Small maps

[popeye]

There have been numerous suggestions for retiring "large" maps in favor of "small" map.  As a map maker, I'm curious to know what defines "large" and "small" maps.

All the current maps are the same size (256x256), and the same number of sectors.  Maps differ in the number of bases (which determines the ease of winning the map) and the density of bases (how far apart they are).  Maps also differ in the spawn patterns requiring more defined attack paths or multiple available attack paths, as well as land/water ratio and the number of ships. 

What characteristics and features would you want in a "small" map?  Is there a particular current map that represents your idea of "large" or "small"?

[DmonSlyr]

Post the list of maps please. My search is only giving 1 page results from 2000 for some reason when I type in maps.

There are about 5 in a row that could be wiped out and make a huge impact to fights and battles with the current #s. Oceana, BowlMA, Buzzsaw, CraterMA, I'm missing one I think, but once posted I can confirm. That part of the rotation is horrid.

Huge fronts, too many bases, no "fight zone" areas to entice people to fight In a certain area. What you have during  the off hours are tiny little dars with maybe a 30k bomber or 1 con, and then a hoard of one team capturing undefended bases. With smaller maps that have closer back bases, it make the other team have to fight in that area to keep their bases, which provides more or a team control and allows for bigger battles. Far distances to fight with little #s really make the gameplay slow. Taking off and flying 5-10 minutes to die quickly gets old after a few sorties. Less time to action keeps players re-spawning. One or 2 tiny little dars during the off hours on a huge map makes it tough to find a good battle.

[The Fugitive]

This is the list I found. Im sure there are a few more added since this post.

https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,351453.msg4646668.html#msg4646668

This is the link to "Obies" "Nautical" maps to get an idea of the lay outs.

https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,407530.msg5412691.html#msg5412691

I think the original maps are the one considered the "small" maps, ndisle, sfma, baltic, and mindanao. I think Kenai is working on a rework of Baltic right now. Those are the maps that seem to always have action going on them.

[whiteman]

I think the original maps are the one considered the "small" maps, ndisle, sfma, baltic, and mindanao. I think Kenai is working on a rework of Baltic right now. Those are the maps that seem to always have action going on them.

I always thought of those as small, also a few of my favorites regardless how large the population was. I do get the feeling there are people that think of those as large.

[Eagler]

The maps that were "small" with much better subscription numbers should now be considered a "large" map given today's daily numbers..

That stated, a new "small" map size should be considered ..even if the new small results in quick flips as the fights on those would be concentrated and intense fun imo

Eagler

[Lazerr]

Mindanao always aims to please.. but then the gv aspect of it kind of sucks.

There is always an opportunity for a 3 front war in the middle, not necessarily a furball island.  The fights for a2 and a44 come to mind.

Sorry not the answer you were looking for, but that map has great fight making characteristics, minus the gv aspect due to toejamtay spawns.

Ndisles used to do the same, although the unreal puffy ack between the main fighting points is really a turnoff after the new version of the map.  No offense to Kenai.

[Banshee7]

Maps like NDIsles, Uterus, etc...  Perfect size IMO. 

[The Fugitive]

Thinking about it more and more today I think it has to do with the size of the fronts. I was worried that it was due to all of them not really having any kind of good GVing as they were all built before GVing was really a thing.

If you look at the fronts on those maps they really dont have any that are more than a couple bases wide. Mindanao has more in the center but the fights almost always work their way out to the three fingers of land than staying in the middle. Creating maps that the fronts dont get wide may be good for building action.

[Spikes]

While I don't play in the MA much at all, the biggest thing for me would be the ability to steamroll the maps. It seems like all of the seemingly smaller/fun/new maps get rolled quickly and then grapefruit is up for a week because it's difficult to win the map due to # of bases.

Not sure if there's a solution to this besides a hard minimum timer for a map to be up. Number of bases seems to be the steamroll deterrent, but it's also a fun killer in terms of action. I assume it's still possible for a small crew to roll 2-3 maps on a Monday morning lol. Kinda lame.

[JimmyD3]

Here is a list of the current maps in rotation, also includes the Map size. Available sizes are 64 X 64, 128 X 128, 256 X 256, 512 X 512.

The current AH3 map list.
RotationIndex         Map Size
0   sfma2016      256X256
1   riftval              256X256
2   fjordma      256X256
3   grinder              256X256
4   baltic              256X256
5   montis              256X256
6   mindnao      256X256
7   bowlma      512X512
8   smpizza      256X256
9   buzzsaw      512X512
10   craterma      256X256
11   oceania      256X256
13   ndisles      256X256
14   northco      256X256
15   etoma      256X256
16   3points      256X256
17   atoll              256X256
18   badlands      256X256
19   crags              256X256
20   blacksea      256X256
21   natoma              256X256

 

[popeye]

Didn't know there are 512x512 maps in the rotation. I stand corrected.

[Dadtallica]

Map size and terrain size are not the same per se. Buzzsaw is a good example.

Also… please get rid of buzzsaw!!!

[Animl-AW]

IMO, The actual map size is not as relevant as size of land mass. Mindnao is my best example. Some will state too small, but a small tweak to enlarge size of land mass, just slightly.
256 or 512 sorta matters not. I think the square miles of land mass is where the honey spot is found using last year’s winter numbers. Land mass for 200-300?

[JimmyD3]

Haven't tried one yet, but I think a 128 X 128 map would be to small. lol I'll have to try one now.

[mERv]

I am in favor of doing away with a number of "Large" maps for the sake of this community.

DALE, LET THE MAPS ROLL FREQUENTLY AND PLEASE LOWER THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ENY.