Random Map Scripting Links and FAQ

You recently downloaded an RMS and don’t know what to do with it? You want to design your own RMS and don’t know where to start? You’re working on an RMS and you have some questions that you want to ask? You are wondering what ‘RMS’ even stands for?

You have come to the right place!

>First you will find the answers to general questions related to using RM scripts in your game.
>Below that are frequently asked questions about RM scripting.
>At the end of this post you will find links to relevant guides, tutorials, forum posts and tools.

Feel free to ask any questions you might have in this thread or by starting up a new thread in the AI & RM Scripting Forum!


***General Questions***

Q: What does RMS stand for?
RMS stands for Random Map Script.

Q: What is a random map script?
A random map script is a text file (with the extension *.rms) containing a set of instructions which are used to randomly generate a map. When you play Black Forest or Arabia, the game uses that random map script to generate a map for you to play on and it almost never looks exactly the same.
This should not be confused with scenarios which are designed in the scenario editor and will usually look exactly the same every time you play them.
It is possible to create your own custom random map scripts and to play on ones created by other people.

Q: Where can I download RM scripts?
The Blacksmith here at AoKH has a large collection of RM scripts.

Q: I’ve downloaded an RMS; where should I put it?
If you are playing the CD version of the game:
Microsoft Games\Age of Empires II\Random

If you are playing the HD Edition on Steam:
Steam\SteamApps\common\Age2HD\resources\_common\random-map-scripts

Q: How do I choose a custom RMS in-game?
In the lobby, choose Random Map from the Game dropdown menu. Then choose Custom from the Map Style dropdown menu. Then choose the RMS you want from the Location dropdown menu. RM scripts are automatically transferred to other players in multiplayer.

Q: How do I open/edit an RMS file?
All you need is a text editor. Notepad will do just fine if all you want to do is look at the script or make simple edits. If you plan on spending a significant amount of time working with RM scripts, then a more advanced text editor will help you out. You can read about those in the Links & Resources section of this post.


***Scripting Questions***
These are the types of questions that you might have if you are writing or editing RM scripts.

Q: How do I make my own RMS?
Take a look at the guides and tutorials in the Links & Resources section.

Q: Why is my map completely blank?
Perhaps you have an incomplete comment somewhere at the top of your script. Something like this for example: /* MY AWESOME MAP*/
The space is missing between MAP and */ so the whole rest of the script is ignored.
You might also have some sort of random statement that is missing end_random or a conditional statement missing endif.
It could also be that you are missing the closing brackets } somewhere.

Q: Where can I get the RM scripts for the standard maps in the game?
If you are playing the CD version of the game:
Go to Microsoft Games\Age of Empires II\Data and open up gamedata.drs (AoK) and gamedata_x1.drs (AoC) using a text editor like notepad. You can now copy out any scripts you want to use.

If you are playing the HD Edition on Steam:
Go to Steam\SteamApps\common\Age2HD\resources\_common\drs and choose the gamedata_x1 (AoC) or gamedata_x2 (AoF) folders. You will find all the map scripts in those folders as *.rms files.

Q: What does #include_drs do?
#include statements are used by the internal maps in the gamedata and don't need to be your custom maps.

Q: Can I use triggers in an RMS?
No. Triggers are used in scenarios, which are created in the in-game scenario editor. RM scripts are created externally using a text editor and cannot contain triggers.

Q: How can I test my script in the scenario editor?
If you are using the HD Edition on Steam or the Userpatch for the CD version, then all you need to do is choose your map from Random Map location in the scenario editor. You can then hit generate a whole bunch of times to test your map. You can also choose a specific map seed and then test the effect of changing small parts of your script. There is no need to close the game while testing – all you need to do is save changes to your script in the text editor you are using.

If you do not use the HD Edition or the UP, it is still possible to test in the scenario editor, but it requires modifying the gamedata_x1.drs file by replacing one of the standard map scripts with your own custom one. MAKE SURE YOU BACK UP YOUR GAMEDATA FILE BEFORE DOING THIS. This utility can be used to help you with this.

