09Aug11 - Map Changes, other fixes

WORLD MAP CHANGES

Due to a number of on-going issues with the world map (e.g. alignment, performance, bugs etc.); we have changed the underlying technology we use to display it to HTML5 Canvas. 

Where this is not available in older browsers the previous world map will be displayed. (Internet Explorer needs to be version 9+ and Firefox 4+). Other browsers should work fine, including mobile devices; although please upgrade your browser if you do not see the new world map. 

These changes will allow us to more easily introduce features and well as improving the performance and responsiveness on players' computers.

If you were currently logged in when the world map changes were put live you will either have to log out and log back in - or refresh you browser to receive these changes.

Additional Information

• Overall Combat type
• Sovereignty Type and Level

Map Controls

You can now use a zoom slider to easily move to your desired zoom level. Marked on it with a small red crown is the point at which you need an active prestige account to zoom out further. Remember you can claim prestige as part of the daily bonus to keep your account active.

Rather than hiding the Map overlay options behind an "options" button we have added them to the bottom of the map.

Also we have added a "Share" button to share the current view of the world map. Currently this only works fully in Google Chrome.

Players with an active Prestige account gain an extra 10 more levels of zoom. Remember you can claim prestige as part of the daily bonus to keep your account active.

For an example of this zoom size the vast Misted Lands is shown below at maximum zoom out:

The map popup have now been made properly context sensitive: 

• "Send settlers" is now only visible if you have met the requirements for settling a new city from your current city (including correct number settlers) and the square is settleable.
• Mystery squares now have the "harvest" and "send resources" options; whether this is useful or not is a mystery.
• Impassable terrain only offers "center in map"

COLOUR AND ICON CHANGES

• Purple - Faction
• Red - At War or Hostile (incoming to you)
• Yellow - Neutral
• Green - Allied
• Blue - Yours

Harvesting Caravans' Icons

Hostile  or  At War	Neutral	Allied  or  Confed	Yours

 

Factions	Hostile  or  At War	Neutral	Allied  or  Confed	Yours

 Icons

Factions	Hostile  or  At War	Neutral	Allied  or  Confed	Yours

 Icons

Factions	Hostile  or  At War	Neutral	Allied  or  Confed	Yours

Factions	Hostile  or  At War	Neutral	Allied  or  Confed	Yours

Moving Diplomats' Icons

Factions	Hostile  or  At War	Neutral	Allied  or  Confed	Yours

Outstanding Items

• Region borders and labels are currently outstanding but will be added shortly. 
• Please raise a in game petition if you experience any other issues.

OTHER FIXES

The AVG error message fix was suppressing real error messages and showing the AVG error messages. This has now been resolved.

When taking control of an account unsuccessfully, it would not let you try again for 10 minutes; this has been corrected. We are still looking into why it sometimes sends you to the login screen.

Some countries although displayed had no payment options, these countries have now had them added: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Italy, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Panama, Russia, Thailand, Turkey, United States, Venezuela. South Africa is currently suspended.

The decimal places in the historical Market price graphs where not showing for players in all countries; this has been corrected.

Armies returning from one of your towns to one of your towns would show as incoming to both. This has been resolved.

The resource bar should no longer occasionally show negative values.

We have tweaked the chat system and chat disconnect messages should now be less frequent.

The mobile payment option ware preventing the Prestige purchase page from being shown on iPhones, iPads, and Mac Safari. The mobile purchase has been disabled on these devices.