AOE3 Random Map Scripting Tutorial

[M0nTy_PyTh0n]

AOE3 Random Map Scripting Tutorial

Contents:

• It will give answers to the most asked questions about custom maps, posted in popular forums.
  
• The tutorial will explain the basics, the first and advanced steps to create your own custom maps.
  
• It will explain how to test your maps using the AOE3 build-in XS Debugger.
  
• It is the HUGEST but fast loading map tutorial the Age Community has ever seen on a single page!
  
• and, and, and ...
  

READ IT HERE!
(temporarily posted here)

Here are some "eye-candies" of the tutorial:

<sub>The XML Features:

The XS Debugger:</sub>

The tutorial is still a bit under construction, but, til you have read all it will be finished. Feel free to post comments and suggestions here.

Current replies from ES official forum at "www.agecommunity.com":

"That looks like a great read M0nTy, well done."

I also want to post some FAQ's here - concerning scenarios and random map scripting (also included in the tutorial):
FAQ's:

Q: Why can I not play my custom scenarios in skirmish mode?
A: Only random maps can be played in skirmish mode.

Q: How do I convert my scenario into a random map/skirmish map?
A: You can't. A scenario is a map with a fixed size, player number, terrain, buildings, etc.
A random map/skirmish map will be generated new each time it gets started,
and with the random commands you will learn to create in the tutorial posted in the topic.

Q: Can I play my custom scenarios online?
A: Not yet. You will have to wait for a game patch with a version higher than 1.02 .

Q: Can I play my custom random maps online?
A: Yes.

Q: I joined a custom random map online. Can I host this map now?
A: Yes. When you join a game with a custom map online, the map will be automatically transfered onto your computer. In the game hosting menu you press the "Custom Maps" button on the upper right screen and the custom maps will appear for selection.

Q: I played a custom random map online. Where do I find the map files on my computer?
A: You will find the custom random maps in your windows profile directory. This is usually
"C:\...\My Documents\My Games\Age of Empires 3\RM\".
Each map consists of 2 files (*.xs and *.xml) - more informations in the tutorial above.

Q: I am new to RMS. How long does it take to make my first own RMS?
A: Long! You will need several hours to be able to correctly modify an already existing map, and a few weeks to create you very own random map from scratch. But, modifying maps makes MUCH fun and will enormously help you learning the commands.

Q: Why is there no RMS Editor for AOE3?
A: First of all, Ensemble Studios - the developers of AOE3 - do not support custom maps at all. They never did it in the past with AOE, AOK, AOM, and they will not do it in future. The main reason is: It is just too complicated for the regular players. Furthermore, it makes no sense in creating a drag'n drop menu for RM scripting, since RM's are dynamic/random. So, be happy to have this tutorial here - made by a fan of this game. And, I hope it is also a bit of entertainment for you
...

Regards,
M0nTy_PyTh0n.

[marvin]

Hello, M0nTy_PyTh0n...

I have been following one of your guides for making Texas Winter and now I have construated a map I called Sunny Days and Unrealistic Map. But were shall I put those maps to make them playable like custom maps in skirmish mode? When I put the files into a folder called RM2, I can load them in scenario editor.
I use the war chiefs.

PS. Could you maybe check out your Sticky:Custom Map Tutorial & FAQs [Pages: 1 2 .. 4 5] thread at agecommunity?

[marvin]

PPS. Thank you...

[Private Bob4]

i have one from aoe3 editor is it possible to make it a rms?

[M0nTy_PyTh0n]

Welcome to our forum, bobster123

bobster123 said:

i have one from aoe3 editor is it possible to make it a rms?

"One" from AOE3 editor is called a scenario.

From the topic:
Q: How do I convert my scenario into a random map/skirmish map?
A: You can't. A scenario is a map with a fixed size, player number, terrain, buildings, etc.
A random map/skirmish map will be generated new each time it gets started,
and with the random commands you will learn to create in the tutorial posted in the topic.

[nottud]

You would need to find the bit of the script where it says rmSetAreaWaterType(area name,"*water name*");

change it to

rmSetAreaTerrainType(area name,"ground_ice2_gl");

[kapla121]

I have edited the Caribbean map but the AI will no longer build docks, please help there are no errors according to the debugger i changed it to "Araucania southern coast" for sea type, "Araucania_snow_a" for terrain mix (changed in three places that said "Caribbean grass" changed forest to "Himalayas forest" (i have TAD)
and changed Random tree to "treeRockies" changed lighting to "spc14anight" There shouldn't be anything wrong but it might have some thing to do with the cliffs that come with the southern coast thing.

[M0nTy_PyTh0n]

kapla121 said:

I have edited the Caribbean map but the AI will no longer build docks, please help there are no errors according to the debugger i changed it to "Araucania southern coast" for sea type, "Araucania_snow_a" for terrain mix (changed in three places that said "Caribbean grass" changed forest to "Himalayas forest" (i have TAD)
and changed Random tree to "treeRockies" changed lighting to "spc14anight" There shouldn't be anything wrong but it might have some thing to do with the cliffs that come with the southern coast thing.

Well, you should know that the AI on AOE3 or even AOM is not perfect, even for regular Ensemble Studios (ES) maps. This means, that ES made some maps for certain AIs. Unfortunately, custom maps with sea islands or special trade routes are not supported by the standard AI which is used on ESO2 online. This means a special AI was scripted for such maps. For custom maps such AI is also possible to script - but is a hard work to do it and the AI does not work for online games, since you cannot distribute the AI files on ESO2 - sorry, but I hope these Infos will help to understand.
Regards,
M0nTy_PyTh0n.

[nottud]

Pahaps there could be a way to do it via triggers.

[kapla121]

What would cause this problem cause all i can think of is because i changed the coast. I don't think how the land parts of the map would effect it.
what file is the AI in anyway

[nottud]

In the AI folder isn't it?

[eaglemut]

Hi MOnTy,
I have read your RMS tutorial and everything is clear.

I have only one problem which is major ..
I made special link to debugger as you wrote and Debugger really start when I made "test mistake" in code - it works.

But when Debugger appear, I am not able to find mistake (in case It wasnt "test mistake" ) Simple .. I cant find how to RUN Debugger.

I can push everything but nothing start to run debug.
I see RMS code but cursor is at first line and program dont start dubugging after all I push RUN.

I tried it on 2 computers with same result.

I have bought AOE3 in shop and program is up to date.
I tried more maps, and made test mistakes as removing ")", numbers, parts of code, .. etc but with same result .. debug appear but didnt run.

Could you help me ?

Thanks, Eaglemut

[thelegend445]

same happened to me like i just dont understand

[dalek]

Hello M0nTy

I have just read your great tutorial and I understand most things inside, however when I look inside the ES Maps, I find functions and variables and I don't know what they do.
Do you know if there is anywhere I can find a list of all RMS functions and variables explaining what they all do?

Thanks

[wiraxie]

The website is frozen