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What are the oldest Warcraft 3 maps?

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The oldest map I can find here is from january 2005. THe oldest one from epicwar is february 2005.

Considering reign of chaos was released july 2002, that's quite a gap. Anyone have any maps from that era? Any old archived websites or other stuff like that? curios what people played back then.
 
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Poke the ogre/tauren, 7 blademasters and some crappy stuff like that.
Also very early DotA versions iirc, which were balanced very poorly (talking global stun by Doom).

Rudimentary tower defense (cube defense) of course and kodo tag.

Can't think of more at the moment, much has been lost over time - sadly.
 
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would be cool to have some sort of conservation effort, so these things are not lost.

Was thinking of the early days, and I remember a map. This used to be played before dota was a thing. Essentially it had 3 corridors and you had to kill the opposing castle.

I know there are many maps like this, been searching on epicwar. Am I looking however for a particular version (very obscure stuff).

There used to be a bug where you went into the enemy base, bought an item, and the item appeared near the castle. If you clicked it you could gain it stats. (or maybe this only worked on books of stat increase, I do not know).

I have this memory of a guy doing this at the internet cafe. And the other guy saying you shouldn't do it because it's cheating... Played about 5+ variations from epicwar, but can't find it...
 

pyf

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The oldest map I can find here is from january 2005. THe oldest one from epicwar is february 2005.

Considering reign of chaos was released july 2002, that's quite a gap. Anyone have any maps from that era? Any old archived websites or other stuff like that? curios what people played back then.

Warcraft III campaigns by Luthien, from ye olde tripod.com web site:
- The Last Druid (v1.33, 03/26/2004)
"This is more of a multi-map RPG than a campaign, similar to the Frozen Throne bonus campaign with the Beastmaster. It occurs shortly before Warcraft 3, when a solitary High Elf embarks on a mission to restore the Isle of Darrow. The island was once the home of High Elf druids, but during the events of Warcraft 2, the island was raided, the sacred Runestone shattered, and the inhabitants slaughtered. Now, a mysterious force urges him to return to the island. Has decent gameplay and challenging quests.

The events of this campaign don't happen in game lore, but it could have, since its backstory about the Orcs, the extinct High Elf Druids, and their Runestone are all official. You can also travel to the island from these maps in World of Warcraft."


Source: Custom Campaign Collection - Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne Message Board for PC - GameFAQs

- Fall of the Lion (v2.5, 08/09/2003)
"This puts a fun and exciting spin on retelling the events of Warcraft 1. It's not mind-numbingly boring like the exact replica remakes, but it's also not nearly as long, as detailed, or as advanced as as the Saga of Azeroth campaign. It's just a short, fun campaign that you could probably finish in one or two sittings, and a great example of how simple things can sometimes be more fun than projects that took years to complete."

Source: Custom Campaign Collection - Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne Message Board for PC - GameFAQs
 

pyf

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Warcraft: The Saga of Azeroth by Tiago José Galvão Moreira, a.k.a. Deicide
(updated 10/25/2003)

"This takes place before and during Warcraft 1. It strictly adheres to real game lore, and is perfect for those who want to play the events that started it all in a relatively modern engine. The campaign was first developed in 2003, before The Frozen Throne even came out, but has since undergone several updates and now it stands tall and proud. It is marketed as episode 1 of an ongoing saga that retells the events of Warcraft 1 and 2, but no further episodes were ever released. Still, since it takes place in Warcraft's game universe, if you finish the campaign and want to know what happens next, simply grab a copy of Warcraft 2 or replay Warcraft 3."

Source: Custom Campaign Collection - Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne Message Board for PC - GameFAQs
 

pyf

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Maybe. To do so, the easiest way would be imho to search for files with the w3m file extension, by using a FTP search engine. Files last uploaded somewhere in 2002 would be from 15 years ago.

I would also use @Hallfiry's CD Index (note: not working optimally atm), and then look for the relevant ISOs of CD/DVDs from magazines published that year.

For the record, RoC was first released on July 2002 in North America and in Europe.
 
