How to create new Maps

Creating New Maps

sd-horde uses a modular map system. Each map is a separate Lua file in configs/maps/ that defines everything from spawn points to enemy configurations.

---

Getting Started

Maps are loaded automatically by the map loader. To add a new map:

1. Create a new file in configs/maps/ (e.g., my_map.lua)

2. Register it in configs/config.lua under the Maps array:

Maps = {
    'server_farm',
    'cayo_estate',
    'my_map', -- Add your map here
},

The map file must return a table with the map configuration.

---

Minimal Map Template

Here's the bare minimum structure for a working map:

return {
    id = "my_map",
    label = "My Custom Map",
    description = "A brief description of your map.",
    icon = "fa-map-pin",

    -- Where players go to start the horde
    entryLocation = {
        coords = vector4(0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0), -- x, y, z, heading
        blip = {
            sprite = 310,
            color = 1,
            scale = 0.8,
            label = "Horde Entry",
        },
        radius = 2.0,
    },

    -- Where players spawn inside the map
    spawnPoint = vec4(0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0),

    -- Where players teleport when game ends
    leaveLocation = vec4(0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0),

    -- Play zone boundary (lib.zones polygon)
    zonePoints = {
        vec3(0.0, 0.0, 0.0),
        vec3(10.0, 0.0, 0.0),
        vec3(10.0, 10.0, 0.0),
        vec3(0.0, 10.0, 0.0),
    },
    zoneThickness = 20.0,

    -- Shop terminal location
    terminal = {
        coords = vector3(0.0, 0.0, 0.0),
    },

    -- Loot deposit crate
    depositCrate = {
        model = 'tr_prop_tr_mil_crate_02',
        coords = vector3(0.0, 0.0, 0.0),
        heading = 0.0,
    },

    -- End game reward crate
    endLootLocation = {
        coords = vector4(0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0),
        model = 'v_ind_cfcrate3',
    },

    -- Enemy spawn points
    enemySpawns = {
        vec4(0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0), -- x, y, z, heading
    },

    -- Loot spawn points
    lootSpawns = {
        vec4(0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0),
    },

    -- Loot objects with values
    lootObjects = {
        { model = 'prop_box_ammo02a', value = 100 },
    },

    -- At least one difficulty is required
    difficulties = {
        easy = {
            label = "Easy",
            description = "Beginner difficulty.",
            icon = "fa-face-smile",
            requirements = { level = 1 },
            maxRounds = 5,
            killPoints = { min = 25, max = 75 },
            enemiesPerRound = {
                [1] = 6, [2] = 10, [3] = 14, [4] = 18, [5] = 22,
            },
            lootPerRound = {
                [1] = 3, [2] = 4, [3] = 5, [4] = 6, [5] = 7,
            },
            enemies = {
                models = { "s_m_m_security_01" },
                weapons = { `WEAPON_PISTOL` },
                health = { min = 120, max = 180 },
                armor = { min = 0, max = 25 },
                accuracy = 25,
                combatAbility = 0,
                combatRange = 1,
                canRagdoll = true,
            },
        },
    },
}

---

Configuration Reference

Requirements

Control who can access the map or specific difficulties.

Property	Type	Description
level	number	Minimum horde level required
completedMaps	table	List of maps that must be completed first
item	string/table	Inventory item required to play

requirements = {
    level = 5,
    completedMaps = {
        { map = "server_farm", difficulty = "normal" },
    },
    item = "access_keycard",
    -- OR for multiple items:
    item = { name = "keycard", count = 3 },
},

---

Enemy Spawn Settings

Control how enemies spawn relative to players.

