Deus Ex Multiplayer Map Creation Guide

January 4, 2001
Version 1.0


Making a deathmatch level for Deus Ex requires more than standard deathmatch architecture. Many of the game elements have been balanced assuming certain standard map settings. This document explains those map settings.

Computers
In multiplayer games, all computers are supposed to start hacking automatically and not allow login via password. Since we don't support randomized passwords, any actual password would allow users to completely skip the hacking step, and thus eliminating the usefulness of the computer skill. To remove the password, set the Login and Passwords for all accounts on the computer to "" (that is, blank). If the passwords are successfully removed, the computer will not have a login screen and hacking will be automatic.

Keypads
Multiplayer ignores keypad codes. Keypads are almost always used to guard repair bots, and for nothing else. There are exceptions, but the standard for the multitooling skill is that it allow Repair bot access and the ability to disable turrets. Repair bots should be locked up with a keypad between 20% and 30% strength. Repair bot doors should close about 28 seconds after they open.

Locked Cabinets
Locked cabinets are used to guard alternate ammo types, LAMs, biocells, LAW rockets and possibly other goodies such as ballistic armor. The standard lock should be between 20 and 30% difficult. LAW rockets should be locked up at about 60% difficulty. Locked doors close automatically in multiplayer, there is no need to make them do so yourself.

Weapon Racks
Weapon racks are used to distribute weapons. Every spawn point should have both kinds of weapon racks (small and large weapons) within easy grasp.

Repair/Med Bots
All bots should be set so that they don't move around. This involves setting their orders to "standing", and setting all Stimuli, Reactions, and Fears to false.

Cameras and Turrets
In order to correctly inform your teammates as to which turret you've hacked, each turret should be set with a distinct TitleString. This name will appear when you put your crosshairs over a turret or when you or a teammate hacks a turret. It will also be the name displayed when a turret kills someone.

Cameras should be set with bNoAlarm false and bActive false. They will start out off, and players using a computer can then turn them on. There should only be one camera per computer, due to the extra network traffic required for additional camera views.

Spawn Points
Spawn points should be clustered together near weapon racks, approximately 100 units from each other. Clustered spawn points allow teams to spawn together. Team spawning is handled automatically in code. As long as you provide sufficient spawn points in an area, an entire team can spawn there. Since spawn points should be clustered together in team games, this reduces the number of areas where players can reasonably spawn. In non-team games, this can present problems as players are more likely to spawn near each other. To solve this, any cluster of spawn points should have mark most spawn points bTeamOnlyStart. Only one spawn point per cluster should not be so marked. In addition, it is recommended that deathmatch maps have additional spawn points. These should be marked as bNonTeamOnlyStart true. This will activate them only in non-team games.