The field editor D:

[Sovellis]

I just bought the game today, and I have a small problem. When I'm making a map and I try to test it, the whole map comes up in red, which means I can't go there. Can someone please help me out? I'm itching to make a game D:

[ReverendWolf]

Re: The field editor D:

that's an elevation issue. after setting your land out in G Mode, hit system and go into V mode and set some hills and stuff. while your in V mode, if you hit Square, it'll bring up that red, to tell you what elevations you can walk on. any part of this that isn't red is accessable.

once that's all set, run wild!

you can use R2 to run a little faster btw...

[ErikaFuzzbottom]

Re: The field editor D:

Also, a large portion of the border cannot be walked into, even if the ground looks okay. It's kinda dumb, because it means you'll never be able to explore the whole map. My guess is it's like this so that you don't walk up to the edge of the map and see the land suddenly disappear past the boundaries. You can already see how the land just stops if you pit yourself on top of a cliff.

[Pagerron]

Re: The field editor D:

Yes, although it's a great field editor, it has its limits, but to get back to the question-

In addition to what ReverendWolf suggested, make sure to check the "field elevation" (determines the depth of the water) on page 2 of the Field Editor. This can affect the amount of walkable land as well.

[Sovellis]

Re: The field editor D:

Thanks a lot guys! I kinda thought that elevation was the problem too. I'll get to making it right away <3

[Crythania]

Re: The field editor D:

Also, a large portion of the border cannot be walked into, even if the ground looks okay. It's kinda dumb, because it means you'll never be able to explore the whole map. My guess is it's like this so that you don't walk up to the edge of the map and see the land suddenly disappear past the boundaries. You can already see how the land just stops if you pit yourself on top of a cliff.

I like the unwalkable border. All that unwalkable terrain can be used as scenery to help conceal the fact that it's a square map. Mountains, hills, and/or dense forested regions can be used to make it look good, much better than if you could walk right up to the edge where the terrain drops off. And a deftly placed offshore island or two can cover up a corner where ocean water meets up with the backdrop to form a sharp 90 degree angle.

Now while we all know it's a square-shaped map, it doesn't have to look like it is. On my maps, all that unwalkable scenery is as important to the look of it as the walkable areas are. Things do get a little trickier as you get to the top of a high mountain, where the sharp 90 degree angles at the corners of the map become much more noticeable. But there are numerous ways that we can put that unwalkable border to good use to conceal the "square map" effect or at the very least provide something to see that may distract us from it.

The "terrain dropping off the edge of the map" effect is most noticeable when you've got a river that goes offscreen.

I wouldn't call it "dumb", though. The unwalkable border is there for a good reason. If it wasn't there, my maps wouldn't look as good as they do. It actually makes your creations look better if you take advantage of it. For a bunch of contiguous maps that are linked together, I wouldn't want to be able to walk up to the very edge of each map. When I'm standing at, say, the east side of a map that's linked east-to-west with another map, all that unwalkable scenery in the border makes it look like there's more to see to the east (and indeed, there is more to see in that direction; another map with border scenery that matches up with the map I'm standing on).

[ErikaFuzzbottom]

Re: The field editor D:

I just don't like how there's that invisible wall. I thought those things went extinct after the PS2 came out. It would've also been nice if it were possible to place scenery beyond it.

[Crythania]

Re: The field editor D:

I just don't like how there's that invisible wall. I thought those things went extinct after the PS2 came out. It would've also been nice if it were possible to place scenery beyond it.

Umm.. It is possible to place scenery beyond it. Oh, you're talking about events and deco. Yeah, it'd be nice to be able to place some palm trees on a distant island outside the walkable zone, although I've found heavy deco usage to cause slowdown (which I don't like).

If there's no invisible wall, you'd be able to walk right up to the edge of the map, turn to the side, and see the backdrop as a painted wall. I've seen pre-rendered backdrops in a few PS2 games, and it ain't pretty. Especially if you can walk right up to it. Looks like a painted wall. Very distracting, and kills the illusion that we're exploring a rich three dimensional environment.

I'll take the invisible wall, thanks.

Here's an idea: Design your map in such a way that shorelines, rivers, lakes, mountains, steep hills, what have you, block off the invisible wall. I've done lots of stuff like that. It not only blocks off the invisible wall, it also looks like places you can't go.

[Red Dragon]

Re: The field editor D:

Here is somthing I found out that I always use. Makes making maps a 100x easier.

When making a map. how do I tell where the unwalkable margin begins?

While making the map, go into V-mode and press square. Then return to G-mode, and you can tell where it ends.

[MagusMartovich]

Re: The field editor D:

How about making a "World Map" that actually let you go all the way around the world you created and not just along the shore of some Pangea where after about 100ft out the water just gives way to void, huh?

[Linkman712]

Re: The field editor D:

I just don't like how there's that invisible wall. I thought those things went extinct after the PS2 came out. It would've also been nice if it were possible to place scenery beyond it.

I know lots of games with invisible walls.

[MagusMartovich]

Re: The field editor D:

Granted, some games w/ invisible walls (or just "see-thru" ones) are good, but normally, these hidden barriers act as some sort of "different colored ground" that causes your character to run in place, make an ugly noise happen, or recoil as if in pain.

[Pagerron]

Re: The field editor D:

Some of the most fun invisible boundaries are the ones in ATV Off Road 2. Woo Hoo!!

Anyway, I think the field editor is great despite the invisible boundary thing. If you just make your map smaller than the invisible boundary and create your own boundary mountains, no one will be the wiser, except of course if they check the editor.

[MagusMartovich]

Re: The field editor D:

True, but nobody's that evil, right?

[ParanoiasBestFriend]

Re: The field editor D:

No....of course not.....MWA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!!!!