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Contribute: add items, monsters and more to existing maps
http://www.coopordie.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=386		 Page 1 of 5
Author:  Pat AfterMoon [ Wed Jul 01, 2009 10:28 am ]
Post subject:  Contribute: add items, monsters and more to existing maps
Yesterday I have discussed on the webchat with ANDREI, Keeshu, xRDVx and some other peoples about the possibility to add more items to the existing maps. This feature is open since many years, and only Crusard or JudicatorOmega have used it so far and contributed to COOP or DIE for Quake2.

How it works:
When you enter a map, a file with xmlrules is download from the coopordie website. You can look at some sample here :
xmlrules_map_startmap.xml
xmlrules_map_base1.xml
xmlrules_map_base2.xml

This file can contain some entities that are added to the current map. It could be items, monsters or more sophisticated features I could explain later.

To create a file like that, I use a map editor and I add the related entities. Then, I use a custom tool for creating the file with only added entities.

Don't be afraid, visiting a map with a map editor and adding items here and here is a lot more easy than creating a real map. It doesn't require mapping skills.

Here is the how to:
  • Download and install a map editor for Quake2 (like GtkRadiant)
  • Extract a map from the pak0.pak file in your quake2/baseq2 directory (use PakScape for opening pak files)
  • The maps are compiled on BSP format, so you need to convert them to MAP format (use Winbspc)
  • Now you can open the MAP file with the map editor
  • Navigate through the map and add some items
  • For each item added, add a field to its entity called "xmlrules" and set it to 1 for differentiate it from the other items.
  • Save your map and run the XmlRulesTool to produce a mapname.xml file with only the added entities.
  • Send me the file, I will check it, and if it's OK I will add it to the worldserver, so every other players will benefit from it.

Currently, only "Outer Base", "Installation" and the "Mine Entrance" have additional entities. So, start to look at other maps. Don't add too much items else you will cause overflow while playing.

If peoples are interested, I will explain more things about xmlrules files. Look at the "The punishment", "Crash n Massacre" or "Rush for the Head" for an overview (q2dm3, q2dm4 and q2dm7).
Author:  xRDVx [ Wed Jul 01, 2009 11:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Contribute: add items, monsters and more to existing maps
Thanks for that explanation =)
Author:  ANDREI [ Wed Jul 01, 2009 11:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Contribute: add items, monsters and more to existing maps
Thank you for explains, now understand better
Author:  ANDREI [ Wed Jul 01, 2009 11:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Contribute: add items, monsters and more to existing maps
a little problem, object type "shade not found" Where can I find the shade? can you give me a link to resources?
Author:  ANDREI [ Wed Jul 01, 2009 12:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Contribute: add items, monsters and more to existing maps
how coordinated set Z?

I realized
Author:  ANDREI [ Wed Jul 01, 2009 12:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Contribute: add items, monsters and more to existing maps
choose how an object?
Author:  xRDVx [ Wed Jul 01, 2009 12:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Contribute: add items, monsters and more to existing maps
Code:
<entity_add>
<entity> { "classname" "item_bandolier" "origin" "-384 1952 -896" } </entity>
<entity> { "classname" "item_armor_combat" "origin" "-360 1992 -896" } </entity>
<entity> { "classname" "item_invulnerability" "origin" "-384 1992 -304" } </entity>
</entity_add>


MAP: jail4
Location: Somewhere...

Is that Ok? Thanks =)
Author:  Pat AfterMoon [ Wed Jul 01, 2009 8:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Contribute: add items, monsters and more to existing maps
@xRDVx: enclose the entire file with <xml> and </xml> like that:
Code:
<xml>
<entity_add>
<entity> { "classname" "item_bandolier" "origin" "-384 1952 -896" } </entity>
<entity> { "classname" "item_armor_combat" "origin" "-360 1992 -896" } </entity>
<entity> { "classname" "item_invulnerability" "origin" "-384 1992 -304" } </entity>
</entity_add>
</xml>


I have retrieved the off-line xmlrules command line and tested it, it seems to work.

I have tested with "The punishment":
copy the file xmlrules_map_q2dm3.xml in your coopordie directory and launch Quake2 with the following line:

quake2.exe +set game coopordie +map q2dm3 +set xmlrules xmlrules_map_q2dm3.xml

You should be able to test the map with your local xmlrules file.

Please, play a little with the xmlrules and test locally. Then we will discuss about what to add officially, with the need to stay coherent with the difficulty progression. There is also the possibility to add conditional entities, linked to the number of players in the party.
Author:  xRDVx [ Wed Jul 01, 2009 9:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Contribute: add items, monsters and more to existing maps
Oh... Emmmm.. welll....


Mmmm.. btw, isn't there a way to disable that thing of going back to start map each time someone joins? Is because i wanted to test it, but each time that person connect to me, It send me back to StartMap...

Thanks...
Author:  Pat AfterMoon [ Thu Jul 02, 2009 7:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Contribute: add items, monsters and more to existing maps
xRDVx wrote:
isn't there a way to disable that thing of going back to start map each time someone joins?
Only on the next DLL update.
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