Map Depot

[76mm]

Sounds like the main challenge to setting up your own campaign would be creating the necessary (good) CMBB maps.

I think it would be a good idea to set up a "Map Depot" website where people could post and share with other players the 2x2km maps that they've created. While you will always have to create some maps yourself, it would be great not to have to reinvent the wheel for every square meter in a campaign.

Ideally, we could come up with some kind of "isomorphic" map convention (similar to Squad Leader maps) in which roads, rivers, etc. would exit the maps at specific points, so that it would be easier to mix and match maps created by various people.

I may be able to host such a site, although I may need help getting it set up.

What do you all think?

[Sergei]

Interesting idea about the convention thing.

A separate map depot, however, is probably not needed. You can just upload your maps to TPG (or Scenario Depot Ausf.B once she comes out of the bottle), perhaps naming it "2x2thename.cme" or "CMC_thename.cme" for easy recognition.

[76mm]

Even better if I don't have to host it. I do, however, think that it's important that everyone who posts maps there agrees to free use by anyone, to avoid the pain of figuring out whose maps you've got, getting their consent, etc. Free the maps!

[Elmar Bijlsma]

Would they really used the 2x2km maps? I thought a battlefield would consist of four squares of CMC terrain. So a SE quarter of the map in one battle would be a NW quarter in another which would foist conventional map making.

It will be interesting to see how they implemented map making. I just figured it would be randomly generated terrain based on map parameters given by the CMC engine. I now realize that I made an ass out of you and me.

[Sergei]

That's how it works, already. When you upload your map for public use, it means that they can for instance use it for a scenario or something, but of course if that scenario then is put for public use, it is mannerly to include reference to that in the briefing.

[76mm]

Elmar, I'm pretty sure that you need to create the underlying maps yourself--they are not autogenerated by CMC. I thought I read somewhere, though, that the 2x2 maps are divided into 4 1x1 maps--not really sure how it works yet.

[76mm]

Sergei, that sounds good. I just thought that I remembered some big stink because somebody put somebody else's scenarios on a CD without their permission or sumfink.

[Abbott]

I enjoy making maps and plan to make several for my personal use. I would be happy to contribute them and Squad leader style would be fine.

We need to find out more about in game map-making procedures as soon as possible to have plenty ready upon release of the game.

[Sergei]

Q: On the Operational Isometric 3D map, I see that it is made up of terrain squares. What's the size of one of those terrain squares?

A: The smallest terrain tile shown represents an area approximately 1km by 1km in size. Battlefields are made up of 4 of these small tiles, thus giving a 2k x 2k battlefield in CMBB.

[Elmar Bijlsma]

Yeah, CMC quite possibly will have 1x1 premade maps which CMC will make into a 2x2 foe CMBB. That is a LOT better then having map made for all possible variations of 2x2 maps, that would have been a nightmare.

Still... gonna be tricky lining up the terrain features of every 1x1 map with the terrain features of the 1x1 maps next to it. I would love to hear for from the horses mouth on this because if we need to hand make all the CMBB side maps then making operations of a good size will an undertaking of epic proportions.

[Sergei]

If you look at some of the screenshots , you will see a 2x2 tile grid. Therefore I don't think that 1x1 maps are combined on the fly.

[76mm]

I don't know--look at the wooded tiles in the center of the left side of the map--looks like one has two 1x1 woods tiles and the other has 3 1x1 woods tiles--see what I mean?

[Sergei]

But if the game was supposed to combine four CMBB 1x1 maps into a 2x2 map when battle started, why would there be a 2x2 grid? Yes, the CMC map itself consists of 1x1sq.km tiles (and those are what the CMC game itself uses for its calculations) - but tactical CMBB battles are fought according to the displayed grid, I think.

[76mm]

I think you're right...

[Hunter]

Originally posted by Sergei:

But if the game was supposed to combine four CMBB 1x1 maps into a 2x2 map when battle started, why would there be a 2x2 grid? Yes, the CMC map itself consists of 1x1sq.km tiles (and those are what the CMC game itself uses for its calculations) - but tactical CMBB battles are fought according to the displayed grid, I think.

I do too.

[Moon]

Just to clarify: You need to indeed create the 2x2 maps...

Martin