This is a copy of a post about hosting SWBF from my Clan Page.  Some may find it useful.
The Invincibility switch is discussed in this post.


New Guide:  Using Linux/Wine to host SWBF
http://www.swbfgamers.com/index.php?topic=8927.msg94961#msg94961



In November 2012, Gamespy was shut down.  In May 2014, GameMaster was released and has allowed us to host internet servers again.  As of 6/1/2016 SWBFgamers now hosts GameMaster and the service is named SWBFspy.  Be sure to get game and server patches from this site, as there is a community troll that claims to have a service (but it is non-functioning) edit:  maybe his works now (I will never be able to verify it), but he is an even bigger troll.

To host, you will still need to portforward.


You can also use the LAN option using either GameRanger or Tunngle or other LAN service.  Tunngle and Gameranger supports the use of the dedicated server software as described in this post.

Here is a link to a post to learn about hosting with tunngle:
http://www.swbfgamers.com/index.php?topic=5531.0

------------------------------------------------------------
Hosting SWBF

There are two ways to host SWBF. One way is with your game disk. Another, more stable way is to use the SWBF dedicated server software.

This guide will describe how to use the dedicated server software.


Getting the Software
--------------------

The first step is to get the software. It can be downloaded from SWBFgamers.com:
http://www.swbfgamers.com/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=441
Be sure to also get the SWBFspy server patch located at this link
http://www.swbfgamers.com/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=1386
(replace the original file with the one at the link above).



You can only host a game with this software.

I am often asked the question, "How do you play SWBF and host it too?"
The answer for me is that I have two computers. One for playing swbf and one for hosting.

However, it is possible to host and play on only one computer. I will describe how to do that at the end of this guide.

Download and install the dedicated server software (version 1.2). Go ahead and run the server software once, so that it creates a file called
"Battlefront Server.ini". I will describe this file later, and modifications that can be made to this file.


Dealing with your Router
------------------------

If you have a firewall/router you must enable portforwarding so that other people can connect to your computer. I know how to configure my router, but I don't know anything about yours though, so please consult your router manual.

If you know all about your router and how to portforward, then portforward ports 3658, 3659, 6500, and 27900, 29910, 29920 (both TCP and UDP) to your host computer. 

If you have a software firewall, like one built into windows, then you will need to deal with that, too, by allowing access for battlefront.  If are having troubles, try temporarily disabling your firewall and see if it works--then, if it does work, at least now you know what the issue is.

You can also spend money and rent a server.  PLA rents a server from www.NFOservers.com and it costs about $17/month and can run 5-8 server instances at a time.  Contact me if you want more details.  You can also use Wine on Linux for about $8/month.   Wine works with the SWBF1 dedicated server, but I've not seen it work for SWBF2.

Adding Commands to your Server
------------------------------

The basic BattleFront Server.ini file contains a line that can and
should be edited. Look for this line in the file:

APP_COMMAND_LINE_BASIC=/win /norender /autonet dedicated /resolution 320 240 /nosound

To turn off gamepad aim assist and to set a better framerate for players, add commands to this line as follows:

APP_COMMAND_LINE_BASIC=/win /norender /autonet dedicated /resolution 320 240 /nosound /noaim /tps 30


A list of commands that I know that work here are as follows:

/noaim is to turn off gamepad aim assist
/tps 30 sets the frame rate to 30 frame per second, which is much smoother than the default of 20
/unlimitedammo gives unlimited ammo
/invincible makes you invincible to enemy fire


other commands are available through the interface window.


Starting and Running the Server
-------------------------------

Follow the directions included with the software to learn how to adjust maps and tickets, etc., and how to boot or ban players using the GUI.  IMPORTANT:  be sure to set your hosting bandwidth in the GUI to 1M+   .


Hosting and Playing on the Same Computer
----------------------------------------

-Set up the dedicated server software as previously described
-Start SWBF using your game disk
-Alt tab out of the game
-Start the SWBF dedi server software
-re-enter the game
-Alt tab out to boot/ban players, etc.


Hosting without using the GUI
-----------------------------

If run the same basic server setting over and over, you can create a DOS batch file to run the server. Below is the contents of the batch file I use to run the CloudCity Only server:


----------
battlefront.exe /win /norender /noteamdamage /autonet dedicated /resolution 320 240 /nosound /noaim /tps 30 /gamename Led-CloudCity-TKoff-antiGlitch /playerlimit 16 /playercount 1 /bots 2 /difficulty 2 /throttle 2048 /spawn 5 bes2r 400 400 bes2a 400 400
----------

Copy that text between the lines into a file called CloudCity.bat

When you are familiar with the dedicated server software, it is easy to edit this kind of batch file.

