thoughts on eyecandy / animated background

[knorker]

Assuming that the static image background is to be replaced.
The line between menu-game and menu-map is a bit fuzzy: For example camera-movement could be done by either the menu-game or the menu-map and both can be argued for.

possible maps:
Ternion - http://springfiles.com/spring/spring-maps/ternion
hundredsisles - http://springfiles.com/spring/spring-maps/hundredsisles
both are small, have no dependencies, okay optics & same theme as the old "beach picture"

Dynamic background instead of static image only makes sense if something is going to be moving.

Animated battles like in C&C Generals https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkVi9o-hh_Q (first seconds of vid) are ruled out by the requirement of being "neutral." It might also quickly bring bigger file sizes & complexity as more or less a complete mod needs to be inserted into the menu.

Compared to a battle some other things are "cheap to do":
-camera movement
-water (moving waves)
-smoke (geovent, vulcano,...)
-some nature stuff like fishes or birds
-driving civilian cars
-flying stuff is good because it does not require pathing -> faster loading.

In http://youtu.be/YNCj50dmgB8 ( #1 / ) the camera moves & birds fly around with bird sounds.

IIRC the bird model&texture came with a "free/open/whatever" license but I can not find their origins anymore.

This goldfish has been converted to spring and would fit in well on beach maps:
http://www.turbosquid.com/FullPreview/Index.cfm/ID/540356
-->Would its license be good enough to use?

[knorker]

If a map is only needed because it is currently required to start Spring:
SimpleChess
size 2x2
filesize 3.2 KB

http://springfiles.com/spring/spring-maps/simplechess