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Map files, .map files or map cache files, are a file type employed within the Blam engine used by all first-person shooter Halo games. As their name suggests, they are the files which store data for campaign levels and maps for multiplayer, Firefight and Spartan Ops. Due to the uncertainty of game development, map names change frequently during production and may not be finalised until relatively close to release. As such, a map's display name in the in-game user interface is often completely different to the actual .map filename inside the game directory. This information is primarily used in modding.

This page intends to serve as a general overview of the .map file type; for in-depth technical information, see this page on the c20 Reclaimers Halo modding wiki.

Overview

Within the Blam engine, tags serve as individual containers storing data about a given subject. These include but are not limited to: models, textures, ai, vehicles, weapons, projectiles, scenery objects, and level data. Tags can be created and edited using the Halo Editing Kit components Guerilla or Foundation. One tag type, know as a scenario tag, stores the necessary information required to compile an actual level, such as the map model (BSP), lighting, scripts, positions of player and enemy spawns, weapons and vehicles, objectives, and so forth. Scenario tags can be edited in the Halo Editing Kit component Sapien which gives a 3D view of the scenario.

Scenarios can then be played in the Halo Editing Kit component Tag Test or compiled using the component Tool to create a map file. Compiled maps share their name with the scenario they were compiled from and contain all of the same info in a compressed format superficially similar to a .zip file or a .pak file. Map files are self contained and no longer reference any info from the Halo Editing Kit. Because of this it is possible for two or more separate map files to contain different versions of the same tag or tags. This is what allows mod authors to upload new maps containing custom tags that do not overwrite any retail data. While maps do not share data directly with other maps of the same type (campaign, multiplayer, etc) they may inherit data from a shared map. Shared maps may be created for the purpose of optimizing frequently used tags such as multiplayer characters.

Below is an incomplete list of all known official map file names and their known scenario file paths. All scenarios no matter their file path compile into a maps folder.

List of map file names

For more technical information on map files, see the relevant page on the c20 Reclaimers Library modding wiki, here.

For more technical information on scenario tags, see the relevant page on the c20 Reclaimers Library modding wiki, here.

Halo: Combat Evolved

All Halo: Combat Evolved scenario files are stored in a tags folder named levels, inside that is a folder named test where all multiplayer maps are kept.^[1] Maps added by Digsite have their own file path digsite\levels.

Map	.map filename	Notes
Campaign
The Pillar of Autumn	`A10`
Halo	`A30`
The Truth and Reconciliation	`A50`
The Silent Cartographer	`B30`
Assault on the Control Room	`B40`
343 Guilty Spark	`C10`
The Library	`C20`
Two Betrayals	`C40`
Keyes	`D20`
The Maw	`D40`
Multiplayer
Battle Creek	`beavercreek`
Blood Gulch	`bloodgulch`
Boarding Action	`boardingaction`
Chill Out	`chillout`
Chiron TL-34	`putput`
Damnation	`damnation`
Derelict	`carousel`
Hang 'Em High	`hangemhigh`
Longest	`longest`
Prisoner	`prisoner`
Rat Race	`ratrace`
Sidewinder	`sidewinder`
Wizard	`wizard`
Danger Canyon	`dangercanyon`	PC Port and MCC-exclusive
Death Island	`deathisland`	PC Port and MCC-exclusive
Gephyrophobia	`gephyrophobia`	PC Port and MCC-exclusive
Ice Fields	`icefields`	PC Port and MCC-exclusive
Infinity	`infinity`	PC Port and MCC-exclusive
Timberland	`timberland`	PC Port and MCC-exclusive
Tutorial	`tutorial`	Halo Editing Kit and Halo: Combat Evolved Editing Kit-exclusive
Cut levels
"mirror"	`mirror`
"swampthing"	`swampthing`
Digsite levels
Dusk	`dusk`
Abyss	`d_dusk_too`	remix of Dusk by Digsite
Indoor	`indoor`
Underground	`agoraphobia`	remix of Indoor by Digsite
Ruined Pain	`ruinedpain`	different from the iteration seen here
Spasm	`spasm`
Swampthing	`swampthing`

Halo 2

All Halo 2 scenario files are stored in the tags folder scenarios, containing the subfolders solo and multi for campaign and multiplayer respectively. Multiplayer map remakes from Halo: Combat Evolved and the Marathon series are kept in the additional subfolders halo and marathon respectively.^[2] Maps added by Digsite have their own file path digsite\scenarios.

