01-07-2009, 10:35 PM
Couldn't you also just make the map layers in paint and then the client first initializes the layers/sprites/items, and then Blts the ground, mask, anim, items/players/npcs/spells and then the fringe? And then you could also package the graphics so they use 1 file per map, but it holds all the layers. And of course the map editor would require tiles, but then only the developers really need it, and you dont edit the maps while the server is up. (and the client automatically downloads the new stuff once they connect to the server after it is turned on again.