Trying to do my first custom story

[Statyk]

all thats needed for a custom story: a map for it all, the settings.cfg, the language.lang , a .map file with a .hps file.
if you dont have these, it will not work

I can always test a map without making a .hps for it. A .hps is not necessary until you begin scripting.

Though, as stated in your OP, are you sure the StartPos isn't "PlayerStartArea_1"? Forgetting the "_1" could screw it up for you.