The world of Elemental Beta 1Z

Awesome! Can't wait... are we still looking at Thursday for the 1Z invites?

EDIT:  First! (ahem.... couldn't resist)

I was wondering if we might be able to input maps from other sources to Elemental.  Specifically, might it be possible to input digitized topographic maps and play Elemental on them?

It should be reasonably easy to build maps in Elemental off of existing maps, as you did in your example above, so such an input feature would be a luxury.  Still, it would be fun to easily play on a map of an area you were familiar with, whether it be one's home turf or the environs of The Tooth of Time and Urraca Mesa (speaking of Good and Evil!).

Cool you can name mountain ranges, forests and hopefully more (rivers, oceans, lakes, etc, etc...) Dude sounds nice cause I know I am going to be using the map editor a lot.

Awesomeness!..can't wait for 1Z! [thursday?!]

If I preorder tomorrow can I still get into 1z beta?

And if not when is Beta 2 going to be open for pre order buyers.

The End.

Yes.

I think you will be able to join the 1Z (thursday??) if you preorder today or tomorrow :p

It looks awsome. A good game with a good map editor! Whats better than that?

If 1Z goes on longer than expected, think we could take a crack at your Ultima map up there?

Great idea Frogboy, this way I can seek out he AI and not get stuck in mountain ranges

SO this week then? Awesome, are the people who preordered in the last few weeks getting into this awesome beta?

Map editor doesn't show up until beta 5 (the modding beta).

Frogboy- Cool thanks! omg... this editors going to suck away some of my life...

Will the scripting system allow us to re-name in game the places ?

I would love to be able to add name to places where 10 000+ men did fight in a huge battle. Or rename forest if it has been burned, etc...

I name this flaming ruin "Akitoscorpio's last BBQ outing!"

Yes, being able to give places of the map "Pet Names" visually seen by all players (or team-only/alliance only) and graphically separate from "map names".

Alternatively, having "Legendary Battle" flags automatically pop over sites of close battles or huge battles would be cool as well. (but not as cool)

I'd much rather see it as the following:

Objects are named on the map (Forest of Doom as an example)

When the object is first discovered (or first becomes someones territory), they discoverer gets the chance to rename it. The AI could have  list of names based on faction to use.  This way stuff around one faction is named based on their culture...If you conquor an enemy nations space you still have stuff named by them around giving a reminder of the cultures that used to be there (Take the Mississippi River IRL for example). The pre-made name on the map would be a suggestion given to the players on what to use.

I still like the "I have a Layer to write on", you have a "I have a Layer to write on" idea.

All my names are on my Layer, your names on your Layer. Eventually you will fight on your soil or his. If at home, at least your guys can record the loss/win on the properly named hills. LOL

I'll probably try to mod in as many Random Events (integrated as variant Quests) into my first couple new maps as possible.

One could be "Muris Clan goblins are dumping filth onto your lands ... reducing global food by 3. You must track down and eliminate their HQ to alleviate the penalty"

Or "Bandit Lord Nietz is found trapped in a cage" Do you (let him free- becomes an independent champion) (press him into service- automatically does your bidding AND loyalty penalty) (publicly execute him- increases prestige of city you execute him in)

Also, Bandit Lord Nietz:

HAS to be a Horse Archer with a secondary Dagger, in full leather armor (including gloves). Large cache of gold (extra) for defeating (and killing/capturing) him in open combat.

Awesome stuff, it's definitely a impressive map maker. Though, not to knock your map making skills, but the map you made doesn't quite have the shape of the Exodus map you show. The shape of the cove on the left of the map is wrong, as is the shape of the peninsula and islands on the right hand side. It's a nice try though.

I'm just being picky

I would still like to get you guys thinking about some function for the standard map tiles. Right now, their only function is to provide distance between points of interest. I think this is inefficient in terms of the fun potential: man hours ratio. You already have to make the map tiles, now you just have to make them do fun things. 

@cephalo

Could you elaborate a bit on this? I think I know what your after but am not sure how all "standard" tiles could be used in Fun ways?

Something like a Rocky Terrain tile, not boulders per say, perhaps more gravel based, that would/could apply some Bonus/Penalty to movement of certain unit types vs a nice waist high swaying Grass Tile that could provide some Bonus to concealment, or short term Food for your soldiers animals perhaps?

Perhaps I did miss the point after-all. 

I can't wait to play other people map... I just don'tb have the time and or patience to make my own. But Ilove trying out other people maps

is it thursday yet?

well, probably at least another 7 hours before 1Z is launched, although I wonder if they will choose to delay a further week in order to fix the pacing issues. (and military issues)