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ghost-ng edited this page Jan 28, 2026 · 1 revision

Maps, Resources & World Generation

This document covers map configuration, resources, and world generation in Civilization VII.

Overview

Civ VII uses JavaScript-based map scripts for world generation. Maps are configured through several interconnected tables that define sizes, resources, continents, and distribution rules.

Core Tables

Table Purpose
Maps (config) Available map scripts (JavaScript files)
Maps (data) Map size configurations
MapSizes Size domains for different game modes
Continents Continent definitions
Resources Resource definitions
ResourceClasses Resource classification
Resource_ValidBiomes Where resources can spawn
Resource_ValidAges Which Ages resources appear in
Resource_Distribution Age-based distribution rules

Map Scripts

Map scripts are JavaScript files that generate the world. They're registered in config.xml:

<Maps>
    <Row File="{base-standard}maps/continents-voronoi.js"
         Name="LOC_MAP_CONTINENTS_VORONOI_NAME"
         Description="LOC_MAP_CONTINENTS_VORONOI_DESCRIPTION"
         SortIndex="0"/>
    <Row File="{base-standard}maps/pangaea-voronoi.js"
         Name="LOC_MAP_PANGAEA_VORONOI_NAME"
         Description="LOC_MAP_PANGAEA_VORONOI_DESCRIPTION"
         SortIndex="1"/>
</Maps>

Available Base Map Scripts

Script Description
continents-voronoi.js Multiple continents using Voronoi generation
pangaea-voronoi.js Single supercontinent
shattered-seas-voronoi.js Many small landmasses
continents-plus.js Continents with islands
continents.js Classic continent layout
archipelago.js Island chains
fractal.js Fractal-generated landmasses
shuffle.js Random map type
terra-incognita.js New World discovery setup
pangaea-plus.js Pangaea with islands

Map Sizes

Map sizes are defined in the Maps table in maps.xml:

<Maps>
    <Row MapSizeType="MAPSIZE_TINY"
         Name="LOC_MAPSIZE_TINY_NAME"
         Description="LOC_MAPSIZE_TINY_DESCRIPTION"
         DefaultPlayers="4"
         PlayersLandmass1="3"
         PlayersLandmass2="1"
         GridWidth="60"
         GridHeight="38"
         NumNaturalWonders="3"
         OceanWidth="4"
         LakeSizeCutoff="6"
         LakeGenerationFrequency="25"
         Continents="2"
         StartSectorRows="3"
         StartSectorCols="2"/>
</Maps>

Maps Table Columns

Column Type Description
MapSizeType TEXT Size identifier (MAPSIZE_TINY, etc.)
Name TEXT Localization key
Description TEXT Localization key
DefaultPlayers INTEGER Default player count
PlayersLandmass1 INTEGER Players on main landmass
PlayersLandmass2 INTEGER Players on secondary landmass
GridWidth INTEGER Map width in tiles
GridHeight INTEGER Map height in tiles
NumNaturalWonders INTEGER Natural wonders to place
OceanWidth INTEGER Ocean buffer width
LakeSizeCutoff INTEGER Maximum lake size
LakeGenerationFrequency INTEGER Lake spawn frequency
Continents INTEGER Number of continents
StartSectorRows INTEGER Starting position grid rows
StartSectorCols INTEGER Starting position grid columns

Default Map Sizes

Size Grid Players Natural Wonders
Tiny 60x38 4 3
Small 74x46 6 4
Standard 84x54 8 5
Large 96x60 10 6
Huge 106x66 10 7

MapSizes Domain

The MapSizes table in config.xml defines player limits for different game modes:

<MapSizes>
    <!-- Standard domain - all players can win -->
    <Row Domain="StandardMapSizes"
         MapSizeType="MAPSIZE_STANDARD"
         Name="LOC_MAPSIZE_STANDARD_NAME"
         Description="LOC_MAPSIZE_STANDARD_DESCRIPTION"
         MinPlayers="2"
         MaxPlayers="8"
         MaxHumans="8"
         DefaultPlayers="8"
         SortIndex="40"/>

