00:00Hello, I'm Sam, the Community Manager at Urban Games, and welcome to this first look
00:12at map creation in Transport Fever 3.
00:15In this video series, we will take a closer look at some of the key features in the new game.
00:20With every game environment having distinct challenges, the map you choose or create has
00:25a huge impact on gameplay.
00:27In this video, we'll demonstrate how we've changed map generation and the appearance of the world.
00:33In Transport Fever 3, each environment type represents a very different opportunity to build,
00:38with the in-game map generator providing more variation than ever before.
00:42Maps are now composed of multiple regions with distinct biomes.
00:46The way these regions blend with one another brings a whole new level of authenticity to your game world.
00:52The result is that every generated map feels unique not only in appearance but in topography,
00:58leading to more gameplay variety than ever before.
01:01Map generation is built on underlying node-based technology.
01:05Combining simple nodes, complex rules are followed that define the appearance of the overall environment.
01:11This has allowed our art team to bring far greater visual and emotional value to map generation,
01:18while giving designers the opportunity to fine-tune gameplay-specific features.
01:23Better still, when modders get hold of it, they'll be able to take it in directions we hadn't even considered.
01:28Rather than just tell you about it, let's see it in action.
01:33Here, we're using a pre-recorded camera track, which is a tool you'll also have access to.
01:38We'll run through the same temperate map seed with a variety of different settings.
01:43By changing each of the individual settings, the basic geography of the map remains the same,
01:47but the differences in the end result can be quite dramatic.
01:51Create the map that best suits what you want to build, or how difficult you'd like the environment to be,
01:57or simply, the mood you want to create.
01:59If you'd rather build the entire map yourself, the full map editor allows you to import an existing height map,
02:05or paint and sculpt your perfect landscape.
02:10For many players, a significant part of the game is simply watching the world you've built in motion.
02:15Much requested full day and night modes have been introduced for the first time,
02:20allowing you to experience your world at whatever time of day takes your fancy.
02:24Our art and engineering teams have added physical skies to the game that provide believable lighting changes,
02:30while including cloud cover that drastically affects the lighting mood.
02:34Reflective materials like water now mirror the entire world, including the current sky and cloud appearance,
02:41thanks to screen space reflections.
02:43Each different environment represents a unique gameplay challenge.
02:48We've completely overhauled the way the temperate map is designed.
02:52You used to be able to run rail along every riverbank without ever having to worry about elevation changes.
02:57Now you'll need to contend with lakes and tributaries, unless your aim is to reach the mountains,
03:02in which case that's a wholly different challenge.
03:05Tropical maps have also been given some love, so that they now offer a unique island hopping and jungle experience.
03:11And volcanoes. Dormant volcanoes, but volcanoes nonetheless.
03:16And no, you won't be the only person to decide to put your headquarters in a volcano, but don't let that stop you.
03:22The dry environment has always been characterised by sheer canyons and dusty mazes,
03:27but the effect is now far more pronounced.
03:29Rivers will make shipping routes on a dry map particularly tricky,
03:33but they might represent the best way to connect low-lying settlements to one another.
03:37This brings us to the new environment for Transport Fever 3, Sub-Arctic,
03:42where snow-capped and craggy mountain ranges lead you through desolate boreal tundra
03:47as it descends towards swamps that will provide a challenge unlike any other.
03:53You're going to need to bring out all your route planning skills to negotiate both mountains and swamps
03:58within the same environment.
04:00If you're building a road from the glassworks to the bottling plant,
04:03do you go in a straight line to make it faster,
04:05or do you work with the contours of the land to save money?
04:09Local populations won't be happy with you for heavily modifying the landscape,
04:13but is that a price worth paying for a faster service?
04:17While these visual changes may seem purely cosmetic,
04:20the landscape contributes massively to how you play the game.
04:23But we're getting ahead of ourselves, that is a topic for a different video.
04:27We know that the improvements to Transport Fever 3's landscape generation
04:31will bring your game to life more than ever,
04:34because the world is fundamental to gameplay.
04:37We're excited to see what you create when you get your hands on the game.
04:41Thank you for watching, we look forward to seeing you in the next First Look video.
Comments