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[PvK]

Ok. Perhaps it could start with a list of the things that are found on most maps - the flags like terrain types, large, magic rich, etc. Each special would have a set of those as a prerequisite, and a rarity or commonness factor.

The program could take two input files:

* One input file would be the map file from a typical non-special map. This would allow any map file to be embellished with semi-randoms. Ideally, any provinces already given special items would not be modified.

* The other input file would be a list of special types of site with any special names, starting units, or sites to add. This would allow different files to be generated for different kinds of effects.

The output file would be a map file with a different name from the original.

I don't know if writing this is helpful, or if you had already figured out a (possibly different) scheme. Just trying to help.

PvK

[Gandalf Parker]

Actually it can get alittle more specific than that. A program could read in the map and figure the terrains for each providence. Then it could read in all the neighbor lines. Now it should be possible to find a province which is Mountain or Swamp, and one which is an Island (surrounded by water neighbors), or a lake (water surrounded by land), or a shoreline province, or maybe even decent chokepoints on the map.

Im picturing seperate province files that can be randomly selected and inserted into the .map such as
#land XX
#landname "there be DRAGONS HERE"
#poptype XX (trolls)
#magicsite "something appropriate here"
#magicsite "something appropriate here"
#magicsite "something appropriate here"
#commander "Carrion Dragon"
#equip "anti-magic amulet"
#bodygrd 10 "Iron Dragon"
#units 20 "Dragon Men"
#commander "Red Dragon"
#units 20 "fire drake"
etc etc etc

If there was a decent way of marking the province files. Such as "Dragons Lair" being for mountains, and the "BoogeyMan Bog" being for swamp, the "Crystal Spires" for an island. That way the program can randomly select from the many (hopefully a ton of player offered) province files, then try to find an approprite location for it and insert it there. If we get up to having a hundred files, and I randomly insert 10-20 in each of the daily random generated games then it seems like it could be a worthwhile project.

[nakomus]

Gandalf,
I normally lurk on this forum, but I wanted to stick my head in to say I *really* appreciate your set of nation specific random opponents maps. Being able to download a map and jump right into an interesting game with whatever nation I wanted to play is great.

Poke in the Eye appeals less to me because it is so clearly different from MP games. The random opponent maps I can see as sort of practice in dealing with unexpected situations that might actually arise in a normal game. Poke in the Eye creates obviously impossible initial conditions.

That being said, I also enjoyed Orania Nasty Edition and think the semi-random map idea sounds wonderful; which I guess contradicts my complaint about impossible initial conditions in Poke in the Eye.

I have some experience programming in Python and made a brief attempt to code an automatic map modifier to play with, but I ran into trouble based on not really understanding the rules of map commands.

I�d be interested in contributing to an attempt at a semi random map generator if I were not so busy with school. As it stands now I don�t really have time to play Dominions in the first place.

[Wauthan]

I really liked the idea behind the "Poke in the Eye" map. I just don't like the map itself that much.

But if you ever need help with creating "province theme parks" you can sign me right up. I've done a few scenarios based on a similar idea with themed provinces. Just decide upon a suitable format and we could start a thread on the subject.

[ May 08, 2004, 08:37: Message edited by: Wauthan ]

[Gandalf Parker]

Originally posted by nakomus:
Gandalf,
I normally lurk on this forum, but I wanted to stick my head in to say I *really* appreciate your set of nation specific random opponents maps. Being able to download a map and jump right into an interesting game with whatever nation I wanted to play is great.

Thanks, I needed that. Its always good to have someone "pay" for the free stuff with a comment or two.

I have some experience programming in Python and made a brief attempt to code an automatic map modifier to play with, but I ran into trouble based on not really understanding the rules of map commands.

Actually the random opponents thing is the shortest and simplest of the ones Ive done. I can send you my code and you could take a stab at Pythoning a Versionf or yourself. Something where you can say which nations you dont want AI's and which map to use.

I�d be interested in contributing to an attempt at a semi random map generator if I were not so busy with school. As it stands now I don�t really have time to play Dominions in the first place.

Yeah, this game is dangerously addictive.

[Gandalf Parker]

Originally posted by Wauthan:
I really liked the idea behind the "Poke in the Eye" map. I just don't like the map itself that much.

I understand that. When I did it the only thing out was the demo. Ive been tempted to choose a tiny/small/medium/large/huge/epic map from the generator piles and do a Version of each. Or maybe re-write it into a stand-alone program where you can download it and run it choosing which map to use.

But if you ever need help with creating "province theme parks" you can sign me right up. I've done a few scenarios based on a similar idea with themed provinces. Just decide upon a suitable format and we could start a thread on the subject.

Im beginning to get interested in that again. I see alot of benefits from it. Not only do I think it might make interesting game-maps but might also start a wave of new map-makers. Let them start small and work up to a themed map. Hmmmm Theme Parks. I like that. Maybe we have a name for the project. Better than the Semi-Random Map Project.

The problem is that I have alot more ideas than I have get-up-and-go

[ May 08, 2004, 14:56: Message edited by: Gandalf Parker ]

[Leif_-]

Originally posted by PvK:
"Dragon Sprinkle", for example. Or how about "After the Vampire Wars"

I threw together a Dragon Sprinkle .ran set-up, and included it in http://home.Online.no/~rmoldskr/Domi...DomScripts.zip The randomized maps on my page won't be randomized for some hours yet, but when they are they'll include a Dragon Sprinkle variant.

I might see about an "After the Vampire Wars" tomorrow.

Edited to add:

I've added an After the Vampire Wars randomization as well. The maps have been regenerated, so you can check out both of those randomizations in action by downloading any of the maps at http://home.Online.no/~rmoldskr/Domi...nion_maps.html

[ May 09, 2004, 12:03: Message edited by: Leif_- ]

[PvK]

Wow, Leif, that's great! Now I must figure out how to rob some time so I can try them out!

PvK

[Gandalf Parker]

Originally posted by Leif_-:

quote:

---

Originally posted by PvK:
"Dragon Sprinkle", for example. Or how about "After the Vampire Wars"

I threw together a Dragon Sprinkle .ran set-up, and included it in

I've added an After the Vampire Wars randomization as well. The maps have been regenerated, so you can check out both of those randomizations in action by downloading any of the maps at http://home.Online.no/~rmoldskr/Domi...nion_maps.html

---

Leif, you are taking the Lord of Randoms title away from me. I better get back to upgrading some of my projects.

One note by the way, some of your random maps I really like but I cant get a full view. It might say 220 provinces, and I can see about how much water there is, but I dont want to download it to find out if 120 of those are crammed into the water. Can you add land/water numbers to the thumbnail views?

[Leif_-]

Originally posted by Gandalf Parker:
Leif, you are taking the Lord of Randoms title away from me. I better get back to upgrading some of my projects.

One note by the way, some of your random maps I really like but I cant get a full view. It might say 220 provinces, and I can see about how much water there is, but I dont want to download it to find out if 120 of those are crammed into the water. Can you add land/water numbers to the thumbnail views?

Sure, just give me a couple of days. (Oh, and you might also be interested to know that I store the command-line for dommap in a text-file in the .zip together with the map.)