Non-scenario maps and the SP map generator

Spunkgibbon · Post by **Spunkgibbon** » Fri Jun 23, 2000 8:20 pm

I've just read Paul V's post about not improving the built in map generator on another thread. Given the amount of work that'd be involved in fixing it up I can't blame you good Matrix people, but I do have an alternative suggestion.

Like many other SPWAW players I almost exclusively play PBEM games as there's nothing more challenging than pitting your wiles and wits against another human being from unit selection and deployment to ultimate victory. The only problem is that the ricketty old SP map generator can make some truly cack maps that don't make any sense and can make for dull battles. Like I said I can understand not wanting to get into fixing this problem, so how about fixing the code to make the use of custom non-scenario maps (with custom front lines and v-locations) a less hit and miss affair? And then providing a repository for SPWAW players to upload their own non-scenario PBEM maps?

I don't think I'm alone in feeling that decent PBEM maps are one of the things that the Steel Panthers series has always lacked and I reckon this is a compromise that could work.

I can't rightly remember but I think it was Wellington who said "An army's greatest ally is the field of battle itself". If he didn't he should have.

Tombstone · Post by **Tombstone** » Fri Jun 23, 2000 9:36 pm

I think that's a great idea. If we get enough custom PBEM maps available, it would kinda be like playing on random maps too. Just well thought out ones instead of take what you get randomness.

Tomo

BA Evans · Post by **BA Evans** » Fri Jun 23, 2000 10:19 pm

Great idea Spunk. How many PBEM maps do you have in your collection? Might be a good idea to offer some of your best maps to the community at large.

Drake666 · Post by **Drake666** » Fri Jun 23, 2000 10:55 pm

A gift of 7 maps for people
http://shadow-of-hell.tripod.com/7maps.zip

Wild Bill · Post by **Wild Bill** » Sat Jun 24, 2000 3:05 am

One of our goals in the near future is the establishment of a Map Depot, similar to the Game Depot and at the same location.

There you will have maps for all SP games as well as a brief description of what the map includes.

What do you think? Worth the effort? Interest?

WB

------------------
In Arduis Fidelis
Wild Bill Wilder
Coordinator, Scenario Design
Matrix Games

Tankhead · Post by **Tankhead** » Sat Jun 24, 2000 3:12 am

Sounds good WB have all the maps in one place. Would save time looking all over the place for a map. A description would be nice, with all the maps a fella accumulate save from downloadind the same map twice

.

Tankhead

Drake666 · Post by **Drake666** » Sat Jun 24, 2000 3:14 am

Originally posted by Wild Bill:
One of our goals in the near future is the establishment of a Map Depot, similar to the Game Depot and at the same location.

There you will have maps for all SP games as well as a brief description of what the map includes.

What do you think? Worth the effort? Interest?

WB

What do you think?
Good idea WB, Im always makeing maps and I dont mind shearing them with people.

Worth the effort?
Yup, Would be a good idea to include a feature were we could post a pic along with it so people will have a idea what the map looks like.

Interest?
Very much so, Im a person who likes making maps more the scenarios.

Spunkgibbon · Post by **Spunkgibbon** » Sat Jun 24, 2000 7:52 am

Originally posted by BA Evans:
How many PBEM maps do you have in your collection? Might be a good idea to offer some of your best maps to the community at large.

I've only got a couple of maps saved (a river crossing and a small Russian pass) because I've never really had too much of an incentive to make and keep that many. Of course if we've got somewhere to share them I'll upload more as I do them.

I think attaching a text file with the maps is a good idea (it'd be cool if the custom maps had an on-screen text write up like scenarios) because some maps work better with different size forces, different force make-ups and different nations. Also it'd be useful to put historical info if the map is based on reality (downtown Stalingrad for example). And some maps will fit certain periods of the War and so affect the available units of each side.

Yeah, text files would be good.

Wild Bill, it's definitely worth the effort because I think it could revolutionize the PBEM game. I don't mind lending a hand in the running of it if you need it.

steel · Post by **steel** » Sat Jun 24, 2000 10:19 am

I say this very shortly !

Do and fill Map depot.

Seriosly. It is good idea, example for email
players.

Thank´s for everebody and of corse to WB

Wild Bill · Post by **Wild Bill** » Sat Jun 24, 2000 7:25 pm

Good response, fellas. I feel the same way.
And I like very much Spunk's idea of fixing the program so that it could take custom maps with less problem.

I'll try to get that one added into the list for the final version 3.0 on the game.

Spunk, I may take you up on that offer. The Map Depot would definitely need a caretaker and my poor Raiders are taxed to the max. I just can't ask much more of them.

Drop me a line and we'll talk about it.

WB

------------------
In Arduis Fidelis
Wild Bill Wilder
Coordinator, Scenario Design
Matrix Games

Spanjab · Post by **Spanjab** » Sat Jun 24, 2000 8:43 pm

Sounds very cool! I have only designed one map so far, a bit of a town one, and played on it once against SpunkGibbon. It takes ages of course and getting the victory hexes and deployment in the right places was a nightmare. Even after all of that it seems there is no way to vary the value of victory hexes. Also for some reason the retreat directions were arsed up so my brave bikes and SS would run afraid into the open for brutal slappings at the hands of Mr Gibbons Stuarts. :/

Still my engineers stood their ground and my flammpanzers won out.

Maps like this are what SP is all about, a map I built up hex by hex but still Gibbon was finding great places outside of the town where he could see my forces that I would have never considered!

If there were a way to print maps out then that would be very cool too, I'd love to be able to have a gander over a printed map at work and to scribble my battle plan on it, and to guess where SpunkGibbon has deployed his Ghurkas this time!