FOSS gamedev and creative worlds

Hi!
In Minetest 0.4.14, the singlenode map generator was removed from the world generation screen. The map generator is still there, but it can't be selected this way. You can only enable it indirectly by using advanced settings or with a mod or by some other way I am not aware of.

I wonder whether you think singlenode should be added back to the world generation screen.

For your information: The “singlenode” map generator is a simple map generator which creates (by default) a world only made out of air. Here's a screenshot.

In my opinion, this is only viable if mapgens get descriptions in the world creation dialog, and the singlenode mapgen creates a small (eg. 7x7) plane made of a solid node (such as wood) upon which the player can build on when used with minetest_game.

Voting yes, but please keep this in mind.

For me, the singlenode mapgen is more a useful tool than a style of gameplay. I use the singlenode mapgen to clean-up my WorldEdit schems before settling them into my long-term singleplayer world and to develop build studies without the unwanted and not unneeded clutter of clouds, land, trees, water, et al. Singlenode mapgen makes storing builds for WorldEdit much more convenient. Singlenode mapgen also creates a much smaller file size because it isn't creating anything.

Singlenode was hidden because a dev felt it confused newbies, however the result has confused the experienced Minetesters who try to get Singlenode back. I agree with Calinou's suggestion of having a small platform being the only thing generated in Singlenode as a compromise between the confused newbies and confused experienced Minetesters.

I do miss the easy way to select singlenode.

singlenode is extremely usefull when importing maps or opening maps saved with the "save to local" function, so that the mapgen doesn't destroy the allready existing map with new terrain.

wait, I take that back ... singlenode is essential for these things.

maybe a warning could be placed somewhere if singlenode is selected or an "origin-block" is offered or the "fly" privileg could be assigned automatically on first creation.


some time ago with singlenode chosen I let myself fall untill I caught the tail of a cat after falling for almost 700m

If it does get added back in, and it is chosen in the menu, a simple messagebox could be displayed explaining what the mapgen is and explaining that it is probably not what you are looking for. Although, folks will then be irritated by having to close the messagebox.
A simpler option might be to just continue to leave it out and create yourself a simple mod that overrides the mapgen and loads a singlenode world. Activate the mod when you need it:

I'm fairly neutral about this, and suggested re-adding it to the menu, but hmmmm is strongly opposed, so it probably won't happen.
Indeed the thing to do is use a simple mod to activate it.

Now for my opinion:
IMO it was a very dumb idea to remove it from the world generation menu:

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=14839
viewtopic.php?f=21&t=14790 (Asks how to create an empty world because singlenode was hidden)

In other words, it is now a pain in the ass to create an empty world. The goal was to make Minetest easier, but the opposite has happened! I dislike the principle of requiring for using mods even for core features. What will be “outsourced” to mods next? Rendering? xD

May I propose a compromise solution?
Re-add the singlenode mapgen, but improve the world generation screen by adding a small description and/or example screenshot box for the currently selected mapgen.

You could add mapgens derived from it, such as platform (limited) or plane (infinite)

I think, there should be a singlenode with only 1 dirt-node! Without Nyancats and Shadows!

singlenode mapgen is for mods to take advantage of, so leave it to mods, I say. You need to add a mod (worldedit, for example) to get started with singlenode anyway. Singlenode isn't broken, it doesn't need to add a starting node, that's what `origin' is for, or worldedit, or some other mechanism.

Adding options to it, akin to rubenwardy's suggestion, may make it a viable starting point for players. Otherwise, it's just a confusing thing to fall and wonder, "where's the single node?" not realizing this means 'air', or whatever.