Use Map Settings
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Use Map Settings (UMS) is a term used to describe custom-tailored maps for Blizzard games StarCraft and WarCraft. In StarCraft especially, UMS maps are wildly popular.
Contents
History
There have been UMS map makers ever since Starcraft was released, and from then various StarEdit utilities have come out to aid map makers in utilizing the full potential of UMS maps. Some of the earliest widely-known map makers include kckkryptonite, MilleniumArmy, and (U)Bolt_Head. Map making groups have evolved in all Battle.net servers, ranging from the original &Z group in US West to Clan (U) in US East and several upcoming groups in Europe and Asia.Active Map Making Communities
These map making communities are usually for the most part active all-day with at least one experienced map maker in the channel, able to give map assistance and advice.Server: US West
1. Custom Maps West: [Channel: Custom Maps] This map making group is mainly composed of map makers Evil_Moogle, DrunkenWrestler, Tuxedo-Templar, MasterJohnny, DistortGiygas, Sakura_RPG, nuclearrabbit, and Dr.Y.
2. Starcraft Map Making Guild: [Channel: Op Scmmg ] This map making group is fairly small but rising in skill and number.
Server: US East
1. Clan (U): [Channel: Clan uUu ] This is probably the oldest map making clan on Battle.net and consists of many skilled map makers, led by (U)Bolt_Head. The most active members are Legacy(U), Kenoli(U), MindArchon(U), D-Von(U), Kimsan(U), Thrasher(U), Mr_Mooo_Cow(U), 5(U), ShinRa(U), Red2Blue(U), and Darkness(U) - however, there are always freelance map makers as well.
Game Types
Defense
In defense maps, players must kill large groups of computer-controlled units as they attempt to travel from one area of the map to another. Any unit not killed is counted against the players, and if enough units managed to slip past the player's defenses, the computers win and the players lose. A related type of map the survival map. In survival maps, players must defend themselves from an onslaught of enemies, and attempt to stay alive for a specified period of time. Examples include Dawn of the Dead and Starship Troopers.Mass
In a mass map, each player gets several units in their area. Each player uses these units, which regenerate frequently, to attack their opponentswith the goal of killing the most enemy units. There will often be a "mass" function by which players can send all of their units to an area of the map at once rather than sending them all individually. Examples include Zone Control, Bunker Wars, and Zergling Blood. More advanced games like Zoids, Golems, and Evolves, feature upgrades or special units as rewards for a certain number of kills or special tasks performed by the player.RPG
RPG is an ambiguous term among StarCraft players. It usually refers to a specific type of game in which players take up the role of different characters and heroes and complete certain quests. Some are historical and realistic, some are not. Some RPGs may include custom made battle systems and can take several hours to play. A division of this would be the "RP" map, where players get units and role play scenarios themselves with minimal automated triggers. There might be a quest master and such, and there have been full fledged D&D maps made.Bound
These maps are very popular on battle.net. Players must manuever their way through a maze of traps and enemies. This requires excellent timing, a good eye, and skillful Micromanagement. Sometimes, bounds are incorporated into other types of maps (ie, a defense bound where a player gets additional units for completing bound traps).Arena
These maps pits players and their forces against each other, either solo or in teams. Popular maps would include Snipers, Überena, and Team Arena.Movie
Movie maps are entertainment maps requiring little or no interaction from players. These usually include simulated dialogue from units, and may include storylines, characters, and plots. Some may be based off actual games of StarCraft, such as "The Battle.Net Experience". Others can be comedies, such as the "Probert The Probe" series. Movie maps may also be trailers giving previews of large future map projects to come.Melee
These maps are melee-style games with added features or twists. Some are simply ladder maps that allow other players to observe the game, others pit players against an extraordinarly powered up computer player.Campaign
These are usually single player maps which link together a storyline through multiple missions. Some Campaigns can take months or years to make and involve extensive modifications to the game itself.Madness
In a madness map, each player is constantly and spontaneously generating units, sending wave after wave at each other in an attempt to get enough kills to "upgrade" to more powerful units. The end goal of these maps is usually to destroy a single building owned by another player, which typically has 9999 hit points and takes only one damage per hit from anything.LotRish
A style of map wherein players control a small base (usually a few defensive units, upgrade buildings, spawn points ([These players have Normal Buildings with increased HP, that generate units every minute or two. Usually players have about 3 - 5 of these buildings, that make up their small base[) that contains a few spawn points, men, and heroes (Overpowered units, compared to the regular men.) The essence of this style of game is to overcome the other team, and destroy all his spawn points. Once a player loses all his spawn points, or in some cases, his main hero, he loses. The style of game was first created under the guise of LotR, and thus are referred to as 'LotR'ish, or LotR style.I.S.
Somewhat like a bound, wherein micromanagement is the key to winning, with Impossible Scenarios the players gain a far inferior number of units compared to the enemy, and they must utilize them to the best of their ability to beat levels. Not all stages of Impossible Scenarios are like this, for instance: 1) Lurker Guantlet: A small platform, wherein the players will battle lurkers with 1 marine each, or the team is made up of 4 marines, 1 ghost and one medic. Different games brandish different rosters. 2) Tank dropping: Wherein reavers that can kill your units in one shot must be defeated with a dropship and a Siege Tank. Different games brandish different rosters. With the dawn of these games, players have become much more adept at using units, individually and with a team. Usually most levels will consist of a base siege, where you're outnumbered ~20 to one.
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