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Topic Subject: Scenario Design Links & FAQ
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The Dark Archer
HG Alumnus
posted 11-22-07 05:22 AM ET (US)   




Welcome to the Scenario Design Links & FAQ thread!

After looking though some old thread by Trisolo I realized that we have a lot of interesting little bits of design features that have in a way been forgotten. A lot of ideas where started semi done then left and unfortunately they sunk into the forums to be looked on by interested forumers looking for strange bits of information hidden away in a thread.

It was upon looking at some of these threads myself I thought of the idea to create one sticky post to link to some of the lesser known and used pieces of information and tricks. I hope some of you find a good use for these links and if you have any you'd like added to the list just post with a name for the link and that URL.

In this thread you'll find all kinds of useful things, ranging from articles and tutorials to various programs that will aid you in designing your own custom scenario's. Don't forget to take a look at the Frequently Asked Questions part below in case you are new or would like to know a few answers to questions that are boggling your mind. If you have a question regarding any of the links or articles, post it here and we will help you out.



Siege Workshop Articles/Tutorials

Author

.AI and .PER files		Various

Map Design & Tricks		Various
Map Design & Tricks Various

.CTY files, Walls and Towers		Various

Language DLLs		The Dark Archer
Data & Graphics Various

Articles/Tutorials

Author

GenieWiki		DiGiT/Various

Custom Map Size Tutorial		Trisolo

Hidden Terrains		Trisolo

AoEd/RoRd Tutorial		Trisolo

Data editing article		Thompsoncs

Extended RoRd tutorial		Thompsoncs

Extended RoRd tutorial part 2		Thompsoncs

Extended RoRd tutorial part 3		Thompsoncs

Extended RoRd tutorial part 4		Thompsoncs

Secrets of Hero_Traitor Revealed		Gumble

Possibly something useful on Diplomacy		Rasteve

SLP Easy - PS/Paint Palette		Rasteve

How to change technology popup help text		Rasteve

Thank you for hitting me (Diplomacy trick)		Axoren

Structure of the Command Line in AoEd/RoRd		DarkRain654

AoEd/RoRd: Adding Units		Trisolo

McCloud Effects (Water on Hills/Square Terrain tiles)		GeorgeROR

Map Design Tidbits		SnakeEyes

Boats and Transportation (.PER)		SnakeEyes

Bitmaps Tutorial		Mero

Not Good, but Pretty Darned		Joecool1

Basic Eye candies		Upnotep

Mapdefault Editing Tips		The Hamlet

Extra Eye Candy Tricks		Firelegion_56

Hidden Units - An Article		Richard Ames

Tricks Article: Map Design and Other		Richard Ames

The Map Design Series		Richard Ames

The Map Design Series II		The Dark Archer

Larger bitmap: Break out of the confines of mapdefault, customize!		Zapdotep

Unit names: How to override language.dll		Zapdotep

Can you destroy ruins and artifacts? Well sort of		Gumble

Lengthen Combat Mode - Hex tutorial		PhatFish

The Horse Hex-Edit Project		Trisolo

Unknown Civilization Template & Dat		Trisolo

Hex-Editing Reference		Trisolo

This mod will allow rotation of cliff waterfalls.		Zapdotep

Programs/Utilities

Author

Composite Editor 1.1		Zapdotep

AoEd/RoRd		Scenario_t_c

AGE2 (Advanced Genie Editor 2)		Keisari Tapsa

Zlibnoh compressor & decompressor		DiGiT

Pattern Maker (pre-release)		Crossbowman

AoEd/RoRd command converter		DarkRain654

Turtle Pack 1.2 (SLP/DRS editor)		Team Hawk

AoE:IME		Rasteve

Print Screen Registry Fix		PhatFish

Fog + Elevation 8 Template Pack		Zapdotep

Larger mapdefault.bmp		Zapdotep

Stable Microscopic Map		MrCheeze

AIScan v0.9		BBalazs

Pebble32 Unicode Editor		The Dark Archer

Modpack Installer v4		CenturionZ_1

.DRS Explorer		Stoyan Ratchev

.AI Edit v2.0		Stoyan Ratchev

.SLP Studio		Joseph Knight

CTY Editor		BBalazs

Speed Editor		Phill Phree

Hex Editor		Hackman

.PER Editor		Martin Sturm

Campaign Manager 3		Lloyd Kinsella

Unknown Civilization Template & Dat		Scenario_t_c

Gigantic (250x250) Fog Template		Zapdotep

Black micro template		Zapdotep

Lengthen Combat Mode (3xHP) Beta terrain template		PhatFish

Extra Small Scenarios Pack		PhatFish

Ultra Small Scenarios Pack		PhatFish

255 x 255 map (normal / 3xHP mode)		Scenario_t_c

Patch 1.0b		PhatFish/ES

Patch 1.0c		ES

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)


Before posting any basic questions you might have about the editor and designing, please visit the general Frequently Asked Questions page in the Siege Workshop:


General Scn Design FAQ (Siege Workshop)

Review guidelines


Below is an updated version of the Guidelines to follow when reviewing a file in the Granary/Downloads section.