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Earliest maps I remember are generally TDs. I forget the name of it, but there was one TD that everyone stole the terrain from; grass tileset, 8 player, zigzag lanes going to the center. Nintendo TD uses it.
I also remember playing Line Tower War.
Also some Final Fantasy Tactics map that was a sort of precursor to the ORPG maps. No saving system or anything; intended to be completed in a single sitting.
Tech Wars and Preschool Defense come to mind, too.
 

pyf

pyf

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Lets see. Can you find something from 2002 ? It is challenge for you! Now I am looking at these maps!

Maybe. To do so, the easiest way would be imho to search for files with the w3m file extension, [...]

I would also use @Hallfiry's CD Index (note: not working optimally atm), and then look for the relevant ISOs of CD/DVDs from magazines published that year. [...]

@robizeratul: I live, I walk, I conquer (well, ok, more or less :wink:)

hallfiry w3m.png

These three official 2002 maps for RoC are still downloadable from here:
Warcraft III - Maps - Bonus Maps

They are also in the official archive war3maps060920.zip (in the \Demo folder)

Later, it seems Blizzard turned (4)Roundabout.w3m and (6)EnakrosWay.w3m into TFT maps. But it might not be the case with (8)RichMansGarden.w3m, though. Or maybe Blizzard changed the name of this map for some reason?


While I am at it, some might find a specific part of this post from 2014 to be interesting. Quoting:
[...]
" MAPS:

---Official maps (according to Warcraft III - Maps) including (2)Justice.w3x, (4)BrutalWinter.w3x, (4)Deadfall.w3x, (8)BanewoodBog.w3x, (10)ExtremeCandyWar2005.w3x never make it to the game through official patches. Also are (4)Roundabout.w3m, (6)EnakrosWay.w3m and (8)RichMansGarden.w3m (not .w3x!)."
[...]
 
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Warcraft III campaigns by Luthien, from ye olde tripod.com web site:
- The Last Druid (v1.33, 03/26/2004)
"This is more of a multi-map RPG than a campaign, similar to the Frozen Throne bonus campaign with the Beastmaster. It occurs shortly before Warcraft 3, when a solitary High Elf embarks on a mission to restore the Isle of Darrow. The island was once the home of High Elf druids, but during the events of Warcraft 2, the island was raided, the sacred Runestone shattered, and the inhabitants slaughtered. Now, a mysterious force urges him to return to the island. Has decent gameplay and challenging quests.

The events of this campaign don't happen in game lore, but it could have, since its backstory about the Orcs, the extinct High Elf Druids, and their Runestone are all official. You can also travel to the island from these maps in World of Warcraft."


Source: Custom Campaign Collection - Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne Message Board for PC - GameFAQs

- Fall of the Lion (v2.5, 08/09/2003)
"This puts a fun and exciting spin on retelling the events of Warcraft 1. It's not mind-numbingly boring like the exact replica remakes, but it's also not nearly as long, as detailed, or as advanced as as the Saga of Azeroth campaign. It's just a short, fun campaign that you could probably finish in one or two sittings, and a great example of how simple things can sometimes be more fun than projects that took years to complete."

Source: Custom Campaign Collection - Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne Message Board for PC - GameFAQs

I am super excited to try this. The oldest map I ever played was way back in 2008.
 
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Oh, I must have missed this thread. So Here's my contribution:
Three bonus maps mentioned above were also found on the Warcraft 3 demo CD and are dated to September 13, 2002, according to the record in my catalog (and the CD itself on my shelf)
Code:
        (4)Roundabout.w3m    216,369     2002-09-13 20:28:48     Warcraft 3 Demo CD     ??/????     \RetailMaps    
        (6)EnakrosWay.w3m    220,599     2002-09-13 20:28:38     Warcraft 3 Demo CD     ??/????     \RetailMaps    
        (8)RichMansGarden.w3m    162,200     2002-09-13 20:28:42     Warcraft 3 Demo CD     ??/????     \RetailMaps

