In the latest update, TU31, it appears that biomes are smaller than PC, perhaps 1/4 the size. This is not bad, I enjoy the fact that you can get a decent amount of biomes.
But I think a Large Biomesoption would be nice. It doesn't need to be as large as the PC's large biomes, just the size of the PC's normal biomes. Because on Xbox 360, That is Large.
Here's the thing - the Xbox 360 world is a fixed size and there are now 61 possible biomes and everyone seems to be looking for a seed with all of them in it... so that's like rolling 61 dice with 61 sides and getting a perfect roll of 1 of each number. IF you increase the area of the map each of those 61 dice represent, you have to roll less than 61 dice to fill the map's fixed area. That means that the "perfect" roll becomes impossible because you can't roll 61 different numbers with only, say, 30 dice. Also, some of these 61 biomes are actually "technical" biomes (which means they are more like structures). That means they need certain biomes (e.g. ocean) of certain large sizes (e.g. again ocean) in order to generate WIITHIN those biomes (like getting a mushroom island requires a certain-sized ocean around it and getting an ocean monument requires a certain amount of deep ocean around it. So, in reality, some of the biomes are already adjusted to generate larger than others in size (on the PC too) and that's why people are complaining about there being too much water on the Xbox 360 maps now - but without it, we'd be getting fewer ocean monuments generating).
I think that an option for the player to control what biomes generate and how large they generate is a good idea... but people have to realize that if they generate large biomes, they generate fewer biomes in a world... so they'll have to give up on the notion of having all biomes in a single world. As long as there is a random aspect to what biomes generate, the perfect "all-biome" roll has to stay at least possible (however, unlikely) and that means the area of the map that each dice represents can only be so large so that we can at least roll all the dice.
You have a very valid point. I did notice that some biomes are bigger because they need to be like the ocean.
The crucial detail for a large biomes option is it is an option. You sacrafice the diversity of the biomes, for satisfyingly large biomes(if your in the mood for them).
A biome selector would be nice, I just worry that it wouldn't go well with seeds, because the biome controls probably wouldn't be defined by the seed.
You have a very valid point. I did notice that some biomes are bigger because they need to be like the ocean.
The crucial detail for a large biomes option is it is an option. You sacrafice the diversity of the biomes, for satisfyingly large biomes(if your in the mood for them).
A biome selector would be nice, I just worry that it wouldn't go well with seeds, because the biome controls probably wouldn't be defined by the seed.
Yes, I agree... it would be a complicated thing to program a biome selector and a seed-based randomizer in the same game at the same time... but just any ability to select (even large biomes) as an optiion would have almost the same issues with random seed generation as the option to select which biomes you'd prefer and which ones you'd prefer to do without in order to get generallly larger biomes in the same classic/small sized world. I think the bottom line here is that something "good" will have to get sacrificed here in order to accommodate the shear variety of biomes the game has now. Is it the ability to have and share seeds that will generate consistently or is it the option to have everything (all biomes and structures) in one world or is it the likelihood of having generally large biomes and, with that, having biomes that "blend" somewhat naturally together?
Valid deflection of my point about the seed generator.
But here is some interesting news: Tu23 changelog(bug fix mostly) is out and one of the features is "Improved random seed generator to select worlds with a better spread of biomes."
Valid deflection of my point about the seed generator.
But here is some interesting news: Tu23 changelog(bug fix mostly) is out and one of the features is "Improved random seed generator to select worlds with a better spread of biomes."
I think that means when you don't choose your own seed, it will analyze a few and pick one with more types of biomes.
Cool.
Another thing it could mean is that it picks worlds with bigger biomes. hm...
Probably not the latter.
I sort of like the fact that not all worlds have every biome, because it makes the worlds unique.
Hmmm... hadn't read it properly before... you may be right. Anxious for this update. It's going to be interesting to see what they actually came up wiwth.
This probably wouldn't be achievable but what if you got to select the percentages of biomes? That way people can have the biomes they want, in the proportions they want. People could get there perfect seed then. Another possible idea that's probably even less likely is a map creator. So you pick a biome and spread it around where you want on the map. People then get more customisation options. You could even decide it if it becomes a hill variant.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
But if your a magician, and I'm a palaeontologist, then who's flying the plane?