Map	.map filename	Notes
Campaign
The Heretic	`00a_introduction`
The Armory	`01a_tutorial`
Cairo Station	`01b_spacestation`
Outskirts	`03a_oldmombasa`
Metropolis	`03b_newmombasa`
The Arbiter	`04a_gasgiant`
The Oracle	`04b_floodlab`
Delta Halo	`05a_deltaapproach`
Regret	`05b_deltatowers`
Sacred Icon	`06a_sentinelwalls`
Quarantine Zone	`06b_floodzone`
Gravemind	`07a_highcharity`
Uprising	`08a_deltacliffs`
High Charity	`07b_forerunnership`
The Great Journey	`08b_deltacontrol`
Multiplayer
Ascension	`ascension`
Beaver Creek	`beaver_creek`	`halo` folder denotes Halo: Combat Evolved remake.
Burial Mounds	`burial_mounds`
Coagulation	`coagulation`	`halo` folder denotes Halo: Combat Evolved remake.
Colossus	`colossus`
Headlong	`headlong`
Ivory Tower	`cyclotron`
Lockout	`lockout`
Midship	`midship`
Waterworks	`waterworks`
Zanzibar	`zanzibar`
Foundation	`foundation`	Requires unlock, unlocked by default in Vista and MCC. `marathon` folder denotes Marathon remake.
Containment	`containment`	Bonus Map Pack and MCC-exclusive
Warlock	`warlock`	Bonus Map Pack and MCC-exclusive. `halo` folder denotes Halo: Combat Evolved remake.
Sanctuary	`deltatap`	Killtacular Pack and MCC-exclusive
Turf	`turf`	Killtacular Pack and MCC-exclusive
Backwash	`backwash`	Maptacular Pack and MCC-exclusive
Elongation	`elongation`	Maptacular Pack and MCC-exclusive
Gemini	`gemini`	Maptacular Pack and MCC-exclusive. `marathon` folder denotes Marathon remake.
Relic	`dune`	Maptacular Pack and MCC-exclusive
Terminal	`triplicate`	Maptacular Pack and MCC-exclusive
District	`street_sweeper`	Vista and MCC-exclusive
Uplift	`needle`	Vista and MCC-exclusive
Example	`example`	Vista Map Editor and Halo 2 Editing Kit-exclusive
Desolation	`derelict`	Blastacular Pack and MCC-exclusive. `halo` folder denotes Halo: Combat Evolved remake.
Tombstone	`highplains`	Blastacular Pack and MCC-exclusive. `halo` folder denotes Halo: Combat Evolved remake.
Cut levels
"space station"	`spacestation`
"high charity"	`highcharity`	possibly an early iteration of High Charity or an iteration of covenantship which was at one point named "High Charity".
"earth city"	`earthcity`
"earth city (E3 2003)"	`earthcity_e3`^[3]
"alpha gas giant"	`alphagasgiant`
"alpha moon"	`alphamoon`
"delta temple"	`deltatemple`
"sentinel hq"	`sentinelhq`
"delta control room"	`deltacontrolroom`
"Earth Ark"		Earth Ark 09 exists as a whiteboard name
"anchor point"	`anchor_point`
"artery"	`artery`
"backwoods"	`backwoods`
"convergence"	`convergence`
"convict"	`convict`
"grotto"	`grotto`
"shaft"	`shaft`
"soccer"	`soccer`
"rodentia"	`rodentia`	rat race remake cut from Vista.
"covenant sample"	`covenant_sample`	created by Hired Gun developer "NiTrOuSoXiDe2k"
Beach Battle	`forerunner_sample`	created by Hired Gun developer "NiTrOuSoXiDe2k", originally released as a mod for Vista.
Earth City	`human_sample`	created by Hired Gun developer "NiTrOuSoXiDe2k", originally released as a mod for Vista.
Chiron Station	`chironstation`	created by 343i developer Blake Hodges^[4], aka "Delta Rampancy", for MCC and included in the Halo 2 Editing Kit.^[5]
Digsite levels
Arcology	`arcology`
Ascension	`03_ascension`	early iteration of Ascension
Burial Mounds	`03_burial_mounds`	early iteration of Burial Mounds
Colossus	`03_colossus`	early iteration of Colossus
Headlong	`03_headlong`	early iteration of Headlong
Lockout	`03_lockout`	early iteration of Lockout
Midship	`03_midship`	early iteration of Midship
Waterworks	`03_waterworks`	early iteration of Waterworks

