The StarCraft Map Development User Uberlist. Compiled by Poeir(with special thanks to
RobertB, ScottM, Weblar and Lord_Toady!), so some may be inaccurate due to faulty memory or
guesses. Guesses are clearly marked. If any of these are incorrect, please reply and fix them.
These take all the recent questions asked on the SCM Development Forum and answer them, so I
don't have to waste my posts. ;) Some questions are from other places, these are marked with an
asterisk(*) Most non-StarEdit questions have been removed. Oldest questions first.
By the way, I do know what I'm talking about as much as a non-beta tester could(not bragging
just removing worry). I have talked with AlenL many times regarding my upcoming campaign,
and thus have got similar answers from AlenL.
There is actually already a system "in play" for naming maps, it goes like this:
"(#ofplayers)mapname", so that all the numbers of players are in one spot. So if I were to create
"mycampaign.scm" I'd name it "(3)mycampaign.scm" instead. It has also been requested you put
your name somewhere. (I have a mission briefing of just credits where the next missions victory
condition is "Elasped time is 0 or more seconds".)
ScottM elaborates on Blizzard's technique, though I'm not entirely certain what happens with the
second part:
A few of the scenarios that we included have a trigger that never happens that only affects the
force "Designer's Notes" :)
If people create their own scenarios with really wacky triggers, this might not be a bad idea.
---------------------------------------------------------------
I've decided to keep the old questions around so that newbies can get up to par. Every 25
questions I'll post a new Uberlist, so this time go to 51, next time to 76. New messages at the top
are divided by lines.
You may be wondering about the "NSE". This stands for Non-StarEdit. It is a question that has
to do with StarCraft, but not StarEdit, and is worthy of answering.
Special thanks to RobertB, ScottM, Weblar and EEKman for providing further information.
Weblar corrected my first Uberlist, and I re-viewed EEKman's videos for further information.
Too bad the Beta's over though. Now I can't ask AlenL, but ScottM was real helpful with a lot of
things. Thanks Scott! These are noted.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Usually the questions most in need of correction are the last twenty-five. Therefore, there's no
absolutes on these, consider them all guesses. Unfortunately, I was really tired when I was
writing this, and I think I missed some people's questions. If they're not answered here, either I
don't know, or I missed it. Please post it again, thanks in advance.
I'm finally going to use ICQ to help with the Uberlists, there's even fewer posts anymore, and with
only 2/2hrs, it pays to budget them. ICQ UIN 9211372, only StarEdit questions please, and I
don't let people I don't know put me on their contact list, sorry. I just hate Spam of all types.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Now I get some help from RobertB, who answers the questions as well know. Thanks Robert!
Wow, Station 17 sent a link to me. Thanks people!
Well, with StarCraft in Gold I think this will be the last StarCraft Map Development User
Uberlist. Soon each person will be able to experiment for themselves. This is better because then
you find out exactly what's possible, and what's not.
---------------------------------------------------------------
1. How many tilesets are there in StarCraft?
There are five. They are Ash World, Jungle, Badlands, Space Platform, Installation.
Ash World: I'd imagine a volcano must've REALLY exploded here. Ashes cover all. Best guess,
actually.
Jungle: Aiur is a jungle world. Expect Amazon-style.
Badlands: Zerg homeworld, I suppose. Desert, brush. Real nasty.
Installation: If you ever played WarCraft, these are like the Dungeon maps. You can't build, just
fight.
Space: A space station style thing. Metal is your building ground, and some of the more
interesting Doodads are here. I think Installation has the MOST interesting Doodads
though(traps and such).
2. What are "Doodads"?
Doodads are features in the terrain. "Bob's Guns" is an example of this. The satellite dish
and crashed BattleCruiser are also examples. You can not build on most Doodads, from what I've
heard.
3. Why can't I reply to messages?
As of this writing, you can not reply to messages in the SCM Development Forum. This may be
fixed by the time I post this. Needless to say, Blizzard is a very busy company. This is probably a
bug that will be fixed in the near future(perhaps by the time I post this).
