WMAP file format

Applies to:
BG1, BG1: TotS, BG2, BG2: ToB, PST, IWD, IWD:HoW, IWD:TotL, IWD2, BGEE

General Description
This file format describes the top-level map structure of the game. It details the x/y coordinate location of areas, the graphics used to represent the area on the map (both MOS and BAM ) and stores flag information used to decide how the map icon is displayed (visable, reachable, already visited etc.)

Engine specific notes:
Areas may be also displayed on the WorldMap in ToB using 2DA files:
  • XNEWAREA.2DA (Area entries section of wmp )
  • 2DA file specified in XNEWAREA.2DA (Area links section) for example XL3000.2DA

NB. A WMP file must have at least one area entry, and one area link to be considered valid.

Detailed Description


Offset Size (datatype) Description
0x0000 4 (char array) Signature ('WMAP')
0x0004 4 (char array) Version ('V1.0')
0x0008 4 (dword) Count of worldmap entries
0x000c 4 (dword) Offset of worldmap entries


Offset Size (datatype) Description
0x0000 8 (resref) Background image MOS file
0x0008 4 (dword) Width
0x000c 4 (dword) Height
0x0010 4 (dword) Map number
0x0014 4 (strref) Area name
0x0018 4 (dword) Start centered on X
0x001c 4 (dword) Start centered on Y
0x0020 4 (dword) Count of area entries
0x0024 4 (dword) Offset to area entries
0x0028 4 (dword) Offset to area link entries
0x002c 4 (dword) Count of area link entries
0x0030 8 (resref) Map icons BAM file
0x0038 4 (dword) Flags (BGEE)
  • Bit 0: Coloured icons
  • Bit 1: Ignore palette
0x003c 124 (bytes) Unused


Offset Size (datatype) Description
0x0000 8 (resref) Area resref
0x0008 8 (resref) Area name (short)
0x0010 32 (char array) Area name (long)
0x0030 4 (dword) Bitmask indicating status of area:
  • bit 0: Area visible
  • bit 1: Area visible from adjacent
  • bit 2: Reachable
  • bit 3: Already visited
  • bits 4-31: Unused
0x0034 4 (dword) BAM file sequence (icons)
0x0038 4 (dword) X coordinate
0x003c 4 (dword) Y coordinate
0x0040 4 (strref) Name (caption)
0x0044 4 (strref) Name (tooltips)
0x0048 8 (resref) Loading screen MOS file
0x0050 4 (dword) Link index - north
0x0054 4 (dword) Link count - north
0x0058 4 (dword) Link index - west
0x005c 4 (dword) Link count - west
0x0060 4 (dword) Link index - south
0x0064 4 (dword) Link count - south
0x0068 4 (dword) Link index - east
0x006c 4 (dword) Link count - east
0x0070 128 (bytes) Unused


Offset Size (datatype) Description
0x0000 4 (dword) Index of destination area
0x0004 32 (char array) Entry point
0x0024 4 (dword) Travel time / 4
0x0028 4 (dword) Default entry location
0x01 - Move to northern side of target area
0x02 - Move to eastern side of target area
0x04 - Move to southern side of target area
0x08 - Move to western side of target area
0x002c 8 (resref) Random encounter area 1
0x0034 8 (resref) Random encounter area 2
0x003c 8 (resref) Random encounter area 3
0x0044 8 (resref) Random encounter area 4
0x004c 8 (resref) Random encounter area 5
0x0054 4 (dword) Random encounter probability
0x0058 128 (bytes) Unused