Hard to tell, but in my experience of editing maps so far;
- As long as it is selected by name in the selection box when setting a game, it shows up exactly as i designed it -- of, of course, everything is valid & as intended.
- I suspect we need to always insert the 12 basic homeworlds ON the maps if we were to expect a strict distribution of whatever choices we make for opponents in the usual manner... which is possibly why i already urge for a kinda RANDOMIZED starting locations option before starting a pre-defined map.
- LOTS of micro-managing clickouts if one dares to perfect every single instances of objects from scratch or with a random result; i'd recommend a spreadsheet like editing capacity to roll-over the roaster for planets size_quality, orbits_moon_ring, habitability, asteroids, resources, heck even ships, etc.
- An auto-default assignment of the regular start-up conditions (Colony, Miner, Surveyor as a group) would be essential. Or any type of framework for many things, btw.
- Tilted orbits (as corrected via the editor) don't seem be taken by the game engine as the moons still stay on the old orbital pathways.
- I've got a DX9 crash bug as soon as i tried moving the maximized window. While i'm on this subject... shouldn't all editors be resizable too? Along with a true blueish Twilight skin? It would have been nice to have a DA compatible tech editor too.
- Scaling of maps is zoomed out so much (at initialized state) that one MUST remember to mouse-scroll it in before realizing the map is in fact ready to be edited.
- Lemme select the precise numbers & amounts of Stars/Planets i want instead of randomizing at modulo rates based on map size. In fact, where is the 'rule' also that enforces *Abundant_Common_Rare_Etc* variables as if we were into the well known pre-game process!
PS; I'd also would like to mention a little proggy called 'Map Wizard 1.42 beta' by Roman Zukov for Tim Wisseman' VGA-Planets(3 or 4) to forward SD developpers at some very slick features. Forecasting territories, calibration of distances, a thorough analysis of any maps! Only 11 races in that one, but that tool would certainly be an excellent source of inspiration.
In general, i'd say the map editor could provide much more options.
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