Random main hive spawn point for aliens?

SkieSkie Skulk Progenitor Join Date: 2003-10-18 Member: 21766Members, NS2 Playtester, Reinforced - Shadow
in NS2 General Discussion
Will all the maps be of the variation "Aliens always spawn in location X", or is it possible to make maps where the aliens' first hive spawns in one of three or four locations, like in NS1?

Currently the specific-main-hive ideology really limits strategic decisions, as well as difficulty of commanding the team for aliens. If there's also always a 'natural expansion', which means a hive place near the starting hive, that also limits decision making.

For example in Tram, I feel like the only reasonable strategy at the moment is to take the alien expansion immediately so you have enough energy to expand to Repair Room's both harvester nodes within the first few minutes of the game. Why? Because it's the safest thing to do obviously, as you have two hives relatively near the res nodes. If you take some other expansion in the beginning, the aliens will be spread thin within the map, and res nodes become more difficult to protect in the start. It's also quite reasonable to infest tram hub after taking RR for a quick fourth node.
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Comments

  • PapayasPapayas Join Date: 2010-07-01 Member: 72219Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1833983:date=Feb 20 2011, 09:48 PM:name=Skie)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Skie @ Feb 20 2011, 09:48 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1833983"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Will all the maps be of the variation "Aliens always spawn in location X", or is it possible to make maps where the aliens' first hive spawns in one of three or four locations, like in NS1?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    I completely agree!

    +1
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  • AlignAlign Remain Calm Join Date: 2002-11-02 Member: 5216Forum Moderators, Constellation
    I believe it's already possible to make the starting point random for mappers, just not used in any of the official maps.
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  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    edited February 2011
    Well currently the main hive is selected by setting a tech_point to alien only. I'm not sure what happens if no tech_points are set to alien only, I might test it, when I test the NS2 sample map with for compatibility issues with 163/164. That's the nice thing about not having to compile the maps :D


    [edit]
    Would be nice to have some control on this though, we don't want a Hive at marine expansion on tram for example. Or do we mwuahahaha!
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  • gorge.ousgorge.ous Join Date: 2011-01-07 Member: 76481Members
    edited February 2011
    I think in the big thread about random hives it was said that this decision is up to the mapper.
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  • lunsluns Join Date: 2010-12-05 Member: 75502Members
    this might be good idea, I do like it. but it can ruin early games pretty quickly, which can make either sides unhappy.

    the only thing I hate about current hive placement, their is no power nodes in hive rooms, i seriously hate that.
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  • ZurikiZuriki Join Date: 2010-11-20 Member: 75105Members
    edited February 2011
    Just did a quick test. It's entirely possible to do random hive placements.
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  • SkieSkie Skulk Progenitor Join Date: 2003-10-18 Member: 21766Members, NS2 Playtester, Reinforced - Shadow
    <!--quoteo(post=1834039:date=Feb 21 2011, 03:52 AM:name=Zuriki)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Zuriki @ Feb 21 2011, 03:52 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1834039"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Just did a quick test. It's entirely possible to do random hive placements.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Awesome. Hopefully there will be some good maps with randomized hive layouts coming soon, where expansions are relatively similar distance away as well.
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  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    <!--quoteo(post=1834046:date=Feb 21 2011, 03:37 AM:name=Skie)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Skie @ Feb 21 2011, 03:37 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1834046"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Awesome. Hopefully there will be some good maps with randomized hive layouts coming soon, where expansions are relatively similar distance away as well.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    NS remakes!
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  • SkieSkie Skulk Progenitor Join Date: 2003-10-18 Member: 21766Members, NS2 Playtester, Reinforced - Shadow
    <!--quoteo(post=1834050:date=Feb 21 2011, 06:01 AM:name=Kouji_San)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kouji_San @ Feb 21 2011, 06:01 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1834050"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->NS remakes!<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I wouldn't mind that. ♥
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  • PapayasPapayas Join Date: 2010-07-01 Member: 72219Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1834050:date=Feb 21 2011, 04:01 AM:name=Kouji_San)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kouji_San @ Feb 21 2011, 04:01 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1834050"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->NS remakes!<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    +1
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