Q: How do I use mossy roads/ snowy roads/ farm terrains etc.?
You first need to define them using their terrain constants, like this for example:

#const ROAD_MOSS 39
#const ROAD_SNOW 38

Then you can use them like any other terrain. Lists of these terrain constants are found in the newer RMS guides and also in the RMS constants section below.

Q: Why are certain objects not appearing?
This can be due to a multitude of reasons such as typos, incomplete comments, too narrow constraints on the min and max distances, or specifying a base terrain that isn’t in your map. If objects towards the end of your script are not appearing, it could be due to the excessive use of min_distance_group_placement. It keeps away objects created by the same create_object command, and by all future create_object commands! Consider using temp_min_distance_group_placement if you need to scatter objects very far apart. temp_min_distance_group_placement only applies to the current create_object command.

Q: What does temp_min_distance_group_placement do?
It is like min_distance_group_placement, but only keeps objects away from other objects created in the same create_object command and not future ones. In the standard maps it is almost only used for relics, but you can use it for other objects too. It can be used alongside min_distance_group_placement.

Q: How do I make a large central lake like in the Baltic map?
You could add this to your <LAND_GENERATION> section, for example:

 create_land
{
  terrain_type WATER
  land_percent 25
  left_border 20
  right_border 20
  top_border 20
  bottom_border 20
  land_position 50 50  
}

Q: How do I make rivers?
A basic way to make rivers is like this:

base_terrain WATER
create_player_lands
{
  terrain_type GRASS
  land_percent 100
  other_zone_avoidance_distance 8
}

Q: How can I make the players start closer to the edge/closer to the center?
Closer to the center is easy: just add border attributes to your create_player_lands

Closer to the edge is much harder. Decreasing the base_size allows player lands to be closer to the edges, but it does not guarantee that it will happen.

Q: Why is my map crashing?
This can be due to any number of reasons. Here are a few examples:
-Using #const to define something which doesn’t exist and then attempting to place it.
-Attempting to use AoF objects in AoC.
-Giving the map a name that is longer than 20 characters (this bug is fixed in the HD Edition).
-Using 100 as the second number for land_position.
-Using 99 as a zone number for lands
-Having a large amount of jungle terrain in small clumps on your map.
-Having a very large number of connections.
-Using more than 99 distinct create_object commands.
-Using a top_border that is bigger than the other borders for player lands.

As you can see, crashes can happen for all kinds of reasons – including ones not listed above. If you are experiencing crashes, comment out your entire map and then gradually uncomment the script part by part to localize the source of the crash. If you have many comments in your script, it may be simpler to start with a new blank script and copy and paste in your script part by part to localize the source of the crash. If you can’t work out why your script is crashing feel free to make a thread here and ask someone to look over it for you.

Q: How can I easily locate typos and syntax errors in my script?
Syntax highlighting will help you spot mistakes easily. Check out the Editors and Generators section below for some options.
Also, the HD Edition has been updated to include a syntax checker which will prevent the map from generating if there are any errors. It should tell you the file line where it has found a syntax error.

Q: What should I check before publishing my map?
There is a nice checklist here: Long version Short version

Q: How do I take full-map screenshots?
CTRL+F12
But … it doesn’t work in the HD Edition on Steam.

Q: What order is my script generated in?
The sections are used in this order:

<PLAYER_SETUP>
<LAND_GENERATION>
<ELEVATION_GENERATION>
<CLIFF_GENERATION>
<TERRAIN_GENERATION>
<CONNECTION_GENERATION>
<OBJECTS_GENERATION>

You will notice that many scripts (including the standard game scripts!) do not have them written in this order. It does not matter in which order they are written, but this is the order in which the game will use your script so it makes sense to write it like this.

Q: Why is terrain avoiding cliffs?
Keep in mind that cliffs are generated before terrain (see previous question), and come with their own terrain underneath them (see next question), therefore spacing_to_other_terrain_types will also include the spacing to the cliff terrain! Read more about this in All About Cliffs.

