A slightly updated version of this map here: http://www.4shared.com/file/79158374/42c55602/Kane_The_Defense_of_Boccob-.html

I'm currently looking for people to help beta test and generally give feedback on the map I'm working on right now, "The Defense of Boccob-II". I've tested it a half dozen times on b.net and several people really liked it, one or two had a few issues with it.

It can be played with 1-4 players. I've beaten it with 1, I think 2 players might be the easiest, 4 seems to be kinda difficult if only because a lot of people have a hard time figuring it out quickly.

Main objectives for beta testing right now:

-Smoothing terrain for more enjoyable gameplay (terrain has been the biggest complaint so far. Specific feedback on things to be improved would be appreciated.)
-Fixing any and all bugs (please let me know here or by e-mail : creature_Dm @ hotmail.com )
-Balancing the different positions so each can, if necessary, kill the Nydus Canals (Players 2 & 3 I think would have some difficulty in the current version)
-Continuing Trigger-based gameplay after the 25 minute mark (let me know how long it takes you to beat the map, if you're beating it in under 25 minutes I won't worry about this).
-Making the game mechanics more intuitive to understand so that the game can be grasped quickly.

If anyone has special skills that could help me with this map, I would greatly appreciate it. Someone suggested making a custom AI. I have no AI making experience and right now I'm just using generic "Expansion Zerg Campaign Difficult", which for me is fine but might be seen as somewhat brutal the way the map plays out with somewhat open mains and difficult to defend masses.

There are two main Objecitves:
Kill All Enemy Nydus Canals
Your Named Hero Must Survive

While I continue to tweak this, the next part of the project will probably be to make a trailer to explain some of the triggers and continue the plot of the campaign (this is mission 4 in my multiplayer campaign). Right now I'm focusing on making it playable on b.net.

Follow the screenshots for a general idea of what happens in single player play:
Begin mining at however many Nexus you control:


The minimap will show spots partially revealed. These are the locations of the Nydus Canals you need to destroy.


Observers will reveal potential expansions. When playing with 4 players (a full house) these may become important. Air only-expansions have been designed so the CPU can't steal them from players.


In the bottom left corner, Player 1 can buy Tank Bombs (max 1 at a time), and detonate them. These are very effective at killing enemy heroes with a minimum of cost and casualties. Also in the bottom left Player 7 can buy Type-X Hero Dragoons, which will be vital in making the eventual assault against the enemy Nydus Canals. If Player 7 is not in the game, this is given to Player 2. If Player 2 and Player 7 are not in the game, Player 1 will get this as well.


The Will of ATAI, your arbiter hero, cannot move too far away from the caves. Although he can die with no penalty, if you want the free recalls he offers you may want to defend him.


Each player starts with a Starport and Arbiter Bay. Although Scouts and Corsairs can be built normally, Carriers and Arbiters are spells. Buying Carriers will replenish the shields of all allied shields, both units and buildings. Buying Arbiters will replenish all unit energy... the Carrier Spell in particular is so important it may be worth hotkeying your starport right from the bat.


Some Heroes will be vital right from the beginning. Guardians will begin attacking almost immediately in most games. Lord Finn, Player 7's Scout Hero, will be vital in keeping these nuisances at bay and in protecting his Type X Factory. As you can see, he has 800/800 and does over 100 damage to air. Just be careful not to lose him, as his death will spell defeat for player 7.


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Post has been edited 2 time(s), last time on Jan 6 2009, 12:07 am by LokiArexon.

That looks really cool - "guardians will begin attacking almost immediately in some games." How epic is that! I like how it's not much like other mindless defense games. Looks like good quality mapping. Keep it up.

Interesting... Although it might be better to put some of the spell descriptions (eg. "Instead of normal Carriers..." and "I can buy Gas Tank Bombs...") delivered out of character (eg. a text message saying "You cannot construct Carriers or Arbiters in this level. However, pressing the Carrier button will restore all of your unit's shields to 100%.)

Also, you might want to say /why/ the arbiter will guy thing can't leave the caves.

Looks fun. I'll play if I see it hosted. Or maybe I'll host a game.

For those who are big on custom campaigns this may be a fairly decent map. I was a bit puzzled as to the storyline behind it, i felt you could have had a better introduction before the violence begins. It seemed alright for a map of its type, but like i said i would like to have gotten a storyline with the map.

He said it's part of a campaign, so that won't be a problem.

But you still should say why the arbiter thing can't go away from the caves.

Curse you TZ for making me explain my arbitrary gameplay mechanics!

Just kidding. I'm working on an "briefing" mission that will occur right before it that will hopefully help to clarify some of the gameplay mechanics, who people are, what's going on, etc... Nothing too fancy.

Also, for more backstory, see the entire campaign here: http://www.staredit.net/topic/5420/

You can now see the mission briefing here: http://www.4shared.com/file/79310771/485a2575/Mission_4_Briefing.html

Post has been edited 2 time(s), last time on Jan 6 2009, 8:31 pm by LokiArexon.