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Looking for random map generator.

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Ordstrin:
First off... I'm not about to ask anyone to make this (even though I do want it to do specific things).

(pre-rambling breakdown: want to know if anyone knows of a good random map generator that i can use to help write a novel)

Now, down to business.. sort of.
Occasionally I decide to be un-lazy and actually write up one of the many stories that go through my mind.
This time I've decided to make a semi-decent attempt at it, however that means I want a "physical" map to use to help me with layout of events.
So..
I'm after a random map generator. More specifically, something along the lines of the one found in Sid Meier's Alpha Centuri; and if that's impossible even something like that found in (the original) Age of Empires game.

I did spend some time searching on google, but I didn't really find anything I was happy with. (there's even a surprising lack of the stuff out there.. that i could find anyway.)

The closest I found to what I want was this here _link_ and I'm none too sure that, that program even generates.. or if it's just another editor.
Unfortunately the download appears to be for a non-windows platform. (I run XP)

Truthfully I'd be downloading and trying more than the 3 I have (presuming I found more), if my internet wasn't close to being Speed Capped.

Hope I put this in the right place... >.>

Thanks in advance for any help that comes.. (although I suspect that this isn't something that's just lying under ever virtual rock).

If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.

~Ordstrin

PS. Does the newbish feeling of the first few posts on a new forum ever go away?

Shades:
About the feeling: it shouldn't.  :)

Some (free) map generators:
- PriMap
- Greenfish
- Map generator for CIV4
- MapGen

Or go for the tools that players/creators of fantasy tabletop games use to generate maps. They are normally a creative and productive bunch ;)

Dormouse:
Why do you want it to generate random maps?

What sorts of images/features/terrain do you want it to show?

Ordstrin:
Why do you want it to generate random maps?

What sorts of images/features/terrain do you want it to show?
-Dormouse (January 10, 2009, 09:43 AM)
--- End quote ---
I want a map of the land my story is taking place in.
That'll help when doing stuff like working out the route for the main characters to take, etc.
I also plan on putting in towns, cities, etc. after the map is generated. (I feel I have decent enough knowledge of where humans would build things, according to landscape)
With a map to refer to, I can worry less about things like "How does this person get from A to B, and will they meet that person who is on their way from D to E?"
I'm starting to think this might not be as easy to explain as I thought it would be...


To look at it from a different angle..
Ever read a novel that had a map inside the front cover? It makes it easier for you to follow the story; you can look at the map and say "Oh, that's where that is.. and they want to go there.. so they'll have to pass that lake first."
Basically I want to be able to do that as I write the story.

My story doesn't have any "hard coded landscape settings" so to speak, so I don't need to make a map from scratch (and would really rather avoid such a thing, I was never that brilliant at map making).


As for the images/features..
I'm looking for landscape things only. Rivers, lakes, mountains, hills, plateaus, trees, grass, snow, desserts, beaches, oceans and any other landscape feature.
What I'm not looking for (and would rather avoid), is signs of habitation, of any kind. Eg. buildings, ruins, shrines, cities, towns, farms, etc.


About the feeling: it shouldn't.  :)

Some (free) map generators:
- PriMap
- Greenfish
- Map generator for CIV4
- MapGen

Or go for the tools that players/creators of fantasy tabletop games use to generate maps. They are normally a creative and productive bunch ;)
-Shades (January 10, 2009, 09:39 AM)
--- End quote ---

Thanks, I'll look at these.. as best I can without running my internet into dial-up speeds.. (I really hate speed capping)
I'll make sure to download and try out (hopefully) at least one of them, once my 'net is reset.
*mutters dark and ugly things about ISPs*
*mutters darker and uglier things about Australian ISPs*
*sighs*
I suppose, at least I have broadband.. sort of... Lots of people don't even have dial-up.

About the feeling: it shouldn't.  :)
-Shades (January 10, 2009, 09:39 AM)
--- End quote ---
Kinda expected that reply... hoped otherwise though. This must at least my 12th forum by now... probably been on more than that though. I still get nerves in new MMOs too.. and I've been in over half a dozen..


Sorry about the half mile post...
~Ordstrin

Dormouse:
OK.

In my experience, random map generators aren't that good so I would tend to avoid them - though it does depend on the quality you want.
I do understand you not wanting to do it yourself - though it would not be that difficult.
In that case, I suggest that you borrow/pinch one from someone else that they have already done. It should not be difficult to get permission to use maps from most non-commercial map makers.
Two sites you might look at are Cartographers Guild and RPGMapShare. The first will contain plenty of links to other sites you might try.

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