DS-User
DS-User
In order to connect to any server, you need to be running a version of the game that is compatible
with the server. The latest version of the code will always be available from the official
Flashpoint web site http://www.flashpoint1985.com, and all official upgrades can also be found at
http://www.codemasters.com. This document describes how to use Operation Flashpoint version
1.42.
What is new
Following changes were made in this document to reflect changes in 1.40 release:
New #vote admin command.
Added Favourite servers section.
Connecting to a server
You can connect to a server either via external match making utility like GameSpy Arcade or All
Seeing Eye, or you can connect directly via a known IP address. To connect directly, click on the
"Remote" button in the Multiplayer screen, and you will see all sessions running on the given
server. If you want to avoid waiting in the lobby, try to find a server that is currently setting up a
mission. In GameSpy Arcade you can tell when a server is waiting for players to join, when Time
Remaining is shown as 0 minutes.
Favourite servers
You can add IP address of your favourite server in file hosts.txt located in main OFP directory (if
there is no such file, create it). All servers listes in this file are checked and any sessions running
on them are displayed in the LAN session overview and it is possible to join them easily.
Write IP addresses (with optional port setting) of your favourite servers to the file to the file. E.g.:
127.0.212.1
127.0.212.2:2401
127.0.214.3
Game in progress
When you connect to a server on which a mission is currently being played, you have to wait in
the lobby until the mission ends. You can use chat and voice over net while in the lobby, but
please be aware that other people are playing and may have not enough time to communicate
with you. To help you estimate how long it will be until the mission ends, the elapsed time is
shown in this screen, along with the mission name. Players waiting for the next session are shown
in white; active players are in other colors.
Admin voting
For novice users game interface is often very difficult. In such situation it is often better to select
one user that will be responsible for administering the game. This is called “admin voting”. To
vote an admin type #vote admin PlayerName. When an admin is present, he is responsible for
selecting the mission and kicking players. He is also able to override other players assignment in
side selection screens.
Example:
#vote admin Blender
When there is no mission list and no server administrator is present, you will have to vote for
mission. The voting screen will be shown any time no mission is being played. Players can also
decide they want to terminate the current mission and select another one by typing #vote missions
in the chat message box. All players will see the Mission selection screen, and each player should
choose a mission and press OK. Players who have selected a mission are shown in green; those
who have not are marked red. When all players vote, the mission with the most votes is selected,
and everyone will be shown the side selection screen.
Kicking players
Note: This paragraph applies only when no admin is present.
It may happen that some player is not able or not willing to select a mission, is blocking the
server from continuing in some way or is behaving in some way that is preventing other people
from playing. In this case it is possible to vote for kicking them out of the game. To kick them, a
majority of players must type #vote kick Name or #vote kick Number. A player's number can be
checked by the #userlist command, or in the Players screen (shown by 'P' while playing the
game).
Side selection
During side selection, everyone chooses which side they want to play. The player assigned to the
first row in each side is called the Side Commander, and has some specific rights. Note: sides
offered depend on the mission; in some missions there may be only one side. Once all players
have selected their side, the Role Selection screen will be shown.
Role selection
In role selection, all playable positions on the assigned side are shown. Anyone can select any
position to play. However, any players assigned by the Side Commander (the first player in the
side pool) will be locked and must play in the given position.
Briefing
In the briefing, you will be shown map and mission objectives. This screen is the ideal place for
discussing team tactics. You can use chat and map markers for this purpose. Both chat and
markers are shown to all people that can hear the radio channel you have selected. To select a
channel, use the < and > keys. Usually you want to use the side channel (blue) in this screen and
during the game. Be careful what you are transmitting on the global (white) channel – the enemy
is listening. When you are done with the briefing, press the I am ready button. Once all players
have pressed this button, the mission will start. Players who have already pressed it are shown in
green; players who are in the briefing screen are shown in yellow, and other players are shown
red. Red usually means that the given player is still receiving mission data.
Game
Now enjoy the game. When you are killed, several things can happen, depending on the mission
design. In a Capture the Flag or Death Match type mission you will usually be respawned at your
base or at some random place. In a cooperative mission you can be either respawned to some
other character from your group, or to a sea-gull. When respawned into a sea-gull your possible
activity is limited to flying around and watching the game.
Debriefing
When the mission is over, you will see the debriefing screen. When you are finished with
debriefing and you want to play again, press the “I’m ready” button. If you want to leave the
server, press Cancel. When all players are ready, the next mission will be selected automatically.
If not, you will be presented again with the mission selection screen.
Appendix A: List of commands
The following commands have special meaning when issued on the global chat channel: