maps don't take lots of time to load, what takes time to load is mainly units, 3D models and map features (currently it loads everything).
making a random map generator isn't so hard, what is hard is making a map generator that generates natural looking maps
, there is also a question here:
do we use OTA map format or do we use a new one (maybe TASpring map format if compatible with TA3D engine) because it would be great if we could save a random map and then play it later or make some changes to improve it. We could also improve OTA map format or even create our own map format, for example we could put a huge texture inside (24bits compressed using jpeg) without any lighting effect and then process lighting at loading time (hills shadows, etc...), and even add script to animate things on the map (growing forests, rain, fog, modify water simulation*,...).
But since adding support for new map format is a huge piece of work, I suggest we put this in the TODO list for later, at least when we'll have networking support working
*I am dreaming of animated waterfalls in TA3D and maps with real water simulation => various water levels at the same time, the ability to flood areas, terrain deformation, etc ... but this requires a new map format that can support dynamic geometry and a less fragmented texturing method.