    <!-- Distant Lands domain - only landmass1 can win -->
    <Row Domain="DistantLandsMapSizes"
         MapSizeType="MAPSIZE_STANDARD"
         Name="LOC_MAPSIZE_STANDARD_NAME"
         MinPlayers="2"
         MaxPlayers="8"
         MaxHumans="8"
         DefaultPlayers="8"
         SortIndex="40"/>
</MapSizes>

Start Positions

Start positions determine how players are placed on the map:

<DomainValues>
    <Row Domain="StandardMapStartPositions"
         Value="START_POSITION_BALANCED"
         Name="LOC_MAP_START_POSITION_BALANCED_NAME"
         Description="LOC_MAP_START_POSITION_BALANCED_DESCRIPTION"
         SortIndex="10"/>
    <Row Domain="StandardMapStartPositions"
         Value="START_POSITION_STANDARD"
         Name="LOC_MAP_START_POSITION_STANDARD_NAME"
         Description="LOC_MAP_START_POSITION_STANDARD_DESCRIPTION"
         SortIndex="20"/>
</DomainValues>

Start Position Types

Type Description
START_POSITION_BALANCED Ensures fair resource distribution near starts
START_POSITION_STANDARD Random placement within start sectors

Map-Specific Start Positions

<SupportedValuesByMap>
    <Row Map="{base-standard}maps/continents-voronoi.js"
         Domain="StandardMapStartPositions"
         Value="START_POSITION_STANDARD"/>
</SupportedValuesByMap>

Continents

Continents are registered as types and defined in the Continents table:

<Types>
    <Row Type="CONTINENT_AFRICA" Kind="KIND_CONTINENT"/>
    <Row Type="CONTINENT_ASIA" Kind="KIND_CONTINENT"/>
    <Row Type="CONTINENT_EUROPE" Kind="KIND_CONTINENT"/>
    <Row Type="CONTINENT_PANGAEA" Kind="KIND_CONTINENT"/>
</Types>

<Continents>
    <Row ContinentType="CONTINENT_AFRICA"
         Description="LOC_CONTINENT_AFRICA_DESCRIPTION"/>
    <Row ContinentType="CONTINENT_ASIA"
         Description="LOC_CONTINENT_ASIA_DESCRIPTION"/>
</Continents>

Resources

Resources are the primary strategic and luxury goods in the game.

Resource Classes

<Types>
    <Row Type="RESOURCECLASS_BONUS" Kind="KIND_RESOURCECLASS"/>
    <Row Type="RESOURCECLASS_CITY" Kind="KIND_RESOURCECLASS"/>
    <Row Type="RESOURCECLASS_EMPIRE" Kind="KIND_RESOURCECLASS"/>
</Types>

<ResourceClasses>
    <Row ResourceClassType="RESOURCECLASS_BONUS"
         Name="LOC_RESOURCECLASS_BONUS_NAME"
         Description="LOC_RESOURCECLASS_BONUS_DESCRIPTION"
         Assignable="true"/>
    <Row ResourceClassType="RESOURCECLASS_CITY"
         Name="LOC_RESOURCECLASS_CITY_NAME"
         Description="LOC_RESOURCECLASS_CITY_DESCRIPTION"
         Assignable="true"/>
    <Row ResourceClassType="RESOURCECLASS_EMPIRE"
         Name="LOC_RESOURCECLASS_EMPIRE_NAME"
         Description="LOC_RESOURCECLASS_EMPIRE_DESCRIPTION"
         Assignable="false"/>
</ResourceClasses>

Resource Class Types

Class Description Assignable
RESOURCECLASS_BONUS Basic resources (food, production) Yes
RESOURCECLASS_CITY City-level luxury resources Yes
RESOURCECLASS_EMPIRE Empire-wide strategic resources No

Defining Resources

<Types>
    <Row Type="RESOURCE_GOLD" Kind="KIND_RESOURCE"/>
    <Row Type="RESOURCE_IRON" Kind="KIND_RESOURCE"/>
</Types>

