New World map for WTP Options

[HERD]

I agree, that it would be a pity to loose all of the details by reducing size from the original.
Also, if I remember correctly, the world map scrolls automatically to show your party location, so you are not forced to scroll the whole map each time. But will it work smoothly with the large files like 62Mb .mos etc.?

[Rabain]

The mos at full size is 64mb, at 50% it is 15mb.

On my pc it works fine, not sure how large files would affect slower pc's.

I'm on dual 3.2 pentiumD's with 2gb of ram, 2x256mb graphics cards.

[Valiant]

Fine machine, Rab, but not everybody has so powered pc you have, for example I have only 2.2 GHz, with 1GB ram and only 128MB graphic card and have no money to upgrade it... And I´m sure there are others that still have a prehistoric machine, something like 800 MHz proc, 256 MB ram. Believe me, they exist and they love to play BG2. No doubt they would have problems with this worldmap size....

50% or even smaller worldmap/75% map icons.... My suggestion.

[Baronius]

The mos at full size is 64mb, at 50% it is 15mb.

If you are talking about the 8000x6336 reduced to 3968x3136, the new image is actually less than four times smaller after the reduction, because ~50% change on the height/width results in ~25% on the area of the image. Of course it's still much bigger than the BG2 wmp if you say that's 1470x700.

Valiant: I think that a large MOS will only result in higher RAM usage, and depending on the speed of the HDD (as well), it might load for a longer time. Once it's loaded, there shouldn't be serious problems. That is, for the owners of PCs with smaller RAM/HDD it's just a question of waiting some time; once (or rarely). It should be tested though.

CPU doesn't have much role here, though the overall performance of the PC certainly determines how smoothly WTP will run.

[Sir-Kill]

I have an 800 mgz comp w/ 500 ram. but I also got a new one that is way better now

anyway here is an image (tho looks really dark on my old comp monitor) but one of the details it is a cave where the rivers head waters come from that you cant see on the smaller image. in future versions I might to add some marble columns but again you will not see them on a smaller scale.

the only thing I'd think would be acceptable would be is to crop the image size and not scale it.

This post has been edited by Sir-Kill: Jan 22 2007, 08:08 PM

[Valiant]

Ok, guys, another question. Sir-Kill´s worldmap is so pretty, that it would be a damn shame to use original map icons. Have you ever thought about using map icons similiar to Icewind Dale 1 style?? First, making them is pretty easy, and second, they will look much better on this type of worldmap. After all, this map is not hand drawed like original is, it´s rendered. It needs something better that original map icons...

What do you think??

[HERD]

I think we ought to use the original SKills map, since even SK upgraded ,
that gives hope.
Otherwise we would not show any progress, or present any competition to Mac.
Just kidding I-Phone rules!

[Rabain]

We've decided for the initial release to go with the large worldmap.

The size of the worldmap in the download will be neglible as the download will be massive anyway due to all the areas included.

We hope the large worldmap won't be put too much strain on players pc's and may, at a later date, release a lite worldmap at the smaller size.


@Valiant - thats not a bad idea about the IWD 1 icons.

We had toyed with using minimalistic icons like the ones used in the Total War series worldmap. (Rome and Medieval 2.) Or at least I had toyed with that idea, the only drawback is that the icons are not unique to a particular place, though I suppose the place names are on the Worldmap anyway. See pics:

http://www.blackwyrmlair.net/~rabain/WTP/0001.png
http://www.blackwyrmlair.net/~rabain/WTP/0002.png
http://www.blackwyrmlair.net/~rabain/WTP/0003.png

All suggestions are welcome.

[HERD]

The size of the worldmap in the download will be neglible as the download

My feelings exa-ca-ta-ly

Upgrade or die
P.S. GO SUNS

This post has been edited by HERD: Jan 23 2007, 12:16 PM

[Valiant]

I like those small houses in pict. nr. 3...

This post has been edited by Valiant: Jan 23 2007, 04:03 PM