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Author |
File Description |
RF_Gandalf |
Posted on 08/12/06 @ 06:58 AM
Mountain Pass
A random map script for AOE3
by RF_Gandalf
Mountain Pass is a new random map for Single-player or Multiplayer use. Several people had asked me to re-create the AOM map Jotunheim for AOE3, so here is a map that plays like that old standard. Of course walls will not last as long in this game with the various siege options available. This is a map only for 2 team play - FFA play will possibly give you a really screwed up start. Note: I recently released another map, Barrier Ridge, which plays similarly but has a different appearing barrier. Mountain Pass is quite similar except for the appearance of the barrier or mountain range, with slight additions in trade route variation, native placement, and the size and shape are altered slightly.
The map is rectangular, with players starting along the more distant ends of the longer dimension, which is 1.8x the shorter dimension (and size varies, like the standard ES maps, by player number). This map is only slightly larger than the standard ES maps, and smaller than the ES 'large' series. There is a central mountain range which is broken only by a single pass, the only way to gain access to the enemy on the opposite side.
The script includes a variety of randomly chosen terrain patterns possible (10 patterns total), each with fauna, treasures, and decorations to fit the theme. The Native Americans also roughly fit the terrain patterns as well, with some 'artistic license' to give more options for NA combinations. There can be one or two types of natives per map, in varying number and location. There are always at least 2 NA villages, but there can be as many as 6 on a 2-player map or 12 on an 8 player map, partly depending on player number and partly on the pattern randomly selected. The NA villages can be placed one or two per player or at certain places along a map axis or per side of the map. This gives a great variety in possible map play and strategies. The native villages are placed roughly symmetrically for the purpose of fairness in gameplay.
There is always one Trade Route on each side of the ridge. Trade Routes randomly vary between a few different layouts of routes, each with a few possible patterns of Trade Post placement.
The food resources on each map can vary slightly. There are always a few 'herds' of some type per player - the numbers vary randomly but herds are placed at the same number per player, and types will vary per map theme. Most of the maps have sheep, cows or llamas (but not in the arctic or jungle). Most of the maps patterns have some berries at the start area (and extra on the tropical map). All maps have 2 silver mines per player near the start area (though the second is just out of the starting screen), with an additional few per player further off. Occasionally some of the distant mines will be gold mines rather than silver mines, which provide much more coin. Forests are placed fairly and all players have a few small clumps of trees near the start area to be sure initial wood access is equal.
Treasues or nuggets are placed in increased numbers and are keyed to the map type or pattern - a total of 6 per player per map - 2 of the easy ones nearby, and 4 of increased difficulty further off.
In my testing this map produces extremely fair, balanced maps for 2 team play. Effective play involves scouting the various resources, Native types, Trade Routes, map terrain, and of course, the enemy. On maps with increased numbers of NA villages, the opportunity to use larger numbers of native warriors is a lot of fun. The pass through the mountain range allows for the possibility of a defensive stance, walling off the choke point for at least a little while. Note that while walling is an effective way to block the pass, it looks a little funny as the units cannot walk over the adjacent 'glacier' terrain used to make the impassible barrier.
To play this map, the two files (Mountain Pass.xs and Mountain Pass.xml) must be placed in the folder: My Documents\My Games\Age of Empires 3\RM. Please do not place them in the game's install folder - that will not work. When you start up a skirmish game in Single-player or Multiplayer, use the small blue 'Custom Map' button, which allows you to then select one of the random maps in that My Games folder from the drop-down window. The files will transfer in Multiplayer if your allies or opponents have not downloaded the files. Please do not edit the files or you will have compatability problems in Multiplayer.
Special thanks to Felix Hermansson for demonstrating in his King of the Valley map a technique for making impassable mountains which I have expanded on in this map.
Enjoy!
Feedback appreciated! |
Pages: [1] 2 » Last » | Author | Comments & Reviews ( All | Comments Only | Reviews Only ) |
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Mario Great |
Posted on 08/12/06 @ 11:18 AM
Where are you creating this rms maps?
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RF_Gandalf
File Author |
Posted on 08/12/06 @ 01:07 PM
What did you mean - 'where'?
I simply use Wordpad - any text editor will work. |
Roland_der_Riese |
Posted on 08/12/06 @ 01:35 PM
Just wanted to say thanks for all the excellent work you have done. I already loved(still do!) all your AOM maps (especially the jotunheim ones), and I have no doubt that this one is just as great!
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Eliminator |
Posted on 08/13/06 @ 12:08 PM
Rating: 5
(Insert Rating analysis here)
Additional Comments:
A masterpiece in itself - Jontuheim was a popular map and this one will play great for all styles of player - particulalary lategamers.[Edited on 08/15/06 @ 12:16 PM]
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aoe3bill47 |
Posted on 08/13/06 @ 06:55 PM
Rating: 3
Good map to play only on moderate it is a little easy and on hard too hard. Too bad there isn't a setting between moderate and hard. I found this happening in a lot of maps. I beat it on moderate, will try to beat it on hard
Additional Comments:
Should be played on hard level.[Edited on 08/15/06 @ 12:17 PM]
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cwby671 |
Posted on 08/15/06 @ 07:19 AM
Rating: 5
Once again another great map. I like the choke point. The eye candy was cool and resources and treasures well balanced. Great job and look forward to the next one. |
osric |
Posted on 08/20/06 @ 06:08 AM
I've tried all 3 of your maps Gandalf and they are excellent. I especially liked the defensive possibilities in mountain pass and barrier ridge which on 'expert' allow the enemy to be held off long enough to build up equal resources. Are you planning some more maps? |
RF_Gandalf
File Author |
Posted on 08/20/06 @ 06:46 AM
osric - you missed a lot of maps! If you only saw 3 of my maps, you likely did not notice that there are currently 5 pages of maps - look toward the bottom of the Random Map Download page - you will see page numbers to look at the rest. Hope you like the others as well. |
osric |
Posted on 08/20/06 @ 08:54 AM
Thanks..will try them all. |
AN_Nuisance |
Posted on 10/12/06 @ 02:24 AM
Rating: 5
Excellent map...Download this one guys!
Additional Comments:
I played it on hard and beat the comp easily. I liked the map itself...though not usually one for a single chokepoint map...I enjoyed the game play on this one. I played Ports and was able to forward build at the chokepoint with my first TC and walled with towers at that point. From then on it was gravy...just like the others of yours I have played, it was a well put together map! Congrats!
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Pages: [1] 2 » Last » |
HGDL v0.8.2 |
Rating |
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5.0 | Breakdown |
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Playability | 5.0 | Balance | 5.0 | Creativity | 5.0 | Map Design | 5.0 | Detail/Accuracy | 5.0 |
Statistics |
Downloads: | 19,237 |
Favorites: [] | 0 |
Size: | 17.37 KB |
Added: | 08/12/06 |
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