Random/Semi-Random map generation manual map generation?

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#1

Im making a team based RTS game about 2 teams creating fortresses to fight eachother with, its currently just using a perlin noise map generator i found in a older game i made to create a random map with no prebuilt fortresses, really needing some help deciding on what to do, so some os pros and cons i thought of:

Random map gen:
+ Very little work needed
+ Tons of maps
- Hard to balance maps since the sorrounding terrain is different for both teams, possibly giving one a massive advantage
- No prebuilt structures
- Will require very different game design to pull off
- All maps look very similar and will quickly begin to feel bland

Semi-random maps:
+ All it needs it taking randomly generated maps and adding structures
+ More control over the map
- Hard to balance maps since the sorrounding terrain is different for both teams, possibly giving one a massive advantage

Manually made maps:
+ Can control everything in the map
+ Symmetric map removing possible unfair advantages from terrain
+ Easily added structures, terrain easily edited to support said structures
+ Maps can look way better, with greater variety
- Time consuming

Which is the best?
  • Random maps
  • Semi-random maps
  • Manual maps

0 voters

Important things i forgot to mention:
This game is being worked on only by me, and thats likely not to change.

#2

I wouldn’t recommend going 100% random generation because

  1. More work for scripters
  2. Bland map is bad map

Depends on your team size. If you have about one man for each role, I would suggest semi-random maps because

Pros:

  1. Your scripter and builder can collaborate
  2. Less tedious work (Creating terrain for map)

OR

Semi-random map generation, but not on runtime
Create a plugin that generates the “base layer” for your maps, and let your builder(s) fill in the details (structures // trees etc)

Pros:

  1. More control over detail than instantly generated maps
  2. Map layout can be determined
  3. Less work for scripter(s)

Cons:

  1. Significantly more work compared to instantly generated maps
  2. Chance of some players memorizing tactics for each map, effectively ruining the fun for new players (gets defeated the same way every time // plays the same strategy every time)
#3

Thank you for the advice, its also important to note that this project is only being worked on by me.