I’ve been working on AoE2 RMS, a free web tool that lets you build custom random maps for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition without touching a line of RMS code.
How it works: each part of a map (player setup, land generation, terrain, objects, resources, etc.) is its own building block. You mix and match blocks from different maps to create something new, tweak resource sliders (wood, gold, fish, animals, relics) from scarce to abundant, pick your biome and start mode, and toss in extras like walls, bridges, and ruins. The tool spits out a ready-to-use .rms file — drop it into your game’s mod folder and it shows up in skirmish/single player like any other map.
Two features I want to call out that just went in:
Map Painter (experimental) — instead of assembling from presets, you can literally paint the map by hand on a grid (land, water, cliffs, etc.) and it converts your painting into working RMS code. Still rough around the edges, but it’s a fun way to sketch out exactly the layout you’re picturing.
Architect mode — customize the architecture set of your civs, so you’re not stuck with the default building style for every matchup.
It’s all free, browser-based, and the install into AoE2 DE is just three steps (copy the file into the right folder).
I’d genuinely appreciate any feedback, bug reports, or map ideas from people who actually play this game way more than I do — this is still evolving and your input directly shapes what I build next.
Thank you for making this! It works almost perfectly, but with a couple bugs that I’ve found:
When using the Taiga/Dark biome, there is a massive glitch. The grass turns black and the chosen map is totally ignored (I chose BF and it came out with something like an open map). You also start with 5 scouts (1 antiquity, 4 AoE2) in some cases.
Trade Workshops and neutral Markets convert to the first player to come near, therefore stopping you from trading with them (as in AoE4) – is this intended?
P. S: For anyone who doesn’t want to spend and hour testing and retesting like I did, to turn a map(s) into a downloadable mod for multiplayer, compress the “resources” mod folder for your maps and submit it to Mods Create - Age of Empires - World's Edge Studio. Also, when choosing map, select “custom” or it won’t show up.
First neutral Trade Workshops should convert to the player that has control of the area, like in the map aftermath, and swap between the players that have control. Markets should have stayed neutral, I will try to fix it as soon as possible.
For the biome if you can sent me the link so i can see what you choose, the forest generation is very tricky. I will try to fix as many errors as possible that’s why I need feedback!!
Sharing the maps directly to my website will help also!
The market glitch is fixed. The Taiga / Dark biome glitch no longer creates invalid terrain, but the in-game biome is Snow / Ice. It’s fine if you can’t or don’t want to fix it; I’m just letting you know. Thank you!
EDIT: it seems like all games use the ice biome, regardless of the chosen one.
I’m sorry to say that it’s still partially covered with snow. At this point, I’m totally fine with it if you want to stop trying to fix it. It seems like a wild goose chase.
would be great to use it in a tournament. Maybe you should organize one?