What if the map was randomized?

[Seiseki 16]

What if each server had their own version of the map, with randomized location for villages, roads, airfield etc.

At the moment a lot of the problems for the game come with people getting a bit too familiar with the map, server hopping at high value loot spots, camping high value loot, knowing the exact location of vehicles and loot spawns, malls, pvp hotspots.

Because let's face it, once you've played for a few hours, you learn the location of all the important stuff, there's no exploring any more.

I used to enjoy trying to figure out my position with the map, trying to find landmarks, read signs, etc. But now I got a pretty good idea of where things are at, especially along the coast.

What used to be a fun experience exploring new places, discovering new things has turned into a less exciting get into the mall, check this and that place, go into the farm over there, then head for the next town.

I think there are a few issues with having the map randomized, the first being the time and cost to implement such a system.

The second being server hopping and ending up inside stuff.

I'm also pretty sure that a lot of people have grown attached to the current map and don't want to let go.

I too am quite fond of it, but having a new map to explore would give the game better replay value and also stay true to the survival aspect.

Edited August 9, 2012 by Seiseki

[Tyrtaeus 4]

Fully randomized wouldn't work I think, not without a vast engine revamp. You'd have to create a number of set maps, otherwise it would be a bunch of disconnected roads and towns under the sea. But I do agree with your general point. Maybe in the standalone version, we could see something similar to this?

[ironman Tetsuo 181]

I remember Rocket talking about loot spawns in a video interview and he mentioned how the present system is just a placeholder cobbled together quickly just to test out the idea. He talked about military camps being able to spawn in different places to keep things fresh. Part of the problem with obtaining loot at the moment is that once you learn the map you no longer have to explore. You can spawn and make a bee line for all the places you've memorised from cheat-sheet maps, I think making these kind of loot buildings random would certainly improve the system.

The buildings in the game are not part of the map they are the same as every other object except they have a fixed spawn location, it could probably be changed quite easily, keeping it balanced is where the difficulty would be, if it was rushed you could end up with some situations where 90% of the map is empty and all the buildings spwan next to each other...

Edited August 9, 2012 by ironman Tetsuo

[Seiseki 16]

Well, dividing the map into sections that have max and min limits for towns, houses, etc. would make it pretty easy to balance.

The important part is randomizing cities and buildings, the terrain can be less random, possibly having a few preset pieces with variations.

I like the idea of randomized military camps and it's good to hear that the loot system is just a placeholder.

Deer stands, farmhouses and single buildings in the woods would also be awesome if they were random.