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Mapmaking
From StarCraftWiki
The series of real-time strategy (RTS) games released by Blizzard Entertainment, including both Warcraft and StarCraft, were released with tools that allow users to create custom content by designing their own modular levels or 'maps'. Mapmaking is the art of using these tools (as well as other third-party software) to edit or create new map files. Because of the exceptional level of flexibility of the underlying engines of these games, and the ever expanding power of the map-editing tools, user-created content often ranges greatly from the original gameplay. Mapmaking spans from simple expansions of the original gameplay by designing new RTS melee maps to creating entirely new styles of gameplay with custom units, models, skins, and abilities.
[edit] Background
Mapmaking in Blizzard games started with WarCraft II. Users were given the ability to edit units and sounds to create very basic custom maps (called PUDs), which became very popular and started up the mapmaking "culture".
When Blizzard released StarCraft, mapmaking was taken to a whole new level. The new editor tools were more complex and users began to create maps with gameplay that was nothing like the original game. "SCUMS" (StarCraft Use Map Settings) maps circulated, and player were amazed by how different the custom maps actually were.
A transition similar occurred when WarCraft III was released, with a substantially improved editor with many more advanced features. The custom maps being created became even more advanced, including custom skins, custom models, and highly technical programming that included allowing mapmakers to access the underlying code (JASS) and even modify the editor. The editor also included tools to create in-game cinematics, and some mapmakers focused on this aspect exclusively.
The StarCraft II map editor is expected to have even more advanced mapmaking tools, including a cinematics editor that allows mapmakers to create film-like cutscenes, powerful unit and ability editing tools, and the capacity to, once again, create content that is completely different than the standard RTS melee gameplay.
[edit] Making Maps
When creating maps for WarCraft III or StarCraft II there are seven basic ways to divide the subject:
| Mapmaking Navigation [e] | |
|---|---|
| Basics: | Terrain | Triggers | Cameras | Variables | Object Editor | Mods | Campaign Editor | StarCraft II Map Editor | WarCraft III World Editor | Tilesets | Use Map Settings | Locations | Map | Doodad | StarCraftWire Map Database |
| Advanced: | Hyper Triggers |
