SWAT4 wiki releases biggest mappack ever made

To continue the recent theme of customized SWAT4 maps, there has been a new map pack released on SWAT4 wiki maintained by a guy named induktio which contains hundreds of SP and MP maps compressed into a 1.2GB torrent file. The maps are compatible with all versions and there are screenshots included from the original authors.

Of course, it is impossible not to mention the many other facets of this old website that are useful for SWAT players. There are sections on console commands and tutorials of creating your own custom map, as well as basic tweaks such as the ability to use special characters and colored names, skipping initial dispatches on Co-Op mode etc.

There are also downloads such as the Advanced Tactical Center, which "provides floorplans for all Swat4 and TSS maps, drawing tools to work out tactics". In summary, it is a very comprehensive site with a range of features that are sure to interest the common player.

Stats-tracker website now available for your server too

After lengthy development new statistics tracker by |MYT| clan wizard Serge was released for public. Apart from various stats (which can be seen in similar mods of other authors too) it now comes enhanced with a brand new standalone website that provides features such as:

• Scoreboards of all almost 300,000 rounds played on MYT servers since August 2007
• Server browser with the ability to join servers (works only for one version of the game)
• Player profiles and stats searchable by name

This server mod had been private until recently but now you can bring new dimension also to your server by following this tutorial. Contact Serge via xfire (mytserge) and start tracking and preserving history of each and every round played on your own clan server. All your game statistics will be displayed on the website linked below.

Note that we added link to the tracking website to our main menu as well.

Troubles with chat spam via webadmin

Do you consider double-switching annoying? Sure, it spams the chat window and makes you miss potentially vital game information. Fortunately, solution is easy - kicking or even banning the abuser. However, a more insidious way of disrupting the chat flow is out there. As primitive as it is, it is also very effective in achieving its malicious goal. It affects only servers running MarkMod and only players with admin rights and webadmins.

MarkMod broadcasts a message to these people whenever someone attempts to login via webadmin. If the attempt is unsuccessful, the message looks like: Player (WebAdmin) failed to login as webadmin followed by his IP address. Now when the attacker chooses very long name, the chat will look like this:

Too bad this message cannot be turned off. Neither you can easily ban this player, and even if you could, he can still come back via proxy. WebAdmin form also seems to miss validation of input fields for maximum length. So what's left to try? Changing webadmin port and keeping it private could hold the attacker back for a while. But without the option to switch this broadcast off implemented in the mod, all servers running it are at risk.

New version of GameTracker server fix released

Since we exclusively informed about GameTracker fix for SWAT4 and TSS servers more than 50 clans have adopted it. However, a bug was discovered which causes the server to appear offline even though it is not. This occurs especially when server is full and persists until restart/map change.

As of today a fix was released by Serge with support of |MYT|BaDTimE. It is available for download with a detailed read-me file. Installation is simple and similar to configuring the standalone version of the original GT fix. Source code is also published here. If you are suffering with the aforementioned bug we do recommend moving to this new version.

Arrest-free bug

Everyone knows that our game, especially 1.0 version, is buggy. Some glitches are notoriously known, like the Foodwall stairway bug. But the one we are presenting here, though it was discovered long time ago (probably by WestCoast clan) is almost unknown. Maybe because it is quite impossible to carry it out during normal game-play. With this bug, you can arrest an already arrested opponent thus gaining +5 points each time, while the arrested player cannot defend. Moreover, this bug can cause the arrested player to respawn while his arrested copy still remains in the game. This way, he can multiply many times or even go and meet his arrested predecessors and use their cams. Here is a demo:

If you want to try it yourself, do it on your own risk by following these steps:

Improve your computer performance in SWAT4

We bring you couple of tips that can help you in increasing your game smoothness and FPS. Hints were prepared by Sttus and though these might not work for all, give them a try if you experience any HW-related lags or FPS drops.

- Running the game in compatibility mode can affect performance. Right click on your SWAT4.exe, then go to Properties, Compatibility and change it to following: Windows XP SP 2, Windows 2000, Windows 98, ... (you can try any of these, some might help more, some less, or it won´t help at all)

- INI improvement 1: go to your SWAT4.ini and find [D3DDrv.D3DRenderDevice]. Seek and change UseTripleBuffering=False to UseTripleBuffering=True. You can get performance gain as high as 70%

GameTracker support for SWAT4 is back!

 EDIT October 5, 2013: new version of this fix is available, read more HERE.

