GameSpot's Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri Game Guide

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appendices

Appendix A: Modifying Alpha Centauri Rules

Appendix B: Creating Custom Functions

Appendix C: Creating Maps and Scenarios

Making the Map
Creating the map for a single-player scenario is very similar to creating a multiplayer map. Study the section earlier in this appendix on creating a balanced and enjoyable multiplayer world. Keep in mind the importance of placing resources and providing options. The landscape is the foundation on which your entire scenario rests. Each element of the map, from the planet size to the amount of water, should complement your scenario, particularly any customized rules, factions, or text you plan to use.

NOTE
An entertaining scenario might revolve around a real-world location. Try to build a map based on a real area, like a country or a state, and adjust your rules, factions, and sounds accordingly.

Balance is one of the key issues in designing your scenario map. Careful placement of resources and bonuses, such as monoliths and supply pods could mean the difference between a challenging scenario and one that's too easy or too difficult.

Assigning Objectives
Assigning objectives to your scenario can be very important in determining your map layout, including where to place preconstructed bases, farms, mines, roads, and so on. Is the objective to wipe out all other factions or to be the first to build a technology advance or secret project?

NOTE
Be sure to assign realistic objectives. Having to construct a certain technology or project by a certain year can be difficult, especially if that year comes rather quickly. Further, pitting an undermanned player against several powerful factions could prove to be more frustrating than fun.

A text file named scenario.txt, can be placed inside the directory where your scenario or map file is located. This file contains introduction and story text for your scenario as well as in-game text for the objectives and win or lose messages. There are several variables or strings placed in the scenario text file; be sure to remain consistent and use the files that are associated with the tutorial scenarios as templates for your own. Each variable is explained in a portion of the file. Let's look at that portion.

##optional for both #INTRO and #OBJECTIVES ## $TITLE1 $NAME2 of the $FACTION3 => Player's faction ## $DATE4 = current date, includes "M.Y." ## $NUM0 = objectives needed for victory ## $NUM1 = objectives needed for instant victory ## $NUM2 = objectives in player's possession at beginning ## $NUM3 = ending year of scenario