could use some thoughts on a map system

[hallsofvallhalla]

K so I am working on finishing Quests of Crocania and I was thinking about the map system and looked back at the first version of FS web game. I really loved the map system in that game and have been tempted to use it on QOC. I also like the simplicity of QOC's map system. All links.

Register and give the map a try, email account doesn't matter, no authorization required
http://www.forsakensanctum.com/tutorial/login.php

make sure if you are using IE you have a late version that can do PNG transparencies.

Is this map style more appealing than a simple one like below?




I am really thinking about mixing the two games together for one kick butt game.

[hallsofvallhalla]

k here is my other option. Pic based, gives a little flavor without making a complicated map system.

[dave3460]

Halls the second version with just pictures is the way i am going as i prefer things like that .
But a load of younger players prefer to see there charactors .
i think the picture way looks cleaner but that is the way i am.

[hallsofvallhalla]

i agree i really like the pictures. Was going to add in my random event generator to add pics and for the combat.

[MAruz]

How about making those links into symbols too? Like signs for shops and so on?

[hallsofvallhalla]

thats a good idea, thanks... I think I have gotten this solved right now. Going to try the links. I had a plan of making each town like a town map then mapping the link to each section of the map but decided to stay with this.

[Bane_Star]

The idea of a map system works ok, but depends on what your trying to achieve..

a Town map.. might be easier to deal with if things are repetative.. i.e. an building of a blacksmith, a tavern, the healer and the local church, as links.. IF they exist in their town, then the image is on the map/screen.. but if its not leave it off.. This makes a 'new' building more interesting when you encounter it.. but means, more image work for you. BUT players can quickly identify.. hey this town has a blacksmith and my sword needs to be repaired/ I need a new sword..

personally, I'd like a town map that I'd have to move around, finding back alleys with unique shops might be part of the fun.. Player created buildings makes this even more likely..

[hallsofvallhalla]

I went with dynamic links in this game. Players build where ever they want in a massive world, currently 14,400 possible locations.

[Bane_Star]

Any thoughts on how to extend that size? I'm looking at a much much larger world, 14,000 buildings is barely a decent sized village.. let alone a town

[hallsofvallhalla]

you can go huge in the DB, just keep adding zones. This works much like Forsaken Sanctum 1.0, you could place 100 rows and 100 columns per zone easily into this game since it pulls so little data and have a massive world. Imagine 100x100 zones at 5 zones..

That's 50,000 possible locations!