[mtrovo]

They go into some detail on this talk https://youtu.be/ay2uwtRO3QE?t=712.

What I get from their explanation is that hexagon is a better shape for map grids because they are the most complex shape that can tesselate (the other two are triangles and squares). As they are more close to a circle, distances within a cell are more stable, also computing the distance from a cell center to its neighbours is stable in hexagons as well.

I think the reason hex is not more common is that subdivisions are hard to create compared to triangles or squares. Uber solved this by subdividing in 7 smaller hex and tilting it so they cover the bigger shape with some small overlap.

Also a big problem is distortion, I never thought this would be that huge of a problem but it makes sense. They go into a lot of the details later on the same video.

[Pamar]

Which is why, btw, Hexagons have been used for decades in wargames (and - to a more limited extent, in other types of boardgames).

[twic]

> hexagon is a better shape for map grids because they are the most complex shape that can tesselate

[Penrose tiling intensifies]

[CositaS]

I think it's clear what they meant was not actually 'the most complex shape' but the regular polygon with the most sides that can tessellate.

[gloflo]

Autocomplete of 'most compact'.

[AlchemistCamp]

The Techzing podcast talked about the origin of this several years ago, back when one of the hosts had a critical role in its creation. Good stuff.