map format

[rogerdv]

What format do you think is better for storing game maps, a mesh based (store vertex coordinates of all map polygons) or per tile info (info for each tile)?

[anubis]

well, that depends on the type of game :)

[Mihail121]

Anubis is right!

If you're making an arcanoid like me, just some byte array. If you're making FPS, geometry data. If you're making tile based game, tile data + some extra stuff.

[rogerdv]

Anubis is right!

If you're making an arcanoid like me, just some byte array. If you're making FPS, geometry data. If you're making tile based game, tile data + some extra stuff.
8780


Yep, i forgot to mention, for RPG and RTS games.
The problem I see with tile based format is how to store height and achieve a good looking terrain when rendering, supposing you have several pre-made tile meshes.

[anubis]

take a look at the warcraft 3 editor. to me it looks strongly like it's tile based and for an rts i think tiles are the way to go.

supposing you have several pre-made tile meshes

i don't understand... if you have tile meshes the height and terrain data is directly available to you...

[rogerdv]

i don't understand... if you have tile meshes the height and terrain data is directly available to you...
8801


Yes, I forgot it. Just some collision would fix that. Can someone suggest me a tutorial about this (mesh-terrain collision detection)?