Property	Type	Description
spawnMode	string	"furthest", "minDistance", or "random"
minSpawnDistance	number	Minimum distance from players (default: 15.0)

enemySpawnSettings = {
    spawnMode = "furthest",
    minSpawnDistance = 15.0,
},
```<div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style='info'>**Spawn Modes:**
- `furthest` - Spawns enemies at points furthest from all players
- `minDistance` - Random spawns filtered by minimum distance
- `random` - Completely random, ignores player positions</div>***

### Enemy Configuration

Define enemy stats for each difficulty.

| Property | Type | Description |
|----------|------|-------------|
| `models` | table | List of ped model names |
| `weapons` | table | List of weapon hashes |
| `health` | table | `{ min, max }` health range |
| `armor` | table | `{ min, max }` armor range |
| `accuracy` | number | Shooting accuracy (0-100) |
| `combatAbility` | number | 0 = Poor, 1 = Average, 2 = Professional |
| `combatRange` | number | 0 = Near, 1 = Medium, 2 = Far |
| `canRagdoll` | boolean | Whether enemies can ragdoll |
| `canHeadshot` | boolean | Whether headshots deal bonus damage |

```lua
enemies = {
    models = {
        "s_m_m_security_01",
        "s_m_m_highsec_01",
    },
    weapons = {
        `WEAPON_PISTOL`,
        `WEAPON_SMG`,
    },
    health = { min = 150, max = 250 },
    armor = { min = 25, max = 75 },
    accuracy = 40,
    combatAbility = 1,
    combatRange = 2,
    canRagdoll = true,
    canHeadshot = true,
},

---

Boss Fights

Add powerful boss enemies on specific rounds.

Property	Type	Description
round	number	Round when boss spawns
name	string	Boss name (displayed on screen)
subtitle	string	Boss subtitle
model	string	Ped model name
health	number	Boss health
armor	number	Boss armor
weapon	hash	Weapon hash
accuracy	number	Shooting accuracy
killReward	number	Points awarded for killing

bossFights = {
    {
        round = 5,
        name = "THE WARDEN",
        subtitle = "Prison Guardian",
        model = "s_m_y_swat_01",
        health = 3000,
        armor = 200,
        weapon = `WEAPON_COMBATMG`,
        accuracy = 60,
        combatAbility = 2,
        combatRange = 2,
        canRagdoll = false,
        canHeadshot = false,
        killReward = 1500,
    },
},
```<div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style='warning'>Boss fights pause normal enemy spawns until the boss is defeated.</div>***

### Mystery Box

Add a COD-style random weapon box.

| Property | Type | Description |
|----------|------|-------------|
| `enabled` | boolean | Enable/disable the mystery box |
| `coords` | vector3 | Box location |
| `heading` | number | Box rotation |
| `cost` | number | Cost per spin |
| `boxModelClosed` | string | Prop model when closed |
| `boxModelOpen` | string | Prop model when open |
| `weaponPool` | table | Available weapons with chances |

```lua
mysteryBox = {
    enabled = true,
    coords = vector3(0.0, 0.0, 0.0),
    heading = 0.0,
    cost = 950,
    boxModelClosed = 'xm3_prop_xm3_crate_01a',
    boxModelOpen = 'xm3_prop_xm3_crate_01b',
    useCamera = false,
    enableParticles = true,
    lights = {
        enabled = true,
        pulsating = false,
    },
    cycleDuration = 8000,
    cycleSpeedStart = 50,
    cycleSpeedEnd = 1500,
    sounds = {
        open = { name = "PICK_UP", set = "HUD_FRONTEND_DEFAULT_SOUNDSET" },
        cycle = { name = "NAV_UP_DOWN", set = "HUD_FRONTEND_DEFAULT_SOUNDSET" },
        finish = { name = "WEAPON_PURCHASE", set = "HUD_AMMO_SHOP_SOUNDSET" },
    },
    weaponPool = {
        { name = "weapon_pistol", label = "PISTOL", rarity = "common", chance = 100, ammo = 60 },
        { name = "weapon_smg", label = "SMG", rarity = "uncommon", chance = 45, ammo = 100 },
        { name = "weapon_carbinerifle", label = "CARBINE RIFLE", rarity = "rare", chance = 20, ammo = 120 },
        { name = "weapon_minigun", label = "MINIGUN", rarity = "epic", chance = 1, ammo = 500 },
    },
},

---

Intro Screen

Show a cinematic intro when the game starts.

intro = {
    enabled = true,
    title = "INFILTRATE THE\nSERVER FARM",
    subtitle = nil,
    description = "SURVIVE THE WAVES AND ESCAPE WITH YOUR LIFE.",
    tagline = "STAY ALERT!",
    duration = 15000,
},

---

End Game Loot

Configure rewards shown after completing the horde.