Okay, it was fixed, however this is put here because it was a question asked on SCM
Development, for record keeping purposes.
4. Can the Beta Testers still make maps?
Yes. Battle.net did not send a patch disabling this feature.
5. What does "SCM" stand for?
SCM stands for StarCraft Map, though I have also heard SCUM. (Assuming the next question is
correct, SCUM could be StarCraft Unit Map...)
6. What did "PUD" stand for in WarCraft II?
Best guess, Planned Unit Development. In more ways than one, I might add! The reasoning
behind this is that plotting land for development is called a "Planned Unit Development".
7. I'm new, does this work?
Yes, it does.
8. Can you have branching campaigns?*
Yes, you can. Actually, I'm planning on using this in my campaign. (Shameless plug) The
method of doing so is having one trigger go to one SCM, and another go to a different SCM.
9. In the Installation missions, can you create traps?
Yes. A machine gun, missile rack and flamethrower are both available. You place them by
selecting them and placing. Simple! (Thanks Weblar!)
10. Is there a special trick for making maps more "orderly"?
I don't know. I haven't seen anything on EEKman's videos, or heard anything of it. Perhaps
Blizzard just kept making the same sections.
11. Using triggers, is it possible to make an "If-then" statement that reads along the lines of
"If _________ then _________" with the first blank reading as a hero, and the second reading
"Create unit x, y, and z"?
Triggers are marvelous utilities. Yes, this is possible.
12. How many missions can a campaign have?
I have heard a maximum of forty.
13. How many branches to each mission can there be?
I have heard (from AlenL) that you can only have 40 missions, maximum. This includes branches.
14. Is it possible to change a heroes character/portriat?*
No, it isn't. (ScottM)
15. How many extra WAVE files can there be?*
I don't think there is a limit, but let's keep it reasonable people!
ScottM adds:
Note that adding in a large number of sound files will increase the size of the .SCM file. There are
compacting options, though.
16. Is it possible to not have enemy units kill a certain unit on another side, but still damage it?*
(Expanding the question) This person wants the unit to be able to be DAMAGED but not
KILLED. I don't know, any help? Best guess below.
Only through the usage of VERY complex triggers. Along the lines of "If Unit has 1% Hit
Points, then add 1 Hit Point". You'll also need a "disable trigger" sort of tag, for every "square"
on the map. Make no mistake, it's going to be difficult!
ScottM corrects with an essential "no":
There aren't conditions like that, and also no actions for giving upgrades, or changing the hit point
status of a unit. In other words, I don't think you can do what you wish.
You can place units on the map that are previously damaged, though.
17. Is it possible to import custom sounds?*
Yes and no. You can use these for triggers, and assuming StarEdit is similar to the WarCraft II
Editor, mess with units that already exist sounds. However, I know for certain that custom
heroes can not be given custom sounds.
ScottM comes to aid yet again(Any ideas why so? Vulgarity?):
The Starcraft retail release will not have a sound editor for the unit sounds like Warcraft 2's.
18. Is it possible to alter one unit's stats, without that unit being a hero, but leaving the other
units of that kind untouched of any or all players?*
By having them be different colors and using triggers(effectively making them rescuable, along
with the effect described here) that give all of that type of unit the desireable effect(or
undesireable, from the player's point of view!) However, Lord_Toady states that it may be
impossible. Don't lose hope.
Sorry, but ScottM reports:
Not really. Like Poeir suggested, you could have the "special" unit be another player's marine
that you rescue. But each player's marines have to be all the same.
Guess not.
19. Is it possible to alter the speed of a unit?*
No, unfortunately.
20. Is it possible to create triggers that only affect a certain area?*
Yes. This prevents problems with larger maps, and other such things.
Weblar's addition:
Basically, you can set up "locations" and have triggers only work inside certain locations.
Locations are drawn quite easily (but are unfortunately, only rectangular... but that isn't too bad).
You can set any location to be effective high, mid, low, high air, low air, mid air, or any
combination of these. Don't be confused by the air ones. These mean the location is active for air
over high terrain, air over midlevel terrain, and air over low terrain. So, if you had this hill that
was, say, diamond shaped, and a square region around it, set the region to high air and high
ground, and only things on that hill count, even though the region appears to cover the area
around the hill, too (sorry if that was confusing. That was how Blizzard made the King of the Hill
map work correctly.)