Review Guidelines - An Alternative. Part 2

General questions


Q: I have a question. Can I start a new topic?
A: To keep the forum from cluttering, please ask any questions you might have in this topic.

Q: Where is Age of Empires installed?
A: Unless you chose a custom location to install the game, the default location is: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires. You can find all the game data, such as scenario's, .dat and .ai files in there.

Q: How do I take screenshots, and where are they located?
A: Press F12 in-game. Screenshots will be stored in the main Age of Empires directory, and are named AoE0001.bmp, AoE00002.bmp and so on.

Q: I want to share a screenshot here. How?
A: Upload the screenshot to a place such as Imageshack or Photobucket. Both are free to use. Use the IMG tags to include it in your post.

Q: I want to ask people to playtest my scenario/campaign.
A: You can either ask it in this thread or create a new topic asking for Playtesters. Be sure to give a brief explanation on what your creation is about, and what kind of feedback you are expecting from those that try it out.

Q: I want to upload my file to the Downloads section/Granary. How do I do this?
A: You can submit your file here. Provide details about your creation and don't forget to include a nice, short description.

Q: How long does it take for my file to show in the Granary?
A: Most files are usually approved within 72 hours. Depending on the size, it may take some additional time to quick-test it and making sure your file does not violate the CoC. If it is still not up after a while, please contact the Staff.

Scenario Editor questions


Q: How do I make a campaign?
A: Open up the Campaign editor and add your custom scenario's. Give it a name, and save it. You can find your campaign in the default AoE directory -> /Campaigns.

Q: What are .AI, .PER and .CTY files for?
A: These control the computer's behaviour during a game. There are various cool tricks that can be done through custom files, a good example of this is the computer asking for "Tribute". They can make a scenario a lot more interesting and challenging to play.

Q: How do I obtain Beta units?
A: A few of these were available on templates in the early days. Today, every possible beta unit still hidden in the game is unlocked and available through the Composite Editor. After installing this superb tool, you'll have acces to tons of units normally not found in the Editor. For more information on beta units, go here.

Q: What is and how do I install the Composite Editor?
A: To sum it up: The best utility for the editor ever made. It allows you to overlap buildings (no restrictions), unlocks hidden units and much more.

Installing it is pretty simple, really. First of all, make a BACKUP of your original empires.dat files and store it away in a seperate folder. Then all you have to do is copy one of the provided CE empire.dat files and overwrite the old one. Open the editor and voila, a plethora of new options are now available to you.

See the documentation included with this tool to see which possibilities are available with the empires.dat files provided. To test out your scenario normally, replace the enhanced empires.dat with the default empires.dat file (the BACKUP copy) and restart the game.

Q: Can I use Triggers like in AoK?
A: Triggers are not part of AoE, sadly. However, there is a way to create your own custom triggers, or "dynamics". Examples of this are a burning gaia village, or a diplomacy chance at a certain point. Most high-rated scenario's/campaigns make use of these. Below is an example of a "timer" and how it works:



There are many methods you can use for this. The most important thing here is to test the trick a million times to ensure it does not fail.

Q: Negative resources. How?
A: Go to the Messages tab, and type a - (minus sign). Select and copy it. Go to the Players tab, resources. Right-click the field and paste the - before any resource number you have filled in. Alternatively, you can use Shift+CTRL+V or just CTRL+V.

Q: I've seen a scenario that has units with more Hitpoints, how is this possible?
A: There are 2 methods to achieve this. The easiest way is to download a template that includes the "Lengthen Combat Mode/3xHP mode" which triples the amount of nearly every unit/building (with the exception of Gaia). This was a special mode available in the alpha version of the game. Note: this does NOT require a modpack. The second method is to alter a Unit's HP through AoEd/RoRd, a program which allows you to alter everything in the data files AoE uses, which are the empires.dat and empiresx.dat files.

Q: Can you get a higher elevation than 7?
A: Yes. The highest elevation possible is 8, which can be downloaded from templates or made through Hex-editing (Zlibnoh).

Q: How do you get black tiles, beta beach tiles and other special terrains?
A: Similar to the above question. There are several templates which include these hidden terrains, made possible through Hex-editing.

