#53874: "Suggested algorithm for map configurations (same as hol.es algorithm) "
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Detailed description
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• Please copy/paste the error message you see on your screen, if applicable.
The existing algorithms for placing down a map and having the last player rotate the tiles is not an excellent balancing mechanic, especially in a 4 player game where the third player is not likely to get a great choice of faction.
The now-defunct website gaia-project.hol.es had an algorithm which basically everyone liked a lot. This algorithm is described in this BGG thread boardgamegeek.com/thread/1960859/online-game-generator-map-board-smartphone-friendl/page/2, and I will repeat it for clarity here:
The algorithm is this:
1. Randomly place the required number of tiles, using the correct side of tiles 5, 6, and 7 as appropriate to the number of players, and rotate them randomly.
2. No clusters of 5 contiguous planets of any type (including transdim) are allowed. Check to see if there are any clusters of 5 or more. If there are any, discard this map and roll again.
3. Only one cluster of 4 contiguous planets of any type (including transdim) is allowed. Check to see if there are any clusters of 4 contiguous planets. If there are 2 or more such clusters, discard this map and roll again.
4. The closest that 2 planets of the same homeworld type may be to each other is Nav3. If there are any planets of any type except gaia or transdim which are within Nav2 range of each other, discard this map and roll again.
5. Every planet must have another planet of any type within Nav2 range of it. If there is any planet that is at least 3 hexes away from any other planet, discard this map and roll again.
6. Use this map -
• Please explain what you wanted to do, what you did and what happened
• Which browser are you using?
Google Chrome v96
-
• Please copy/paste the text displayed in English instead of your language. If you have a screenshot of this bug (good practice), you can use Imgur.com to upload it and copy/paste the link here.
The existing algorithms for placing down a map and having the last player rotate the tiles is not an excellent balancing mechanic, especially in a 4 player game where the third player is not likely to get a great choice of faction.
The now-defunct website gaia-project.hol.es had an algorithm which basically everyone liked a lot. This algorithm is described in this BGG thread boardgamegeek.com/thread/1960859/online-game-generator-map-board-smartphone-friendl/page/2, and I will repeat it for clarity here:
The algorithm is this:
1. Randomly place the required number of tiles, using the correct side of tiles 5, 6, and 7 as appropriate to the number of players, and rotate them randomly.
2. No clusters of 5 contiguous planets of any type (including transdim) are allowed. Check to see if there are any clusters of 5 or more. If there are any, discard this map and roll again.
3. Only one cluster of 4 contiguous planets of any type (including transdim) is allowed. Check to see if there are any clusters of 4 contiguous planets. If there are 2 or more such clusters, discard this map and roll again.
4. The closest that 2 planets of the same homeworld type may be to each other is Nav3. If there are any planets of any type except gaia or transdim which are within Nav2 range of each other, discard this map and roll again.
5. Every planet must have another planet of any type within Nav2 range of it. If there is any planet that is at least 3 hexes away from any other planet, discard this map and roll again.
6. Use this map -
• Is this text available in the translation system? If yes, has it been translated for more than 24 hours?
• Which browser are you using?
Google Chrome v96
-
• Please explain your suggestion precisely and concisely so that it's as easy as possible to understand what you mean.
The existing algorithms for placing down a map and having the last player rotate the tiles is not an excellent balancing mechanic, especially in a 4 player game where the third player is not likely to get a great choice of faction.
The now-defunct website gaia-project.hol.es had an algorithm which basically everyone liked a lot. This algorithm is described in this BGG thread boardgamegeek.com/thread/1960859/online-game-generator-map-board-smartphone-friendl/page/2, and I will repeat it for clarity here:
The algorithm is this:
1. Randomly place the required number of tiles, using the correct side of tiles 5, 6, and 7 as appropriate to the number of players, and rotate them randomly.
2. No clusters of 5 contiguous planets of any type (including transdim) are allowed. Check to see if there are any clusters of 5 or more. If there are any, discard this map and roll again.
3. Only one cluster of 4 contiguous planets of any type (including transdim) is allowed. Check to see if there are any clusters of 4 contiguous planets. If there are 2 or more such clusters, discard this map and roll again.
