TA is using a different system that's much more efficient
i know! i'm thinking once a few more AI players are available, i'll be ready to attemps an immense map--and be able to handle it on my computer! (which isn't super old, but it's no gaming rig).
however, i thought TA still used the heightmaps to determine where to place usable tiles? (and if that's the case, i've noticed their placement can be, er, a little odd at times - tiles ending up mostly or completely in ocean).