Battle map editor: creating a permanent world

[GonZ]

This post was prompted by a number of threads over time regarding things like extra scenery/terrains - bridges, fords, keeps, villages etc.

And the whole post stands or falls on whether there is a battle map editor coming in the future of the game.

I would really like this to be the case. There's a whole load of talent out there in the M&B community and I think it could be harnessed and integrated into the game - and people would put in a lot of work just to make the game better and maybe have their names mentioned in the credits

What am I suggesting?

I'm suggesting that...

If we had a battle map editor
If it was simple to use (drag and drop rather than coordinates etc)
If the game had a custom battles mode (so we could download and test each others maps)

Then we could get the community to create a whole bunch of battle maps for Calradia. New maps could be posted on the forum and tested by players. Popular maps might be tacked onto specific coordinates of the campaign map. For instance you might have 4 or 5 different bridge maps created. These could then be added to the (one day please) bridge markers on the campaign map. Other custom maps could be villages, towers, burial mounds you name it... all the great maps you know you want to see.

This couldn't replace the random maps that we know and love but it would add more permanent points of reference. The Swadians are coming... I have to hold the Zendar bridge again. It could also lead to a whole new bunch of location specific missions etc.

I realise that it would be a large undertaking but wouldn't it be cool? It would also be awesome for the modding community too.

What do you think? Are there plans for a battle map editor?

 

[holybandit]

Who says "the swadians are coming, im going to have to hold the zender bridge"---seriosly.

Are you talking about a permanant map? Or just certain places in the game where the map stays the same...If its either one then hell yes!!

 

[Wood]

Hail GonZ!! An idea that is both brilliant and original!!

I will fully support this, I already have far too many ideas for battlegrounds. Few games allow to let the public influence their design, this idea can only lead to more enjoyment for everyone.

 

[GonZ]

Glad you like the idea Wood

Who says "the swadians are coming, im going to have to hold the zender bridge"---seriosly.

Just an example prompted by the lack of rivers and current campaign map detail

Are you talking about a permanant map? Or just certain places in the game where the map stays the same...If its either one then hell yes!!

In an ideal world I'd like to have a permanent map. With a fixed battle map for each area of the campaign map. But that's just not realistic imo.

So what I suggest is that custom battle maps are added to specific coordinates on the campain map. At the beginning of the game the player character wouldn't be able to see any of these custom or "landmark" maps.

But... and I think this would be pretty cool. As you ride through the countryside you would stummble across the landmark maps. For instance your in the wilds wandering through blank terrain on the campaign map. All of a sudden a landmark appears at the range of your spotting skill.

It could appear as a specific graphic e.g. deserted village, village, cave enterance, lone tower, fort, burial mound or whatever... or could remain unspecific until closer inspection.

Once your character has explored the terrain a permanent marker would appear on the campaign map. This would add a fog of war dimention that has been mentioned before.

--

Apart from landmark maps (towers, villiages etc) we would need a range of more generic maps... bridges and a whole bunch of road maps specifically. Roads for ambushes please please please...

 

[Wood]

As soon as a suitable editor is released I will have a go at making some interesting locations.
Such as a small wooden ring-fort surrounded by trees and woodland.
Or a monastary standing on a cliff top by the coast, norse longboats visible in the distance.
Or a small hamlet in the middle of ploughed farmland, houses burning from a recent river pirate raid.
Please, release an editor!

 

[Archonsod]

Hell yeah!

How fixed though? I think it would be great to define regions on the world map, and have a stock of maps per region which could be drawn out at random.
Of course, player created maps could be added by dropping them into the region. Some kind of instant action mode which allowed you to preview the new maps would be needed, but this isn't a bad thing...

 

[Destichado]

W00T!

 

[GonZ]

Well it looks like this has recently got a whole lot closer... with edit mode!

The editor is pretty easy to use - even I can make stuff! Although the problem at the moment is that if you customise a map everything you add will be on all maps... which leads to castles in the sky - literally. I'm sure this will be sorted in future updates.

Take a look at Ingolif's castle for an example:
http://forums.taleworlds.com/viewtopic.php?t=4589

And I've had a few goes myself - pretty ****e but you have to start somewhere:

It's supposed to be a fortified town with concentric walls.

outside the town
outside the town again
outside the pub outside the town
walled town
walled townagain
er... and again

For anyone wanting to have a go there's info in the modding forum and in particular here:
http://forums.taleworlds.com/viewtopic.php?t=4590

~~

What is required in my opinion is a whole new bunch of items to position, for instance.

Roads & tracks
Bridges
Peasant shacks
Stable block
Several types of inns would be cool
Stone circle
Cave mouth
More castle fortifications: with arrow slits
Drawbridge
Towers & keep
Loads more buildinds
Wells

I'm sure all this stuff will come - can't wait. Very excited about M&B again - yahoo

 

[Sir Prince]

Can't sleep... must upgrade computerr so morrowind will work better and get highspeed to get mods fsater..
Can't wait for the full version and the subsequent mods!

 

[Nahkuri]

Dang. I just got the same idea, and was supposed to post it.

The second best idea ever!