Halo 3

All Halo 3 scenario files are stored in the tags folder levels, containing the subfolders solo and multi for campaign and multiplayer respectively. Additional scenario files can be found in the levels subfolder dlc which were released post launch.^[6]

Map	.map filename	Notes
Campaign
Arrival	`005_intro`
Sierra 117	`010_jungle`
Crow's Nest	`020_base`
Tsavo Highway	`030_outskirts`
The Storm	`040_voi`
Floodgate	`050_floodvoi`
The Ark	`070_waste`
The Covenant	`100_citadel`
Cortana	`110_hc`
Halo	`120_halo`
Epilogue	`130_epilogue`	MCC-exclusive; combined with `120_halo` in the original Xbox 360 release.
Multiplayer
Construct	`construct`
Epitaph	`salvation`
Guardian	`guardian`
High Ground	`deadlock`
Isolation	`isolation`
Last Resort	`zanzibar`
Narrows	`chill`
Sandtrap	`shrine`
Snowbound	`snowbound`
The Pit	`cyberdyne`
Valhalla	`riverworld`
Foundry	`warehouse`	Heroic Map Pack, Mythic disc and MCC-exclusive
Rat's Nest	`armory`	Heroic Map Pack, Mythic disc and MCC-exclusive
Standoff	`bunkerworld`	Heroic Map Pack, Mythic disc and MCC-exclusive
Avalanche	`sidewinder`	Legendary Map Pack, Mythic disc and MCC-exclusive
Blackout	`lockout`	Legendary Map Pack, Mythic disc and MCC-exclusive
Ghost Town	`ghosttown`	Legendary Map Pack, Mythic disc and MCC-exclusive
Cold Storage	`chillout`	Cold Storage DLC, Mythic disc and MCC-exclusive
Assembly	`descent`	Mythic Map Pack, Mythic disc and MCC-exclusive
Orbital	`spacecamp`	[Mythic Map Pack, Mythic disc and MCC-exclusive
Sandbox	`sandbox`	Mythic Map Pack, Mythic disc and MCC-exclusive
Citadel	`fortress`	Mythic II Map Pack, Mythic disc and MCC-exclusive
Longshore	`docks`	Mythic II Map Pack, Mythic disc and MCC-exclusive
Heretic	`midship`	Mythic II Map Pack, Mythic disc and MCC-exclusive
Waterfall	`s3d_waterfall`	MCC-exclusive, originally created for Halo Online. `s3d` denotes Saber3D engine used by Saber Interactive.
Edge	`s3d_edge`	MCC-exclusive, originally created for Halo Online.
Icebox	`s3d_turf`	MCC-exclusive, originally created for Halo Online.
Cut levels
	`055_shadow`	incomplete files available via the Halo 3 Editing Kit.
"Flood Ship"	`060_floodship`	incomplete files available via the Halo 3 Editing Kit.
"Guardian Forest"	`080_forest`	incomplete files available via the Halo 3 Editing Kit.
"alpine"	`090_alpine`	incomplete files available via the Halo 3 Editing Kit.
"Forerunner City"	`100_forecity`	incomplete files available via the Halo 3 Editing Kit.
"High Charity"	`110_hc_old`	incomplete files available via the Halo 3 Editing Kit.
"anxiety"	`anxiety`	available via the Halo 3: ODST Editing Kit.
"battle creek remake"	`battlecreek`	available via the Halo 3: ODST Editing Kit.
"beachhead"	`beachhead`	incomplete files available via the Halo 3 Editing Kit, available via the Halo 3: ODST Editing Kit. early iteration of Tempest.
"damn"	`damn`	available via the Halo 3: ODST Editing Kit.
"desecration"	`desecration`	available via the Halo 3: ODST Editing Kit.
"landslide"	`landslide`	incomplete files available via the Halo 3 Editing Kit, available via the Halo 3: ODST Editing Kit.
"pump haus"	`pump_haus`	incomplete files available via the Halo 3 Editing Kit.
"sanctuary remake"	`sanctuary`	available via the Halo 3: ODST Editing Kit.
"shaft"	`shaft`	incomplete files available via the Halo 3 Editing Kit.
"volcano"	`volcano`	incomplete files available via the Halo 3 Editing Kit.
"warthog inc"	`warthog_inc`	incomplete files available via the Halo 3 Editing Kit, available via the Halo 3: ODST Editing Kit.
Tutorial	`s3d_tutorial`	originally created for Halo Online; incomplete files available via the Halo 3 Editing Kit.
Diamondback	`s3d_avalanche`	originally created for Halo Online; available via the Halo 3 Editing Kit.
Lockout	`s3d_lockout`	originally created for Halo Online; available via the Halo 3 Editing Kit.
Powerhouse	`s3d_powerhouse`	originally created for Halo Online; available via the Halo 3 Editing Kit.
Reactor	`s3d_reactor`	originally created for Halo Online; available via the Halo 3 Editing Kit.
Sky Bridge	`s3d_sky_bridgenew`	originally created for Halo Online; available via the Halo 3 Editing Kit.