GameStar 09/02 (both, CD and DVD version) offers an archive of five maps dated to July 24, 2002
Code:
        DeadWinterReigned.jpg    12,444    2002-07-24 17:51:08    180 x 180, 16.7 million colors (24 bit) 96 x 96 DPI
        Ex_wc31.jpg    153,566    2002-07-24 17:51:08    640 x 480, 16.7 million colors (24 bit) 96 x 96 DPI LEAD Technolo
        Ex_wc32.jpg    94,464    2002-07-24 17:51:08    640 x 480, 16.7 million colors (24 bit) 96 x 96 DPI LEAD Technolo
        gamestar.jpg    17,017    2002-07-24 17:51:08    256 x 256, 16.7 million colors (24 bit) 150 x 150 DPI LEAD Techno
        WarCraft3-5maps.exe    1,076,224    2002-07-24 17:51:08    
        Warcraft3.rtf    676    2002-07-24 17:51:08

The Games Machine #144 has 15 maps, some of which are official but for some reason still included. Most notably it has Kaggz RPG - Shadows of Evil v1.20 at a whopping 1.2mb.
The files are dated between July 3 and July 24, 2002.
Code:
Warcraft III.exe    3,497,472    2002-07-31 14:09:42

GameStar 10/02 features 20 maps in a file dated to August 20, 2002
Code:
        WarCraft3-20maps.exe    2,379,776    2002-08-20 22:08:18    
        Warcraft3.rtf    8,348    2002-08-20 22:08:18    
        wc3.jpg    99,296    2002-08-20 22:08:18    640 x 480, 16.7 million colors (24 bit) 72 x 72 DPI

CD Action 11/02A probably features a campaign or large map, dated to September 3, 2002. Sadly I don't have that CD right now.
Code:
        info.xml    216    2002-09-03 13:58:40    
        warc_shadows.rar    1,197,585    2002-09-03 11:31:24

GameStar 11/02 (both, DVD and CD version) comes with a packet, presumably with Warcraft 3 maps, dated to September 17, 2002.
Code:
    WC3.jpg    146,990    2002-09-17 17:09:02    640 x 480, 16.7 million colors (24 bit) 96 x 96 DPI
        WarCraft3.ini    281    2002-09-17 17:09:02    
        WarCraft3_Paket.exe    5,435,392    2002-09-17 17:09:02    
        Warcraft3_1102.rtf    9,836    2002-09-17 17:09:02

PC Games 11/02 (only dvd edition?) has a Warcraft 3 campaign named Heimkehr (The return home), dated to September 17, 2002
Code:
        heimkehr1final.exe    3,103,232    2002-09-17 14:37:48

PC Gaming 11/02 CD 2 from Sweden comes with a 28mb archive of Warcraft 3 maps dated to September 19, 2002
Code:
    W3Maps.exe    28,416,077    2002-09-19 15:25:56

GameStar Special Issue 04/02 has several maps (and campaigns?) from October 10, 2002
Code:
     Bilder    297,427    2002-10-10 12:10:10    
        ForThoseWhoHaveFallen.exe    471,040    2002-10-10 12:10:10    
        mehrspieler_14.rtf    884    2002-10-10 12:10:10    
        mehrspieler_15.rtf    867    2002-10-10 12:10:10    
        mehrspieler_16.rtf    876    2002-10-10 12:10:10    
        shadows_of_evil.exe    1,257,472    2002-10-10 12:10:10    
        ThePrincessProphecy_v2.0.exe    3,796,992    2002-10-10 12:10:10    
        WarCraft3-20maps.exe    2,379,776    2002-10-10 12:10:10    
        Warcraft3.rtf    8,237    2002-10-10 12:10:10

GameStar 12/02 has a map pack dated October 17, 2002
Code:
        WC3.jpg    122,766    2002-10-17 16:39:36    640 x 480, 16.7 million colors (24 bit) 72 x 72 DPI
        WarCraft-3-Kartepaket.ini    242    2002-10-17 16:34:24    
        WarCraft3_1202.exe    4,706,304    2002-10-17 16:31:22     
        Warcraft3_1202.rtf    13,738    2002-10-17 16:26:16