Property	Type	Description
rerollCost	number	Cost to reroll loot selection
itemCount	number	Number of items shown
duration	number	Time to select items (seconds)
lootTable	table	Available items with chances

endGameLoot = {
    rerollCost = 200,
    itemCount = 6,
    duration = 60,
    lootTable = {
        { name = "goldbar", label = "Gold Bar", rarity = "rare", price = 6000, chance = 18 },
        { name = "diamond_ring", label = "Diamond Ring", rarity = "epic", price = 12000, chance = 5 },
    },
},
```<div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style='info'>**Rarity levels:** `common`, `uncommon`, `rare`, `epic`

Higher `chance` values mean the item appears more frequently. This is a weighted system, not a percentage.</div>***

### Map-Specific Shop Items

Override the default shop configuration for this map.

```lua
shopItems = {
    guaranteeAmmoForWeapons = true,
    ammoBoostMultiplier = 3,

    items = {
        itemCount = 6,
        list = {
            { name = "bandage", label = "BANDAGE", rarity = "common", price = 150, quantity = 3, chance = 100 },
            { name = "armour", label = "BODY ARMOR", rarity = "rare", price = 600, quantity = 1, chance = 25 },
        },
    },

    weapons = {
        itemCount = 3,
        list = {
            { name = "weapon_pistol", label = "PISTOL", rarity = "common", price = 400, chance = 80 },
            { name = "weapon_smg", label = "SMG", rarity = "rare", price = 900, chance = 30 },
        },
    },

    perks = {
        itemCount = 2,
        list = {
            { name = "thick_skin", label = "-25% DAMAGE TAKEN", rarity = "common", price = 500, chance = 80 },
            { name = "vampire", label = "+25 HP PER KILL", rarity = "rare", price = 1000, chance = 25 },
        },
    },
},

---

Finding Coordinates

Use a coordinates tool (vMenu, ox_lib devtools, etc.) to find positions for:

Location	Description
spawnPoint	Where players spawn inside the map
entryLocation	Where players interact to start the horde
leaveLocation	Where players teleport after game ends
zonePoints	Walk the perimeter and record each corner
enemySpawns	Spread throughout the playable area
lootSpawns	Places where loot crates can appear
terminal	Shop access point
depositCrate	Where players deposit loot

• 20-50 enemy spawn points

• 20-50 loot spawn points

• Zone points at every corner/turn of the boundary

---

Tips & Best Practices

Spawn Points

• Test all spawn points to ensure enemies don't spawn in walls or unreachable areas

• Spread spawns evenly across the map for balanced gameplay

• Include spawns at different elevations if the map has multiple floors

Zone Boundaries

• Make sure the zone covers all spawn points, terminal, and deposit locations

• Use zoneThickness to account for vertical space (stairs, ramps)

• Test by walking the entire perimeter

Difficulty Scaling

Difficulty	Enemies	Health	Armor	Accuracy
Easy	Fewer	Low	Low	20-30
Normal	Moderate	Medium	Medium	35-45
Hard	Many	High	High	50-60
Nightmare	Maximum	Very High	Very High	65-80

Boss Placement

• Space bosses evenly throughout the difficulty

• Easy (5 rounds): Bosses at rounds 3, 5

• Normal (10 rounds): Bosses at rounds 3, 6, 10

• Hard (15 rounds): Bosses at rounds 4, 9, 15

• Nightmare (20 rounds): Bosses at rounds 5, 12, 20

Loot Balance

• Common items: chance = 70-100

• Uncommon items: chance = 35-55

• Rare items: chance = 10-30

• Epic items: chance = 1-10

---

Complete Example

See configs/maps/server_farm.lua for a complete, production-ready map configuration with all features implemented.