Pre-release a sparse cut-down map-making tool

[Ralf]

There have been talks about a Civ-2 -> Civ-3 scenario conversion-tool ( hence: http://apolyton.net/forums/Forum6/HTML/002645.html?7 ). Thats great - the more they can re-exploit past Civ-2 scenarios into Civ-3 as well, the better it is. Besides, designing scenarios is hard work and those who have put so much work into it in the past, perhaps deserves a second updated chance to show off their old stuff.

Another potential goldmine-source is MAPS. Im not only thinking of some kind of conversion-tool here. Also, it would be great if Firaxis, a few short months before the Civ-3 gold-release, would pre-release a sparse cut-down version of the map-making tool - downloadable from their site.

Nothing fancy: not with scenario-functions - just the barebone MAP-MAKING part of it. Lets face it; the map-generator has its obvious AI-limitations and it can only be a good thing if Civ-enthusiasts manage to crank out an ample selection of handcrafted maps to play on, once the Civ-3 is available in the stores. The way I see it: it would be creative fun for us fans while we wait, and at the same time; Firaxis gets some nice raw-material for Civ-3 maps for free.

[Roman]

I think your idea is rather implausible, but it is a good idea nevertheless. Some people are just so much better at designing (real) maps than Firaxis. See OmniGod's maps for an example...

one thing that activision did right with ctp2 is that they created and was later released on the net a "bmp to ctp2 map" conversion tool. a similar bmp/civ2/civ3 tool should definately be in the box....

[Gramphos]

I like Ralph's idea, but I cant figure out how Mark's idea of BMP-converting would work. Someone please explain.

there are tons of bitmaps on geographical and other similar sites of maps from various parts of the planet

the tool takes a bmp and translate it into the map format used by the game. in case of the bmp-2-ctp2 tool you only have to place the rivers yourself. you can check it out here
http://www.apolyton.net/cgi-bin/ctp2...iew.cgi?ID=511

most of the ctp2 maps were made with this tools
http://www.apolyton.net/ctp2/files/Maps/Binary/

[BeBro]

I hope the game comes with many high quality maps from the start.

A pre-release map editor would be fine, but I doubt that they do that - it would probably reveal to much of the game.

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