Expanding the known galaxy.

from GalCiv2 Forums
So I know that on Gigantic settings that the map size is 18x18 parsecs. That's pretty huge, but what if you want a bigger map?
Why not allow a larger size map by building in to the game a new game play element:
Exploring the unknown regions of space beyond the maps edge.
Once you've worked up the Ship Sensors tech line you could get a new tech, perhaps called Deep Space Exploration. This opens up new modules for ships or starbases that allow you to "scan" off the edge of the map for several turns and open a new parsec of space. Could there be new planets (5% chance)? Anomalies (10% chance)? Resources (5% chance)? Most likely nothing at all (75% chance)? Or something totally different and unexpected, maybe even terribly dangerous (5% chance)?
It'd be a nice idea to satisfy that exploration aspect of the game in a whole new way. You could just keep opening up new parsecs until you got tired of it. You'd also get some different shaped galaxies too, sprawling in all sorts of directions instead of one big square block.
ideas
8,915 views 11 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
It would also allow for civs that start in a corner of the map to not get screwed over by their location entirely.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I like this idea, but there would ahve to be limits, othrwise a civ could never be fully conqured. I think it would be great for allowing a little bit of intrigue to seep back into the mid-game area. That way there would be a rush to colnize and develop new worls halfway into the game. It would also allow you to get a world behind enemy territory and produce a great base for attacking. I like the research meathod of getting there, but like I said, it would have to be limited to say...25% of the original galaxy size. Thanks
Elemental: Reforged
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
It would be a huge advantage to those at the edges, and a huge disadvantage to those traped in the middle. Still, a neat idea.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
a.k.a. "I'm playing on Gigantic with Abundant Planets/Stars/Quality/everything and the map isn't big enough."
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I think that it would be fun aswell. I know that the gigantic map is very large, but i think it would also be cool to have an epic size map that is bigger than gigantic. It would probably be better as a mod though, so that you can add in new techs and more diversity.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
In reply to Citizen jdkeepsmiling.

Yes I think limiting it's benefits will help balance it, perhaps based on the map size you chose at the beginning of the game you would have a factor that is scaled in proportion with your game size. So maybe on a gigantic map you would have less chance of opening more parsecs. On a smaller map though the chance increases in proportion to the map size.
In an unlimited mode though, I guess you'd still be limited by your computers hardware capabilities to manage massive galaxies.
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Neat idea.
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I was just thinking that this would be an interesting way to have multiplayer too.
You could have the players isolated by "unknown space". They'd have to explore the unknown space between them before they can establish trade routes and trade technologies, or even go to war.
This might make simultaneous turns possible and allow players to take however much time they want with their turns.
With each player being seperated by unknown space, you could each have your own mini-game with your own AI races in your part of the galaxy, trading with them or conquering them in some way, or being conquered by them.
When another player starts the exploration of unknown space it becomes know to all the other players by a special event, you start to get mysterious deep space signals, perhaps you should investigate?
The race is on and now you must determine where the other player is, will you get lucky in the exploration of unknown space and meet up with them? Will they be friendly, or worse than the inhabitants of your part of the galaxy?
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The question is, how would you implement it? No doubt they implement the map as a fixed 2-D array of objects. The easiest implementation would be to just grow the array bound limits, and if you do that, then you might as well just add a larger map size.
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Well I really wouldn't know how to program it, it's just an idea that would be pretty cool I think.
I don't think you'd spend to much time just exploring like this, as other things would be just as important to manage.
It could add some interesting depth to the mid-game as was posted on this thread.
Perhpas even after you've finished your "goal" of the current game you could engage in deep space exploration and see if you find some new random events that are challenging to cope with.