21. Will you be able to directly edit the flags and things in Starcraft using a programming
language and if so what will be it's format and will how to use it be explained in the manual?
No.
22. What is StarEdit developed in?
Okay, I went to the job descriptions to get this(did you know Blizzard programmers are required
to be able to stay up for long hours? True!), and am assuming the same language is used. The
programmers use C/C++, assembly language, and Win32.
23. What is the purpose of this forum?
For people to find out what is (not) possible for their upcoming maps. Do some great work
people, I can't wait to see these! Actually, I'd appreciate if ALL the SCMs you made you'd
forward to me... My E-mail is poeir@oocities.com
ScottM says that Blizzard's goal with this forum is:
Ideally we hope that the map development community can help themselves out and exchange
information about how to do really cool things.
24. Can one player controll 2 or more races at one time?*
By using triggers, this would be possible. For example "If Probe OR SCV OR Drone enters
Area-51 then Ghost comes under control." Or you could use Probe/SCV/Drone.
Weblar adds:
Or... you simply create a unit, and assign it to a certain player. You could create a
Probe/SCV/Drone for each player, and simply click on the properties, and set them to be
controlled by player X. They will be player X's color.
ScottM gives help:
While you can't start a player with units that aren't part of their original race, using the Create
Unit action you can give a player whatever units you'd like. You can also make another player's
units rescuable, and have them be a different race.
25. The Siege Tank can go into Siege Mode, and the Mutalisk into Guardian. Can you do this
with other units?
Here we go with triggers! You need to have something like "If {Unit} moves to {Area-4} then
activate {Area-5}" and then "{Area-5} teleport units to {Area-5}"(Siege Tank) keeping them
there. Then you'd have to have another trigger to disable it though. For the Guardian scenario,
you'd have to have the first trigger, then "If {Unit} moves to {Area-5} then {add number}".
Tricky, but possible.
Scott says:
I don't think this was what he meant. There aren't really other units that "transform".
Further addition:
You can't have triggers that disable or enable the Siege Mode upgrade, but even without the
upgrade you can place Tanks in Siege Mode. Without the upgrade, they couldn't change back into
a normal tank. That might let you do what you want.
However, my attempt was to hold that unit there(Siege Tank) with no real transformation, or just
change the stats. However, due to the answer of another question, I don't think so, unless
globally, or as a hero.
26. What are scenarios and campaigns?
Scenarios are missions where the objective is defined by the creator(usually the mission is "Kill all
buildings of the enemies", always in ladder games). Campaigns are strings of missions, usually
telling a story.
27a. Will there be any upgrades that Blizzard will offer for StarEdit?
I highly doubt it.
27b. If Blizzard does have plans, what type of upgrades would they be?
Blizzard has done such excellent work with the triggers that there shouldn't be need for one.
However, the triggers are not meant for every situation. Some things just aren't possible yet.
28. Can you place Marines in Bunkers to start off with?
Apparantly not.
ScottM smiles:
No, but there is a handy AI script that basically can tell marines at a location to jump in the
nearest bunker. :)
29. Can you have a Nuke already in the Silo?
It doesn't look like it.
30. How many hero units are there?
Theoretically, and infinite number. It appears only about eight Blizzard make(that are unique).
However, there is one for each unit.
ScottM continues:
There's a hero unit for every "normal" unit, excepting workers.
31. How many hero units can you make?
Not really sure what you mean, but theoretically, infinite. With a difference of 1 and the
usage of triggers, there's no telling what people will come up with! However, only one hero unit
of each type can be placed on a map. (No 3 different Marine units)
32. I heard that you can have "Doodad" doors that can be opened. How?
Apparantly you use a trigger to open/close the door. It either makes it disappear or reappear
as appropriate. Or just appear! However, this must be an Installation map.
33. Is there a way to simulate an orbital nuclear bombardment?
ScottM corrects with:
There isn't a trigger to do X damage to units in a location.
