Heroes of Might and Magic III.

If I remember correctly though, it's random map generation wasn't that good though.

Actually the map scripts for CivIV are open source (afaik), but they aren't very good anyway. There are one or two very good user made map scripts which make very natural looking and well playable random maps. (I.e. no patches of rainforest in the desert or random mountains in the steppe.)

I was sad that HoMM5 doesn't really have much of a random map generator (at least not without expansions or patch.  They added a map editor after a few patches, but it looked like you had to do all creation from scratch)

Well, it could be one of the computer controlled chappies. Or you could edit the stamp and remove the start position. Someone coulds till end up starting there randomly, though.

Heroes of Might and Magic 3. Hard to describe, really, but it made believable terrain. Mountain ranges, forests, although it didn't do water all that well (rarely put any in even if you told it to). Like I said some things were monotonously predictable - like it would almsot always place a portal very close to every starting castle. And there weren't really any places on the map that would really stand out as special locations. But, it consistently generated maps that were plenty fun to play, if rather generic.

You know what would be hilarious is if it could generate a "tiny island start" as pictured above, and then God appears in the clouds (ala Monty Python and the Holy Grail) and goes on a rant "I make you one of a handful of people in the entire WORLD that can channel but that's not good enough for YOU, oh no, it's 'There's not enough land for my castle! Boo Hoo!' you ungrateful little twerp! Fine I will remake the entire world just so you have enough room to expand! I did a really fine job on the shruberries this go round, but NO not good enough for the likes of you was it? I doubt they'll be half so good next time.

'And the bears that I had created - perfect for cavalry! - well next time you just might be riding a giant slug if you are lucky!

OK, I am in a weird, weird mood.

That would be an awesome easter egg. It would make my day.

That picture is awesome. If Denryu's easter egg doesn't quite work out, at least give the game a one in 100,000 chance of generating that island. Someone would get it at some point

For some odd reason, no-one has mentioned Dwarf Fortress yet.

The world generator is more than just a map layer. It actually forms realistic terrain and geological stone layers. Its the only game I know of other than Alpha Centauri that replicates rain shadows.

did... did denryu just make a shot at my fire slug?

/comfort Landisaurus  I'm sure your fire slugs will be just fine.  But you have to admit they are not quite as good as the Bear Calvery!

  Rawr!

I don't want bear calvalry, I want Bear Dragoons!

Not to be the impatient one of the group...but weren't we promised something this week?

Zomg, I can't believe I missed this thread!

:o

That question points to the fundamental dilemma of the boards during this pre-beta time. Do we want the devs typing to us about what they're doing, or doing more of what they're doing? I change my opinion constantly.

 I dont think a weekly update is too much to ask. It doesnt have to be 8 paragraphs of information but it would be nice to hear about more features or see new screenshots. Not only does it satisfy our curiousity it helps drive the forum by giving us new things to talk about.

That's my stance on it now anyways. When the beta is is delayed by 2 weeks, I will waffle and start b1tching on how they should have focused more on programming instead of giving us all these updates .... (jk)

Either way, wasnt trying to be pushy. He said he would give us some new info so i was just following up. I suuuppoossee I can wait another week though...

I agree.  Its not too much, and he said we'd have something awesome this week.   That being said, right after this post we did get a pretty fat wall of info from frogboy.  Nothing particularly specific, but it did answer some generic questions.

That being said, if the hour each week I imagine it takes make a post and get it approved by marketing (or whatever stardock has that can decide what can and cannot be released to the public without violating NDA) makes the difference between having a playable version in may rather than june somehow, I'll take updates only once a month if need be.

I don't mind getting weekly updates if there is information that can be shared and is interesting. Also, agree totally with landisaurus. Keep working on the game rather than prettying up frequent updates.

Unless you can do both!

It's better to have them working on the game than distracted posting. That said, I would really like a true weekly update. Even if it's just to share with us how has been their week at the office.

It is.

You gave us an awesome screenshot so Im satisified...until next Friday 

But... but... but... how did that city end up there? Did they destroy everything on the island to get materials for it? Is that why the island is bare? Is it the remnants of a long lost civilization, the last fortress of a once grand empire? Was it stranded there by the Cataclysm? That picture raises so many questions about the origin and reason (or lack thereof) for building such a big city on such a bad looking place...

Oh, and they would be more screwed than if they started on a boat. At least a boat can move. And I don't see any docks in that picture, so they won't be going anywhere anytime soon...

A starting location like this wouldn't necessarily be bad if lots of resources exist nearby.  For instance, if you could turn it into a major port, or if you had just a bit more land with some useful resources.  Turtles might love it.  I'm sure Gondolin wouldn't have looked like a good starting location, but it worked for a few hundred years.  :p

In Civ 2 I once saw the French with a starting position like that. Not one solid square. One one invaded them though and they were so far behind. It was funny though.