Note:  Windows Server 2008 has a limitation on the length of a batch file.  I have not determined how to overcome this limitation.  Be aware that long batch files may not execute properly if you use Windows Server 2008.

update 7/1/2016  Longer batch file names can be used in Server 2012 R2 when using PowerShell.


Hosting Mod Maps with the Dedicated Server Software
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
You need two things to host a mod map:
1) the mod map, and
2) a file called mapinfo.txt for each map (if you use the GUI).


If you want to host a mod-map using the dedicated server software,
you will need to place the map folder in the Addon Folder of the
*server* software.  If you are using the 1.2 deicated server software,
there will already be a folder located in the Addon Folder call Tat3.

Tat3 is Jabba's Palace, which is a map that was released with upgrade
1.2 of the software.

The mapinfo.txt must reside inside of the mod map folder, or else the
GUI will not be able to recognize that the map is to be loaded into
the GUI.


Here is the file from Tat3:
CW,TATOOINE: JABBA CW,tat3c,CIS,republic,200,200
GCW,TATOOINE: JABBA GCW,tat3a,alliance,imperial,200,200

The format of the file is:
ERA, TEXT NAME what ever you want, mapname-with-faction-extension, faction1, faction2, tickets1, tickets2

The mapname is very important to get correct.  The folder is called tat3,
and the extension "c" is usually for CW era and the "a" is usually for the GCW era. However, some maps don't use this designation, and there is no way to know for sure if the mod map maker followed these conventions.  (Although you may try looking in the addme.script file to get some clues.)

Therefore, some maps can not be hosted using the dedicated server software, and instead must be hosting using the game disk method, which does not require the mapinfo.txt file.




Here are some updates based on new discoveries:
--------------------------------------

If you specify a map name with out a ticket count in a batch file, like this:

bes2r bes2a

then the default tickets specified in the mission lua will be used.



If you copy Battlefront.exe to something else, say BattlefrontGameNight.exe and execute it,
it will create a new ini file called BattlefrontGameNight.ini. 

You can edit this for your settings for you maps, like invinciblility, etc.  This way, you can use the same map install for some various server settings without having to make a copy of your entire server folder.

If you want to host a Historical map, you can do so by using a batch file.  Here is a link to a tutorial:
http://www.swbfgamers.com/index.php?topic=7870.msg84624


All the best,
Led

Hi MPC gamers and mod community,


You may be aware that a "beta" version of SWBF (PC, US-english only) was realeased along with a PC version of the dedicated server software.

No one seems to play 1.3 since it was not an official release and it was not for Macs, and it was US-english only.  That said, I have tried it, and there are some nice features to it. 

On the admin side, you can log into an admin console like in SWBF2, and stop the server, boot players, etc.

On the player side, the deka is actually not a glitchy unit and very playable, and collision issues are fixed (no easy wallhacks).


My desire is to get the 1.3 beta server to serve 1.2 games.

I have made some progress:

I have examined the 1.3 server executable, and have been able to get a 1.3 server to show up in the 1.2 PC gamespy listings.  To do this, use a hex editor and search for the string "1.104"  which is the internal version number.  Replace this string with "1.2" followed by two hex bytes of 00 which will cover up the 04 in the 1.104 string. 

However, 1.2 users can not join the session, due to a "version mismatch" issue.

Any true hackers out there willing to look for the server hack to make the server think its still version 1.2 ?




BTW, I can use the 1.3 game executable to join the 1.3 server that shows in the 1.2 game listings, by replacing the 1.104 string the same way in the game executable.



"Help me Battlebelk, you're our only hope"

---------------------------------------------------------
If you are a PC user and want to try the 1.3 patch modded to
be seen by 1.2  gamespy users, here is the info.
I have a 1.3 server modded to be seen by 1.2 users up for now,
and can put one up if you want to try it.
---------------------------------------------------------


The 1.3 beta version has been slightly modded so that you can see 1.2 servers.
You can not play on 1.2 servers.


You *can play* on 1.3 servers that have been modded to be seen by 1.2 players.

place the file Battlefront-1.3-mod.exe into your gamedata directory, usually
located at

C:\Program Files\LucasArts\Star Wars Battlefront\GameData

make a short cut from this file to your desktop

double click on the shortcut.


NOTE:  you will only be able to join 1.3 servers that have been modded to
display to 1.2 users.


