Skial Zombie Escape Mapping Reference Guide

This is a reference guide for Skial specific features for Zombie Escape.

If you are new to mapping please refer to this guide instead.

https://www.skial.com/threads/how-to-make-zombie-escape-maps.86862/

Available point_servercommands

ze_map_say {message}

• It sends a message to the chat, so that players can read it and get info/instructions through the chat.
• It is similar to the say command, but has extra features.
• COMMAS ARE NOT ALLOWED. Anything after the comma disappears. I am not sure if this can be fixed by escaping or quoting.
• Colors can be found here https://www.doctormckay.com/morecolors.php
• Example: ze_map_say {olive}[MAP INFO]{default} xyzmessage
• Example: ze_map_say {pink}Hello {green}there {default} blah

ze_map_timer {seconds}

• It creates a countdown on the hud that is at the top of players screens.
• The countdown text says "Defend for X" seconds.
• It disappears when it reaches 0.
• You can run this command even if the previous timer hasn't reached 0 yet.
• Example: ze_map_timer 30 this will set a countdown of 30 seconds no matter how many seconds were left.
• Example: ze_map_timer 0 this will hide the countdown.

sm_extend_map {number of minutes to add}

• Add X minutes to the round timer in the team_round_timer.
• Example: sm_extend_map 30

ze_map_boss_bar {name of something that has HP like base_boss or func_breakable or math_counter}

• Display a TF2 boss HP bar on the screen. Will disappear when hp is down to 0.
• You will need to run this command again if the bar hits 0 and you added hp to the boss later.
• Also makes grenades explode when it comes in contact with the first entity. Normally grenades bounce off everything except a base_boss.
  
• ONLY 1 bar can show at a time. Running this command again will switch the bar to the newest boss.
• Example: ze_map_boss_bar boss_breakable1

ze_map_boss_connect {name of prop_dynamic func_physbox func_physbox_multiplayer func_breakable maybe more} {name of math_counter}

• Connects something that takes damage and subtracts that damage from a math_counter
• This is used for many bosses that use OnHealthChanged to subtract 1 from the boss. If you replace this system, be sure to delete the OnHealthChanged output and scale the HP of the boss up.
• Also makes grenades explode when it comes in contact with the first entity. Normally grenades bounce off everything except a base_boss.
• You can connect as many as you like and they will all work at the same time.
• DOES NOT display a boss bar.
• Example: ze_map_boss_connect boss_phys1 boss_counter1

ze_map_boss_grenade_on {name of an entity}
ze_map_boss_grenade_off {name of an entity}

• Makes grenades explode when they touch the specified entity. This is because grenades normally bounce off everything except base_boss and many maps do not use that.
• You can turn on grenade explosions on as many objects as you want.

Fancy Ladders

func_ladder does not work on TF2, so here is a way to make a decent replacement. Make a func_brush, with the name zeladder anywhere to make it a climbable ladder. Example: blah_zeladder_123.

To climb these ladders, you just look up and press W. To climb down, release all keys, or look down and press W.

• If you want to make ladders only climbable by a certain team, you need to include survivor or zombie in their name.
• These ladders can be disabled and they will be invisible to sight and touch until enabled.
• Leave the solidity as Toggle. The ladder will not work if set to non-solid.
• You must set Render Mode to Don't Render if you use a trigger texture instead of nodraw.
• You can delete these brushes and players will fall off. Players that change teams on a team specific ladder will remain on the ladder.

Here is an example:



Multiple Stages

Do you want multiple stages in your map where if you beat 1 stage, you'll go on to the next stage? And start at the same stage if failed and not the very first stage?

Download this VMF and copy and paste the 5 entities into your map. These entities are setup in a special way so that the math_counter that keeps track of the level does not change after the round restarts.

https://www.skial.com/public/stages.vmf

• math_counter name levelcounter:
  this is the math counter that specifies the current level. Set the number here to change the level next round.
• logic_case name levelcase:
  this is the case that specifies what to do at each level. You should change this to do things like enable a spawn teleport to a new area or changing the origin of the info_teleport_destination.
• point_template name leveltemplate: do not change, magic to stop the counter being deleted when the round ends.
• info_target name levelinit: do not change, magic to stop the counter being deleted when the round ends.
• logic_auto: do not change. you can merge this with another logic_auto that doesn't get disabled.

Do something only when the map starts and not between round changes.

Make an info_target, add the actions as "OnUser1" inputs. Add one to delete itself.

Then in a logic_auto, fire the User1 output to the info_target.

The object will delete itself and won't be recreated on subsequent rounds because info_targets are "persistent" entities that aren't delete and recreated between round. A similar track is used for a multi-stage map.

Obsolete Commands - DO NOT USE

These commands are part of an old plugin that we are retiring in the future due to overly complex and user unfriendly design. They were only used on 1 map. Please contact me privately for information on the new pickup system.

ze_map_hook_gameui {gameuientityname} {cooldowntime} {activationkey} {teamnum}

• This command hooks any and all Game_UI entities currently in the map with the given name.
• Game_UI entities are mainly used in ZE to keep track of button presses.
• You should call this command right after you spawn any Game_UI entities you want hooked in your map.
• In skyrim, the Game_UI entity is used to make the helmet powerup, which grants you the power of Dovahkiin and lets you activate the powerup with the RELOAD button.
• Currently, Game_UI entities have a limited amount of button presses it can detect.
• ze_map_hook_gameui lets you hook a game_ui, and includes support for:
• Item cooldown time(-1.0 = no cooldown, must be a float)
• Item activation key( 1= reload, 2 = special attack, 3 = use)
• Item team(-1 = all teams, 1 = spectator, 2 = red, 3 = blue)
• The server will detect when a player is using the entity and if the player presses a button that corresponds with the entity's name.
• When a button press is detected for UIs that detect reload, it will send a FireUser1 input to that UI.
• When a button press is detected for UIs that detect special attack (M3), it will send a FireUser2 input to that UI.
  
• When a button press is detected for UIs that detect USE, it will send a FireUser3 input to that UI.
  
• When a UI's cooldown ends it will send FireUser4 input to the UI.
• EX: ze_map_hook_gameui item_holder_5 -1.0 reload 3 (this is the name of the helmet's game_ui entity.)

ze_map_add_gameui_cd {gameuientityname} {cooldowntime}

• adds time to the gameui's cooldown
• EX: ze_map_add_gameui_cd helmet_ui 5.0

ze_map_subtract_gameui_cd {gameuientityname} {cooldowntime}

• subtracts time from the gameui's cooldown
• EX: ze_map_subtract_gameui_cd helmet_ui 7.0

ze_map_end_gameui_cd {gameuientityname}

• ends the gameui's cooldown so it can be used again
• EX: ze_map_end_gameui_cd helmet_ui