PC Gaming DVD #26 01/03 from Sweden had a map pack from November 14, 2002
Code:
        Warcraft3Maps.zip    3,265,372    2002-11-14 17:22:38

CD Action 07/03B (again not available right now) has Shadows of Evil, dated to October 29, 2002 (timestamp might be incorrect)
Code:
        info.xml    195    2002-10-29 16:00:50    
        shadows_of_evil.rar    1,197,657    2002-10-29 15:53:28


Following issues of GameStar often have Warcraft 3 maps aswell, but I guess for an impression of early maps this is a good start.

I'll upload all those maps (except CD Action, as I don't have them) if wanted.
 
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would be cool! From what I can see, many are traditional W3 maps no?

Will search for any RPG maps/campaigns etc, curios how things work then
 

pyf

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would be cool! From what I can see, many are traditional W3 maps no?

Will search for any RPG maps/campaigns etc, curios how things work then
Lets see. Can you find something from 2002 ? It is challenge for you! Now I am looking at these maps!
@robizeratul : they are what you asked for.

The w3n file extension (read: campaigns) was first introduced with TFT. Therefore, there can not be any w3n files from 2002.

Three bonus maps mentioned above were also found on the Warcraft 3 demo CD and are dated to September 13, 2002, according to the record in my catalog (and the CD itself on my shelf) [...]
@robizeratul: I live, I walk, I conquer (well, ok, more or less :wink:)

Yup.
 
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Alright, I packed them all up. 226 maps from 2002 and 2 replays (why not?).

Regarding the maps from the demo CD: I should have at least read the thread properly before I repost what pyf already said :D
 

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There are a lot of maps that don't work. About 10-20% of them maybe more.

Most of the time they don't open, very rarely they crash.

Checking out new batch now! Really interesting, if you have more feel free to add! I spent hours testing out and looking at everything
 
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thank! where do you get this? Do you have a big hat where you get more and more maps? haha

pyf: it's a long list. It can probably be fixed by having version switcher, but I do not have it. I am sure most maps would work.

Also, most of the time these are just "normal" maps, not RPGS (the stuff I'm looking for)
 
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I have read your post! I didn't realize you where talking about Hallfiry, an actual user there. Thought you where talking about some complicated programs...that I can't use

That's why I didn't look into it! Thought he was doing some other trick :D
 

pyf

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Most likely that nobody bothers to go back a few pages to find a comment.
@A Void : By a few, you mean one?

[...] Thought you where talking about some complicated programs...that I can't use [...]
@robizeratul : How do you know you can not use a program if you do not try to use it, and what makes you believe it is supposedly complicated if you do not know what it looks like in the first place?

Typing 'Hallfiry's CD Index' in a search engine leads to the KultCDs site. It is the first result shown in DuckDuckGo for me.
 
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Typing 'Hallfiry's CD Index' in a search engine leads to the KultCDs site.
Mentioning me as @Hallfiry was quite a giveaway aswell. (though it took me months to notice it)

But let's not argue to much about this. If @robizeratul was apt enough to be expected to find those things by himself, he wouldn't have asked here at all in the first place and instead just checked wc3sear.ch over at archive.org or something. (And hopefully would have shared his findings)

But now we have those maps and we can live happily ever after.

But just to be sure... need maps from 2004 and 2005 aswell? :D
 
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Pyf: well, I made an assumption. Once I couldn't find something and asked help from a friend. He had some complicated software for "scraping" the internet and finding some things. I saw him do it and it wasn't simple.

It was laziness and misunderstanding, checking out the website now. I did check archive websites and others but couldn't actually download the maps. There are plenty of maps on the W3 incgamers website that I used to visit 6-7+ years ago but now it's gone. I can see them but not download.

Hallfiry: W3search is dead, unless they switched the domain name. Thanks a lot for the great files!

