Gameplay Good Map Editor / Modding Tools

[Cobalt]

Don't really know if this is the right prefix, and if the ideas should be more concrete/split into different threads.

I would really like to see a good map editor that allows implementing gamplay changing features, to allow building maps like tower defense or survival.

I also have a very specific one in mind: A Battlefield-like Map. It's a Warcraft III map, called Battlefield Reloaded by Sjune.

Two opposing teams play a kind of tug of war. Each player starts with a builder, and is only able to construct buildings. The buildings automatically spawn units at a regular basis that are rallied to the enemy base. The units cannot be controlled by the players.
On top of that, players can build defensive structures and one hero unit they can control. The latter might not be feasible in Sanctuary, but could be compensated by other mechanics, like a higher emphasis on defensive outposts or building location (so that the units will approach from different directions).

It COULD be an officially supported game mode. But it might not directly fit the lore. Still, it's a lot of fun to play in WC3, and with some modifications, it might work in Sanctuary too.
I would volunteer building such a map, if the editor/modding tools allow that.

In general, building a map with a custom game mode could serve as a source for feedback for the tooling.

 

[Random Guy]

I also have a very specific one in mind: A Battlefield-like Map. It's a Warcraft III map, called Battlefield Reloaded by Sjune.

Two opposing teams play a kind of tug of war. Each player starts with a builder, and is only able to construct buildings. The buildings automatically spawn units at a regular basis that are rallied to the enemy base. The units cannot be controlled by the players.
On top of that, players can build defensive structures and one hero unit they can control. The latter might not be feasible in Sanctuary, but could be compensated by other mechanics, like a higher emphasis on defensive outposts or building location (so that the units will approach from different directions).

I doubt it can be any fun to play, because unlike other games, units in Sanctuary, don't often have any unique abilities, or if they do, they often need control from the player to be efficient. I don't think anybody would have fun just sending t1 tanks at each other, especially if you can't even control them. Air units would also be bad, because they are not good at straight up fight and are more efficient at raids or point strikes, both of which are impossible when there is no unit control.

 

[Al]

That sounds a little bit like a Factorio style game.

 

[Cobalt]

I mean, the main suggestion here is to have an editor that allows creating such maps.

Regarding the specific game mode: I agree that the map can not just be copied over, it needs adjustments. Sanctuary will probably lack the hero units, and the hectic pace. But I believe other aspects of Sanctuary can be used to compensate.
But maybe my explanation was a bit lacking:

units in Sanctuary, don't often have any unique abilities

The army units in Battlefield don't have abilities either. Except for the aura tanks, that, well, has an aura to buff nearby units.

I don't think anybody would have fun just sending t1 tanks at each other, especially if you can't even control them.

Well, the players build unit factories that automatically pump out units. That's basically it. By building and upgrading the factories, different units are produced. As player, you plan on how to invest your resources, build a good unit composition, and counter the enemies teams units.

Air units would also be bad, because they are not good at straight up fight and are more efficient at raids or point strikes

It's possible that air units will not work in this game mode. But that's no problem. Just remove them if they do not add something interesting. It may be possible to make them viable by changing their stats (e.g. give them more health).
But thinking about your argument, that air units are good at point strikes: That might just be an interesting aspect for this map. The players usually invest their resources in factories, which serves as long-term investments. The longer the factory is running, the more units it was able to produce (units are free). Air units could be a one-time investment: Spend some cash on a single, fast strike. If the attack is able to destroy some of the enemies factories, it was a good investment. If the attack force just killed some units, the money would have been better spent on additional factories.

That sounds a little bit like a Factorio style game

Not really. It might have more in common with an auto battler, if this game type is better known.
You have limited resources that you spend on factories to form your unit compositions. You have a small passive income, and you get money by killing enemy units with defensive structures (so the team in the defense gets a small resource boost). Units are free, constantly produced, and cannot be controlled. So it's an ever growing flow of units, until one side breaks through. The game often ends quickly as soon as the first factories get destroyed: Less factories = less new units.

There is also a StarCraft II Arcade map that is somewhat similar, called Direct Strike. But it plays a bit different and has no AI support.

But then again… The main suggestion here is to have tooling support for building maps like Battlefield Reloaded. The specific map was just meant as an example, and one I would like to try.

 

[Al]

There is already a map editor, but it may not be quite as complex as you require: https://shatteredsunrts.com/sanctuary-mods-and-maps/map-editor.2/