However, it seems you can kill all units at a location instead.
34. Can you teleport units to the battlefield? Can you add an explosion?
You can Create Unit at Location. To add an explosion you may want to also bring in some
buildings/mechanical units(assuming they explode) then destroy all units of that type within a
nearby area (also encasing the Creaet Unit trigger).
35. Is it possible to create following situation: First you only see a lonely ghost called Scout or
so. Suddenly around him there are landing about 20 Dropships. A wave file plays (i think of
Starship troopers anyway) and marines are running out of the dropships.Then the dropships fly
away and now you can control those marines,but not the dropships. The mission against the zerg
invasion starts. (Sounds cool,doesn't it?)
You'll probably need these triggers: Create 20 DROPSHIP at Location and Create 80
MARINES at Location and Play Sound at Location. Not so sure about the dropships, you'd
probably be better off just adding "and Destroy ALL DROPSHIP at Location" or something
along those lines.
36. How wide are those ramps?
It seems that ramps can be made over and over in order to make them just about any width.
Unfortunately, you must leave a space between them.
37. With the StarCraft editor, will it be possible to use movie clips from the game in your
campaign?
ScottM states that I was correct in my original guess, no. Sorry, you'll actually have to play the
Single Player Campaign to see them!
38. Will the creator of a campaign be able to record his voice for the mission briefing screen?
Yes. If you can get someone else to (for other missions) it sounds GREAT! Thanks Pez,
Enigma, Dragoneyes, Sephroth, and anybody I went and forgot...
39. Approximately how much disk space would a 10 mission campaign take up, without the
creator's voice used for the mission briefing screen?
Less than one meg.
40. Exactly what will happen if a player attempts to enter a game using a map he/she does not
have?
StarCraft will automatically download, telling of the current progress.
41. Can a player enter a game already in progress? (not including ladder games)
No.
42. Can you create custom MODs?
Yes. This is the Trigger System that I hail so often.
43. Does anyone know if Blizzard is going to have downloadable .SCM's or campaigns on its
website?
Probably not. With all the campaigns and other SCMs floating around the Internet, along with
the Blizzard packaged one, there should be no need to.
44. I keep hearing of these maps that use triggers, like "Zergling Round Up", "King of the Hill",
"Steal the Bacon", "Hockey", and "Race of Death". What are they?
Zergling Round Up is a contest to see who can get the most Zerglings in their pen.
King of the Hill is a contest to see who can have the most units on top of the hill. (I think)
Steal the Bacon is like a Capture the Flag game. About 5 minutes in, the "bacon" appears in the
middle of the map. First to five wins.
"Hockey" is made by Weblar, an Explorer Science Vessel is the puck, Dragoons are the goalies,
and Marines the players. Incorrect, or correct?
"Race of Death" races Vultures, the fastest unit. They can supposedly go up to 230 miles per
hour(would someone mind converting this to kilometers for the non-Americans who use a base 10
system?). SCVs are in the pit stop.
45. Can you create resources and troops with the triggers?
I know about troops(yes). It's appears resources can be created(Lord_Toady).
ScottM adds:
Yes, you can both set, add, and subtract resources from a player.
46. What different things can cause a trigger to activate?
Pretty near anything. Bringing a Unit to an Area, after a certain amount of time(several of the
campaign missions use this) activating it, getting a certain amount of resources, killing a certain
unit, killing a certain number of units, or getting a certain number of units are all possible.
ScottM's grinning again, here's what he says:
Well, maybe not ANYthing :)
There's a list of these in the Starcraft Help file. We'd suggest any potential mapmaker take a
GOOD look at this, especially if dealing with triggers.
47. When StarCraft comes out, will we be able to post our maps on battle.net?
Probably not, because Battle.net tends to be just forums, and plenty of sites will offer maps.
Also, Battle.net will automatically transfer maps between players in a game.
48. Can you remove the ability to have unit upgrades?
Yes, and you can quote me on that! ;)
49. Is there a trigger for specific player entered text? What about the diplomacy board?
Scott confirms with a no for each.