Server banner alternative game-state.eu is useful, but it has some bugs and lacks advanced features. Finally it is possible to add your server to real GameTracker again and enjoy server rankings, player statistics and all other perks we were used to. There is a fix which allows your SWAT4 server to use both GameSpy Query protocol v1 (used by xfire, game-state.eu,...) and v2 (used by GameTracker) simultaneously. How to make it work?

For all game versions and admin mods, follow these steps:

1. Turn your game server off.
2. Download this file GSV2.u.
3. Save it to Content/System folder on your server.
4. Open Swat4DedicatedServer.ini
5. Replace this line
         ServerActors=IpDrv.MasterServerUplink
   with this one
        ServerActors=GSV2.GameSpyV2Query
6. Save the file.
7. Launch your game server.
   

Now you can register your SWAT4 server with GameTracker. When doing so, use your join port and as query port use (joinport+2). For example if your join port is 10480, use 10482 as your query port.

---

Alternatively, if your server is running Gez 22/22.1 admin mod you can download only this file AMMod.u and replace the current one on your server with it. No need to do any INI modifications, but if you want, you can set your own v2 query port by changing this line in your Swat4DedicatedServer.ini:
     [AMMod.AMGameSpyV2Query]
     GameSpyV2QueryPort=10482 
Autotext in your server will show this after succesful installation:

---

All of this was made possible by:

• TR1GGER, creator of HoP mod, who provided the code responsible for query protocol usage
• MarkieBoy, for his server list solution, used also in this fix
• |MYT|BaDTimE, who put the pieces together and compiled the inputs into a working fix

It is probable, that MarkieBoy will incorporate this solution into his releases of server-side list fixes. Also note, that this is the first release of GT fix, future updates/fixes might become available. Though during testing all worked smooth and I do recommend trying either of the fixes if you wish to use GT again.

GameTracker banners alternative - GAME-STATE.EU

Most clans used to have banners of their servers on their website provided by GameTracker. After GameSpy had cut its support for SWAT4, GameTracker was no longer able to scan the servers. As an alternative you can use service offered by WWW.GAME-STATE.EU. Though being not as rich in features, it can provide the basic info about your server for your website including some colour customization and a number of banner designs to choose from. One example is below, to see all possible designs, click here.

After registration, you can add your own servers. However, mysteriously some cannot be added and some are not scanned properly. Also forget player statistics, server rankings, map images in banners, etc.

EDIT: GameTracker support available again - read more here.

Mods and maps for SWAT4 (TSS)

Several SWAT4 mods have been released over the past years changing many aspects of the game, mainly realism, improving AI, gun sounds, adding whole new maps, guns and equipment, etc. Though they can be usually used also in competitive MP modes, it is more likely to enjoy them in CO-OP mode or single player. Let's have a short look at some of them. Each mod contains also a working link, where you can download it. Note that most of mods (unlike maps) require TSS expansion pack.

SAS mod - one of the newest mods, published in 2012. Unlike other mods, there is at least one dedicated server running in CO-OP mode (check the SAS 1.0 tab in Mark's server list here). I've even seen people playing there.

SSF mod 3.2 - The Sheriff's Special Forces, a complex mod with a 200 MB installation file.

HSME mod 2.0 - mod prepared by once best download site for SWAT4 and SWAT3 hotswatmods.com. Occasionally, there is a server running in this mod too - check the Mark's server list linked above to see if you have luck to catch it online. I found also a version labeled 3.0 of this mod, strangely enough you cannot get it on HSM site but here.

Canadian Forces Direct Action - rather than a mod this is a complete remake of SWAT4, originally prepared for Canadian army's recruiting (and maybe also tac-training purposes). I found 3 versions of this mod: 1.0, 3.0 and 4.1. Unluckily, while installing I get a message that TSS is not on my computer (while it is). Mod shall contain large outdoor maps and scoped weaponry.

As a bonus, here are the best sites for SWAT4 (TSS) content - feel free to check them on your own:

• hotswatmods.com - classic download site for SWAT3 and SWAT4. Many file links are broken, but still you can find enough interesting content after registration
• dsk2007.de - DSK clan website with huge archive of maps, mods, skins, tools
• moddb.com - popular MOD site for many games, including SWAT4 and TSS datadisc
• ttclan.webng.com - tens of multi-player maps (BS, RD, VIP, maybe S&G too)
• swat-einsatz-team.de - German web with many SP and MP maps and other S3 and S4 content
• Desrat downloader - the application we already wrote about.

