Planning a Scenario

[Brad]

I have played around with the scenario editor for many years, but by far I am no expert. I am seeking guidance from decent scenario designers out there.

One of my biggest obstacles is the map and getting the AI to behave correctly. I've seen scenarios where the map is not of the correct sizes (Small, medium, large, etc). The maps look very impressive regardless! I wondered do they mostly use elevation data to perform such fantastic results, or perhaps they have their own random map scripts?

Forgetting triggers. If you were to make a scenario, what would you do to create a map? A blank map and designing it yourself? A random generated map? Elevation data? Is there a way to draw an image and import that data into the game as a map?

I have noticed the AI performs poorly on designed blank maps where as it seems to behave on random generated maps.

Any suggestions?

[tek]

I always do maps from scratch and build it piece by piece. I build my map and then map the actual units and triggers over the map. I don't believe I've ever designed a full map and then the rest. You leave yourself a lot more room for design options if you go piece by piece

Never use hill elevations - it has the potential of wrecking all nearby cliffs, elevations etc. Always use cliff elevations and then use cliff paths to design hills

Good luck!

[Shieldwolf]

I agree with Tek, although over the years I have used a few of the combinations of the below:

1. Use an elevation map, and populate the areas you want to use. This is actually hard to pull off now since the old tutorials are not that useful anymore.

2. Get a picture of a geographic location, preferably the ones with contours and elevation colors. Make a grid and then use barbwire in the editor to simulate those grids. Proceed to use cliffs, as per Tek's advice.

3. If your focus is just on gameplay, you can play a skirmish game. Save the file, and load it in the editor. Change the map as per your use. The AI is almost always more active there.

As for triggers, you'd want to control the AI via the AI attributes. Don't leave the check boxes checked. A very sureway thing to do is to spawn enemies via UNIT Variables, and task-object them against P1 buildings, randomly. This means the spawning enemies will attack your buildings, regardless of where they are. This will simulate an AI attacking the player.

I suggest you go and play around with the above settings.

EDIT:

Let us know if you need specific examples.

[tek]

Even now - I learn things from you, Shield!

[Shieldwolf]

Hahahaha same here. I'll try to have all my mountain maps via cliffs. Should have done that a long time back and avoid all the headaches from ruined hills!

[Brad]

So you guys pretty much make a Blank map of a specif size and design it all from scratch? My beaches and coast lines for instance never turn out correct, appear more blocky along the water edge. I have been really struggling getting my maps to look realistic, like realistic looking rivers. Perhaps elevation data would be better for me.

[tek]

Yeah man thats all I've got for you.
You get better at it the more you do it

[Shieldwolf]

Jul 12, 2022 13:06:03 GMT Brad said:

So you guys pretty much make a Blank map of a specif size and design it all from scratch? My beaches and coast lines for instance never turn out correct, appear more blocky along the water edge. I have been really struggling getting my maps to look realistic, like realistic looking rivers. Perhaps elevation data would be better for me.

If you can pull it off, then yes. However, realistic rivers can be achieved both ways. See the rivers of either tek here in his latest campaign, or the rivers of Soty in the US campaign. Those are quite realistic, in my opinion. My advice is to practice, practice, practice.

[Brad]

Jul 13, 2022 0:38:12 GMT tek said:

Yeah man thats all I've got for you.
You get better at it the more you do it

Thanks guys. I think my obstacle is having ideas of possible decent scenarios, but not being able to execute them. :/ Perhaps elevation, if could get it implemented correctly, would be a better route for me.

[Hitjuich]

I first see your post now. I have answered you on EEH already. I only use blank maps. My main point that have not already been said is that you should try to start with making smaller maps. The larger the map the more difficult it is to make and more the proportions right. I think it is okay if the dimensions are a bit off. It is more important that it is fun to play in my opinion. I am on the pro hills side, but do whatever you think it best.