FAQ
Posted: 05 Sep 2009, 21:37
Consider looking through http://springrts.com/wiki/FAQ if you don't find answers here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any non-English language channels in the Lobby?
French: #french or #fr
German: #de
Polish: #polska
Finnish: #finland
Italian: #italiani
Russian: #ru
How should I start playing?
I suggest you play a tutorial game in #newbies first, then practice against other new players until you know your way around the interface. Then it's a good idea to spec (watch without playing) a game or two by good players, and copy their playing style. I know that some people find it a horrible waste of time to watch other people play video games, but in this case it's fun and can be a good idea.
What are mods/games?
Spring is just a game engine. The engine refers to the games that run on it mods, even though strictly speaking not all of them are modifications of anything. Check out the Games Section.
Where can I download maps and games/mods?
If you can't use the built-in downloader, go to springfiles.com and use the Search there to find your map or mod. You'll need to download it, and then put it in the "maps" or "mods" directory in the directory where you installed Spring. You don't need to unpack it, just put the .sd7 or .sdz file in there. On Ubuntu you can also just double-click the file. After doing that, you will need to tell your lobby client to reload the maps and mods list.
Is there a singleplayer mode?
Yes. You can add AIs/bots for certain games into your hosted matches.
Are there any single-player missions?
Yes. Easiest way to access them is to start Zero-K lobby and go to single player tab. Another way is to go to http://zero-k.info/Missions.mvc?zk_limited=0
How do I play in ally games?
Don't just sit in your base and build stuff! If you are new, don't try advanced strategies at first. It's usually a good idea to just build some tanks and try to control as much territory as possible. And, most importantly, never (ever!) stop expanding your economy. A rule of thumb is to spend half your income on units and defences, and the other half on more economy buildings.
How can I chat only to my allies?
To chat in the game, press Enter. If you type a: in front of your message, only your allies will see it. If you type s: before it, only the spectators will see your message. alt+enter is a shortcut to a:
What is the difference between ally and team?
If you are in the same ally ID, but different team ID, then you each control your own units but are allied. Typically, everybody is in their own team, and there are ally groups 1 and 2, one for each side of the map. If you are in the same team ID as another player, you share units. That is, you only start with f.e. one commander, and all players can control him and all the units he builds.
What is a lobby?
Spring itself offers only the raw game engine, to set up games with other people or bots, you need a lobby program.
How can I add map markers and lines during a game?
On US keyboards, its the key to the left of the "1" key on your keyboard (~). Hold it down and draw with you left mouse button, or double click to add a marker with text. On other keyboards this may vary, on my Swiss one its the key to the left of backspace for example. If you middle click you'll place a marker without text, and if you right click you'll erase markers and drawing.
How can I rotate buildings?
Use the [ and ] keys.
How do I invert the mouse wheel zoom?
In the settings window you can set the mouse wheel scroll speed to a negative number.
How can I install Spring on Linux?
Please see our SetupGuide in the Wiki.
Why is my mouse really slow in fullscreen mode on Linux?
Paste this in a console. After logging out and back in, your cursor will be as fast as in windowed mode.
Can I rename my account without losing my rank?
Type /rename [newnick] in any chat window in your lobby.
How can I join other channels in the lobby?
Type /join #channelname in any chat window in your lobby.
Why can't I host games?
If people can't join your games (they get the "connecting to server" countdown after the game starts), you are probably behind a firewall. The easiest way to fix this problem is by using the NAT traversal methods. In the hosting window, click on the "Hole punching" radiobutton. If that doesn't work, you can also try the "Fixed source ports" option.
If both of those don't seem to work, you can also use port forwarding. It might sound a bit technical, but is actually fairly easy to do:
How do I ignore users on the forum?
Spring forums has a feature called "foes". Click on the profile of the user you wish to mark as a "foe". On the profile screen, you can see the "add user as foe" button. Click that, and then confirm.
Foes are users you ignore. You do not see their posts, except as little flat notes that such-and-such a user made a post that you are ignoring, and can choose to view if you like.
Utilize this useful feature for people who you do not expect to ever gain anything from reading their commentary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any non-English language channels in the Lobby?
French: #french or #fr
German: #de
Polish: #polska
Finnish: #finland
Italian: #italiani
Russian: #ru
How should I start playing?