I too would like more customization during world creation for console, similarly to the PC edition. Being able to select the Large Biomes option for world type or even adjust biome sizes and which biome types to generate would be great for those wanting to make a particular world.
In the latest update, TU31, it appears that biomes are smaller than PC, perhaps 1/4 the size. This is not bad, I enjoy the fact that you can get a decent amount of biomes.
But I think a Large Biomes option would be nice. It doesn't need to be as large as the PC's large biomes, just the size of the PC's normal biomes. Because on Xbox 360, That is Large.
Slytherin is greener than Ravenclaw.
Here's the thing - the Xbox 360 world is a fixed size and there are now 61 possible biomes and everyone seems to be looking for a seed with all of them in it... so that's like rolling 61 dice with 61 sides and getting a perfect roll of 1 of each number. IF you increase the area of the map each of those 61 dice represent, you have to roll less than 61 dice to fill the map's fixed area. That means that the "perfect" roll becomes impossible because you can't roll 61 different numbers with only, say, 30 dice. Also, some of these 61 biomes are actually "technical" biomes (which means they are more like structures). That means they need certain biomes (e.g. ocean) of certain large sizes (e.g. again ocean) in order to generate WIITHIN those biomes (like getting a mushroom island requires a certain-sized ocean around it and getting an ocean monument requires a certain amount of deep ocean around it. So, in reality, some of the biomes are already adjusted to generate larger than others in size (on the PC too) and that's why people are complaining about there being too much water on the Xbox 360 maps now - but without it, we'd be getting fewer ocean monuments generating).
I think that an option for the player to control what biomes generate and how large they generate is a good idea... but people have to realize that if they generate large biomes, they generate fewer biomes in a world... so they'll have to give up on the notion of having all biomes in a single world. As long as there is a random aspect to what biomes generate, the perfect "all-biome" roll has to stay at least possible (however, unlikely) and that means the area of the map that each dice represents can only be so large so that we can at least roll all the dice.
You have a very valid point. I did notice that some biomes are bigger because they need to be like the ocean.
The crucial detail for a large biomes option is it is an option. You sacrafice the diversity of the biomes, for satisfyingly large biomes(if your in the mood for them).
A biome selector would be nice, I just worry that it wouldn't go well with seeds, because the biome controls probably wouldn't be defined by the seed.
Slytherin is greener than Ravenclaw.
Yes, I agree... it would be a complicated thing to program a biome selector and a seed-based randomizer in the same game at the same time... but just any ability to select (even large biomes) as an optiion would have almost the same issues with random seed generation as the option to select which biomes you'd prefer and which ones you'd prefer to do without in order to get generallly larger biomes in the same classic/small sized world. I think the bottom line here is that something "good" will have to get sacrificed here in order to accommodate the shear variety of biomes the game has now. Is it the ability to have and share seeds that will generate consistently or is it the option to have everything (all biomes and structures) in one world or is it the likelihood of having generally large biomes and, with that, having biomes that "blend" somewhat naturally together?
Valid deflection of my point about the seed generator.
But here is some interesting news: Tu23 changelog(bug fix mostly) is out and one of the features is "Improved random seed generator to select worlds with a better spread of biomes."
you can see the changelog here
I think that means when you don't choose your own seed, it will analyze a few and pick one with more types of biomes.
Cool.
Another thing it could mean is that it picks worlds with bigger biomes. hm...
Probably not the latter.
I sort of like the fact that not all worlds have every biome, because it makes the worlds unique.
Slytherin is greener than Ravenclaw.
Hmmm... hadn't read it properly before... you may be right. Anxious for this update. It's going to be interesting to see what they actually came up wiwth.
This probably wouldn't be achievable but what if you got to select the percentages of biomes? That way people can have the biomes they want, in the proportions they want. People could get there perfect seed then. Another possible idea that's probably even less likely is a map creator. So you pick a biome and spread it around where you want on the map. People then get more customisation options. You could even decide it if it becomes a hill variant.
But if your a magician, and I'm a palaeontologist, then who's flying the plane?
Bump for a good idea.
I too would like more customization during world creation for console, similarly to the PC edition. Being able to select the Large Biomes option for world type or even adjust biome sizes and which biome types to generate would be great for those wanting to make a particular world.
I support larger biomes.
^^^^ Click it! You know you want to...
I like the idea, as long as it remains optional only. They should also include Amplified Terrain as well.