50. Can triggers repeat their actions as long as they are activated?
Yes, though another trigger action must be used. It's called "preserve trigger".
51. Is it possible to have a unit start off with specified upgrades?
Yes, it is.
52. Is it possible to target a nuclear missile in an Installation missile, even though there is no
missile silo?
Yes, but only by simulation.
ScottM adds:
You could kill everything in an area, but not do X damage.
53. Is it possible to set a certain number of specific units from multiple races to be in a specific
area within a certain amount of time or you loose the scenario?
ScottM strikes again:
Remember, each trigger can have multiple conditions. You would probably only need 1 trigger for
that.
54. Is it possible to set pre burroughed zerg units on a map?
Yes.
55. Could you set zerg burrowed units not to attack until enemy units cross over a certain area?
(i.e.: 5 Marines go attack a town, but they are overwhelmed and try to retreat only to find that
their exit is cut off?
Hmm, I think that if they were there when the marines came in they would attack. However, you
could use a trigger to place the buried Zergs after the Marines have passed by [evil grin >](or
maybe one of these mythical AI scripts could achieve this, though I don't think that's what they
are for, Blizzard, what is an AI script?)
(This entire answer copied from Lord_Toady's post, with corrections more my style. I don't
know, better leave it to the "experts".)
ScottM says:
The AI scripts are pretty general. There are basic scripts for each race, with the differences being
how far up the techtree they go. There are also some scripts where you can tell everything to go
on attacks. Mapmakers who use these will have to get a feel for what they do, but the help file
that will ships with the retail has some tips for their use.
56. Can you give units abilities they don't normally have?
No.
57. Do the heroes look the exact same as the unit of their type or are they unique?
Some look the same, some don't. The units made by players always look the same(I think).
58. Is it possible to allow a unit-producing structure to make heroes?
No.
59. Could I make a trigger so that if an effect were cast, the trigger would be activated?
ScottM helped with:
Nope, there's not a condition like that.
60. Could I create a spell using the same graphics as one of the other spells but giving a different
effect,or could I just make no graphics and an effect?
No.
61. So how do triggers actually get placed into the map? Do you need to program a script file or
do you have a whole list of options that the trigger initiates?
You have a list. First you select the area(always rectangular), then select it's effect. These are
the "If-then" statements I refer to. The Editor appears easy to use, so when we finally get our
hands on it we should be able to figure it out. ;)
62. I heard there aren't powerups that players can pick, but can you simulate them?
Yes. You make a trigger that increases a stat. You can use multiple triggers to make it be
fulfilled only under certain conditions.
ScottM:
There isn't an action that increases the upgrade status of a unit.
However, I don't think this is quite what that person meant, and my style of answering it was in a
different manner. Thanks Scott.
63. Can you set a trigger along the lines of "If X unit gets Y kills then + Z armor" or whatever?
I believe it's only overall.
64. Can you have say 3 computer units appear in a map every 5 minutes?
Yes. Or any other number and amount of time.
65. What are "AI Scripts"?
AI Scripts are basically "orders" you give the AI. So if you wanted the AI to scout, then
attack, you'd tell it to move all over the map, then attack the town. It can also be used for other
things.
ScottM:
The AI scripts aren't that specific.
Okay, but what if after the unit finished that you destroyed it, then brought the exact same unit in
and had it do something else?
66. Can you force units to do what you want without the player being able to do anything about
it?
I would imagine an AI script may be possible, but don't quote me on that(guess).
67. Can you put buildings in Installation missions?
No.
68. Can you force an alliance with a cpu player in StarEdit?
No, but I think there is a trigger to make units rescuable.
69. How much hard disk space does a map take?
Less than 100K. If you add too many sounds though, it can get much larger.
70. Can you create and use your own pictures and movies in campaigns?
I'm going to let Lord_Toady have this one...
...you can use the little portraits (the ones provided for existing units, yes even hero-units) within
your own maps/campaigns. e.g. you could have a mission briefing where a marine portrait appears
and explains your mission (you can play a wav file and/or display text on screen), then the face of
a hero unit appears in the window and adds some extra advice/comments. A trigger can also be
used to 'force' a talking portrait to appear during the game. eg. your troops have just finished
taking out the zerg secondary base, a firebat portrait appears in the window and says "Target
destroyed commander. What now?"