Happy exploring!

UAC3 anticheat usage tips - Part 2/2

Let's continue in UAC usage tips started here. Today it will focus on match review on UAC website. i am assuming that you found your match already and see something like this:

Remember, every icon has a tooltip describing its meaning, so only the most important are explained here. The screen above consists of 2 main sections:

 

A. List of players (upper section):

• Player tag (if he set it in his profile) name with status icon and country flag
• Date and time of first and last player activity on the given match ID
• Number of scans
• Cheat status of player's screens in the given match ID. For cheaters (on any match id), also a cheater icon is displayed.
• Tools icons:

• Player icon linking to his profile

• Screenshot icon. Interesting only when blue square is displayed, which means that player made no screens at all on the given match
• Session icons, possible icons are:

• Player had only one session in this match (no UAC restart, all was OK)
• Player had more sessions in this match (all of them were finished correctly)
• At least one session of this player on the given match ID was interrupted unexpectedly (UAC process crashed or was kill by the player).

Sessions detail

None of these session icons is necessarily suspicious, but the latter two require further investigation. To do so, click on the icon to see session log of the player. You will see a list of something like this:

Here you can see details of each session of the selected player in the current match - when it started and stopped, it it was stopped normally (blue icon) or killed (pink icon). Focus on time gaps between separate sessions. On a matchid used for public server game-play it is perfectly okay to have high gaps, meaning the player uses the same match id repeatedly when he plays on a certain server. But in a match created for a clan war this might mean that player was not using UAC all the time. Gap lasting couple of minutes is okay (game or UAC crashed), but lasting for a significant part of the match is probably not.

 

B. List of scans (lower section):

After the match make sure the player uploaded his screens. UAC detects cheats also without this upload, but the player can use one PC to run game and another to run UAC. Unless he uploads screens and you check they are taken from the expected game server such UAC check can be useless. You do this in this section where you can see list of all screens made by players in the match:

• Player name with status icon and flag
• Screen date and time
• Scan result icon (clean/cheat)
• Colour flag icon (indicates how many times a screen was flagged by users. Other colour than green is then inspected by UAC admins)
• Tools:

• link to open the screen in UAC application, providing it was uploaded
• icon indicating that the screen was not uploaded properly (or if the match is older than cca 3 weeks that it was already deleted to save database space - in this case you cannot blame the player)

So that's it. To sum it up focus on the following:

• number of screens made by a player
• his session log to see when he was/wasn't using UAC
• if he uploaded screens or not

Questions?

UAC3 anticheat usage tips - Part 1/2

This article is the first part of a double article focusing on UAC3 anticheat usage. Note that its aim is not to replace UAC manual that can be found here. Rather it wants to give you some tips to avoid common mistakes I witness when other players try checking someone on UAC. Some boring theory to begin with:

Difference between UAC name, UAC ID, match ID

• UAC name is a name chosen by a player during registration. In UAC3 it cannot be changed, in UAC4 it is promised to be modifiable. For example "Noob99".
• UAC ID is a number assigned to your account by UAC player database during creation. One UAC name = one UAC ID. Example - "290105".
• match ID is the string chosen by players before a match (e.g. "prosvsnoobs"). Technically, match ID is a number assigned to the chosen matchname by UAC match database. But because this match ID is not commonly used (only in match URL), when referring to match ID usually match name is in mind.

UAC name, UAC ID and also match name can be searched for using search form on UAC website.

Now let's say you ask a player to join matchid "test". He says he joined it, how can you check it?

Easiest way is by visiting UAC website. You can use the search form to find the agreed match name. But often people make mistakes when typing match names. In that case it's useful to click Matches and check the recent SWAT4 matches if there is not some similar match name (or check all recent matches if there is not the player you are interested in - it won't be more than 5 matches to check). Another way is turning on UAC app, writing the same matchid and clicking "refresh" (you don't need to join the match to see connected players). There should be written "Active" next to the player name you are interested in.

Did you find your match name and the player on it? Next steps will be a bit more interesting focusing on checks after the match. Read it here.

List of clans (all game versions)

Sometimes you might need a contact for a SWAT4 clan. A list of them comes handy in such situation, so here you are - the biggest SWAT4 clan list ever made. It contains:

• tag and name
• link to website and if available also xfire/gametracker
• primary game version and mode
• flag, whether the clan is still active or not

The list is available on this link (sorry for external link, but blog here does not support BB codes).

