by Felix Hermansson, Tsunami Studios (hoodncloak@hotmail.com)
18 December 2005
This random map script is based on the original 'New England' random map by Ensemble Studios, and inspired by the 'Texas Winter' map by M0nTy_PyTh0n.
To install the map, copy both files 'Winter in New England.xml' and 'Winter in New England.xs' into the game folder '..\My Games\Age of Empires 3\RM' (NOT into '..\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires III\RM'!).
You can then play it both in single player or multiplayer mode by checking the 'Custom Map' box on the map selection screen and then selecting it from the pulldown menu.
There are a number of differences between this map and to original 'New England' map. Most importantly, the lakes have frozen over, and the fences are covered with snow. So most choke points are gone! It has become harder to defend because the attacker has more space to maneuver and to outflank static defenses.
I would appreciate any honest feedback, good or bad. Please tell me what you liked, what you disliked, and especially, tell me why. If you have any ideas on how to improve it, all the better.
I would appreciate it even more if you did not modify this script without contacting me first.
Please send any comments or questions by e-mail to hoodncloak@hotmail.com. Oh, and add 'Age of Empires' to the subject and use proper language, otherwise your message will probably be deleted by the spam filter.
Have fun!
Felix
UPDATE, March 11 2006:
As patch 1.05 has become available I have updated this script to include a tooltip description for the map selection screen as well as a proper description for the game loading screen.