Q: What is the biggest map size available?
A: 255x255 tiles, which you can download here.

Top of page


Please post any useful links/articles/tutorials/utilities/questions you might stumble upon, likewise if you want your article featured in the list leave your reply here and I'll add it to the OP. Happy designing! - PhatFish


The Dark Archer

"Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value." - Albert Einstein
"I once met a girl who looked like a camel" - Rasteve
Death of the Morads | AoEH Design Series II | Out From the Cliffs

[This message has been edited by PhatFish (edited 07-24-2012 @ 08:23 AM).]

Author
Replies:
GeorgeROR
Guest
posted 11-26-07 11:31 PM ET (US)     1 / 92  
*hicup! stumbles into the thread* "Hey! Bartender errr... I mean you there with the green stuff on! ... should this not say something outside in the title about it being advanced design tricks? I don't wan't to wander around and come in here lookin for my regular drinks and find these high and mighty priced special ... excuse me nice establishment though! Those are indeed three mighty good-looking links you have there!"

[This message has been edited by Don Jorge deLeon (edited 11-26-2007 @ 11:34 PM).]

MrCheeze
Clubman
posted 04-02-08 09:22 PM ET (US)     2 / 92  
Articles! That aren't on AoEH (except one)! Yay!

The McCloud Effects - By GeorgeROR:
http://www.tribulationdesigns.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=7

Not Good, but Pretty Darned - By Joecool1
http://aoe.heavengames.com/cgi-bin/aoecgi/display.cgi?action=ct&f=4,4942,,all

Basic Eye Candies - By Uppy
http://www.freewebs.com/stealtharcher/eyecandiesarticle.htm

Bitmaps Tutorial - By Mero
http://espanol.geocities.com/tcartaoe/en/bitmaps.htm

Mapdefault Editing Tips - By Hamlet
http://aoe.heavengames.com/downsnew/dwnutils.shtml#InstructionMapHelp

Extra Eye Candy Tricks - By Troppers (aka FireLegion_56)
http://www.freewebs.com/epic_designs/Design Aritcles/FL_56 XECT/FL56_Xect.html

Map Design Tidbits - By SnakeEyes
http://www.woadcreations.nl/articles.php?game=Age+of+Empires&artid=25

Boats and Transportation - By SnakeEyes
http://www.woadcreations.nl/articles.php?game=Age+of+Empires&artid=24
"Mrcheeze your genius but not quite a Gumble-kind-of genius." - Gumble
"We're all friendly here except MrCheeze but he means well" - Ninetales (Not exact words)
"Gumble has no words for you, you’re boring now. -underrated- that’s a joke, Gumble is OVERSTATED." - Gumble
(Not even sure what he was saying there)

[This message has been edited by MrCheeze (edited 04-02-2008 @ 09:24 PM).]

The Dark Archer
HG Alumnus
posted 04-21-08 01:54 AM ET (US)     3 / 92  
Some old threads I forgot about when making this.

Hidden Units - An Article - Richard Ames
Tricks Article: Map Design and Other - Richard Ames
The Map Design Series - Richard Ames

The last one was an interesting idea and I'm wondering what people think about starting a new one possibly. Please don't just go and start one first I need to know if there are people that would use it.
The Dark Archer

"Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value." - Albert Einstein
"I once met a girl who looked like a camel" - Rasteve
Death of the Morads | AoEH Design Series II | Out From the Cliffs
Nacht Jaeger
Clubman
(id: RCM7525)
posted 04-21-08 10:30 AM ET (US)     4 / 92  
Hehe, I remember coming across those articles from the link in the story for Fall of the Newbs.
Nacht Jaeger - Ex AoEH Angel
MrCheeze
Clubman
posted 04-21-08 04:06 PM ET (US)     5 / 92  
The EE units one has a bit missing (says that the extra buildings are normally only for gaia and is missing some units), but more links are always good. Also the map design one isn't really by anyone specifically.

Phatfish Studios - By Phatfish ()
http://www.phatfish.nl/

Unfortunately, unlike it says, his website does not
work with IE5, so I can't use it, but it might be useful to other people.
"Mrcheeze your genius but not quite a Gumble-kind-of genius." - Gumble
"We're all friendly here except MrCheeze but he means well" - Ninetales (Not exact words)
"Gumble has no words for you, you’re boring now. -underrated- that’s a joke, Gumble is OVERSTATED." - Gumble
(Not even sure what he was saying there)
The Dark Archer
HG Alumnus
posted 04-21-08 08:40 PM ET (US)     6 / 92  
What you have to remember is that when the article that was all the EE had. It was still in very early stages and we didn't have all the fancy features we have now. Those were the days where it was harder to use the EE.