Halo 3: ODST

All Halo 3: ODST scenario files can be found in the file path tags\levels\atlas. Firefight shares the same locations as campaign.^[7]

Map	.map filename	Notes
Campaign
Prepare To Drop	`c100`	`c` denotes "cutscene".
Mombasa Streets	`h100`	Persistent, non-linear mission connecting all flashback missions. Revisited until all flashback missions are complete. `h` denotes "hub" mission.
Tayari Plaza	`sc100`	Flashback from the perspective of Buck. `sc` possibly denotes "squad clue".
Uplift Reserve	`sc110`	Flashback from the perspective of Dutch.
Kizingo Boulevard	`sc120`	Flashback from the perspective of Mickey.
ONI Alpha Site	`sc130`	Flashback from the perspective of Dutch.
NMPD HQ	`sc140`	Flashback from the perspective of Romeo.
Kikowani Station	`sc150`	Flashback from the perspective of Buck.
Data Hive	`l200`	`l` possibly denotes "level".
Coastal Highway	`l300`
Epilogue	`c200`	MCC-exclusive; combined with `l300` in the original Xbox 360 release.

Halo: Reach

All Halo: Reach scenario files are stored in the tags folder levels, containing the subfolders solo, multi, and firefight for campaign, multiplayer, and firefight respectively.^[8] Additional scenario files can be found in the levels subfolder dlc which were released post launch.

Map	.map filename	Notes
Campaign
Noble Actual	`m05`	`m` denotes "mission".
Winter Contingency	`m10`
ONI: Sword Base	`m20`
Nightfall	`m30`
Tip of the Spear	`m35`
Long Night of Solace	`m45`
Exodus	`m50`
New Alexandria	`m52`
The Package	`m60`
The Pillar of Autumn	`m70`
Epilogue	`m70_a`	MCC-exclusive; combined with `m70` in the original Xbox 360 release.
Lone Wolf	`m70_bonus`
Multiplayer
Boardwalk	`50_panopticon`
Boneyard	`70_boneyard`
Countdown	`45_launch_station`
Forge World	`forge_halo`
Powerhouse	`30_settlement`
Reflection	`52_ivory_tower`
Spire	`35_island`
Sword Base	`20_sword_slayer`
Zealot	`45_aftship`
Anchor 9	`dlc_slayer`	Noble Map Pack and MCC-exclusive
Breakpoint	`dlc_invasion`	Noble Map Pack and MCC-exclusive
Tempest	`dlc_medium`	Noble Map Pack and MCC-exclusive
Condemned	`condemned`	Defiant Map Pack and MCC-exclusive
Highlands	`trainingpreserve`	Defiant Map Pack and MCC-exclusive
Battle Canyon	`cex_beavercreek`	Anniversary Map Pack and MCC-exclusive
Breakneck	`cex_headlong`	Anniversary Map Pack and MCC-exclusive
High Noon	`cex_hangemhigh`	Anniversary Map Pack and MCC-exclusive
Penance	`cex_damnation`	Anniversary Map Pack and MCC-exclusive
Ridgeline	`cex_timberland`	Anniversary Map Pack and MCC-exclusive
Solitary	`cex_prisoner`	Anniversary Map Pack and MCC-exclusive
Firefight
Beachhead	`ff50_park`	`ff` denotes firefight.
Corvette	`ff45_corvette`
Courtyard	`ff20_cortyard`
Glacier	`ff60_icecave`
Holdout	`ff70_holdout`
Outpost	`ff60_airview`
Overlook	`ff10_prototype`
Waterfront	`ff50_park`
Unearthed	`ff_unearthed`	Defiant Map Pack and MCC-exclusive
Installation 04	`cex_ff_halo`	Anniversary Map Pack and MCC-exclusive