I suggest you play a tutorial game in #newbies first, then practice against other new players until you know your way around the interface. Then it's a good idea to spec (watch without playing) a game or two by good players, and copy their playing style. I know that some people find it a horrible waste of time to watch other people play video games, but in this case it's fun and can be a good idea.
What are mods/games?
Spring is just a game engine. The engine refers to the games that run on it mods, even though strictly speaking not all of them are modifications of anything. Check out the Games Section.
Where can I download maps and games/mods?
If you can't use the built-in downloader, go to springfiles.com and use the Search there to find your map or mod. You'll need to download it, and then put it in the "maps" or "mods" directory in the directory where you installed Spring. You don't need to unpack it, just put the .sd7 or .sdz file in there. On Ubuntu you can also just double-click the file. After doing that, you will need to tell your lobby client to reload the maps and mods list.
Is there a singleplayer mode?
Yes. You can add AIs/bots for certain games into your hosted matches.
Are there any single-player missions?
Yes. Easiest way to access them is to start Zero-K lobby and go to single player tab. Another way is to go to http://zero-k.info/Missions.mvc?zk_limited=0
How do I play in ally games?
Don't just sit in your base and build stuff! If you are new, don't try advanced strategies at first. It's usually a good idea to just build some tanks and try to control as much territory as possible. And, most importantly, never (ever!) stop expanding your economy. A rule of thumb is to spend half your income on units and defences, and the other half on more economy buildings.
How can I chat only to my allies?
To chat in the game, press Enter. If you type a: in front of your message, only your allies will see it. If you type s: before it, only the spectators will see your message. alt+enter is a shortcut to a:
What is the difference between ally and team?
If you are in the same ally ID, but different team ID, then you each control your own units but are allied. Typically, everybody is in their own team, and there are ally groups 1 and 2, one for each side of the map. If you are in the same team ID as another player, you share units. That is, you only start with f.e. one commander, and all players can control him and all the units he builds.
What is a lobby?
Spring itself offers only the raw game engine, to set up games with other people or bots, you need a lobby program.
How can I add map markers and lines during a game?
On US keyboards, its the key to the left of the "1" key on your keyboard (~). Hold it down and draw with you left mouse button, or double click to add a marker with text. On other keyboards this may vary, on my Swiss one its the key to the left of backspace for example. If you middle click you'll place a marker without text, and if you right click you'll erase markers and drawing.
How can I rotate buildings?
Use the [ and ] keys.
How do I invert the mouse wheel zoom?
In the settings window you can set the mouse wheel scroll speed to a negative number.
How can I install Spring on Linux?
Please see our SetupGuide in the Wiki.
Why is my mouse really slow in fullscreen mode on Linux?
Code: Select all
echo 'export SDL_MOUSE_RELATIVE=0' >> ~/.bash_profileCan I rename my account without losing my rank?
Type /rename [newnick] in any chat window in your lobby.
How can I join other channels in the lobby?
Type /join #channelname in any chat window in your lobby.
Why can't I host games?
If people can't join your games (they get the "connecting to server" countdown after the game starts), you are probably behind a firewall. The easiest way to fix this problem is by using the NAT traversal methods. In the hosting window, click on the "Hole punching" radiobutton. If that doesn't work, you can also try the "Fixed source ports" option.
If both of those don't seem to work, you can also use port forwarding. It might sound a bit technical, but is actually fairly easy to do:
- Go to your routers configuration page. This is usally http://192.168.2.1 or http://192.168.1.1 or even http://192.168.0.1.
- Locate the "port forwarding" setting. It may be hidden in an advanced menu somewhere, maybe under virtual server settings.
- Forward UDP Port 8452 to your computer. Spring can use any UDP port, this is just the default. If you use a different value here, remember to use the same one in the hosting window in your lobby.
- Save settings, maybe you'll need to restart your router.
How do I ignore users on the forum?
Spring forums has a feature called "foes". Click on the profile of the user you wish to mark as a "foe". On the profile screen, you can see the "add user as foe" button. Click that, and then confirm.
Foes are users you ignore. You do not see their posts, except as little flat notes that such-and-such a user made a post that you are ignoring, and can choose to view if you like.
Utilize this useful feature for people who you do not expect to ever gain anything from reading their commentary.