I present to you my first ever map, French Roads, Causses ! The map draws inspiration from Lozère and Gard, two departments in southern France, although it is more heavily inspired by the Causses region, a geological region characterized by vast, flat, arid expanses interspersed with large valleys and hills. Dotted with small villages and farms, these plateaus are perfect for driving, with a variety of roads from long, straight stretches to small, winding roads, each offering a different panoramic view. Map specs: - A 4096x4096 map (same size as East Coast). - Flat expanses with little to no changes in elevation. - 3 distincts biomes. - Mix of paved and unpaved roads. Planned features: - Small racetrack and rally track. - Two villages. - Multiple small POIs to keep it filled! The plan ? The purpose of this map is not to compete with the major modded maps available on the repo, nor is it to come close to the quality of the native maps. It’s more of a personal skill-building exercise, designed to help me get a better grasp of the tools and modding in general. As a result, this map will have few or no custom assets, and the assets included will come from the native maps. I’ll do my best to still provide you with a high-quality map (by my standards), but I can’t do this alone! Once the map is in a playable state, I’ll make it available for download so I can get not only feedback but also suggestions. Expect updates to this thread at least twice a week. To share an idea of the state of the map, let's say that a third of the map is almost done, with only basic texturing and forests added. All the roads already present are in a drivable state but i prefer finishing the foliage first. Screenshots of the map, the almost done part:
Did you mean "Causses" instead of "Causes"? Because "Causes" means "reasons" in french, which is a word that has nothing to do with the natural region you're trying to map "Causse". (Fun fact, I actually own a house located in a causse in Aveyron) (Also fun fact, the Causse is where you would find most subterranean caverns in France, such as the Grotte de Foissac and the Gouffre de Padirac, so it would be neat to see some of those included in this map! It's also home to intresting rock formations and fossils, such as those found in the Larzac.)
Here is the first bi-weekly update on the map ! These last few days, I've made way more progress than expected which is good nonetheless. The first biome is "done" while the second and third ones are on a good way, with the second almost finished. To give you an idea of whats planned, here is the map with the biome repartition then the diferent planned features. Here's the biome repartition: The planned features (blue is water plans, pink is the villages and black represent the POIs which are subject to changes): And of course, have some new pics for the good measure!
Bi-weekly update N°2! After a tedious amount of troubleshooting to get it working, present to you the first WIP Release of French Roads, Causses! I know that sharing a map that isn't finished is really not the best idea as i did observe a few time by the past... But as a first map, i need some feedback from others perspective. That's why i release it as WIP 0.1. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE GIVING ANY FEEDBACK: Known issues on the map itself: The Biome 2 is subject to performance issues. I'm still looking into it but it's managable to play in. Just expect a huge drop in FPS, as I personally go from 110-120 to 50-40 FPS. Lack of details: It's a WIP, you can't expect a huge detailing as the first release. Same for the terrain, some areas are noticably less worked on than others with the example of the biggest lake, between Biome 1 and 3. Constructive Feedback: I welcome anyone who takes time to try the map in this early stage. However, when giving feeback, try to suggest useful features or report problems on the map. I'll read everything anyways, but that's a headsup! And finally, have fun on it! Quite difficult in this state but hey, we never know. And if you have any advices, share them to me! The dirt roads planned will be added for an upcomming WIP Release. To this date, only asphalt roads are present and polished! Link to download: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LnHi-jHavVkjfK1UVhYdRFoGRHxahh1W/view?usp=sharing The map is in fact very big in size, due to the textures I used (4K, yeah that's stupid), I need to downgrade them to gain some space !
Well, I took inspiration from real places in the region but I don't really have names so i need to figure this out !
Bi_weekly Update N°3 Well well well... How to say that ? The advancement is going well, the detailling of the map is underway as the addition of barriers is almost done, keeping you safe from those traitrous blind turns... The first village is almost done, as it needs just a few more houses and details. As for the POIs, even in consideration of what have been made, an issue have arrised: I haven't planned in advance for them. Not that I don't know WHERE to put them, but I don't know what to make. I've started this journey empty handed of ideas and concepts and here is the first consequence. That's why the map have a big chance to be less detailed that what I've expected and I'm sorry for that. All that matter now explained, we have another: The 0.39 Release. I know, no precise date nor reliable one but the update is expected by a lot of people to release this week. Taking that into consideration, there is two options for what is going to happen: - 1. The update won't be released this week or the next week: Good. I have some time in addition to continue the map and fulfill the objectives, no issues. - 2. The update release in the next two weeks: Arh, not good. If that's the case, the map won't be finished for the Release as intended. Furthermore, the Release will sign the end of quick upgrades to the map. What I mean is that I'll release the map a few days after the Update in its state, finished or not and it will enter a state where i will update but waaay slowly as i tackle the real project that i have in mind in the continuity of French Roads. But WORRY NOT, I will NOT abandon this map. It's my first ever project and I want it to live as long as possible. I'm sorry if my management of the situation isn't the best at the moment but I will try to deliver what you expected with the minimum of compromises. With that out of the way, i shall share the 4 Screenshots stating the advancement of the map!
Yes, there is ! Just some issues with two or three roads but it's set up. Note that the traffic cars poll is not configured so you will see american cars and european cars.
Bi-weekly Update N°4 Quite the progress have been made in 4 days. The first village is done, a bit smaller than what I hopped for but it's there. In addition, some dirt roads have been added in Biome 1 to facilitate transit from Point A to Point B if the asphalt roads are too slow for you... But they aint in a good state so you will need to watch out! I've also added a sawmill infrastructure, with another one in the works. But the biggest progress yet is one that is made especially for multiplayer gameplay (or solo, i won't mind): I present to you Saint-Marc Dirt Track! A large dirt ring for your rallycross needs with an enormous width to allow for any vehicles from your classic rally Piccolina to any T-Series you have the audacity to drive on there. But that's not all. In the area delimited by the track, you will encounter an industrial zone, perfect for your chase or infection scenario, completed with a "container land", suitable for smaller vehicles only but featuring multiples levels to chase your friends across them. On the side, a few detailing has been made, either on the side of the roads or just to fill the empty spaces. Enjoy the mandatory screenshots of the progress made and see you in a few days for the Release of WIP 0.2!
Bi-Weekly Update N°5 / WIP Release 0.2 Not gonna lie, I was a bit busy so little have changed on the map. But I've tackled the biggest issue of the map, that is the file size and optimisation issues. With what has been done, it should be running a lot smoother and loading time is greatly reduced. A few areas have been modifed in foliage coverage but nothing more to note that is worth mentioning.For the spawnpoints matter, it is quite barebones with no spawns added from WIP 0.1, but they should do the job anyways! Not a lot to say otherwise, this update text is more toward the release of WIP 0.2 and not concerning content. Nonetheless, enjoy the map in it's state! No screenshots, I let you discover the map by yourself this time ! Note that to accomplish file size reduction, the textures of the terrain have been downgraded to 1K for now. I will surely upgrade them again to 2K but nothing is sure ! Nota: If you do creation content and use this map, or just advertise it to your close circle, do me a favor and do some credits! At least mention me and at best, share the link to this page of the forum! It helps out a ton!
First of all, I would like to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed this map so far. I have flown over it and done some driving around in it. So far it is off to a very promising start and I am very very looking forward to the updates to come. My opinion and feel free to disagree and/or ignore it but navigating the port in a truck has been tight with the euro trailer. Otherwise I find it looks like Occitanie (je ne sais pas comment on dit en anglais) and if you could add something like Pont du Gard using assets from italy map then it will make it top tiere in my opinion.
