SC2Mapster

Hey everyone, just wanted to wish you all a happy Easter! Enjoy the time with your family and friends and have a great day!

If anyone is interested in Diablo, DiabloFans did a nice little write-up of some D3 Easter Eggs.

Earlier today, Blizzard posted a job posting for an Assistant Technical Designer, which is a position targeted specifically at us mod makers. From what I've gathered, the position involves working directly within the GalaxyEditor to work on Blizzard DOTA and/or the future campaigns. I know there are a lot of us Mapsters out there that meet all the requirements/plusses for the position. Anyone serious about joining the ranks of the Big Blue should certainly check out (and apply!) for this position.

Elemental TD Updates by Karawasa

Karawasa has implemented a ton of new changes his map, including mazing (allowing players to make their own paths), auto-rematching (allowing you to play multiple rounds per game without having to leave), a team mode improvements (allowing you to play with a friend in the same area), and a bunch more heroes. Check out the changes in the videos below!

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Games can be incredibly useful tools to teach players valuable skills and life lessons. To help young gamers take learning “to the max™,” we’re launching Blizzard Kidzz: a suite of educational games set in the Blizzard game universes. Blizzard Kidzz games will cover important subjects for gamers aged 6 and up, including mathematics, reading/writing, science, history, and more! Visit the Blizzard Kidzz preview page now for screenshots, game descriptions, and preorder information!

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Blizzard Entertainment is proud to announce a revolutionary new handheld title set in its award-winning StarCraft universe, StarCraft: Supply Depot! Read more about this epic gaming experience coming soon for iOS and Android devices, and play an exclusive demo of the game featuring the complete first mission!

Pushed to their limits, the beleaguered terrans plan a last-ditch attempt to save their people from extinction. They enter deep development on the most important research project of their time, one that will elevate warfare forever.

Check out the StarCraft: Supply Depot preview now!

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Say goodbye to your dusty old Battle.net Authenticator and hello to its new incarnation: the Zergotchi! Blizzard Entertainment’s newest authentication system takes the next step in both virtual pet and Authenticator technology to provide you with the login experience of your life! The Zergotchi will not only be an endless source of fun but will also make sure your account stays as secure and safe as ever – in style. Feed it, play with it, care for it, and give it the love it needs to grow into the monster it was meant to be.

Check out this page to read more about the marvelous Zergotchi.

Visit the Blizzard Store today and become the proud owner of this next-generation Authenticator. But please hurry – supplies are limited!

Also see:

• Fledgling Heroes: Blizzard Novels for a New Generation
• Diablo Kitchen Knife
• Battle.net 2.0 for Famicom
• Another KR WoW joke I can't read
• DiabloFans: D3 on Wii
• MMOChamp: Gothic/Emo Jaina Model

I'm not sure why I haven't mentioned this previously, but IronManSC's Melee map, Ohana, became the fourth? user-made map (the first few being Tal'Darim Altar, Cloud Kingdom, and Korhal Compound) to enter the official Blizzard Ladder map pool. That's huge for the community in so many ways, regardless of the fact that it's simply a melee map. If you'd like to participate in melee development, check out our Melee Dev Forums!

Also, Renee updated his GAx3 Editor Enhancement Mod with some new features and bug fixes. I highly recommend checking this out.

Guitar Hero Bound by Bounty

OK, so it's not called Guitar Hero Bound, but that's the best way I'm able to describe Bounty's map concept. The music syncs up with each obstacle and the explosions "move" to the rhythm and beat.

The Hundred by iWaNN

You have one hundred civilians and each civilian can control 1 unit (units as suits). Each civilian can receive levels and learn special sertificates in the Command Center to control most powerful units, like Vulture, Siege Tanks etc. (on start they can control SCV, Marine and Medic suit).

This map also contains an FPS / TPS / RPG / RTS Mod, so you can create a Hero Unit from one of these civilians and upgrade him with special RPG system. You can look at this system in the video below. Of course, you can also control him with FPS / TPS mode.

Angry Angry Templar by Aphotic

This project is a remake of a WarCraft 3 legend, Hungry Hungry Felhounds (Originally created by TheZizz). The objective of the game is to kill all opposing players by ordering a Templar to attack them in an intense Hot Potato fashion. In each round, there is 1 Templar and 1 orb. The Templar will only kill players who possess the orb. Pass the orb around by using your throw orb ability. You also may choose one defensive ability at the start of the game. Each ability has different strategies and usage.

The game also includes AI which can be generated simply by adding computer slots in the lobby. The AI has an APM adjuster ingame from 1 to 960 (1 action per 1/16 second).

I thought this thread (video inside) was worth sharing with everyone, so please check it out. The OP applied to be an SC2/BDotA UI designer and here are some changes he'd make to Battle.net in video format.

Ling Ling Rocket! by Bounty

This project was based on the old dreamcast hit game, Chu Chu Rocket!. You guide the Lings to your ship to earn points, or lead the Colossi to your enemies ships' to make them lose points.

