The Sea.

[theTrav]

Staunchly opposed is a bit of an overstatement.

Gee guy, take it easy, relax ay, it's just a suggestion, hey, you just need to have a rest.

I'm not entirely convinced that the map should have defined features on a macro scale, that's all. I think it detracts somewhat from the world's feeling of endlessness.

Where do you draw the line between "defining at a macro level" and "writing an algorithm that produces a pleasing result" ?

Would you like to see large oceans etc come out of the "generate new map" process?


Also, how do you plan to place the RoB in your generated world? Wouldn't it be possible to just keep working through seeds until you happened upon one that placed the RoB right next to a large ocean?

[Laremere]

I think it's more of having one direction being devoted to ocean. I think it'd be much better if anything weren't defined so strictly, but instead let them be in the map naturally.

[theTrav]

I think it's more of having one direction being devoted to ocean. I think it'd be much better if anything weren't defined so strictly, but instead let them be in the map naturally.

I guess what I'm saying is that it doesn't seem impossible to achieve something that appears to do what Hamel was after and yet still satisfies everyone else... I mean, assuming you don't have the code to the server and therefore don't know how the map itself is being generated, would you object to the RoB being next to a large (possibly seemingly infinite) ocean?

[Laremere]

I'm not against RoB being next to a large sea. Though I don't think it should be near limitless, just really big.

[Hamel]

Staunchly opposed is a bit of an overstatement. I'm not entirely convinced that the map should have defined features on a macro scale, that's all. I think it detracts somewhat from the world's feeling of endlessness. But I might be swayed.

I don't really see how it would detract from the feeling of endlessness. I mean, you would simply have endless land (with water) on one side, and endless water (with land) on the other. In the immortalized words of Bikke the Pirate: "Land just be another kind o' sea", or vice versa.

Although, the more I think about it, the more the thought of having the entire map composed of sea with large continents intrigues me. It would provide a more realistic feel, and would likely please all of the arguments on this subject presented, so far. It would however, unfortunately, kill the endless frontier aspect of the game. It's worth thinking about, I guess.


Now for plan two! *MINDFORCING*

[PhaedrothSP]

I think the sea might make it seem even more endless. Maybe to a newbie who has no way of crossing the sea it might seem limited, but eventually there'll probably be a few people willing to barter for passage on their ship.
As for the continents, I think something like.. 2x the size of the current map could be the first continent, which will probably end up being the most developed 'country' for a long while.

[Erik_the_Blue]

It would however, unfortunately, kill the endless frontier aspect of the game.

Would it? Running out of frontier on an infinite map isn't technically possible. Civilization will grow and encroach on the frontier with either map. The only difference I can think of would be how one gets to the frontier. With infinite land, you simply pick a direction and start walking. With large seas and continents (and archipelagos, even), you eventually have to get on a boat and sail either for some little-known land mass or discover a new land yourself.

[Laremere]

I don't think it'd kill the endless frontier aspect at all. If anything, it would increase it. Different continents that only could be reached by sea would be a quite cool prospect. Journeying there would be no small task, and civilization would be very hard pressed to span across the vast amount of water, so all the civ would be created by the people themselves. Though I think some continents should be connected by land, so one can journey a huge way without stepping on a boat.


Also, random idea: On each continent, or at least very far apart, there would be a new RoB (with different names or no given name of course, as there would only be one true RoB) that has to be activated by a player, possibly with some great deal of effort. Either that or players could build their own ring, or possibly there would be a variety of different monoliths that players could build, such as pyramids or temples. That allows players to spawn there instead of having to spend many hours as beginning characters scrapping together wages to buy ship fares to cross the ocean to get to their friends.

[PhaedrothSP]

I like those ideas of the connected continents and the 'new RoB's'
Maybe something like..An a thin ice bridge(like 4 Squares wide and long as hell) that could connect some of them, or even a small strip of land that is only revealed during certain times of the day. due to changes in the tide.

For the RoB, Maybe they could have different names, so if someone wanted to, they could look in the forums for the active ones. Maybe an interface so you can put in the name of the ring you wish to start at, the default would be Brodgar of course.
As for the construction, there would have to be a special point to built it on, which could be found in the same method as Geology. Constructing it would require you to have full civilization and full peaceful. The materials might be something like 50000 stones, just for a single arch. There would also be a separate cost just to activate it.

[Hamel]

I meant the land-locked American-frontier sort of thing. Which I don't suppose is very important, but some people might be rather fond of it.

Anyway, I am starting to think the endless water+continents thing is much better than my other idea. But, of course, what really matters is what Jorb and Loftar think about it.

Also, random idea: On each continent, or at least very far apart, there would be a new RoB (with different names or no given name of course, as there would only be one true RoB) that has to be activated by a player, possibly with some great deal of effort. Either that or players could build their own ring, or possibly there would be a variety of different monoliths that players could build, such as pyramids or temples. That allows players to spawn there instead of having to spend many hours as beginning characters scrapping together wages to buy ship fares to cross the ocean to get to their friends.

Hmm, kinda like that ability to spawn at village idols that Loftar was talking about?