mapping system

[Christina]

hello!

is there a way to make a mapping system similar to Baldur's Gate or Diablo? Not necessarily isometric, just the principles.
Do you have to store each map in a smaller version? Is there a way to use mode7 for it?

Also could I have a quick example please?...
Thank you!

[JasonDarby]

I havent done a mapping system for a game such as those that you mentioned (though i have played both .

I made a crossword puzzle which had tiles created on it, in an editor. So the person could "paint" on their crossword shapes.

Though im talking from my experience of making a crossword, it should be the same for a game level.

First thing i did was create a size/grid. So i thought 17x17. I then had my tiles, which in this case was 4 different tiles. I gave each of the tiles a number, so they could be recognised by my game engine.

I then saved information about which tile was stored in each grid by saving the tile number into the array. On loading the level back i then needed to check the contents of the grid array, see if it was a number 1, 2, 3 or 4, and load the relevant picture back in.

Hope that makes sense

Jason

[Christina]

good idea! Although I'm always lost when it comes to math

However how would you go about using this system on a pre-rendered map, like the ones in Baldur's Gate? I strongly doubt they're using tiles with that one...

[gamer4fun]

yes, they uses tiles. but the map engine of baldur's gate is great.

i tried to use the BG tilesets, but i only was able to get the entire map, not the tiles separately.

and, the entire maps requires much memory of the system, and also increases the game size.