Suggestions: Map Scripts and Map Editor

[Dissenswurst]

I have two main points which motivate me to write this.

1. The output of the current map scripts is boring. The first time you play such a map is ok, but the second time is boring. There is not enough variation within the scripts.
2. I've learned in the past few months that there is a player bubble out there that insists on earth maps with true starting locations (TSL). I'm not really sure of the size of this player bubble, but it seems to be not so small. Maybe it would generate enough return on investment to provide a map editor with the option to have locked starting points with default nations even though it seems to me that an earth map with TSL is not truly in the spirit of Millennia. Even if there wouldn't be an official earth map for the game the community would provide such a map probably in an instant.

For myself, I don't need an earth map, TSL or not. I want to play on maps I don't know since I love to explore. I rather would like to have maps with more surprises. In Civ VI, they developed a script that mixed other scripts so you never knew what was on the map and how it changed character in different areas of the map.

 

[Red Death]

1. They've at least upgraded our modding abilities enough that we can now make practically any type of map we want. That includes maps with more variation than the base ones. For example: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3369508506 or https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3390868682.
2. I think it is even possible to create a modded map type that produce an exact earth shape, though it might be tedious unless I automate part of it. You can even set exact starting locations, but obviously "TSL" is impossible, since there's an infinite number of custom Nations possible.

 

[Dissenswurst]

1. They've at least upgraded our modding abilities enough that we can now make practically any type of map we want. That includes maps with more variation than the base ones. For example: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3369508506 or https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3390868682.
2. I think it is even possible to create a modded map type that produce an exact earth shape, though it might be tedious unless I automate part of it. You can even set exact starting locations, but obviously "TSL" is impossible, since there's an infinite number of custom Nations possible.

Thank you for this reply. It encouraged me to activate some of the available mods. I chose almost all available map scripts and your alternate age 2. If I find bugs or things I find strange I'm going to let you know. And, of course, if I have any ideas for improvement.

Well, if it is possible to create an earth map then if someone does it it may bring a whole bunch of new players to Millennia. Is it possible to mod which nation slot (1st to 8th) is starting at which point? In that case one could simulate TSL through the correct choices (could be given as documentation with the mod). Maybe different earth maps with different sets of starting points could be offered. Of course, this is not really in the spirit of Millennia, it is just to help those players that stubbornly insist on earth maps with TSL.