ScottM says:
No, you can't import any graphics into the game at all.
71. What types of AI (scripts) are there?
ScottM:
The complete list is in the retail help file, along with descriptions of what they do.
Looks like we're not going to find out until then. Ah, well. Perhaps there are just too many? :)
72. Can you place Vulture Mines in StarEdit?*
Yes.
73. What about traps? Can only certain colors trigger them?*
Yes, the player that owns them is not affected.
74. Would it be possible to use triggers to simulate ground-attack only units damaging air units?*
No.
75. Can you increase/decrease an Arbiter's cloaking range in the map editor? What about for
heroes?*
No, you can't. (ScottM)
76. Can you click and drag to create higher/lower levels?*
Yes. It's a feature of the editor.
78. Are trees placed one at a time, or are they click-and-drag?*
Either way, take your pick.
79. Can you adjust the initial gas limit for a geyser?*
Yes.
80. Are crystals single placement or click-and-drag?*
Your choice, either way.
81. How do you place ramps?*
They're Doodads.
82. Is there anyway to permanently "initial" a map, so everyone knows it was mine?
Yes, I think. You could write it in trees/doodads, or do what I'm doing. I have a "credits
mission". See above.
83. Are maps automatically overwritten?
Yes. Make a back-up folder to prevent this.
84. Can the beta maps be used when StarCraft goes gold or will the beta maps be obsolete?
To use the Beta maps, load them into the retail editor, then save them again. They will now be
usable.
85. If I make a trigger with the condition being "Always" and the action being "Show leaderboard
for most kills", will a leaderboard for kills be displayed?
I THINK so, don't know.
86. How often is each trigger checked by the game engine?
From what I understand, very often. Milliseconds between I think. We'll have to see yet,
won't we?
87. Is each trigger checked and it's actions executed sequentially or does each trigger have it's
own program thread?
They each have their own program thread.
88. When the trigger condition calls for a unit to be brought to a location does the unit have to be
entirely in that location? If the location was thin is it possible the unit could pass through without
triggering the condition?
Yes on both accounts.
89. Is there a maximum number of locations? Switches? Triggers? actions to a trigger? Is the
game designed to handle the maximum trigger load without slowing down?
Maximum of 32.
90. If a trigger pauses a game... will other conditions like wav playing unit creation, destruction,
movement, still execute?
I don't think there is a trigger to pause the game.
91. Are there switches that can apply separately to each player or are all switches and countdown
timers global?
They are all global.
92. Are there actions to give a simple order to units, ie move (actually walk) to location, stand
ground, patrol to location, attack move? burrow? unburrow? cloak?
I believe these are the AI Scripts.
93. Can we write AI scripts?
No.
94. Would program execution be seriously affected (speed-wise) by a trigger set to "always" and
"Preserve trigger". I've got a few ideas. What about 5 triggers set like that?
We all have a few ideas... ;) Blizzard tends to know what they're doing, and it looks so.
95. Do triggers function in a multiplayer map playing melee, not set to "use map settings"?
No.
96. If a map is changed and a player joins a game created by a person using an unaltered map,
what happens?
I'd imagine the altered map will be changed back.
97. How big are the map files?
eht:
64x64 maps are about 35k, not too many of these, unless islands or theme maps
96x96 run around 50k
128x128 run about 75k
192x192 run just about at 100k, not too many of those those.
256x256 maps run about 200k, not too many of those either.
98. What's a trigger?
A trigger is an effect on the map. You place them by clicking and dragging.
99. Can you make critters? Can you place critters on your side?
Yes, and no, respectively.
100. (Another question from me to me) What are all the hero(ine) units?
I know there's Lieutenant<sp?> Kerrigan, and infested Kerrigan, but that's it. There are more,
but what?
That should be the last issue. StarCraft will be coming out soon, but if there are enough questions then Volume 2 will begin.