As for maps, I am a huge W3 fan and feeling really nostalgic. So few new stuff is getting released, remember years ago when each day I would find some good map/or something updated. That's one reason I started to play the old maps.

I will try out anything! Only rule is: no melle/normal W3 maps. I prefer RPG games but will try out anything else. Even if you have 100GB of maps laying around, feel free to share haha, I will play them!.

I played probably 90% of Hive RPG/campaign maps. Finding something new (and good) is an event, happens very rarely. Most of he maps I have played have been very basic...but I enjoyed them greatly! It's like archaeology hehe and reading about history . Even if most maps are simple, a few innovative things spring up (Like a camera system, or a map when you are a different hero in the day/night, or maybe just editing the stats of a creature :)) can't believe how many map makers didn't figure that out!)...


cokemonkey: thanks, will check it out!

Anyway, I am rambling kinda tired and got nostalgic. Want to thank anyone who contributed here! Learning more about W3 is both really fun and interesting
 
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You guys act like I'm a total idiot haha

I may not not every single website/trick for W3 modding and maps...but It's not like this is my first day on the internet. As fate would have it, I never used W3search.

When I first started I would play W3 at computer cafes, didn't have it at home. Then I simply used google(this was 2005-2006). After a while epicwar and W3 maps and mods(what later became war3.incgamers) where my main sites. + what I got from battlenet.

Don't know when I found hive, but not long after. Been using the same website for years + a few others. Never heard of W3search, it just never came up...

This things happen, the internet is a big place.
 

Rui

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Warcraft: The Saga of Azeroth by Tiago José Galvão Moreira, a.k.a. Deicide
That name... the guy's probably Portuguese like me :p

I can say that I started playing Warcraft III online in 2005. "The Battle for Middle Earth", by LegenD-FirE, already existed. He had a different nickname then, though.
I spent ages playing that map. There's an even older version of it which I believe comes from Reign of Chaos.
 
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Pyf: well, I made an assumption. Once I couldn't find something and asked help from a friend. He had some complicated software for "scraping" the internet and finding some things. I saw him do it and it wasn't simple.

It was laziness and misunderstanding, checking out the website now. I did check archive websites and others but couldn't actually download the maps. There are plenty of maps on the W3 incgamers website that I used to visit 6-7+ years ago but now it's gone. I can see them but not download.

Hallfiry: W3search is dead, unless they switched the domain name. Thanks a lot for the great files!

As for maps, I am a huge W3 fan and feeling really nostalgic. So few new stuff is getting released, remember years ago when each day I would find some good map/or something updated. That's one reason I started to play the old maps.

I will try out anything! Only rule is: no melle/normal W3 maps. I prefer RPG games but will try out anything else. Even if you have 100GB of maps laying around, feel free to share haha, I will play them!.

I played probably 90% of Hive RPG/campaign maps. Finding something new (and good) is an event, happens very rarely. Most of he maps I have played have been very basic...but I enjoyed them greatly! It's like archaeology hehe and reading about history . Even if most maps are simple, a few innovative things spring up (Like a camera system, or a map when you are a different hero in the day/night, or maybe just editing the stats of a creature :)) can't believe how many map makers didn't figure that out!)...


cokemonkey: thanks, will check it out!

Anyway, I am rambling kinda tired and got nostalgic. Want to thank anyone who contributed here! Learning more about W3 is both really fun and interesting


Hihi robizeratul.

If you are looking for great rpg maps that are very old, i can recommend one for you: Melody of Dissonance
Melody of Dissonance v1.2

Then is no save/load function, so you need to beat the whole map in one go.
I did it on the hardest difficulty with friends and it took over 6 hours to beat. If you have less people, do the easiest difficulty and you can probably beat it in under 1 hour and 45 minutes. The map will really give you a sense of the old reign of chaos rpgs, but it is special in that once you start playing it, you can really see just how much time and thought was put into this map. I rate it as one of the best rpg maps i have ever played :). The storyline is probably the best that i have ever seen, it is also made in the style of a movie with twists and cliff hangers.
 
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