Also for clarification the Design Series was a thread where we could talk about different design tricks and how we did them. I think it'd be an interesting thing to try again if people are interested.
The Dark Archer

"Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value." - Albert Einstein
"I once met a girl who looked like a camel" - Rasteve
Death of the Morads | AoEH Design Series II | Out From the Cliffs
Nacht Jaeger
Clubman
(id: RCM7525)
posted 04-21-08 08:44 PM ET (US)     7 / 92  
I'm game.
Nacht Jaeger - Ex AoEH Angel
Urbackyard
Clubman
posted 04-22-08 02:52 AM ET (US)     8 / 92  
i'm interested, TDA. its a pretty good idea and i think alot of people would use it
Whadup?
MrCheeze
Clubman
posted 08-03-08 11:01 AM ET (US)     9 / 92  
The Map Design Series II - By The Dark Archer:
http://aoe.heavengames.com/cgi-bin/aoecgi/display.cgi?action=ct&f=4,5818,0,365

Larger bitmap: Break out of the confines of mapdefault and customize the instruction screen! - By zapdotep
http://aoe.heavengames.com/cgi-bin/aoecgi/display.cgi?action=ct&f=4,5829,0,365

These may be on the first page now, but sooner or later they might be forgotten.
"Mrcheeze your genius but not quite a Gumble-kind-of genius." - Gumble
"We're all friendly here except MrCheeze but he means well" - Ninetales (Not exact words)
"Gumble has no words for you, you’re boring now. -underrated- that’s a joke, Gumble is OVERSTATED." - Gumble
(Not even sure what he was saying there)

[This message has been edited by MrCheeze (edited 10-07-2008 @ 09:21 PM).]

Suppiluliuma
AoEH Seraph
posted 08-03-08 07:31 PM ET (US)     10 / 92  
I agree after 10 days it will go to the 2nd page, so i think you've foreseen it MrCheeze.
mic1121
Clubman
posted 08-05-08 08:04 AM ET (US)     11 / 92  
hi everyone ... im new here .. i was wondering is there any way of creating a custom scenario in age of empires 1, with the ability to add unlimited resources like gold mines , berry bushes n fish etc ?? with some kinda software i guess ?? if possible could someone please send me a link or something .. whatever that might be useful ... thanks alot !!
Nezon
Clubman
posted 08-05-08 08:20 AM ET (US)     12 / 92  
Practically 99999 resources is unlimited, welcome to the forums by the way
My Projects:
|Bushido - Way of the Warrior|Assassins of Greece|

Ikeda coming soon !
Suppiluliuma
AoEH Seraph
posted 08-05-08 03:44 PM ET (US)     13 / 92  
Yeh, just add 99999 to each resource and it is very unlikely you would run dry of resources.
Fisk
Champion of AoEH
(id: Fruktfisk)
posted 08-06-08 04:05 AM ET (US)     14 / 92  
Or if you want the player to mine them you can download the EE from the granary and put a lot of them in the same spot...
//The warrior of Isola

"I lack quotes that demonstrate Humor Intelligence or anything about me."

Pineapplefish
Cleidopus gloriamaris
mic1121
Clubman
posted 08-09-08 09:50 AM ET (US)     15 / 92  
thanks alot guys !!! :-)
Fisk
Champion of AoEH
(id: Fruktfisk)
posted 08-09-08 02:51 PM ET (US)     16 / 92  
Why are we saying this here?
//The warrior of Isola

"I lack quotes that demonstrate Humor Intelligence or anything about me."

Pineapplefish
Cleidopus gloriamaris
Suppiluliuma
AoEH Seraph
posted 08-09-08 03:03 PM ET (US)     17 / 92  
saying what? :b

[This message has been edited by Suppiluliuma (edited 08-09-2008 @ 03:04 PM).]

Ninetails
AoEH MMC Winner
(id: TailSpray)
posted 09-03-08 03:41 PM ET (US)     18 / 92  
Does anyone know where to find the old downloads page?
| The Slave Pits (4.8) MMC 1st Place | The Fate of Inraya Teaser (4.5) | The Parting Gift | Computer Wars Pack |
"Never experienced any of his revolutionary scenarios, but dang if he isn't charismatic when he speaks!" -Aro
Voted AoEH's Most Helpful Forumer 2009!

