Staredit Network

When you look at this map and I asked you how it was done, you'd say it was done using modding (stardraft, etc etc etc) by adding a simple value and running some kind of MPQ. I mean, you'd never THINK to see something like this on one of the maps you download from battle.net would you?

Welcome to the new generation of UMS map creation. Deathknight has just discovered a new way of effectively EDITING and VIEWING things in the starcraft map memory. The screenshot you saw above, was done in a map. No modding was involved.

Although the technology is new, we are realizing the uses are endless.

Now, here are some scx files for you to try (no modding required!):
- Terran Units with Shields
- Simple HP Detection Example
- 0 HP Academy... not dying or not losing health

So far, our finds are amazing. Starcraft maps are starting to become even more powerful and limitless then the Warcraft 3 ones.

Heres some theoretical (and some proven) techniques we already know:
Dynamically Resizing the map in the game?
(proven) Resize and Edit (as in adding, subtracting, setting) location coordinates and size.
Giving any unit any shields
Detecting shields and health
Changing unit graphics?
Changing terrain dynamically while map is in play? (very possible)
(proven) Changing unit stats dynamically.
(proven) Changing and Detecting Upgrade statuses.
...and much much more on the way. Almost everything has the potential for being possible.


Of course, everything has its downside. Sadly, Mac users cannot support these techniques, and crash upon attempting to play maps such as these.

We mappers will try to encourage early warning of such techniques, by including "Windows users only" as a force name so Mac users can see that they wont be able to play these maps.

However, we will still explore the usefulness of these techniques. The Staredit Network map making community has already set differences aside and banded together to explore the creative opportunities that we can benefit from this new technique, which can be found here.

Starcraft has been around for 7 years or so, and its still as innovative as ever.