A new glitch found by Deathknight, a buffer overflow, has opened new limitless possibilities for UMS map making with Starforge, making Starcraft map editing far superior to even warcraft3 editing.
When you look at this map and I asked you how it was done, you would say it was done using modding (stardraft, etc etc etc) by adding a simple value and running some kind of MPQ. I mean, you would never THINK to see something like this on one of the maps you download from battle.net would you?
Welcome to the new generation of UMS map creation. The glitch master
Deathknight has yet again discovered a new way of effectively EDITING and VIEWING things in the starcraft map memory. How? He found a small glitch that lets him in into a new world in UMS making. He is so excited about it no one has seen him for a couple days. The screenshot you saw above, was done in a map. No modding was involved. 
Although the technique is new, we are realizing the uses are endless. Now, here are some scx files for you to try (no modding required!):
» Terran Units with Shields
» Simple HP Detection Example
» Zero Hit point Academy (not dying or not losing health)
So far, our finds are amazing. Starcraft maps are starting to become even more powerful and limitless then the Warcraft 3 ones. Here are some theoretical and some already proven techniques we already know:
Dynamically Resizing the map in the game?
Resize and Edit (as in adding, subtracting, setting) location coordinates and size. (proven)
Giving any unit any shields
Detecting shields and health
Changing unit graphics?
Changing terrain dynamically while map is in play? (very possible)
Changing unit stats dynamically. (proven)
Changing and Detecting Upgrade statuses. (proven)
And much, much, more on the way. Almost everything has the potential for being possible. Of course, everything has its downside. Sadly, Mac users cannot support these techniques, and crash upon attempting to play maps such as these. We map makers will try to encourage early warning of such techniques, by including "Windows users only" as a force name so Mac users can see that they wont be able to play these maps.
However, we will still explore the usefulness of these techniques. The Staredit Network map making community has already set differences aside and banded together to explore the creative opportunities that we can benefit from this new technique, which can be found at » staredit.net.
Starcraft has been almost 8 years now, and its still as innovative as ever. And no, none of this affects melee gaming.
//Submitted and written by GG.net Guest Editor
YoshidaSniper, UMS maker and Webmaster Staredit.net. Special touch and editing by Entropy.Links
Staredit.net - Map Making Fronteir
