a random map generator

The players should get to determine what is built in each socket, if I understood correctly. And the generator will generate a new map for each territory, but it's entirely possible for it to generate two identical maps. Basically, it picks an area from a hand-crafted territory and then assigns it weather, lighting, etc. in a way that would make sense.

This was how I understood it. I may have misunderstood it. If so, feel free to correct me.

I see makes sense. But then the part about making a 5x5 km ( or mile) map and extending it 10x whit just one push of a button means there has to be some generation other then the weather, lighting, etc.

I see makes sense. But then the part about making a 5x5 km ( or mile) map and extending it 10x whit just one push of a button means there has to be some generation other then the weather, lighting, etc.

It is possible to generate a fully playable map that is unique. It just requires a LOT of boundaries for the generators. For example, saying "Fill my land with terrain between -128 and 128 units high" won't work. You have to use a complex mix of calculus and greater level mathematics to generate the terrain. Think of it like saying to the map generator "You can use curve functions up to this magnitude" and then applying a certain random face generator to roughen up the curve created by the smooth function. On top of that, you also need to put in rules that separate higher terrains from lower to create valleys that allow for entry, otherwise you may end up with completely walled off sections. With plenty of restrictions in place, it IS possible to generate 14,000 maps. However, such a technology has not ever really been implemented on that high of a detailed scale. The only game to use similar restrictions is minecraft, and it does not NEARLY have the kind of generation restrictions that dust would need.

In all honesty though, just generating a playable, fully explorable map does not mean that it will be good. Think of the countless maps created in the past throughout FPS history that had MAJOR advantages towards offense or defense. Even dev created maps can be unintentionally favored to one side or the other, so if we don't even know the *formulas* for a perfectly balanced map, we can hardly create a algorithm that will produce for us a thousand perfect maps.

TL;DR : The sad truth is it is too complicated to generate truly unique terrain that is balanced for gameplay. Most likely we will just end up with randomly generated terrain, and maybe a few jumbled default turret locations.

The base maps may be unique but the installations are not unique.

Watch the seeding the universe video and he talks about small, medium and large installations. There are different kinds of installations: communication, bio, etc. and different factions. All factions will probably not be available at launch. In fact its not known what map types will be available at launch.

People will probably refer to the map type based on the installation and (eventually) the planet type.

I found the part now. It begins at about 24 minutes in the video, where Atli starts talking. It confuses me a lot, because I can't make out everything he says. Something about "streaming in data, based on testings, to players" and "resolution constant, but size independent". It doesn't seem like he's talking about the actual map generation, however. I think he means that the maps technically could be ridiculously large without pushing the limits of the PS3, because the PS3 only renders part of the map at a time, based on data fed to it from the server.

Again, if I'm just making a huge fool out of myself, feel free to correct me.

For what I heard that they are going to make a program that generates its own maps.

This.....this is what the metagame is all about. All of these unique maps will be what we as Dust Mercs will be fighting for. So many to choose from, it's not out of the realm of thought to own your own planet (as a corp of course). I get goosebumps thinking of the greater scope of things this game has to offer. :DDDDD

To note there is approx 7k temperate planets, and we will have 10-20 districts each planet. Then throw into the mix as mentioned the way ccp is going to be generating the maps. We could have way more than 1400 maps from the 7k temperate planets.

Oh and there 50k total planets in New Eden.....

So yeah start doin the maths, could be crazy numbers and there could be more added over time.

Check out Dust514 Seeding the Universe vid from fanfest this year. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNmCRti9dFM

1400+ maps is an unrealistic expectation. Weren't they basically going to make a few maps and then give them different textures and stuff like that?