Why Squares?

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Why Squares? - 1/12/2005 8:05:08 PM

z1812

Posts: 1796
Joined: 9/1/2004
Status: offline

Hi All,

Perhaps this has been covered before. I am wondering why the game uses squares instead hexes. It does not make a difference to me. I am simply curious.

Regards John

< Message edited by z1812 -- 1/12/2005 11:50:59 PM >

Post #: 1

RE: Why Sqaures? - 1/12/2005 8:10:49 PM

IronManBeta

Posts: 4132
Joined: 2/25/2002
From: Burlington, Ontario
Status: offline

There are two answers actually.

1. The original SimCan Main Battle Tank games used squares and they formed the spec for this game. David Heath and I met at Origins 02 and discussed it in some detail and we decided that we liked the distinctive look that it gave and decided to keep it.

2. The modern military uses squares on it's maps too. "UTMS" or some such thing is the official name for it and we preferred something that would be recognizably similar to an experienced eye.

The game uses squares but works out all the exact timings and moves based on actual distances covered. That means that a move on the diagonal takes 1.414 times as long, all else being equal. The only real limitation is that bridges cannot run on the diagonal. Everything else is pretty much a wash.

Good question!

Cheers, Rob.

(in reply to z1812)

Post #: 2

RE: Why Sqaures? - 1/13/2005 5:24:13 PM

stephen newberg

Posts: 12
Joined: 10/21/2001
Status: offline

And besides, I like squares. :)

Actually, Rob has it dead on with his second point. The reasoning behind the use of the square grid pattern is that this is what the US Army uses, and the game when originally programmed was a cross over product.

pax, smn

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Simulations Canada, Ltd.

(in reply to IronManBeta)

Post #: 3