Advanced game hints

Couple of hints that might improve your game and increase your chances for survival:

• when you are dead, don't use teamchat (Y), because only dead team-mates will see what you write. Those still alive cannot see that. Use normal chat (T) instead. This is a very common mistake seen on servers.
• turn on Subtitles in your in-game settings (option is disabled in some language versions of game, but at least in English version it is available). When you hit someone with flash or stinger, you will see his name in chat so you know if it was your team-mate or enemy.
• when you play with helmet and you get hit by gas, use any voice command (like Roger, Where is the VIP?, etc.). That usually makes you stop coughing and thus you have higher chance of hiding.
• changing gun from primary to secondary and vice versa is faster then reloading. Keep that in mind when you run out of ammo in the middle of shooting. 
• if your chat does not work (you press ENTER but the message is not sent) press left Alt. After you can should be able to send your message again.

Note that as of today, you can see all hint articles published so far by clicking the "Hints" in the main menu.

One-key admin login (and other console commands)

This hint article will focus on console commands and their binding on specific keys. Overview of most frequent console command can be found on this website. The most useful are stat fps, stat net, shot, setres (often SWAT starts with default resolution. This command helps you set it to correct one), sad (admin login) and say/teamsay (bind chat messages, font can be formatted).

There are also other commands not listed on the website like netspeed 10000. This is useful if you have unstable connection and your connection seen via stat net goes under this value. Your game then becomes laggy, with lower fps and this does not improve by itself. Some commands can be used for cheating, I am sure you know some but luckily, not all. We will keep it like that :)

Typing console commands manually in game would not please anyone. Fortunately, you have two options how to assign your unsued keys on keyboard to these commands, and thus do the desired action by a single key strike:

• Beginners can use a small application made by UAC3 creator called Swat4 Colored Text Generator. You can assign only F1-F13 keys with this application, but it makes the whole activity including formatting text much easier

• Advanced users might prefer direct edit of  User.ini file located in your Content\System folder. this allows mapping of more keys then the above mentioned utility. Also, you can adjust key bindings for all in-game keys (useful could be e.g. binding team camera change to mouse scrolling  wheel, because original binding to delete/insert keys is not very practical).

Some commands can be combined by separating them with pipe character "|". Pretty popular is for example binding texts to changing weapons or using handcuffs. Such binding looks like this:
H=TEAMSAY I am arresting, cover me|EquipSlot 11
However using these often results in two much spam from your side and other will probably happily ignore you.

Note that bind keys do not work before round is started. But during round you can for example log in as admin with let's say your L key, which has binded the appropriate string, i.e. sad mypassword.

Normal weapon recoils

I believe you all know what no-recoil cheat is. Yet, the following videos can be useful, as they show normal recoils of SWAT4 guns. And not only from the view of shooter himself, but also from third person view and camera view. Detecting no-recoil in real-game situations when player is moving, leaning and aiming is ofc more difficult, so if you are not sure, beware of false accusations. Better make video and ask other players for opinion.

First video is more complex, contains also slowmotion, but has almost 30 minutes.

Second is shorter and does not contain video from VIEW.

Formatted server name in Score table

Normally in game GUI above the scoreboard you see the server names like this - i.e. without proper font colours:

If you want to see it with colours like on this picture

do the following:

1. Open your SwatGui.ini file.
2. Search for [SwatMPPage_servernamelabel] and add below: bAllowHTMLTextFormatting=True 
3. So now it should look like this:

                [SwatMPPage_servernamelabel]
                bAllowHTMLTextFormatting=True
               Caption=Swat4 Server
               TextAlign=TXTA_Center
               StyleName=sty_swatheaderlabel
               WinTop=0.063983
               WinLeft=0.257696
               WinWidth=0.475781
               WinHeight=0.024635
               bDrawStyle=True
               RenderWeight=0.206897

Save, start game and enjoy!


Tip taken from http://induktio.net/wiki/Colored_messages with inspiration of EmoPig.

Old video shows why .45 SMG should be unblocked

Many servers block the use of .45 SMG weapon, but this video below shows that only a certain type of ammo (JHP bullets) can cause a bug where kills can be made through doors and objects.

By writing the following line in the server config... 

ReplaceEquipment=SwatAmmo.UMP45SMG_JHP SwatAmmo.UMP45SMG_FMJ

...players are unable to use the bugged ammo and this hence turns the .45 into a normal weapon.