<Resources>
    <Row ResourceType="RESOURCE_GOLD"
         Name="LOC_RESOURCE_GOLD_NAME"
         Tooltip="LOC_ANT_RESOURCE_GOLD_TOOLTIP"
         ResourceClassType="RESOURCECLASS_EMPIRE"
         Weight="20"
         Staple="true"
         MinimumPerHemisphere="8"/>
    <Row ResourceType="RESOURCE_IRON"
         Name="LOC_RESOURCE_IRON_NAME"
         Tooltip="LOC_ANT_RESOURCE_IRON_TOOLTIP"
         ResourceClassType="RESOURCECLASS_EMPIRE"
         Weight="10"
         UnlocksCiv="true"
         Staple="true"/>
</Resources>

Resources Table Columns

Column Type Description
ResourceType TEXT Unique identifier
Name TEXT Localization key
Tooltip TEXT Localization key for tooltip
ResourceClassType TEXT Resource class reference
Weight INTEGER Spawn weight (higher = more common)
Staple BOOLEAN Always appears in Age
MinimumPerHemisphere INTEGER Minimum spawn count per hemisphere
UnlocksCiv BOOLEAN Can unlock a civilization
Tradeable BOOLEAN Can be traded (default true)
AdjacentToLand BOOLEAN Must spawn adjacent to land
LakeEligible BOOLEAN Can spawn in lakes
HemisphereUnique BOOLEAN Only spawns in one hemisphere
BonusResourceSlots INTEGER Extra resource slots provided

Resource Yields

Define what yields a resource provides:

<Resource_YieldChanges>
    <Row ResourceType="RESOURCE_GOLD" YieldType="YIELD_GOLD" YieldChange="1"/>
    <Row ResourceType="RESOURCE_IRON" YieldType="YIELD_PRODUCTION" YieldChange="1"/>
    <Row ResourceType="RESOURCE_WINE" YieldType="YIELD_HAPPINESS" YieldChange="1"/>
    <Row ResourceType="RESOURCE_FISH" YieldType="YIELD_FOOD" YieldChange="1"/>
</Resource_YieldChanges>

Resource Age Validity

Resources appear only in specific Ages:

<Resource_ValidAges>
    <!-- Gold appears in all ages -->
    <Row ResourceType="RESOURCE_GOLD" AgeType="AGE_ANTIQUITY"/>
    <Row ResourceType="RESOURCE_GOLD" AgeType="AGE_EXPLORATION"/>
    <Row ResourceType="RESOURCE_GOLD" AgeType="AGE_MODERN"/>

    <!-- Cocoa only in Exploration and Modern -->
    <Row ResourceType="RESOURCE_COCOA" AgeType="AGE_EXPLORATION"/>
    <Row ResourceType="RESOURCE_COCOA" AgeType="AGE_MODERN"/>

    <!-- Oil only in Modern -->
    <Row ResourceType="RESOURCE_OIL" AgeType="AGE_MODERN"/>
</Resource_ValidAges>

Resource Biome Placement

Define where resources can spawn based on terrain:

<Resource_ValidBiomes>
    <Row ResourceType="RESOURCE_GOLD"
         BiomeType="BIOME_GRASSLAND"
         TerrainType="TERRAIN_HILL"/>
    <Row ResourceType="RESOURCE_GOLD"
         BiomeType="BIOME_PLAINS"
         TerrainType="TERRAIN_HILL"/>
    <Row ResourceType="RESOURCE_FISH"
         BiomeType="BIOME_MARINE"
         TerrainType="TERRAIN_COAST"/>
    <Row ResourceType="RESOURCE_COTTON"
         BiomeType="BIOME_GRASSLAND"
         TerrainType="TERRAIN_FLAT"
         FeatureType="FEATURE_GRASSLAND_FLOODPLAIN_MINOR"/>
</Resource_ValidBiomes>

Available Biomes

Biome Description
BIOME_GRASSLAND Temperate grasslands
BIOME_PLAINS Savanna and steppes
BIOME_DESERT Arid regions
BIOME_TUNDRA Cold northern regions
BIOME_TROPICAL Rainforest and jungle
BIOME_MARINE Ocean and coastal

