[Suggestion] Larger maps

Ran into other soverigns really early

from Elemental Forums

I played my first game of the Beta and think it's going to be really solid. One thing I didn't like, though, is that I ran into another kingdom very soon in the game despite choosing to make a large world.

In fact, there were two kingdoms that I was sandwiched between. Both discovered right around my starting position. On a large map.

So I would like to suggest that in later updates, the map sizes grow larger, especially for the higher end of the scale. Especially now with the addition of the city distance limit (which I think is very cool)

8,002 views 11 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

I am wary of too large maps now as I spent all my time in WoM on a map that was so big I couldn't play by the endgame. I have been sticking to the medium map on normal setting for the beta. I think we should all stay at that level for now so we are all talking about the same thing. In a few weeks I will begin looking at larger maps and higher difficulties. 

Also, I am working on a Vvardenfell map that is quite large. So yo have at least one to look forward to. 

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

Looking forward to much larger maps when I upgrade to 64-bit and and a generally faster machine.  I played WoM on its largest size map, but I doubt my current rig could handle much more.

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Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

I can understand that - but I just think it's a bit...odd that I pick the largest map size and run into two other factions right next to me...

 

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

I think that issue is an issue in itself, so to speak. What we need is better control of distance to enemies at the start. I mean, unless they fix that system, you could play on a map 100 times larger and STILL start next to two AIs.

Reply #5 from Elemental Forums Top

Yes, but I had a large map, 7 opponents, and every nation I met declared war on me within 1 turn. Didn't help much... I had no room to expand into, and outright warfare everywhere.

 

I'd prefer larger maps too. Bigger = more fun, in my opinion.

Reply #6 from Elemental Forums Top

 

Optimum map size is something that is different for different people.    I suggest we ask SD to add one size bigger (extra large?) and then let each person select the size they find most comfortable to use.

Having said that, I agree with Heavenfall that the real problem is player spacing on set up.

Reply #7 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Barrynor, reply 5
Yes, but I had a large map, 7 opponents, and every nation I met declared war on me within 1 turn. Didn't help much... I had no room to expand into, and outright warfare everywhere.

 

I'd prefer larger maps too. Bigger = more fun, in my opinion.
End of Barrynor's quote

 

That's been pretty much my experience so far with FE in the games I've had a chance to try.

I think the game is cool - I just wish I could explore more of the tech and stuff before sending my stick-swingers against their club-pounders and hoping my champions are good enough.

If it's starting point spacing - that's cool too. Whatever it is, map size, start point spacing, both, I hope future updates attempt to address the issues.

Reply #8 from Elemental Forums Top

Game runs too poorly even on medium maps for me to play on large ones - the large map game I finished was completely choking by the end.

Anyway, that aside, as a stopgap, go into the custom setup for your large map game and remove an empire or two, should give you more breathing room - also make sure they're balanced between empire and kingdom, so you have a greater chance of peaceful borders if you want to buildup.

If you leave it on max civs and they all end up kingdom while you're empire or vice versa, you'll be engulfed in war from start to finish.

Reply #9 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Mtrixis, reply 8
Game runs too poorly even on medium maps for me to play on large ones - the large map game I finished was completely choking by the end.

Anyway, that aside, as a stopgap, go into the custom setup for your large map game and remove an empire or two, should give you more breathing room - also make sure they're balanced between empire and kingdom, so you have a greater chance of peaceful borders if you want to buildup.

If you leave it on max civs and they all end up kingdom while you're empire or vice versa, you'll be engulfed in war from start to finish.
End of Mtrixis's quote

 

I have done that - the balance between Kingdoms/Empires - it was actually a Kingdom that declared war on me (I was a Kingdom, Tarth). Guess I was too tempting to not take out.

But yeah, I'll just have to cut back on players I suppose, though I haven't had any performance issues just yet *knocks wood*

 

 

Reply #10 from Elemental Forums Top


The problem with placement, I think, is that on a large map ten empires must be placed, and then there are the Elemental Domains which are effectively the size of small empires too. There are what, five elemental powers? (I met three so far in two different games). Lots of stuff at placement start.I do not mind meeting other empires, but given that our cities tend to be bulky and require lots of room, the fight for resources and strategic placement of cities will intensify rather quickly. Of course, there is the matter of your PC being able to handle it ( I have the luxury of an 8 gig 64 bit quadcore with a 560Ti... ) but the cloth map does help, a LOT, when it comes to the endgame and your 3d card.

 

Maybe not what you'd want though :)

Reply #11 from Elemental Forums Top

Running on the cloth map sucks - I had to do so in WoM due to performance issues, and now I do again in FE... with a quadcore 6850 with 8 gigs of ram on w7 64. Blech.

I just avoid large maps due to irritating with how sluggish the game gets, even on the cloth map. It's still not perfect, past the midgame it slows down even on medium maps, but its marginally more tolerable.