Stronghold Definitive Edition Help-Playing downloaded maps

[jbobbittg]

Can anyone tell me where I can go to get step by step instructions on how to download and play the maps on Stronghold Heaven on Stronghold Definitive Edition I have on Steam? I have downloaded a map but cannot find it when I open the game.

[Bruce]

It seems that Steam automates and obfuscates how it links to subscribed items; the data is all stored in a file named steam_autocloud.vdf, I think. When I subscribed to a map only this file appeared to be altered.

However, I do have a clue for you. Just a clue. (And it pertains to PC, not Mac.)

If you open the Map Editor, you see three options to "Load Map File," "Edit Workshop Map," and "Load 'Siege That' Map." No matter what you pick, the next screen is "Load Map." On that, there is an "Open Maps Folder" button. No matter what you picked on the previous screen, it goes to this folder:

C:\Users\[your name]\AppData\LocalLow\Firefly Studios\Stronghold 1 Definitive Edition\Maps

I bet if you put your downloaded Stronghold Heaven maps in there, you may see them in the game. But here is another clue; Depending on how the author tagged the map, you need to go to the appropriate place in the game menu to find it. I am talking about "Siege," "Invasion," "Economic," "Free Build," "Multiplayer," and "Siege That."

If I am right, please let me know as, even though so far I am dabbling only in stuff from the Steam Workshop, I might be interested in doing what you are trying to do.

[Bruce]

Heh, I will answer your question and my own as well. That is exactly what you do! I just downloaded "Defense of Thermopylase" from Stronghold Heaven, placed it in that folder, and here it is, under Invasion along with "The Execution of Robin Hood" that I subscribed to in the Steam Workshop (note the different icons):

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3110096001

[Bruce]

All that said, however, I wonder if those old custom maps on Stronghold Heaven are compatible with DE and its updated graphics. I just took a look at "Defense of Thermopylae" and another one that I downloaded from there and while they loaded, neither of them looked any good. Nothing like the map previews shown on the web site.

[jbobbittg]

Bruce, thank you for the response. It took me several tries, but I finally got an Invasion map downloaded and it played great in Stronghold DE. I played this game, and loved it, back in my fifties when it first came out. But I am getting older and it takes me longer to figure things out. Again, thanks for the help.

[Bruce]

My pleasure, Old Man. Heh, from your screen name, I deduce that I am a slightly older man than you (one year). We older gamers have to stick together!

So, thanks for your confirmation of success. It inspires me to try the Stronghold Heaven material once again to see if I can have similar results. Happy gaming!

EDIT: Eureka! I downloaded "Tales of Robin Hood" from Stronghold Heaven, and it looks great. Maid Marian, take heart. I am coming to rescue you, whether you want rescuing or not!