Q: How do I get rid of the bits of grass that generate next to cliffs?
Cliffs are placed on a special terrain. This terrain is #16 and looks exactly like GRASS. It does not have a predefined name, so you need to define it to use it or replace it.
Example:

#const GRASS_CLIFFS 16
create_terrain ICE
{
  base_terrain GRASS_CLIFFS
  land_percent 100
  number_of_clumps 99999
  spacing_to_other_terrain_types 0
}

This will replace all (or most) of your cliff grass with ice. You may want to do this on a wintry map, for example. On a desert map you may want to replace it with DESERT or DIRT if it looks out of place to have bits of grass there.



***Links & Resources***
If you find additional resources, please let me know!


Document-based Guides

Random Map Scripting Guide (RMSG.doc) by: Ensemble Studios
Provided in the docs folder on your CD or in Age2HD\Docs\All if you have the HD Edition on Steam. Has several errors and omissions; so don’t trust everything written there! Contains an annotated version of the script for Coastal.

New Random Map Scripting Guide by: Bultro
A newer, more concise guide that covers many of the things left out by the original RMSG.

Updated New Random Map Scripting Guide by: Zetnus
An updated version of Bultro’s guide that fixes further mistakes and omissions and provides information about the new scripting commands available in the Userpatch and the HD Edition and in the new expansions "The Forgotten" and "African Kingdoms".
This is the guide that you should be reading! The other two are only linked for legacy purposes.


Online Tutorials

YouTube Tutorials by: Mike Hasselbach (TheMadCADer)
Well-made videos that provide lots of useful information. Also take a look at his Terrain Reference Sheet.

Checking Your Map by: RF_Gandalf
A guide to all the things you should check before publishing your map. Originally posted on the now defunct MrFixItOnline. Well worth a read if you are new to RM scripting.
Available as a full guide and as a concise checklist.

RMS Step by Step Tutorial by: Vauxhall (Bryan Tighe)
A walkthrough for creating a simple map. Also includes reference info from the RMSG (but also carries over inaccuracies from the RMSG). Was published on various now defunct sites but is still hosted here as well as on various internet archives like this one.

How Connection Generation Really Works by: Bryan
Some connection theory for you. This was originally part of Bryan's RMS Tutorial, but isn't included in the versions linked above.

Wrath's RMS tutorial 01 by: the_Wrath
A tutorial that is about about land generation. Future parts of this tutorial were never published/produced.

RMS Mountain Making Tips By: Lengo67
A tutorial about elevation generation.

All about Cliffs by: Zetnus
A tutorial that guides you through learning everything there is to know about cliffs.

Unequal Player Starts
Unequal Player Starts - part 2 by: Zetnus
Tutorials about creating unequal starting positions using the assign_to_player attribute.

Random Map Advanced Skills by: yesgqt
A tutorial in Chinese tutorial covering various advanced RMS techniques, such as moats, cliff placement, fancy forests, wall tricks, unequal starts, water elevation, etc.

An Introduction to Random Map Scripting by: Zetnus
This is a tutorial about the process of random map scripting, and suggested tools and resources to use, rather than talking about the actual scripting itself. Has some info about using the Steam Workshop. It's the precursor to this post that you are reading right now and I may not be keeping it up to date in the future.


Getting Started with RMS by: MrEd
An archived article with general tips for the RMS design process that contains suggestions and pitfalls to avoid. Dated, but could still worth reading.


Editors and Generators
Yes, you can write your script in just about any text editor, but these programs can make random map scripting much easier and faster. Some of them let you auto-generate whole chunks of code, or whole map scripts. Others provide features like syntax highlighting – which is very helpful for finding typos.


For Notepad++
Notepad++ is free and can be downloaded here: https://notepad-plus-plus.org/

RMS syntax support for Notepad++ (UDL) by: Axa
An addon with syntax highlighting for free text editor Notepad++. Very comprehensive. Also available here.

RMS Language For NotePad++ by: ephestion
Another addon with rms syntax highlighting for the free text editor Notepad++. Not as advanced as the one above.


For PSPad
PSPad is available online for free.

