How to make the map?

[Scaredgirl]

Coding:
How to make the map?

We have several options here. I will open the discussion by listing three.



Option 1 - html + tables (mainly for beta)
We make an image of the map (resources, hexagons, everything) and put it as a background image of a regular web page. We then insert a huge, invisible table on top of it. Table it set up so that the rows and columns align with the background image. When we then add things like player names on the table, it looks as it the names are on the map itself. In other words there are two different layers, one for map and the other for player data.

Pros:
+ super fast to set up
+ fast loading
+ browser safe

Cons:
- kind of ugly
- updating might be time-consuming



Option 2 - css
Using css, we make hexagon shaped pieces which we then use to build the map with. Here's an example of that technique: http://www.cssplay.co.uk/menus/hexagon.html

Here's another one using jQuery as a Flash substitute: http://ncmarinescience.com/

Pros:
+ looks more professional than option 1
+ fast loading
+ browser safe

Cons:
- graphics cannot go over hexagon borders (look at mountains in the current map)



Option 3 - Flash
We do the whole thing with Flash (same technique Elements uses).

Pros:
+ most flexible (we can pretty much do whatever we want)
+ most professional looking
+ most potential

Cons:
- long loading time
- takes a lot of time to code



There are other options as well of course.

Post your ideas here.

[BluePriest]

I would say flash, especially since this is in the beta stages, we dont want to start with something, then decide to expand, only to realize we reached the limitations of css, and cant do what we wanted without reworking the entire thing in a different language.

[ddevans96]

I agree, Flash would be the best choice in the long run, but I think we should use html/tables for the beta and testing, to make sure the whole system working before making a map on Flash.

[Terroking]

I agree, Flash would be the best choice in the long run, but I think we should use html/tables for the beta and testing, to make sure the whole system working before making a map on Flash.

I agree with this, although as I stated in chat I really don't see why flash would take so long (I'm not a coder, so I don't have any actual knowledge) because SG has said (I don't have the actual quote but it went something like this) "If it were a simple drag-and-drop program, that would be easy. I could do it in a matter of hours".

I'm pretty sure that's all it would have to be, since, after all, all it has to do is show who is where. Movers would drag people from place to place, so basically it just has to be the map as a backround "layer" and matching hexagonal tiles superimposed over top of it, with the players represented as probably elemental marks (Or Chess pieces, whatever) on a with their names somewhere on the hexagon, that could be picked up and moved through flash.

Anyways, that's how I see it.

[Scaredgirl]

I agree, Flash would be the best choice in the long run, but I think we should use html/tables for the beta and testing, to make sure the whole system working before making a map on Flash.

I agree with this, although as I stated in chat I really don't see why flash would take so long (I'm not a coder, so I don't have any actual knowledge) because SG has said (I don't have the actual quote but it went something like this) "If it were a simple drag-and-drop program, that would be easy. I could do it in a matter of hours".

I'm pretty sure that's all it would have to be, since, after all, all it has to do is show who is where. Movers would drag people from place to place, so basically it just has to be the map as a backround "layer" and matching hexagonal tiles superimposed over top of it, with the players represented as probably elemental marks (Or Chess pieces, whatever) on a with their names somewhere on the hexagon, that could be picked up and moved through flash.

Anyways, that's how I see it.

Like I said earlier, it's going to be much more complex than a simple drag-and-drop.

We have:

- territories belonging to a specific element (owner keeps changing)
- quest (constantly changing)
- player-built houses/castles
- "living map"
etc.

[Glitch]

Hmm, well, I'm okay with flash, I could probably get all of that to work =/

[Scaredgirl]

Hmm, well, I'm okay with flash, I could probably get all of that to work =/

Cool. It's a pretty big project so I hope you know what your are getting yourself into.

Others have voiced interest as well. Lets first see what kind of talent we have here, and then make the decision on how we are going to do this.

[Glitch]

Yea.  Right now Adobe is being pissy because I entered my product code incorrectly, so I'm trying to get the license code back from my school.  It won't open at current =(

[Dragoon1140]

Yea.  Right now Adobe is being pissy because I entered my product code incorrectly, so I'm trying to get the license code back from my school.  It won't open at current =(

Well, I do have my code for CS4.  <.<  >.>

[Zac33333]

Gl1tch, maybe we could team up? I use Cs4, so whatever you use should be compatible. And Flash ftw!

[Glitch]

Yea.  Right now Adobe is being pissy because I entered my product code incorrectly, so I'm trying to get the license code back from my school.  It won't open at current =(

Well, I do have my code for CS4.  <.<  >.>

There are licensing laws.  If you give it to me, Adobe will ban the code and then neither of us will be able to use it.

[Zac33333]

In that event, I say a collaboration?