Animal Territory XML
Guide to animal and infected territory files, spawn zones, coordinates, territory radii, and import/export workflow.
Overview
Animal territory files define where ambient animals, wildlife, and infected territory groups can appear. They live under the mission env folder and are loaded with other environment data.
Use DZconfig to inspect, import, and export territory data when you need to move wildlife inland, reduce predators near spawn areas, or build custom map ecology.
Quick Facts
| Folder | env/*.xml |
|---|---|
| Examples | wolf_territories.xml, bear_territories.xml, zombie_territories.xml |
| Coordinates | Map X/Z positions with radius and territory metadata |
What Territories Control
Spawn Area
The map position and radius where a territory group can be considered by the engine.
Population Pressure
How many viable territories exist for a species or infected population.
Player Experience
Predators near routes, livestock near villages, and infected pressure around towns all shape pacing.
Map Fit
Custom maps usually need territory passes because vanilla coordinates rarely translate cleanly.
Balancing Tips
Treat predator territories as pressure points. Too many wolf or bear territories near fresh spawns can create frustrating early deaths; too few can make wilderness travel feel empty.
Keep infected territory work coordinated with events.xml and globals.xml so total counts stay within your server performance target.
Import Checklist
| Check | Reason |
|---|---|
| Map bounds | Territory centers should fit within the active terrain dimensions. |
| Radius size | Huge radii can create broad pressure; tiny radii can make spawns feel inconsistent. |
| Species mix | Balance peaceful animals, predators, and infected territory files together. |
| Server restarts | Territory changes require a restart to evaluate cleanly. |