RMS Toolkit by: chasqui
One of the most comprehensive editors currently available for random map scripting. It is a bit complicated to use at first, but definitely worth learning. Comes with syntax highlighting, auto-generation of code, context-sensitive help and various other useful features.


For Word
Microsoft Word is not free, but many people will have purchased it as standard office software.

RMS Creator by: chasqui
Lets you auto-generate a script in Word, and offers quite a bit of scope for customizing the auto-generation. Great for beginners or casual scripters.


For Visual Studio
Only useful if you otherwise use Visual Studio and have it installed.

RMS support for Visual Studio Code by: deltaidea (Nikita Litvin)
Age of Empires 2 Random Map Scripting support for Visual Studio Code.


Standalone Editors
Some of these are quite old and aren’t as useful as the options above. They are included for legacy proposes and for completeness’ sake. Others are quite well-equipped.

Mat's Random Map Scripting Editor by: Mat (Xtreme_Lizard)
Reasonably well-equipped features to auto-generate statements and check syntax.

RMS Scribe by: ephestion
Comes with some templates and auto-generation capabilities.

RMS Editor 2 by: Bryan (Vauxhall)
A text editor that comes with basic script generation capabilities.

RMS Generator by: [soz]Exekutor
If you can read German, then you can read [soz]Exekutor's Tutorial zum RMSG for an introduction to this program.

RMS Editor by: PhoenixFlame
Another early rms editor. You also need the patch.


RMS Constants
These are lists of all the objects in the game that can be created if you define them using a #const statement.

Complete List (.csv) by: DiGiT
Easily searchable, because it’s all in a single spreadsheet.

Advanced List (.htm) by: OtmShankIiI
Much better descriptions and slightly more up-to-date than the complete list above. (This one is also “complete”)

(outdated) Older versions (.doc and .gif for pictures) by: Raymond Tukkers
here and here.

The DLC Constants (.xls) by: Zetnus
Lists the new constants from the expansions "The Forgotten" and "African Kingdoms" and "Rise of the Rajas" on Steam.

Terrain Names Spreadsheet (.xls) by: Zetnus
All the terrain constants with descriptions of the terrains and their functions. Might be useful if you are confused by the renaming of the terrains in the HD Edition scenario editor.


Reference Lists and Misc. Utilities

RMS Reference by: Doskei
Two documents of commands and constants taken directly from the RMSG and intended to be printed out for reference.

Liste aller Objekte by: Reyk
German translation for the list of all pre-defined constants.

Setup Map by: scripter64
This is a utility that lets you generate your script in the Scenario Editor (by replacing one or two of the maps in the gamedata). If you are using the HD Edition or the UP, you should NOT use this because both of those already let you generate custom maps in the scenario editor. Also, this will prevent you from playing multiplayer while it active.

UserPatch Script Reference
AgeII HD Script Reference
The official documentation of the new UP and HD scripting commands. The HD one contains a few typos.

Random Map Scripting Q & A by: Dr. Greg Street (ES_Deathshrimp), Conquerors Lead Designer
Part I
Part II

Enhanced RMS by: HappyLeaves
Enhanced RMS (.erms) is an alternative syntax for AoC random map scripts. Enhanced RMS scripts compile to standard RMS. Currently in development – I haven’t used it but it might be worth looking at if you are transitioning from another scripting language.

More undocumented RM scripting commands by: Zetnus
A thread about all the commands that I found which had not been previously documented anywhere. I added those which work to the Updated New RMS Guide. However, there are others which I have not been able to properly discover the function of. If you find out how to use these, please say so!

Concluding Thoughts

Hopefully this post was able to point you in the right direction; if not, feel free to ask here or make a new thread in this forum.

When searching past threads, keep in mind that the AI & RM Scripting forum was only created in 2008. Older threads about RM scripting can be found by searching the Scenario Design forum. Also, annoyingly, when you search for "RMS" you get lots of results about farms. So here is a tip: search for rms with a space before the rms.

Thread History:
This thread was started in 2015 by Zetnus. When I become inactive, a moderator will hopefully take over updating it as needed.

[This message has been edited by Zetnus (edited 04-08-2019 @ 10:52 AM).]