NOTE:  may not work for Best of PC (BoPC) users.




http://www.filefront.com/15168113/Battlefront-1.3-mod.zip/



If you want to play 1.2 games, just exit the mod and start up 1.2 as you usually do.
(No files are overwritten.)


Led




Buckler

AI skills were upgraded in version 1.2, so it could be that you see a video from 1.0

They autoaim for your head.

If you want to play hard AI and not get killed so quickly, I would suggest that you make a Direct Connection server with you as the host and only player, and start out with 3-4 AI at a time.  Thats a decent number that you can practice your dodging skills against. 

I think it also helps to play like Shampoo--hide a lot in a cp and keep some bots there to help you.

Buckler

Ah, Quik is good.  But hes not the best ive seen

The best North American PC players don't play SWBF anymore.  Heck, even most of the bad and mediocre PC players don't play SWBF anymore.

Hardly anyone plays SWBF anymore 

The question I would like to know the answer to is why do the Euro players still play this game?  Can't they get new games?    Or, do they just like the game as much as I do? 

Led

Hi MJR,

Thanks for the good info!

I have been a bit bugged that I have not heard about the /noframelock command before now.
It is much easier on the eyes, although my player movement doesn't seem as "crisp" to me when I have 30 fps.

It seems to have been well known in the ESL communities.  (I suspect Skullz knows about  it too, but I haven't seen him lately to ask about it    My personal thought is that we should tell everyone.

keen mike:  I have a 50 TPS server set up so you can get 50 FPS minimum.  Go ahead and try it. If you want to make you own server 30 TPS/30 FPS minimum, you can set that option in the hosting settings when you set up a game with your disk.  *If  you have a decent video card* you can get 100-200 FPS when you use the /noframelock command.  Let me know if I can assist you to enable the command.

Buckler

Hey cull,

I disagree.  In my opinion, what we need are more people that are capable of downloading and installing maps in their addon folder.  The world of SWBF does really open up to those can DL a file.  And, yes, most of those maps can be played on-line.

The hex-edit hacks that allow no-download-required play are interesting, but can never give the type of options and new worlds to explore that a download can.

Buckler aka Led

Quote from: keenmike on November 25, 2009, 01:51:04 AM
i dont know, at least if i have an advantage i am a person not to flaunt it. the probles with my video card have been happening long before i learned about the no framlock.

Read in a more cynical way, your post could mean `If I have an unfair advantage, I don't want anyone else to know about it'.


But first, is it really an advantage if the tick rate remains the same?  That is the question that I am soliciting opinions.

Second, if it is an advantage, I feel that everyone should be aware of it!  And, if it is not, it certainly makes the game visual experience much more smooth--perhaps meaning the game will  continue to have interest to someone.

Also, from the perspective of someone that runs a server, why should I waste my bandwidth providing a 60 TPS server (that gives everyone a mininum of 60 FPS) when I can provide a 20 TPS server and let everyone be aware that they can get 100-200 FPS anyway?


Buck

Well, almost all maps I have seen are on-line compatible. 

Its just that you have to download and install them 

Buckler

Fair enough. 

The command is /noframelock

It gets inserted into the command line of the program, as described for the /nointro command
neat the bottom of this page:

http://www.tweakguides.com/SWB_7.html


I get 150-200 fps on my video card with it.

Buck

Quote from: ag on November 24, 2009, 02:24:41 PM
Hmm.. may we know the command?

Well, I want to know what you think, first   

Hi MPCers,

If you have ever hosted a SWBF game, you are aware that you can set the TPS (ticks per second) of the server.  For a DC based game hosted with the game cd/dvd you can set 15, 20, or 30 TPS.

1.2 version PC dedicated server software allows the admind to set other TPS values with the server command /tps 30 for 30 TPS, for example.

The TPS setting sets the mininum frames per second (FPS) for users on the server.

My question is:  are TPS the same as FPS ?

The question arises because I have recently become aware that it is possible for players to un-cap their client side framerates, to what ever their video card can handle using an undocumented client command.

My impression is that TPS are used to define server syncing with the client.  FPS is used for the visual smoothness for the player.

The motivation for asking the question is to determine if players are gaining an advantage using an uncapped framerate.

What do you think?

Buckler

Ah, that makes sense.

Thanks Jedi!

Buckler

Hi MPCers,

Something I have never been able to figure out in SWBF is what are the conditions
under which the ammo bots explode?

Sometimes, it is just when I spawn, sometimes it is when ever I need ammo and go near one 

Can a modder or players tell me what triggers the exploding gonk?

Buckler

Ya, I have grown intolerant of inappropriate language.  I have kids that can read now.