Labels on the Cloth Map

from Elemental Forums

In all the things that make a game immersive and great, I'm sure this is a small factor.  But as I read the second book of the Game of Thrones, I'm struck by how important the names of places are; the Trident, the Wall, the Neck.  Locations on a map that gives a sense of history and continuation to the world.  When EWOM was in its infancy, one of the things that was discussed was getting to label the cloth map with such things, so that geographical places could have names as well.  Forests, mountain ranges, oceans.  My wish is for that to make a return at some point.

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Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

Maybe have it so that land marks are named by the faction discovering it, so like Altar (ai) would name forests, mountain ranges & such out of a list of Altar territories in the book, the other ai factions would do the same, human players &/or custom factions would name regions from a random selection with human players having the option to name them themselves.  This would help to give the feel of exploration and the claiming of land in a 'new' world.

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

Although what about forests that are cleared or mountains that are flattened, if those things are possible in FE?  (I think at least the former would be.)

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Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

If there are resources 'there' then they will be taken, but the locals still know land marks by there names 

 'Fangorn Forest' would've fallen in Lotr had it not been for the Tree Ents, & I'm sure if 'Mount Everest' had resources in it then it would've been taken out as well - Still I think better & more memorable with names

 

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Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

The cloth map would certainly benefit from this idea. It would be nice for the user to be able to add text in areas to give some personalization to each game. Naming rivers, mountains, and valleys would make exploring so much more immersive. 

Unfortunately in WoM the font was so large that every city name would be partially covered by the city and anything over seven letters would just muck up the rest of the map. It would be a pretty big thing to add for the mere sake of immersion. Maybe something to think about after the core game is polished. 

Reply #5 from Elemental Forums Top

In conquest of the new world (1996 pc game), you got points for being the first to discover new rivers and such. It was a lot of fun. I would be happy if Elemental had something like that.

Reply #6 from Elemental Forums Top

Meh, not sure. As a rule I don't like game features that force you to rush things. Civ's tribal huts were balanced well (only played IV, they still in V?), but in a few mods they could be so valuable you were pretty much forced to go out and find them.

Reply #7 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting seanw3, reply 4
The cloth map would certainly benefit from this idea. It would be nice for the user to be able to add text in areas to give some personalization to each game. Naming rivers, mountains, and valleys would make exploring so much more immersive. 
 

Agree.

And why not make simple 2D models for units instead of those ugly statues or whatever they are. It's impossible to tell what is what in the cloth map the way it is now.

Reply #8 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Magog_AoW, reply 7



And why not make simple 2D models for units instead of those ugly statues or whatever they are. It's impossible to tell what is what in the cloth map the way it is now.

Really, this surprises me.  I like the figurine look.  It makes me think of playing a board game.  to each his own, but I certainly like the figurine look of the units on the map. :shrug:

Reply #9 from Elemental Forums Top

I like having some figurines, but it needs mouseover text to identify what each piece is. 

Reply #10 from Elemental Forums Top

I never play board games, maybe that's the problem...