People really having much fun playing Warcraft Maps (such as DotA, The Three Corridors, Fight of Characters) but did anyone know how these Maps are created? As a Map maker, I am gonna explain a lil bit here so you guys could appreciate what people has done for you to play!
Well, to create a good map (game) with many original customizations, it is indeed a tedious project:
-it requires you a knowledge in programming (Jass script), or at least, basically, in GUI
-a knowledge in graphics editting (2D for Icons, textures, etc and 3D for models)
-a knowledge in sound editting (but doesn't seems popular among the community)
-a knowledge in terrianing
-AND good knowledge in gaming of course!
Scripting:
There are 2 methods where you can write your triggers:
*(triggers are the procedural codes that would be automatically be executed in response to certain events or happenings)
1)The GUIs (Graphical User Interface) for beginners- but has limited functions, and
2)The Jass Script- very powerful but need an advance knowledge in programming.
Therefore, I prefer the GUI method since I have not undergone any proper training in programming. All my knowledge is self-explored (since I have no internet during form 4 and therefore no web-based learning). Below is an example taken from a map that I have created during Form 4 (Legacy of the Damn):
A piece of trigger Written in GUI - simple. However if you did it beyond limits, it would be very messy, especially when you are dealing with 2 dimensional array variables.
Jass Scripts - I see stars!! Well it is very messy to untrained eyes, but would be very neat for pros as you can create variables of type both "local" and "global". So it is very powerful and have almost unlimited functions.
Texturing and Modeling:
This is another aspects of map making, where it enhances the art effects of the game. It requires you to a skill in
1) 2D graphic edittings - Photoshop to do texturing, Icons, LoadScreen, with alpha channel
2) 3D Graphic editting - 3D Max (Modelling, Animations, Particles, etc)
I am good in 2D Graphic editting, since my 3D skills is for LightWave and SketchUp, not 3D Max. Anyhow I do know some simple 3D editting for Warcraft III model. Well I gonna show you the 2 models (out of many) that I have customized in my map (Legacy of the Damn)
Left: My first editted model (Fozeron) , editted originally from the in-game LightningRevenat model. I had added some icy particles with the particle emitter. Right: The texture that I editted. Added a thin layer of snowy ice so make it look chilled.
Another Hero I edited. I change its particle colour from green to red, then add some flame effects on its head and hands. So the whole infernal is really ignited! The 4 icons below are his spells I programmed in GUIs (including art effetcs). The 2nd and 3rd icon is drawn by me using Photoshop. The right image showing Magma casting Lava Splash (3rd Icon).
Terrain Editting
Well this is another knowledge you need to have in Map-Making. But it is simple to create the terrain with the terrain editor in World Edit. Most people found it easy to master, however, if you are not a good artist, the map would look very fake and not natural. So its all instinct and intuition that u are dealing with! A map that is too empty or crowded is not good.
Another map of mine - the Jurassic Survivor.
Upper: A texture Wire-framed terrain.
Below: Rendered in-game previews, where I added in linear fogs, rain effects, and did all the terraining myself. Imported models including Dinosaurs, araucacia trees, palm trees, fern trees, grass, etc.
Sound Editting
Well most map-maker don't use custom sound for sound effects, since there are pretty much in-game sounds in the game's directory readily to be used. However if you chose to, it is another advance knowledge in MIDI editting! Though I do composed a few theme song for my map using Sibellious, but the file is too large for it to fit in. Plus, it is not so nice also. So I just simply download some track and put it in my map.
Well, I would say that making a truely genuine map with high quality is quite a tedious project. For me, where my modding team consist of only my brother and I, so the modding (modifying) process seems endless! (Plus I cant find any other map makers in Malaysia). Stuff goes even harder for me since my house have no internet connections that time; it also means that I had to learned the whole modding process through myself - explore exsisting maps, try and error, experimets!!! And mighty good thing I made it all!
Now I have stop modding map and whatever I wrote here is just for some general knowlegde that I wanna reminisce and share with all the gamers. =) Someday, maybe in the holiday I would continue to complete all the map that I have made halfway. (Legacy of the Damn, Farmville, Pro Shooter, Underwater, Jurassic Survivor, etc)
