Map Packs

[Daddyo]

Slightly off topic, it's been a while so I might be confused, but I think i've been running the mac map packs on my PC: gamep5.REZ, gamep6.REZ, and TSDM.REZ which seem to have every available map. I was wondering why we would recommend using the PC version packs of which you have to manage constantly?

[TronFAQ]

Those gamep5.rez and gamep6.rez map packs were created that way for the Mac, because there was simply no other easy way to get custom maps working on the Mac version of the game. Unlike the PC version, the Mac version doesn't support custom content and doesn't have a special folder set aside for containing custom maps.

There are several reasons for why using those map packs on the PC isn't necessarily the best option.

• There are still places in the world where bandwidth is limited or expensive. By splitting the map packs into smaller chunks, people won't have to download a gigantic map pack. It also lets people download just the maps they want, that interest them.
• Every time a new map gets released, if there's one gigantic map pack it means that people will have to download the whole thing all over again. Yes, I know they could just download the one map and add it to their folder along with the big map pack. But eventually as more maps get released, you end up with the same situation again of having multiple map files. So we're right back where we started.
• It's best to avoid directly modifying the game's own files whenever possible. Mucking around with the game's files is generally not a good idea. The PC version has a special folder set aside just for custom maps, why not use it?
• The gamep6.rez file contains the text used by the game. Because the gamep6.rez map pack replaces the existing gamep6.rez, it also needs to contain the game's text. The text contained in the gamep6.rez map pack is English. If anyone tries to use it on a different language version of the game, they will lose their native language text.
• If someone decides to patch the game after installing those map packs, the gamep5.rez and gamep6.rez files get replaced and that person will lose all of their custom maps. The KA Mod also replaces gamep6.rez to update the game's text, so the same thing will happen.

Now with all that said, for those people that want an easy option where they can download just one file: I've been planning to make an executable installer that will contain all the maps, and just double-clicking one icon means they have all the custom maps installed.

I've already got one new map, but I'm waiting on a couple of other upcoming new maps to be completed before I go ahead and do it. Otherwise, for people who want one easy file to download, they'll just have to download it over again a couple of months later when the new maps become available.

[floven1]

its good to hear people are still working on maps
:O i better get a few of mine done to submit then eh?