4. The closest that 2 planets of the same homeworld type may be to each other is Nav3. If there are any planets of any type except gaia or transdim which are within Nav2 range of each other, discard this map and roll again.
5. Every planet must have another planet of any type within Nav2 range of it. If there is any planet that is at least 3 hexes away from any other planet, discard this map and roll again.
6. Use this map • Which browser are you using?
Google Chrome v96
-
• What was displayed on the screen when you were blocked (Blank screen? Part of the game interface? Error message?)
The existing algorithms for placing down a map and having the last player rotate the tiles is not an excellent balancing mechanic, especially in a 4 player game where the third player is not likely to get a great choice of faction.
The now-defunct website gaia-project.hol.es had an algorithm which basically everyone liked a lot. This algorithm is described in this BGG thread boardgamegeek.com/thread/1960859/online-game-generator-map-board-smartphone-friendl/page/2, and I will repeat it for clarity here:
The algorithm is this:
1. Randomly place the required number of tiles, using the correct side of tiles 5, 6, and 7 as appropriate to the number of players, and rotate them randomly.
2. No clusters of 5 contiguous planets of any type (including transdim) are allowed. Check to see if there are any clusters of 5 or more. If there are any, discard this map and roll again.
3. Only one cluster of 4 contiguous planets of any type (including transdim) is allowed. Check to see if there are any clusters of 4 contiguous planets. If there are 2 or more such clusters, discard this map and roll again.
4. The closest that 2 planets of the same homeworld type may be to each other is Nav3. If there are any planets of any type except gaia or transdim which are within Nav2 range of each other, discard this map and roll again.
5. Every planet must have another planet of any type within Nav2 range of it. If there is any planet that is at least 3 hexes away from any other planet, discard this map and roll again.
6. Use this map • Which browser are you using?
Google Chrome v96
-
• Which part of the rules was not followed by the BGA adaptation?
The existing algorithms for placing down a map and having the last player rotate the tiles is not an excellent balancing mechanic, especially in a 4 player game where the third player is not likely to get a great choice of faction.
The now-defunct website gaia-project.hol.es had an algorithm which basically everyone liked a lot. This algorithm is described in this BGG thread boardgamegeek.com/thread/1960859/online-game-generator-map-board-smartphone-friendl/page/2, and I will repeat it for clarity here:
The algorithm is this:
1. Randomly place the required number of tiles, using the correct side of tiles 5, 6, and 7 as appropriate to the number of players, and rotate them randomly.
2. No clusters of 5 contiguous planets of any type (including transdim) are allowed. Check to see if there are any clusters of 5 or more. If there are any, discard this map and roll again.
3. Only one cluster of 4 contiguous planets of any type (including transdim) is allowed. Check to see if there are any clusters of 4 contiguous planets. If there are 2 or more such clusters, discard this map and roll again.
4. The closest that 2 planets of the same homeworld type may be to each other is Nav3. If there are any planets of any type except gaia or transdim which are within Nav2 range of each other, discard this map and roll again.
5. Every planet must have another planet of any type within Nav2 range of it. If there is any planet that is at least 3 hexes away from any other planet, discard this map and roll again.
6. Use this map -
• Is the rules violation visible on game replay? If yes, at which move number?
• Which browser are you using?
Google Chrome v96
-
• What was the game action you wanted to do?
The existing algorithms for placing down a map and having the last player rotate the tiles is not an excellent balancing mechanic, especially in a 4 player game where the third player is not likely to get a great choice of faction.
The now-defunct website gaia-project.hol.es had an algorithm which basically everyone liked a lot. This algorithm is described in this BGG thread boardgamegeek.com/thread/1960859/online-game-generator-map-board-smartphone-friendl/page/2, and I will repeat it for clarity here:
The algorithm is this:
1. Randomly place the required number of tiles, using the correct side of tiles 5, 6, and 7 as appropriate to the number of players, and rotate them randomly.
2. No clusters of 5 contiguous planets of any type (including transdim) are allowed. Check to see if there are any clusters of 5 or more. If there are any, discard this map and roll again.