Terrain Types

Terrain Description
TERRAIN_FLAT Flatland tiles
TERRAIN_HILL Hill tiles
TERRAIN_COAST Coastal water
TERRAIN_OCEAN Deep ocean

Resource Distribution

Control how resources are distributed per Age:

<Resource_Distribution>
    <Row AgeType="AGE_ANTIQUITY"
         MaxResourceTypes="25"
         AdditionalCutAmount="0"
         ResourceTypeMaxPerHemisphere="8"/>
    <Row AgeType="AGE_EXPLORATION"
         MaxResourceTypes="25"
         AdditionalCutAmount="2"
         ResourceTypeMaxPerHemisphere="10"/>
    <Row AgeType="AGE_MODERN"
         MaxResourceTypes="27"
         AdditionalCutAmount="0"
         ResourceTypeMaxPerHemisphere="10"/>
</Resource_Distribution>

Map Resource Modifiers

Adjust resource amounts per map type and size:

<MapResourceMinimumAmountModifier>
    <Row MapType="DEFAULT" MapSizeType="MAPSIZE_TINY" Amount="-4"/>
    <Row MapType="DEFAULT" MapSizeType="MAPSIZE_SMALL" Amount="-2"/>
    <Row MapType="DEFAULT" MapSizeType="MAPSIZE_LARGE" Amount="0"/>
    <Row MapType="DEFAULT" MapSizeType="MAPSIZE_HUGE" Amount="4"/>

    <Row MapType="LOC_MAP_ARCHIPELAGO_NAME"
         MapSizeType="MAPSIZE_TINY"
         Amount="-4"/>
</MapResourceMinimumAmountModifier>

Island Behavior

Configure how islands behave during specific Ages:

<MapIslandBehavior>
    <Row MapType="LOC_MAP_CONTINENTS_NAME"
         AgeType="AGE_EXPLORATION"
         ResourceClassType="RESOURCECLASS_TREASURE"/>
    <Row MapType="LOC_MAP_ARCHIPELAGO_NAME"
         AgeType="AGE_EXPLORATION"
         ResourceClassType="RESOURCECLASS_TREASURE"/>
</MapIslandBehavior>

Leader Resource Requirements

Ensure specific resources spawn for certain leaders:

<Resource_RequiredLeaders>
    <Row ResourceType="RESOURCE_COCOA" LeaderType="LEADER_ASHOKA"/>
    <Row ResourceType="RESOURCE_TEA" LeaderType="LEADER_ASHOKA"/>
    <Row ResourceType="RESOURCE_HORSES" LeaderType="LEADER_HATSHEPSUT"/>
    <Row ResourceType="RESOURCE_JADE" LeaderType="LEADER_HIMIKO"/>
</Resource_RequiredLeaders>

Complete Example: Custom Resource

Database XML

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Database>
    <!-- 1. Register type -->
    <Types>
        <Row Type="RESOURCE_OBSIDIAN" Kind="KIND_RESOURCE"/>
    </Types>

    <!-- 2. Define resource -->
    <Resources>
        <Row ResourceType="RESOURCE_OBSIDIAN"
             Name="LOC_RESOURCE_OBSIDIAN_NAME"
             Tooltip="LOC_RESOURCE_OBSIDIAN_TOOLTIP"
             ResourceClassType="RESOURCECLASS_CITY"
             Weight="10"
             UnlocksCiv="true"/>
    </Resources>

    <!-- 3. Define yields -->
    <Resource_YieldChanges>
        <Row ResourceType="RESOURCE_OBSIDIAN"
             YieldType="YIELD_PRODUCTION"
             YieldChange="1"/>
    </Resource_YieldChanges>

    <!-- 4. Define valid Ages -->
    <Resource_ValidAges>
        <Row ResourceType="RESOURCE_OBSIDIAN" AgeType="AGE_ANTIQUITY"/>
        <Row ResourceType="RESOURCE_OBSIDIAN" AgeType="AGE_EXPLORATION"/>
    </Resource_ValidAges>

