Post
by usafphoenix » Sun Jan 13, 2019 6:35 am
Wave Defense games and RTS-style games benefit more from diverging technology trees / CHOICES for upgrade path more than they benefit from variability in map generation. While having procedurally generated maps can be good for replayability, the map generating method is a minor thing, and a well-made preset map (like starcraft) is totally fine. What matters is having variety in biter AI and variability in options for defense and attack equipment.
Games like starcraft, age of empires warcraft have vastly more combat units, some of their technology systems LOCK/block certain techs if a different progression path is chosen. THIS would make wave defense style scenario 100x better. Increases in variability of biter types and AI and a technology / research system that made the player choose: Do i want Shotguns or sniper rifle? Laser turret or biter-seeking landmines? Self-repairing wall or electrified fences? You can only choose one. Which will it be?
the game thusly has not been designed to "limit" use of one sort of item if another is chosen, but for an RTS game, this is a powerful mechanic. the mechanic of choice and consequence. There are mods that add different biter types with different immunities, and mods that add different weapons....but you can eventually get all the items in the game. the map matters very little (with the exception of occassionally finding great sections of mountains that can be used to snipe biters that can't reach the turrets by any direct means.)
AI improvements in biter tactics: How they attack the base, do they always make a b-line, or do they split a larger force into two groups, have one group circle around behind the base and attack from two directions at once? When met with resistance biters don't flee, they go to their death (mods change their behaviour and can have them flee, regroup, or "rally-cry" for reinforcements. they also tend to stick in a swarm. What if they broke through a wall, and decided to fan out? did the player place enough defenses inside their base to handle such a tactic? No? well, better act fast then, fellow human, cause these aliens have come to wreck yo' shit.
TL;DR: choice and consequences for technology and item progression + varying upgrades that lock when a different tier/item path is chosen + improved and varying biter tactics and biter types + different defense and attack weapons/vehicles/defenses would improve a wave defense scenario 100x more than the decision to have procedural map vs consistant map.
