NextGen news updateSo two month ago I started on the Next Generation of the freeplay map. NextGen will no be an update of the current version, but a brand new map. Why NextGen? well that’s simple, I will put as much details in the map as possible for a freeplay map. More cars, more people, more particles, more animals, more life in the map.
In the current maps you will see a car passing by sometimes, there are streets in the maps without any cars on it, or only one-way, there are sidewalks without people. Yeah that’s quite funny when you think about it. But there is a reason for that. When the game was made, the pc where not that fast as these days. So with the newer, faster and better pc (and graphic cards) you can put a lot more detail in the maps.
I have to say that I can't put that much in it as I want. I did some testing with alot of cars on the street and the game just can't handle to much cars. You only need one hick-up, a crossing cat, a small accident, and every street is blocked. So I am still searching the boundaries of the game, but I will get there.
Ok these are all nice words, but what have I done so far.. All the city modeling is done, most of the traffic paths are done, but I am still fine tuning the amount of cars. All the traffic lights are up and running and the first pedestrians are walking around and I made all the streets for the pathfinder of the emergency vehicles .
I think that I am at 50% of the map at the moment. All the small details will take a lot of time, not to mention that accidents and other events. Will it be finished before 2009? No, I don't think that I am going to make it.
(plz don't make any conclusion about the map out of the screenshot, this is just where I am standing now. So you don't have to comment that you see a empty street or sidewalk)O and off course a new screenshot of the map.