What sorts of maps do we need?

[Jason_Lutes]

I've finished up an Early Ages scenario map that's still being tested, and I'm thinking about what sort of map to tackle next.

The main question I have for the Dominions community is, where are the worst gaps in map selection? We have the map generator, of course, but augmenting that with a good selection of custom maps seems like a good idea. With that in mind, what sorts of custom maps would you like to see? What size (number of players, provinces per player) do you feel is most needed?

Any feedback would be appreciated. I'd like to make maps that fill an existing need, so let me know your ideas.

[Morkilus]

I really like the idea of "scenario" type maps, so here's my vote for a late and middle age version! Perhaps with jungles so Machaka, Bandar Log and Mictlan can duke it out.

[Zen]

Some good MP maps would be non-startcenter maps between the 8-10 player range.

I am also more in favor of a heavily tested spread of indies, especially scout provinces, amazons, terrain.

Your maps are always beautiful, where I usually find problems is with the neighbor paths and the terrain tagging.

I would also like a heavy water map of the 3-5 player style (All 3 water nations, 2-3 land nations) with a creative use of seas and sailing since that adds quite a bit of fun to those unit abilities/nations.

[Gandalf Parker]

The generator does OK.
I will be providing some maximum sized generated maps which most people cant create.

I think that balanced MP maps are needed. Approaching almost a chessboard balance so that no one can claim a "bad position" affected the outcome.

I also think scenario would be good. Have you looked at the MODs that Amos is doing?
Angelic Crusade
Stigian Corruption
Trade Confederation
Blood Elves
The concensus is that they are abit too powerful for competitive play but would make excellent scenario for a challenging opponent and a good storyline.

[Lion69]

How about a port of the Faerun map to Dom 3
that map is simply awesome

[BigJMoney]

I definitely want to see Faerun in Doms 3 ASAP, but to answer the original question, I think a scenario-like map with all custom content would be cool.

Custom indies.
Custom magic sites.
Custom indie thugs/SCs (is this possible?)
Custom populations and income/resources levels.

All of the above strategically located and coordinated with terrain types. Not all terrain types need to be used in one map, every time.

=$= Big J Money =%=

[Nerfix]

I'd like to see maps with thematic "kingdoms" of indies that could be taken to the point where they are rudimentary custom nations (ie modded) nations. An indie kingdom would have five provinces, one central province with a castle and all that and four surrounding provinces. They would be very tough to tackle on indie scale but the reward would be a castle and their "starting site". If taken to the point where they are custom nations they could even fight back...

...a less extreme one would simply be a map with a lot of custom content. I think there was one a Dom 2 map that took one of the preset maps and made it so that players started with a small "kingdom" that had stuff like pre-found magic sites thematic to the nation and some extra commanders and such....pity I forgot the name of it. It was great fun.

[PDF]

Hmmm, I'd like 150-some-provinces sized map, good for 6-10 players, and with some "theme", maybe coming with a scripted map. This makes a map more flavorful and unique

[Jason_Lutes]

Thanks for your replies, everyone. If anything else occurs to you, let me know. While I won't be getting in to any heavy modding, I will likely try to make maps that have some theme or flavor elements and specific magic sites in certain places. Looks like a couple of 2-4 player maps and a 6-10 player map will be first on my docket.