rather large selection to choose from so they don't look static and boring.  They don't seem to serve any particular function however, just an aesthetic thing really.  though you can choose to make them impassable... unfortunately that doesn't stop the game from randomly spawning a crystal crag or goody hut (which you can never get) right on top of it.

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

Never thought about it, honestly, but yeah, rivers would be nice.

DeskScapes - Bring your desktop background to life.
Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

Yes, i noticed the lack of rivers.  I attributed that to the extreme dryness of the entire planet... evistated by the previous war.  The patches of fertile land are really important for settlements to support significant populations.  I suppose, over time, rivers might re appear as the land is healed by the channelers? 

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

IIRC they were having some trouble with the map generator and rivers, seems they never got around to sorting it.

 

Reply #5 from Elemental Forums Top

I think they where unhappy with the way rivers looked which is why the maps they supply don't have them...

Reply #6 from Elemental Forums Top

For a while they were having issues with rivers merrily meandering their way to the sea... then continue straight on for several tiles into the sea.  Looks like they simply decided rivers just weren't worth the hassle.

That said, the waterfall at the end of the river in the second picture is rather pretty.

Reply #7 from Elemental Forums Top

It was a cosmetic issue. They looked ugly in game. We're still working on different ideas for how to make this look pretty and compatible with the modding system that allows user created tiles.

Reply #8 from Elemental Forums Top

I have to say, I've played the game a bunch of times (and am looking forward to future patches to play more), and I never really realized there were no rivers. That said - I'd love to see them implemented, as it would certainly give the world a more... earthly (real world) feel. 

Reply #9 from Elemental Forums Top

I think, if you want to do something a little different, you could have the streams run along the edges of the squares, instead of through the middle.

I already think of the narrow 'channels' between landmasses as Mississippi/Nile/Amazon sized rivers, hence why I never really noticed the lack of them.  It'd be cool if there were resources in the oceans/wide channels (fishing grounds), that could be used for food, etc.  Or Water Shards in the water...

Reply #10 from Elemental Forums Top

I think, if you want to do something a little different, you could have the streams run along the edges of the squares, instead of through the middle.

 

This is an excellent idea.  Then some rivers could be 'impassable' except at fords and bridges...   others would be shallow enough to cross anywhere.  And a new set of tactical issues to deal with, very cool idea.

Reply #11 from Elemental Forums Top

I am fine without rivers for the time being as they would probably require a lot of work. Personally I want the influence rings to be effected by the shape of your city. I think that would have alot more interesting game play effects for alot less work than making interesting rivers.

Reply #12 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting kenata, reply 11
I am fine without rivers for the time being as they would probably require a lot of work. Personally I want the influence rings to be effected by the shape of your city. I think that would have alot more interesting game play effects for alot less work than making interesting rivers.
End of kenata's quote

To some extent it does, as there are buildings that have there own influence ring.

Reply #13 from Elemental Forums Top

I dont care about rivers, and if they never get featured I wont have an issue.

The only way you could get me to like the river idea is to make the rivers a valueable trading route for shipping between nations, otherwise they are rather pointless.

Reply #14 from Elemental Forums Top

I do think having rivers would help add variety to the world's map and view, making it more pleasing to the eye and immersion.

Reply #15 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Teslacrashed, reply 14
I do think having rivers would help add variety to the world's map and view, making it more pleasing to the eye and immersion.
End of Teslacrashed's quote

 

Not just that, but as others have posted, there is tremendous potential in rivers - just look at real history.  Naturally defensible borders, transport, and productivity could all factor in.

Reply #16 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Frogboy, reply 7
It was a cosmetic issue. They looked ugly in game. We're still working on different ideas for how to make this look pretty and compatible with the modding system that allows user created tiles.
End of Frogboy's quote

Thanks that's what I remembered you saying, I have to admit like one of the other posters I'd never really missed them. But actually some on this thread are right they could actually give bonuses to a city defence, trade, food,etc.

How about city improvements that can only be built on a river tile?