Halo 4

Most Halo 4 scenario files are kept in the tags folder levels, containing the subfolders multi, spartanops, and dlc for multiplayer, spartan ops and post launch maps respectively^[9]. Campaign scenario files can instead be found in the file path tags\environments\solo.^[10]

Map	.map filename	Notes
Campaign
Prologue	`m05_prologue`	`m` denotes "mission".
Dawn	`m10_crash`
Requiem	`m020`
Forerunner	`m30_cryptum`
Infinity	`m40_invasion`
Reclaimer	`m60_rescue`
Shutdown	`m70_liftoff`
Composer	`m80_delta`
Midnight	`m90_sacrifice`
Epilogue	`m95_epilogue`
Multiplayer
Abandon	`ca_blood_cavern`	`ca` denotes collaboration with Certain Affinity.
Adrift	`ca_warhouse`
Complex	`z05_cliffside`	`z` possibly used for alphabetical sorting.
Erosion	`ca_forge_erosion`
Exile	`ca_blood_crash`
Haven	`wraparound`
Impact	`ca_forge_bonanza`
Longbow	`ca_gore_valley`
Meltdown	`ca_canyon`
Ragnarok	`z11_valhalla`
Ravine	`ca_forge_ravine`
Solace	`ca_tower`
Vortex	`ca_redoubt`
Harvest	`zd_02_grind`	Crimson Map Pack and MCC-exclusive
Shatter	`dlc_dejewel`	Crimson Map Pack and MCC-exclusive. `dlc_de` denotes collaboration with Digital Extremes.
Wreckage	`dlc_dejunkyard`	Crimson Map Pack and MCC-exclusive.
Landfall	`ca_port`	Majestic Map Pack and MCC-exclusive.
Monolith	`ca_deadlycrossing`	Majestic Map Pack and MCC-exclusive.
Skyline	`ca_rattler`	Majestic Map Pack and MCC-exclusive.
Forge Island	`dlc_forge_island`	Forge Island and MCC-exclusive
Daybreak	`ca_spiderweb`	Castle Map Pack and MCC-exclusive.
Outcast	`ca_basin`	Castle Map Pack and MCC-exclusive.
Perdition	`ca_highrise`	Castle Map Pack and MCC-exclusive.
Pitfall	`ca_creeper`	Bullseye Map Pack and MCC-exclusive.
Vertigo	`ca_dropoff`	Bullseye Map Pack and MCC-exclusive.
Spartan Ops
Quarry	`ff87_chopperbowl`	Shared map with all missions at same location. `ff` denotes firefight.
Sniper Alley	`ff86_sniperally`	Shared map with all missions at same location
Fortress	`ff90_fortsw`	Shared map with all missions at same location
The Refuge	`ff84_temple`	Shared map with all missions at same location
The Cauldron	`ff81_scurve`	Shared map with all missions at same location
The Gate	`ff81_courtyard`	Shared map with all missions at same location
Galileo Base	`ff91_complex`	Shared map with all missions at same location
Two Giants	`ff92_valhalla`	Shared map with all missions at same location
Lockup	`dlc01_factory`	Shared map with all missions at same location
Control	`ff151_mezzanine`	Shared map with all missions at same location
Warrens	`ff153_caverns`	Shared map with all missions at same location
Cyclone	`ff152_vortex`	Shared map with all missions at same location
Harvester	`ff155_breach`	Shared map with all missions at same location
Infinity	`dlc01_engine`	Shared map with all missions at same location
Apex	`ff154_hillside`	Shared map with all missions at same location

Halo 2: Anniversary Multiplayer

All Halo 2: Anniversary Multiplayer scenario files can be found in the file path tags\levels\sway.^[11]

Map	.map filename	Notes
Multiplayer
Awash	`ca_forge_skybox01`	`ca` denotes collaboration with Certain Affinity.
Bloodline	`ca_coagulation`
Lockdown	`ca_lockout`
Nebula	`ca_forge_skybox02`
Shrine	`ca_sanctuary`
Skyward	`ca_forge_skybox03`
Stonetown	`ca_zanzibar`
Warlord	`ca_warlock`
Zenith	`ca_ascension`
Remnant	`ca_relic`

Halo 5: Guardians

This section needs expansion. You can help Halopedia by expanding it.

Halo 5: Guardians never saw a full PC release and as such, the full index of map names for the game is unknown. A limited component of the game was released on Windows Store as Halo 5: Forge, allowing most of the game's multiplayer maps to have known names.

Halo Infinite