Little Unit, Big Map by Qwesar

Little Unit, Big Map is a gorgeously dark & stylish adventure, where you control a tiny, weak unit, who isn't in much combat directly, yet there is plenty of action. The factions are the reward of this map. You get to be part of a sophisticated & well designed faction after you complete their grand quest. The map also sports a balanced, intense final boss fight, plenty of platforming & dreary land wandering.

StarCraft Master by Blizzard

Blizzard has just released their fifth Custom map (the first four being Burning Tide, Auir Chef, Left 2 Die, and StarJeweled), called StarCraft Master. This map is very similar to the old SC1 "Impossible Scenarios" maps, where you are given a specific number of a particular type of unit and are instructed to kill a specific number of a different particular unit, with the key being your ability to micro.

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A new challenge is coming: the new single-player Blizzard mod StarCraft Master. StarCraft Master offers you the opportunity to put your skills to the test in 30 different challenges that will tax your knowledge and your ability to control your forces. Each fiendish challenge will demand your utmost concentration to prevail, and they’ll help you hone your unit micro-management skills in situations which mimic real battles.

These fun and demanding challenges range from “kiting” a single unit, to managing incoming damage and maximizing unit abilities, to controlling a mix of units to obtain victory over a superior enemy force.

If a particular challenge proves to be too daunting, don’t worry. You have the option to ‘warp’ from challenge to challenge, which will allow you to skip a task that’s proving too difficult or head straight for one you want to work on.

If you’re really stuck, just hit F12 to view hints that might provide the nudge you need to triumph. StarCraft Master also offers five new achievements and a new portrait as well. Eager to test your mettle?

Don't forget to vote for the SC2 characters in the Curse March Gaming Challenge!

Xeno Crisis by basharteg6

An unknown infection breaks out on the KLSC Heavy Cruiser "Righteous Fury," sending its crew into a wild panic. The security forces are quickly overwhelmed, and a young First Mate finds himself following a strangely quiet captain to what he hopes is safety. When the captain murders a security officer in cold blood and abandons the dying crew on a KLSC Scout class fighter, the First Mate is left on his own in a universe spiraling rapidly into chaos. Equipping the power suit of the slain security officer, the First Mate begins the hateful pursuit of a man he's trusted for years, seeking answers and, more importantly, justice. With his entire world shattered into bloody remnants, the only thing keeping the young First Mate from descending into madness is the constant recollection of the captain's violent betrayal, building hate all the more with every disturbing repetition...

PeepMode by IcculusLizard

PeepMode is a melee spectator system for Starctaft II. Up to 14 players can join a game and participate in standard 1v1, 2v2, and FFA matches while others watch, bet, chat, and learn. Many tools are provided for observers including an Auto Cam that follows the action, advanced stats readouts, standard Blizzard Replay UI, betting system, global rating and much more. Not to mention, it includes graphical team selection, unlockable avatars, pets, and turf markers.

Feel free to also check out his official website.

UPDATE: Blizzard released a new tutorial about Actors earlier today!

The Sandbox by dingoo71

Are there any melee players out there that want to get better? I sure hope so. If you've got some free time and are looking to improve, this micro testing map should help you tenfold. All SC2 units, upgrades and buildings are instantly available on a wide open sandy terrain with ramps and bases, and relatively few buttons grant you a great variety of possibilities. The really cool thing about this project is that while you can play it solo, you can also play it 1v1 with a friend or AI!

UPDATE: Patch 1.4.3 has just gone live and it seems it fixed the lobby drop bug!

Last Stand Alpha by FruitNinjazz

Last Stand Alpha is a tactical survival map based on acquiring units through the team's kills. As you survive and consequently gain kills, survivors show up and you can equip them to fight. As of now, the map features around 40 units with unique upgrades for each, as well as over 25 different types of enemies to kill and survive against.

Blizzard's granting another free name change!

Random TD by Hookah604

Random TD is a map where almost everything is set to a random value at the start. So each game brings new challenges, making the game highly replayable. At each game the following things generated randomly: -Every building's and upgrade's price. -The amount and the size of objects and positions on the map. -Waves types, order and repeat time. -End, Start and checkpoints positions for the creeps.

Also, this isnt a coop map. You have to kill each other by killing 100 more creeps than the others! Every time you kill a creep, its instantly respawned at the same position. The map has a score system with top 10 ranking and it logs other stats too, like the highest wave in solo mode.

Check out dApollo's in-depth analysis of the new Season 6 Maps.

Squad Support DeP by DeProgrammer

One player (the base commander) builds and expands melee-style while the other players (up to 7 total) support/defend him with a few units each in order to defeat a large Zerg group. Available squads include Defense, Support, Tanker, Stealth, Artillery, Infantry, and Versatility. There are three maps (unique but with the same squad selection) available for download and published in North America.