3. Only one cluster of 4 contiguous planets of any type (including transdim) is allowed. Check to see if there are any clusters of 4 contiguous planets. If there are 2 or more such clusters, discard this map and roll again.
4. The closest that 2 planets of the same homeworld type may be to each other is Nav3. If there are any planets of any type except gaia or transdim which are within Nav2 range of each other, discard this map and roll again.
5. Every planet must have another planet of any type within Nav2 range of it. If there is any planet that is at least 3 hexes away from any other planet, discard this map and roll again.
6. Use this map -
• What did you try to do to trigger this game action?
-
• What happened when you tried to do this (error message, game status bar message, ...)?
• Which browser are you using?
Google Chrome v96
-
• At which step of the game did the problem occur? What was the current game instruction?
The existing algorithms for placing down a map and having the last player rotate the tiles is not an excellent balancing mechanic, especially in a 4 player game where the third player is not likely to get a great choice of faction.
The now-defunct website gaia-project.hol.es had an algorithm which basically everyone liked a lot. This algorithm is described in this BGG thread boardgamegeek.com/thread/1960859/online-game-generator-map-board-smartphone-friendl/page/2, and I will repeat it for clarity here:
The algorithm is this:
1. Randomly place the required number of tiles, using the correct side of tiles 5, 6, and 7 as appropriate to the number of players, and rotate them randomly.
2. No clusters of 5 contiguous planets of any type (including transdim) are allowed. Check to see if there are any clusters of 5 or more. If there are any, discard this map and roll again.
3. Only one cluster of 4 contiguous planets of any type (including transdim) is allowed. Check to see if there are any clusters of 4 contiguous planets. If there are 2 or more such clusters, discard this map and roll again.
4. The closest that 2 planets of the same homeworld type may be to each other is Nav3. If there are any planets of any type except gaia or transdim which are within Nav2 range of each other, discard this map and roll again.
5. Every planet must have another planet of any type within Nav2 range of it. If there is any planet that is at least 3 hexes away from any other planet, discard this map and roll again.
6. Use this map -
• What happened when you tried to do this game action (error message, game status bar message, ...)?
• Which browser are you using?
Google Chrome v96
-
• Please describe the display issue. If you have a screenshot of this bug (good practice), you can use Imgur.com to upload it and copy/paste the link here.
The existing algorithms for placing down a map and having the last player rotate the tiles is not an excellent balancing mechanic, especially in a 4 player game where the third player is not likely to get a great choice of faction.
The now-defunct website gaia-project.hol.es had an algorithm which basically everyone liked a lot. This algorithm is described in this BGG thread boardgamegeek.com/thread/1960859/online-game-generator-map-board-smartphone-friendl/page/2, and I will repeat it for clarity here:
The algorithm is this:
1. Randomly place the required number of tiles, using the correct side of tiles 5, 6, and 7 as appropriate to the number of players, and rotate them randomly.
2. No clusters of 5 contiguous planets of any type (including transdim) are allowed. Check to see if there are any clusters of 5 or more. If there are any, discard this map and roll again.
3. Only one cluster of 4 contiguous planets of any type (including transdim) is allowed. Check to see if there are any clusters of 4 contiguous planets. If there are 2 or more such clusters, discard this map and roll again.
4. The closest that 2 planets of the same homeworld type may be to each other is Nav3. If there are any planets of any type except gaia or transdim which are within Nav2 range of each other, discard this map and roll again.
5. Every planet must have another planet of any type within Nav2 range of it. If there is any planet that is at least 3 hexes away from any other planet, discard this map and roll again.
6. Use this map • Which browser are you using?
Google Chrome v96
-
• Please copy/paste the text displayed in English instead of your language. If you have a screenshot of this bug (good practice), you can use Imgur.com to upload it and copy/paste the link here.
The existing algorithms for placing down a map and having the last player rotate the tiles is not an excellent balancing mechanic, especially in a 4 player game where the third player is not likely to get a great choice of faction.