Ninetails, of all the forumers you seen to have the inabillity to feel hate against your fellow man. A noble trait, treasure it. -Gumble
MrCheeze
Clubman
posted 09-03-08 03:53 PM ET (US)     19 / 92  
Description
"Mrcheeze your genius but not quite a Gumble-kind-of genius." - Gumble
"We're all friendly here except MrCheeze but he means well" - Ninetales (Not exact words)
"Gumble has no words for you, you’re boring now. -underrated- that’s a joke, Gumble is OVERSTATED." - Gumble
(Not even sure what he was saying there)
Ninetails
AoEH MMC Winner
(id: TailSpray)
posted 09-03-08 03:58 PM ET (US)     20 / 92  
Thanks, MrCheeze.

Old Utility Page
| The Slave Pits (4.8) MMC 1st Place | The Fate of Inraya Teaser (4.5) | The Parting Gift | Computer Wars Pack |
"Never experienced any of his revolutionary scenarios, but dang if he isn't charismatic when he speaks!" -Aro
Voted AoEH's Most Helpful Forumer 2009!

Ninetails, of all the forumers you seen to have the inabillity to feel hate against your fellow man. A noble trait, treasure it. -Gumble
zapdotep
Clubman
posted 12-17-08 01:08 PM ET (US)     21 / 92  
AoE Campaign Index
http://aoe.heavengames.com/downsnew/aoeindex/dwncampaign.shtml

AoE Single Player Scenarios
http://aoe.heavengames.com/downsnew/aoeindex/dwnsingle.shtml

AoE Multi Player Scenario Index
http://aoe.heavengames.com/downsnew/aoeindex/dwnmulti.shtml

RoR Campaign Index
http://aoe.heavengames.com/downsnew/rorindex/rorcamp.shtml

RoR Single Player Scenario Index
http://aoe.heavengames.com/downsnew/rorindex/rorsingle.shtml

RoR Multi Player Scenario Index
http://aoe.heavengames.com/downsnew/rorindex/rormulti.shtml

Best of Age of Empires
http://aoe.heavengames.com/downsnew/aoereviewpages/bestaoe.shtml

Best of Rise of Rome
http://aoe.heavengames.com/downsnew/rorreviewpages/bestrorindex.shtml

AoEH Contest Page
http://aoe.heavengames.com/downsnew/ContestIndex.shtml

Age of Empires v1.0b Patch
http://aoe.heavengames.com/downsnew/patchbinfo.shtml

Miscellaneous Downloads
http://aoe.heavengames.com/downsnew/dwnmisc.shtml

Utilities and Mods
http://aoe.heavengames.com/downsnew/dwnutils.shtml

Submissions
http://aoe.heavengames.com/downsnew/Submissions.shtml
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!          
The best stuff I made for Age of Empires:
　Composite Editor 1.1 Rated 5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (Utility)
　Coke vs. Pepsi Rated 4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ⅖ (Multi player scenario)
　The Map of the World (Real world map)
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[This message has been edited by zapdotep (edited 06-13-2010 @ 02:32 AM).]

Thompsoncs
Clubman
posted 06-25-09 01:53 PM ET (US)     22 / 92  
I am working on a grand Roman republic campaign, but each time I add objectives, the objectives fail. For example, you only need to create a Town Center on a certain spot, and when you do you don't win. Can anybody help me? Objectives would certainly improve the campaign
MrCheeze
Clubman
posted 06-25-09 04:45 PM ET (US)     23 / 92  
Increase the size if the area you need to build it in so that there's one square around the future town center on each side.

Also this isn't really the right thread to ask questions in but I don't think anyone really cares.
"Mrcheeze your genius but not quite a Gumble-kind-of genius." - Gumble
"We're all friendly here except MrCheeze but he means well" - Ninetales (Not exact words)
"Gumble has no words for you, you’re boring now. -underrated- that’s a joke, Gumble is OVERSTATED." - Gumble
(Not even sure what he was saying there)
zapdotep
Clubman
posted 07-25-09 03:57 AM ET (US)     24 / 92  

The following are gone, but live on (partially - some, most or all of the pictures are missing) at the Internet Archive:

[This message has been edited by zapdotep (edited 10-17-2010 @ 02:54 AM).]

Gumble
Clubman
posted 10-05-10 06:24 PM ET (US)     25 / 92  
This thread obviously needs a re-wrok. It needs to be sticked and many of the links need elaberation. Basically a new member won't have a clue what to what half of them refers to.
Too many people say far too much about Gumble. They also claim Gumble says far too much which isnt true.

One man's truth is another man's lie. Seek TRUTH to escape this moral mire.

'Experts' try to analyse human behaviour and the human condition and make grand conclusions. - Its the same as the guy who explains why a joke is funny and kills the joke.
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