Random islands

[Lolsav 0]

In some other games, like RTS games (Age of Empires series) it was possible to have a random map at start.

I dont know if that is possible for ofp, due to its complexity, but if it was possible to the mapmaker have a total diffrent map from evryone else i think that would be a great achievement.

I do understand that such islands are really complex and it involves many stuff. But hey, im not a addon maker, i only did some missions around...

Althought the idea might sound a bit foolish at first glance, look around, look to other games, randomization of map brings alot more.

Addin my 2 cents...

[edc 0]

Umm, not sure if I understand you. At the start of what? And I assume by map you mean the island kind of map (not the MP mission kind of map), right?

[Lolsav 0]

Afirmative. Just the terrain.

The mission would need the same terrain evrytime due placement of units and objects. Its randomness would depend of the mapmaker.

[malick 0]

It was discussed a long time ago how to make a semi random or semi dynamic campaign:

in fact, you have a "pool" of missions from which to pick from, and a script or random variables decide which one to play next, through init.sqs.

This way you can have a semi dynamic campaign, setting variables and using the six different ends available in the mission editor. Or have a semi random mission "generator". But, you first have to define all the mission to chose from, and then, write a script init.sqs to link them all in one, adding a variable randomly pointing to one of them. When you launch the mission, init.sqs is runned, sets the random variable and, voila !

Hope it helps...

[Lolsav 0]

It was discussed a long time ago how to make a semi random or semi dynamic campaign

Thats for campaigns and missions. Im talking about randomization of a <span style='color:red'>whole island</span>.

Other games do it. So why not ofp?

[Harnu 0]

It was discussed a long time ago how to make a semi random or semi dynamic campaign

Thats for campaigns and missions. Im talking about randomization of a <span style='color:red'>whole island</span>.

Other games do it. So why not ofp?

The last game I remember doing that in was Age of Empires    Dammit! Now I'm going to go play it because you made me mention it! :P

If you take a look at the islands in OFP1, they are all upwards of three megs.  That will be one hell of a downloaded on the server every time that certain mission plays.

Maybe reducing the size of the island to do this, but still, thats a whole hell of a lot to download if I'm not mistaken.

Edit: AOE was able to do this very easily because it had the same repeating textures(Grass desert or snow for the most part. Aside from blue water and some roads here and there.), even the biggest maps there could probably only be comparabe to a portion of Nogova.  It was a simple landscape, very simple gfx and even easier AI (If you remember what beginnger mode was like )

[Lolsav 0]

Yes. Age of Empires was great, specially till the first expansion, Rise of Rome.

Anyway, getting back to the subject, if u do recall we didnt had to download any new island evrytime we played a random map. The map itself it was generated automatically for each player. No download was involved.

In the later series of that game the terrain gained quality, height, hills and stuff like that. Althought i had lost the pleasure of bronzing under 12 mins days ;) (Only understandable by who played that game).

My point is: Randomization of terrain is possible without involving downloads. Wonder if its possible to transport that concept to OFP2. Thats my idea.

[Harnu 0]

The reason you didn't have to download it because thats how it was programmed. When you loaded to an MP server, as the game starts, it takes a few seconds for the random seed to be made, then each client quickly downloads it.

The reason this was possible was due to the simplicity of the maps.

[Harnu 0]

I think BIS may be able program something to possibly make radon islands.

But my question is, would it be feasable for online play?

edit-

P.S.  Do you know how to take screen shots in that game? I used prnt screen just a second ago to contrast OFP vs. AOE terrain, and it game out all red and green specs in a void of black.

[Lolsav 0]

The reason you didn't have to download it because thats how it was programmed.

So... ill take it a little script or something is downloaded and the terrain generated with that information. Well it seems doable ... Then again, why not for ofp2?

Im not a computer graphic expertise whatsoever. But i still think its a doable request. They are the informatic genious. Crack it up :P

[Harnu 0]

Even if a script is send telling the computer to generate a certain 'seed' for the map, the big problem making the island.

With the amount of polys and objects and such, I think it's a comletely differnt scenario with OFP.

[malick 0]

Thats for campaigns and missions. Im talking about randomization of a <span style='color:red'>whole island</span>.

Other games do it. So why not ofp?

I understood... I was just giving you a simple method to do this in OFP1

BTW I think that the 3D rendering of a random generated 51kmx51km island may take ages on nowadays computers. Maybe in 2004 ?

[Phleep 0]

It could be simplified down to large standard chunks of land which connect together. There'd obviously be logistics to work out regarding the server making sure it was continuous (roads inc.) but it would then use the same concept as Civilisation and AOE and the download would be small since it would just be an array of land types and an overlay of roads and objects could be included in the chunks.

It would make it rather grid like and I do think that just being able to download small user made islands on the fly would be a better idea if you want something unexpected. By the end of 2004 most players will have broadband in some form or another so it won't be that bad.

here is an example of when squads on a server cooperate and get their own chunk of land on an island.

[Lolsav 0]

BTW I think that the 3D rendering of a random generated 51kmx51km island may take ages on nowadays computers. Maybe in 2004 ?

Hmm but thats hows the process is done now. It doesnt mean it couldnt change... Why it has to render parts of the island we dont even see? Beats me...