The now-defunct website gaia-project.hol.es had an algorithm which basically everyone liked a lot. This algorithm is described in this BGG thread boardgamegeek.com/thread/1960859/online-game-generator-map-board-smartphone-friendl/page/2, and I will repeat it for clarity here:
The algorithm is this:
1. Randomly place the required number of tiles, using the correct side of tiles 5, 6, and 7 as appropriate to the number of players, and rotate them randomly.
2. No clusters of 5 contiguous planets of any type (including transdim) are allowed. Check to see if there are any clusters of 5 or more. If there are any, discard this map and roll again.
3. Only one cluster of 4 contiguous planets of any type (including transdim) is allowed. Check to see if there are any clusters of 4 contiguous planets. If there are 2 or more such clusters, discard this map and roll again.
4. The closest that 2 planets of the same homeworld type may be to each other is Nav3. If there are any planets of any type except gaia or transdim which are within Nav2 range of each other, discard this map and roll again.
5. Every planet must have another planet of any type within Nav2 range of it. If there is any planet that is at least 3 hexes away from any other planet, discard this map and roll again.
6. Use this map -
• Is this text available in the translation system? If yes, has it been translated for more than 24 hours?
• Which browser are you using?
Google Chrome v96
-
• Please explain your suggestion precisely and concisely so that it's as easy as possible to understand what you mean.
The existing algorithms for placing down a map and having the last player rotate the tiles is not an excellent balancing mechanic, especially in a 4 player game where the third player is not likely to get a great choice of faction.
The now-defunct website gaia-project.hol.es had an algorithm which basically everyone liked a lot. This algorithm is described in this BGG thread boardgamegeek.com/thread/1960859/online-game-generator-map-board-smartphone-friendl/page/2, and I will repeat it for clarity here:
The algorithm is this:
1. Randomly place the required number of tiles, using the correct side of tiles 5, 6, and 7 as appropriate to the number of players, and rotate them randomly.
2. No clusters of 5 contiguous planets of any type (including transdim) are allowed. Check to see if there are any clusters of 5 or more. If there are any, discard this map and roll again.
3. Only one cluster of 4 contiguous planets of any type (including transdim) is allowed. Check to see if there are any clusters of 4 contiguous planets. If there are 2 or more such clusters, discard this map and roll again.
4. The closest that 2 planets of the same homeworld type may be to each other is Nav3. If there are any planets of any type except gaia or transdim which are within Nav2 range of each other, discard this map and roll again.
5. Every planet must have another planet of any type within Nav2 range of it. If there is any planet that is at least 3 hexes away from any other planet, discard this map and roll again.
6. Use this map • Which browser are you using?
Google Chrome v96
Report history
Fortunately, we have a random map generator that requires no rotation at all. It sounds like exactly what you're looking for, allowing an intelligent algorithm to balance out all factions. Try it out sometime -- you may like it!
Indeed, the last player rotation is straight out of the rulebook, at my game group we have tried this and found that it doesn't work very well for 4 player games. I agree that BGA shouldn't remove this as an option, but probably the hol.es algorithm without tile rotation is a better default setting in my opinion.
I have tried the random map algorithm, the main difference between this algorithm and hol.es is that it allows many clusters of 4. Which makes navigation less important, especially for a player that is going hard on gaiaforming and collecting a lot of transdim planets, since these tend to be clustered together.
I think the community has settled on preferring the hol.es algorithm, based on the number of comments on BGG either recommending it or asking for a replacement since that site was retired.
For my own map generation algorithm, I played around with varying considerations -- far more detailed than even what you've listed to ensure a balanced approach for all colors. After trying varying sizes of cluster, I settled on up to 4 planets in a cluster. In practice, 5 was too big and 3 wasn't varied enough.
I'm not trying to reproduce someone else's algorithm, so it's definitely different than the defunct website. It won't be a default option because it's not in the rulebook. (Actually, the default option is the rulebook's fixed setup, I think. No rotation required!) If you play around with it a bit, I think you'll find the random algorithm I've created is well balanced for all colors, even though the cluster sizes are different than how the former website did it.
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- Another table ID / move ID
- Did F5 solve the problem?
- Did the problem appear several times? Every time? Randomly?
- If you have a screenshot of this bug (good practice), you can use Imgur.com to upload it and copy/paste the link here.
