Circular and square maps should have the same area

[elexis]

The mapsize gamesetup setting (that only works with random maps) should yield the same map area independent from the map shape (square or circular).

A square map will have the size x² while a circular map will become pi * (x/2)².

Thus the area of a square map is4/pi times larger (+27%) than a circular map. (This may account for some "new a21 lag").

The change should likely be done in the rmlib, not every random map script.

As long as square maps are supported, this factor should be taken into account. If we entirely drop support for square random maps, the setting isCircular should be removed and implied to be true.

[Vladislav Belov]

What's the reason of the ticket? Not the side means by size?

[elexis]

People are used to playing the "normal" mapsize on circular maps with 8*150 pop, as that seem to be the greatest numbers before adding 'performance lag'. Smaller maps and population are less fun, greater mapsizes and population are too 'laggy'.

When playing a "normal" sized square map, it will end up with 27% more map area than a circular map of the same "mapsize", thus adding more trees, causing simulation and graphical lag while the player expects that circular and square maps end up with the same map area and lag.

The map area shouldn't depend on the map shape, which may not be known in advance (random random map), nor should we require the players to know about the 4/pi difference.

[Vladislav Belov]

Replying to elexis:

When playing a "normal" sized square map, it will end up with 27% more map area than a circular map of the same "mapsize", thus adding more trees, causing simulation and graphical lag while the player expects that circular and square maps end up with the same map area and lag.

I think it should be in the ticket description.

[elexis]

It was relevant when we had many popular square maps in alpha 21 and 22, but they're round now. (The remaining square ones have water, so chosing "Normal" happens to yield a comparable result as on "Normal" circular maps without water.)