    <!-- 5. Define valid biomes -->
    <Resource_ValidBiomes>
        <Row ResourceType="RESOURCE_OBSIDIAN"
             BiomeType="BIOME_GRASSLAND"
             TerrainType="TERRAIN_HILL"/>
        <Row ResourceType="RESOURCE_OBSIDIAN"
             BiomeType="BIOME_PLAINS"
             TerrainType="TERRAIN_HILL"/>
        <Row ResourceType="RESOURCE_OBSIDIAN"
             BiomeType="BIOME_TROPICAL"
             TerrainType="TERRAIN_HILL"/>
    </Resource_ValidBiomes>
</Database>

Localization

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Database>
    <LocalizedText>
        <Row Tag="LOC_RESOURCE_OBSIDIAN_NAME" Language="en_US">
            <Text>Obsidian</Text>
        </Row>
        <Row Tag="LOC_RESOURCE_OBSIDIAN_TOOLTIP" Language="en_US">
            <Text>Volcanic glass used for tools and weapons.</Text>
        </Row>
    </LocalizedText>
</Database>

Complete Example: Custom Map Size

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Database>
    <!-- Register the type -->
    <Types>
        <Row Type="MAPSIZE_MASSIVE" Kind="KIND_MAPSIZE"/>
    </Types>

    <!-- Define the size -->
    <Maps>
        <Row MapSizeType="MAPSIZE_MASSIVE"
             Name="LOC_MAPSIZE_MASSIVE_NAME"
             Description="LOC_MAPSIZE_MASSIVE_DESCRIPTION"
             DefaultPlayers="14"
             PlayersLandmass1="8"
             PlayersLandmass2="6"
             GridWidth="120"
             GridHeight="76"
             NumNaturalWonders="9"
             OceanWidth="10"
             LakeSizeCutoff="12"
             LakeGenerationFrequency="25"
             Continents="8"
             StartSectorRows="5"
             StartSectorCols="4"/>
    </Maps>

    <!-- Add to domains -->
    <MapSizes>
        <Row Domain="StandardMapSizes"
             MapSizeType="MAPSIZE_MASSIVE"
             Name="LOC_MAPSIZE_MASSIVE_NAME"
             Description="LOC_MAPSIZE_MASSIVE_DESCRIPTION"
             MinPlayers="2"
             MaxPlayers="14"
             MaxHumans="12"
             DefaultPlayers="14"
             SortIndex="70"/>
    </MapSizes>
</Database>

Resources by Age

Antiquity Age Resources

Resource Class Yield
Cotton Bonus +1 Gold
Dates Bonus +1 Food
Fish Bonus +1 Food
Gold Empire +1 Gold
Gypsum City +1 Science
Horses Empire +1 Production
Iron Empire +1 Production
Ivory Empire +1 Culture
Jade City +1 Culture
Marble Empire +1 Culture
Pearls City +1 Gold
Silk City +1 Culture
Silver Empire +1 Gold
Wine Empire +1 Happiness

Exploration Age Resources

Resource Class Yield
Cocoa Empire +1 Gold
Furs Empire +1 Gold
Niter Empire +1 Production
Spices Empire +1 Gold
Sugar Empire +1 Food
Tea Empire +1 Science
Truffles City +1 Gold

Modern Age Resources

Resource Class Yield
Coal Empire +1 Production
Coffee Bonus +1 Science
Citrus Bonus +1 Food
Oil Empire +1 Production
Rubber Empire +1 Production
Tobacco Bonus +1 Gold

Best Practices

  1. Balance Spawn Weights - Higher weight = more common spawning
  2. Use Staple Resources - Mark essential resources with Staple="true"
  3. Hemisphere Diversity - Use HemisphereUnique for trade opportunities
  4. Biome Consistency - Place resources in thematically appropriate biomes
  5. Age Progression - Introduce new resources each Age
  6. Leader Requirements - Ensure leaders have access to needed resources
  7. Map Size Scaling - Adjust resource amounts for different map sizes

Related Documentation

Navigation

Home Cross-Reference Index

Getting Started

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Database Reference

Units & Combat

Religion

Independents

Diplomacy

Technology & Civics

Victory Conditions

Legacy Paths

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JavaScript API

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Technical Reference

Tutorials

Examples

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