x_coop... Levels

Game maps converted to play co-operatively.

Converted to Co-Op By: JCBDigger
Dates: July 2003, June 2002
Co-Op Mod Version: 2a
Game Versions: MOHAA v1.11 and Spearhead v2.0
Tested with Graphics Hardware: nVidia GeForce2 MX, GeForce4 Ti 4600 and ATI Mobility Radeon M6 (laptop)
Tested with Operating System: Windows XP Pro and XP Home

Description:

These are levels converted to play Co-Op. Most maps have a few extra troops to make it more difficult. The objective is usually very simple, mostly, collect the crates of gold.

Some maps also retain the original objectives. Notes, about what to do appear in the player message area.

What is Co-Op play?

This is where you and your friends combine forces to complete the missions within the game. You all compete against the computer.

The maps and levels have to be created or modified to be played co-op.

Teleport System

I have added my own teleport system to the maps. At various points within the level you will find an unusual box on the ground, walk over it and pause, the modified spawn points will move close to that new location. This saves all the tedious walking you have to do, if you should happen to die, after completing half of the level.

In addition, each player gets their own spawn point, minimising the chance of spawning on the same spot.

Spawning on the same spot!

If two players start at the same time, they will lock together at the start. If this happens it is necessary for one of the player to go back in to spectator mode, this will free the other player to move away from the start.

To go in to spectator mode, press the Esc key and select Spectate from the menu.

This problem is caused because the Co-Op levels are conversions from the single player game, where there is only one start point! (I have never been able to get the multiplayer maps to work properly Co-Op!)

How does it work?

There is a convenient trait of the game, that you can run the multiplayer server even if playing a single player level. If you connect from one machine to the other while running the same map, you can play Co-Op!

This can all be done by console commands, but requires a bit of typing. It's easy to set up a command line to run the server side, which is what has been done and is the best way to run the server. The other players need to run the same map and then manually connect to the server. As this is tedious and awkward for thosde unfamiliar with the command line interface, I've added a menu for the clients to join the server from within the game, without too much typing.

I am on the second generation of Co-Op conversion. The first version has menu's in the Multiplayer Start screen, although it worked, and had nice menus, they added little to launching the server from the command line, and made joining the game slower than typing the comand from the console. What the menu's did add was ease of use.

The menu's do not work with the Spearhead expansion pack, so I have completely revised the design. In this version of the menu, you run just the map. If you are detected as a client, rather than the server a menu will pop up at the start of the level, to give you the opportunity to connect to the server.

This is even easier to use than the previous version, and is compatible with the Spearhead expansion.

Installation:

Just unzip the files, or manually copy the pk3 files, in to the 'main' folder of the original MOHAA or the 'mainta' folder for the Spearhead Expansion.

Most of the files, go in the 'main' folder, unless otherwise specified. The Spearhead expansion, will use those files, unless a file in it's own 'mainta' folder overrides it.

Uninstallation:

Remove the files from the MOHAA 'main' and Spearhead 'mainta' folders. This will completely remove the Mods from the game.

How do I play a Co-Op level?

To run the server, use the provided shortcut, which will be in the following format:

"C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\MOHAA\MOHAA.exe" +set ui_console 1 +set g_gametype 2 +map coop_name_for_level_vNx +set sv_maxclients 4 +set sv_gamespy 1

To join a Co-Op game go to the briefing room in the game and, as long as you have my mod installed, you will have a new option, 'SELECT MISSION'. By going to this you will open a window showning all the levels available on your machine. Make sure you run the same one as the server.

What do I need installed?

x_coop_the_map_you_want_to_play.pk3 - The map and level converted to Co-Op
x_jcbfixes200.zip - Required files to be able to play a Co-Op level Including
- x_jcbmain200.pk3 - installed in the main folder
- x_jcbmainta200.pk3 - installed in the mainta folder (only for the Spearhead expansion)
These include changes to the sound file and the generic human to work with Co-op and other modded levels. Also included is the Select Mission option in the briefing room.
x_jcbextras508.pk3 - Some additional scripts I have used in this modification
x_jcbchanges100.pk3 - reduction of the melee damage, this affects all games not just coop!

Except where stated, the files MUST be in the ...\MOHAA\main folder.

Other Modifications:

Any modification might have changed any standard menu or file. The last mod file loaded is the one that takes effect. The mods are loaded in Alpha-Numeric file name order from the 'MOHAA/main' folder. So 'ab1.pk3' is loaded before 'ba1.pk3'. As all the game pk3 files start 'pak', all mods have to have file names starting 'pb' or higher in the alphabet. Any development files in a normal folder, 'main/ui' or 'main/map' are loaded last of all.

Mods are NOT cumulative, only one mod can change any one file or menu. If two mods try to do it, one of them won't work. If there is any doubt, remove all other mods before installing a new one.