Spring RTS Engine

1: get flashget: http://www.amazesoft.com/download.htm
Download stuff from more then one place, paus the download, have everything sorted in a downloaded map...
It shows ads/popups, but only while it's running. NO spyware! (great program for dialupper like me^^)
2: What about we have some diffrent maps. Some 1 mbyte, 1 30-50 mbyte. We need maps to show off as some suggested. Even if plp whit dialupp may be scared away, we must show of the best side of spring to get a good community which= More map/mod/stuff makers +player to use em = more fun for us^^

You see, I think the best idea would be to offer 4 different maps for the light install, the ones that Gnome suggested.
Then for the big install, run a vote for it, but keep it under 100 megs.

And for us 56kers, we just have to download the core files for updates.

Thats the thing, we'd split th groups of maps into categories of size and release the top 4 or so in each as seperate options, to be cvhosen based on what bandwidth you can afford.

Such as a selection of <1mb maps then a similair selection of larger maps then a similair selection fo the largest maps<20MB

Fnordia wrote:... including a few of the new maps ... Possibly removing some ... which ones ...?

I hate map4. It is beautifull but the north has like 6 vents and south has none and it has loads of metal on places where you can't build a metal extractor, as well as alot of space where the terrain does not allows you to build.

To be added:
Core Prime Industrial Area (2MB) - It needs at least one metal map and this big one, seems to be the one most often played. The smaller Metal Heck (6MB) would also be nice.

Full Moon (3MB) - Good loocking small map which also has it's metal patches showing. The highly classical Comet Catcher (5MB) would also be a good addition to please the ones that want a bigger map and it has a nice rectangular shape to make up for team play, norht vs south.

Gods Of War v2 (7MB) / Gods Of War 2 (3MB) - One of these is almost a must. Especially if map4 is removed, leaving the maps pack with no map that has the players start separated by water. I prefer GOW v2 because it is smaller, making more intense fights and it is nice to play unbalanced fights of 3vs2. A bigger GOW2 or Green Isles (8MB) would also be nice.

So, removing one and adding at least 3 new maps (>=8 MBs-map4), would cover alot of diferent gameplays.

A map style that would still be missing, would be a full water map.

The size of a possible download, starts to make it look like having the game, the units pack and a «recomended» maps pack separated, like good ideas (if that ain't too much work).

Map 4 is maybe a replace for the handycap thing.
And a good way to learn how to use geo vents.

And is there a new compression system in sight? We could add more map (I think about Buggis work on the hpi format.)

(I've mad a 32*32 flat metal map with a repetative 512*512 texure. It take 20 mo and the pathfinder's files 30 mo. If I compress it, it only took 300 ko!)

Torrasque wrote:And is there a new compression system in sight? We could add more map (I think about Buggis work on the hpi format.)

(I've mad a 32*32 flat metal map with a repetative 512*512 texure. It take 20 mo and the pathfinder's files 30 mo. If I compress it, it only took 300 ko!)

You mean kb ? (ko is french)
Since the installation package is already compressed, adding compressed files in it won't make it smaller, I'm affraid

el_muchacho : I agree, what I said is very stupid :) I wished I can edit it before someone read it :)

edit : and yes, it was kilobyte.

Gnome's idea is on point. The map that DEFINITELY needs removing is map4. One player starts next to like 6 geysers on the one. I guess it could just be fixed. If I had to vote on a new map being included, I'd say CPIA or The desert triad2, or Green Isles V2. Personally I think Azure Rampart should _definitely_ be included, just because its such a highqualtiy low-size map.

Map4 is the only option for the amphibious battle script. I think this is why the map is intensely unbalanced.

Perhaps this is a reason worth keeping it for?

Has anyone considered simply opening it up and rebalancing it, rather than getting rid of it entirely?