Enabling the Map Editor

The terrain editor is pretty technical so we didn't expose it for the time being. It's pretty easy to break something or generate an invalid map, and it also can use quit a bit of system resources to gen a map, so just be aware.

This is awesome! So I'm going to go ahead and say that on release it would be amazing if we could upload these via the Steam Workshop. I am defeinitely going to play around with this some and see what can be done. 

@Kollok  I definitely understand the team not wanting to release the tools this early on, but if nothing else we can give some feedback on the tools. We also understand that if we break the game it's kind of our fault...lol

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If you are feeling brave, look at TerrainSynth1.csv, etc. It will load the file before doing a generation. Usually I gen final at level 4 subdivision and 500 erosion. That can take 10-20 minutes on some maps right now though. It can chew through RAM too. 

However, the main reason for not exposing the map editor is that it definitely a finicky tool that we don't spend the same amount of time polishing as the main game, and won't support to the same level of quality.  It's on our plan to release it, but possibly only for founders or premium versions of Ashes (mainly to cut down on mass support calls ;)).

Awesome, thanks for the info. I will be checking that out as soon as I get enough free time. I understand not wanting to devote too much time to the editor, and can fully support that idea. We definitely want the team devoted to the game instead of modding tools at this point. To be completely honest I don't care if it gets polished at all. As long as we can continue to use it and learn from it I am happy. Even if it isn't released in any official capacity I hope the founders keep access to it so we can make more maps and things of that nature in the future. I understand from a support standpoint that giving this tool to millions(always be optimistic) of people could be a huge headache for you guys. It would be a cool bonus for those really wanting to give back to the community, with a message telling people to use it at their own risk...lol.

Has anyone besides the devs been able to create a map that can be played? I tried creating the simplest of maps, no terrain, just a couple seeds and resource points. When I try to start a new game with that map it seems as if there are no open player slots, so I cannot actually play the match.

Secondly, does anyone know how to initiate MapScripts? That can be used to place units and buildings on the map, which they have done for demos. I'd like to use it for sandboxing battles of various unit compositions.

I thought I did all that, but I'm not certain. I'll try again, thanks.

I tried again, same result. I feel I'm missing a minor but important step, so I made a short video about my process. What am I missing?

Okay, thanks. I'll give it another patch or two before I try again. MyTest1 and 2 did use the default buildings with the same result, so it's probably something else.

Regionalize has to be the absolute last thing you do.

Thanks. Just tried it and same result. Here are my exact steps, leaving no actions out:

1. Create a new map, name it, select 2048 for Map Size, hit Okay

2. Hit the "Rebuild Terrain" button

3. After a few seconds it completes, then hit the "Auot-Regionalize" button

4. "File" then "Exit"

I accepted the default buildings, changing nothing. After restarting the game, I click Single Player, and the result is the same as shown in the video. Would someone please try to duplicate my test in 0.61.13854 and see if they get the same result?

Im try to get it playble but without lucky for now.

I can't wait to dive further into this once my 32 GB RAM arrive Saturday night...

My question here is: you just need the 32GB of ram to do build quality 4 or 5? or you do need a very good GPU and CPU? it means a badass PC.

Just upgrading Ram is really easy to do but upgrading the PC completely it will be very expensive.

Referring to this post by TheRealWarpstorm:

I know the RAM was needed.

I already have an R9 390X, and while upgrading my RAM from 8 to 32, I'm also taking the opportunity and updating my CPU from the Phenom 980 to the 8350 (Amazon of all places put it on sale this week).

So after that I hope to play a bit more aggressively in game and mainly in the Map Editor.  I know right now I'm restricted to the smallest map size without getting any CTD's.

My other reason on the higher RAM is I'm playing around with DimmDrive.

...I'm loving my hardware upgrades...

I'll get to playing in the map editor in the morning.

32km map @ build quality 4 @ erosion 3000.  This takes a while to crunch...

So did it worked?

Yes it did!  I'm tweaking the map now for release.  It's a blast.  Makes you put on your thinking cap and deal with "Crisis Management" on several fronts.

lol awesome! i am gonna upload my 3 maps online for you to download and if you can do me the favor to rebuild them with build 4. can you that for me?

Yes I can do that!

We need a Mods section of the forums. So we care share stuff more easily.

yes but not really a mod section but why not call it Unofficial Map section.

YA found the map editor thx guys....