Maps

Example of an in-game map: Badwater.

Maps are binary files in the GBM or MGM format which tell Glest how to render objects, resources, player starting locations, etc, in ways to form the area of which gameplay will take place.

Formats

Glest has two main map formats:

• GBM: GBM, or the Glest Binary Map format, is the standard type of map. GBM is limited to 4 players, but can be used on any of Glest's engines, including MegaGlest and the Glest Advanced Engine.
• MGM: MGM, or the MegaGlest Map format, is an expanded map type, allowing up to 8 players, as well as having a modified header storage. This allows the format to expand the game's maps, while ensuring that maps meant to be compatible for all versions of Glest still can be (via the GBM format).

Factors controlled by maps

Maps can control the layout of objects and the like, but how the objects and surfaces look is actually controlled by the tilesets, how the resources look is controlled by the techtree, and the starting units are controlled by the faction. Maps have control over the placement or attributes of:

• Land height
• Water
• Objects (such as trees or rocks)
• Player starting locations
• Resources (such as gold or stone)
• Surface type (such as grass or road)
• Camera height level (MGM only)

List of Maps

See Maps/List

Installing

Maps are installed by placing them in the maps/ folder in Glest's installation folder. For GAE, maps are placed in the shared/glestae/maps/ folder. Only the bare GBM or MGM file needs to be placed in that folder. Scenarios in GAE can have a map placed in the scenario folder, which can allow the scenario to use the map without it appearing in the map list when playing a custom game.

Editing

See Maps/Editing

See Also

• Map Editing
• Tilesets
• List of Maps
• Installing Maps