Include default neutral values in map images

[maxfaraday]

I fully support this suggestion, it would definitely improve the site and the gaming experience.

[blakebowling]

Alright, techie here to ruin your fun:
Currently, the images you see in previews are the same ones used for the actual map. If there were numbers on the neutral-starting territories, then the numbers injected by the game engine would be unreadable (so this isn't solvable by just having the mapmaker put the numbers on the map).
This could be done, actually without any work from the foundry by lack using the same PNG overlay used in the game engine to put the default neutrals (taken from the map's XML) and overlaying them onto the previews.

That being said, it's very unlikely that this will happen anytime soon, as it would mean an overhaul of the map preview interface.

[drunkmonkey]

Alright, techie here to ruin your fun:
Currently, the images you see in previews are the same ones used for the actual map. If there were numbers on the neutral-starting territories, then the numbers injected by the game engine would be unreadable (so this isn't solvable by just having the mapmaker put the numbers on the map).
This could be done, actually without any work from the foundry by lack using the same PNG overlay used in the game engine to put the default neutrals (taken from the map's XML) and overlaying them onto the previews.

That being said, it's very unlikely that this will happen anytime soon, as it would mean an overhaul of the map preview interface.

Isn't it just a matter of the map preview pointing to a different .png file? I don't see how it would be an "overhaul".

[agentcom]

Alright, techie here to ruin your fun:
Currently, the images you see in previews are the same ones used for the actual map. If there were numbers on the neutral-starting territories, then the numbers injected by the game engine would be unreadable (so this isn't solvable by just having the mapmaker put the numbers on the map).
This could be done, actually without any work from the foundry by lack using the same PNG overlay used in the game engine to put the default neutrals (taken from the map's XML) and overlaying them onto the previews.

That being said, it's very unlikely that this will happen anytime soon, as it would mean an overhaul of the map preview interface.

Yeah, I was thinking exactly the latter idea: overlaying the numbers--just like it does in the games. The data is already there in the XML. As has been mentioned, the more difficult solution is to have all the mapmakers (or someone else) create a second image with neutral values and have them upload that image and have the map preview screen pull that image instead of the "empty" map. That seems to be to be a lot more work.

[ThrushAAX]

I wonder if this would be a good addition to B.O.B. too? Having a button that toggles between showing the map and showing all the default neutral values. It already has to load and parse the XML but this way you wouldn't have to go to the map preview page or something else.

[chapcrap]

I wonder if this would be a good addition to B.O.B. too? Having a button that toggles between showing the map and showing all the default neutral values. It already has to load and parse the XML but this way you wouldn't have to go to the map preview page or something else.

That would be great.

[perchorin]

This is a great idea, hope we can see it happen.

[Jippd]

I support this idea

[anonymus]

i support do it!

[Catarah]

in support of this.

[Jippd]

Alright, techie here to ruin your fun:
Currently, the images you see in previews are the same ones used for the actual map. If there were numbers on the neutral-starting territories, then the numbers injected by the game engine would be unreadable (so this isn't solvable by just having the mapmaker put the numbers on the map).
This could be done, actually without any work from the foundry by lack using the same PNG overlay used in the game engine to put the default neutrals (taken from the map's XML) and overlaying them onto the previews.

That being said, it's very unlikely that this will happen anytime soon, as it would mean an overhaul of the map preview interface.

Or you just require map makers to upload a map preview image which has the neutrals coded on it. I believe in the foundry process map makers have to show a version with default neutral starting positions don't they?

Then the site can make a direct link to that image instead of the map image when u click a map to see the bigger preview version.

[blakebowling]

Alright, techie here to ruin your fun:
Currently, the images you see in previews are the same ones used for the actual map. If there were numbers on the neutral-starting territories, then the numbers injected by the game engine would be unreadable (so this isn't solvable by just having the mapmaker put the numbers on the map).
This could be done, actually without any work from the foundry by lack using the same PNG overlay used in the game engine to put the default neutrals (taken from the map's XML) and overlaying them onto the previews.

That being said, it's very unlikely that this will happen anytime soon, as it would mean an overhaul of the map preview interface.

Isn't it just a matter of the map preview pointing to a different .png file? I don't see how it would be an "overhaul".

Somehow I missed this a long time ago.

It is possible, but it would require someone to generate those images. (i.e. the mapmaker).


Also, since there seems to be a consensus on this suggestion. I'm going to submit it.

[x-raider]

Alright, techie here to ruin your fun:
Currently, the images you see in previews are the same ones used for the actual map. If there were numbers on the neutral-starting territories, then the numbers injected by the game engine would be unreadable (so this isn't solvable by just having the mapmaker put the numbers on the map).
This could be done, actually without any work from the foundry by lack using the same PNG overlay used in the game engine to put the default neutrals (taken from the map's XML) and overlaying them onto the previews.

That being said, it's very unlikely that this will happen anytime soon, as it would mean an overhaul of the map preview interface.

Isn't it just a matter of the map preview pointing to a different .png file? I don't see how it would be an "overhaul".

Somehow I missed this a long time ago.

It is possible, but it would require someone to generate those images. (i.e. the mapmaker).

Also, since there seems to be a consensus on this suggestion. I'm going to submit it.

Thanks blake.

[qwert]

hmm,strange that nobody from Map foundry MODS not post here. Almost all maps dont have starting neutrals, these mean that every game have diferent deployment of neutrals territory,,except maps with starting positions.
For peloponnesian war map, starting neutrals are every time same,and with same value, so player who play a loth of these map,all ready know neutral deployment. Best option its that you play no fog games, print screen saver,and you will have map with all neutrals. Ofcourse these its only work for pelo war map, and with feudal war, and few other maps with starting neutrals. But these its so little number of maps, that i dont see realy why are these so importan do implement.

[chapcrap]

Best option its that you play no fog games, print screen saver,and you will have map with all neutrals. Ofcourse these its only work for pelo war map, and with feudal war, and few other maps with starting neutrals. But these its so little number of maps, that i dont see realy why are these so importan do implement.

No way that is the best option. That's not a very good option for everyone to have to do.

I think you are confused about what is wanted here. What is being suggestion is a picture of what the values would be in a game that is started. There are only a few maps where a territory has a different number of troops on it if it starts neutral vs if a player holds it.