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README
README
README
Version History:
1.00
- Initial Release
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Table of Contents
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1. Manual Addenda
1a. Join Game/Servers screen
1b. Create Game/Options screen
3. Console Commands
8. Mod Support
9. Troubleshooting
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1. Manual Addenda
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A few changes to the game were made after the game manual went to print.
This section documents where the game functionality differs from what's
described in the manual.
1a. Join Game/Servers Screen (page 7)
The "Connect" option was replaced with a "LAN-only" checkbox. By default,
this option is off, showing you all tracked Internet game servers. Turning
this option on will show you only those games running on your local area
network.
The "Mod" filter option described in the manual was removed. Instead,
servers running mod games are shown in a different color in the server
list.
Two optional icons may appear in the Game Type column. One is a "computer"
icon indicating the server is in dedicated mode (see Section 4). The
other is a padlock-type icon, indicating the server is password protected.
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2. The Red Faction Launcher
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The Launcher's buttons enable you to set up and play Red Faction, customize
your hardware settings, get updated versions of Red Faction, and access the
Red Faction web pages at Volition, Inc. Here's what each button does:
2a. Play
Click this to launch Red Faction.
2b. Setup
Under Setup, you'll see tabs for Video, Audio, Joystick, Speed, Network,
DirectX, and Misc.
* Video - You must have a 3D Accelerator card to play Red Faction. You can
have Red Faction detect your video card by clicking on the "Detect Available
Cards" button while choosing from one of four resolutions and either a 16-bit
or 32-bit framebuffer.
* Audio - Red Faction supports DirectSound, and EAX. You can choose one of
these by clicking on "Detect Available Sound Cards" and then selecting from
the dropdown box and checking the appropriate checkbox. You can enable Launcher
sounds from here as well.
* DirectX - On this tab you can check your DirectX version and choose to
install or update DirectX on your machine.
-voodoo
Forces RF to use your any Voodoo compatible cards instead of the one
specified in the RF Launcher. Note, Voodoo3 owners need to use the
card-specific "-voodoo3" option instead.
-voodoo3
Same as "-voodoo", but for Voodoo3 cards only.
-timedemo <levelname>
Player is created at start of level and spins around once. stats on
framerate are recorded and displayed in the console and in a text file.
-frameratetest <levelname>
Same thing as timedemo, but does the spin/sample at each node in the
level, giving stats for each node and the level as a whole.
-level <levelname>
This tells Red Faction to load the level file specified. The RFL
level file needs to be inside a VPP file, created either by RED using
the File/Create Level Packfile command, or a third-party VPP editing
tool. This VPP file may be in either the \user_maps\single or \multi
directories.
-mod <modname>
This tells RF to use the specified "mod" files in place of any
standard files. Please see Section 7 of this readme for more
information on data-based mods.
2d. Update
This button enables you to see if a new version of Red Faction is
available for downloading. If one is available, you can choose to
update by clicking on OK. The process is automated.
2e. Uninstall
Uninstalls Red Faction from your computer.
2f. Quit
Closes the Launcher without running Red Faction.
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3. Console Commands
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The RF game console can be toggled on/off using the tilde "~" key. This
gives you access to a few special commands and shortcuts. Most of these are
only used in multiplayer games.
simultaneous_ping <value>
Determines how many servers can be pinged/queried at the same time in
the Servers screen. Default is 16. Players with high-bandwidth
connections may be able to increase this without problems.
info
Displays a list of connected players
kick <playername>
(server command)
Boots the specified player off your server. Rcon access is needed
if attempting this on a dedicated server. Quotes around the playername
may be required if the name contains special characters or spaces.
ban <playername>
(server command)
Bans the named player by adding his/her IP address to "banlist.txt".
The "banlist.txt" file is preserved between server sessions.
Wildcards are also supported to ban multiple IP's on the same subnet.
Examples:
63.123.86.41
65.123.86.*
65.*
Wildcards in the middle of the address are not valid.
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4. Dedicated Server Operation
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Dedicated servers must be run from the command-line, using the game
executable "RF.exe". Example:
rf -dedicated dm
This will start Red Faction in dedicated server mode, using the "dm"
game configuration found in the "dedicated_server.txt" file. With the default
settings, this starts a Deathmatch game for up to 16 players. Another default
configuration is included, named "ctf", using Capture the Flag mode.
-lanonly
This optional command-line parameter tells the server to /not/ notify
the THQMultiplay Game Tracker about its location. This switch ONLY affects
dedicated servers. When using this option, your server will not appear on the
THQMultiplay server lists. It will only be visible to players on your LAN, or
to those that use the "Add Server" button to contact it by IP address. In-game
(non-dedicated) server type is completely controlled by the "Lan Only" checkbox
on the server create options screen.
info
Displays a list of players currently connected to the server, current ping
times, and IP addresses.
kick <playername>
Boots the named player off your server.
ban <playername>
Bans the named player by adding his/her IP address to "banlist.txt".
The "banlist.txt" file is preserved between server sessions.
Wildcards are also supported to ban multiple IP's on the same subnet.
Examples:
63.123.86.41
65.123.86.*
65.*
Wildcards in the middle of the address are not valid.
quit
Unloads the data and shuts down the dedicated server.
You can set your server's rcon password in the "dedicated_server.txt" file.
If you correctly enter it using the "rcon_request" command, everyone will
receive a chat message indicating you were granted rcon access.
At this point you can issue selected server commands such as "level", "kick",
and "ban". While using rcon access, they must be prefixed by "rcon".
Example:
Assuming you have rcon access, this console command switches to dm13.rfl.
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5. Capture the Flag Rules
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Red Faction offers Multiplayer Capture the Flag for two opposing teams of
players. The object of the game is to score points for your team by collecting
your opponents' flag and returning it to your base while protecting your own
flag.
Teams are awarded one point per capture. To capture, you have to touch your
opponents' flag to automatically steal it. While carrying the flag, you will
see a flashing flag icon in the lower left of the screen besides the team score.
You must return the enemy flag to your own flag stand while your flag is there
in order to score a point.
If your own flag is stolen, to return it to the flag stand you must kill the
opponent carrying the flag, which will be visible on his back and will emanate a
glow that matches your team color. When killed, the opponent will drop the flag
in the field -- you must touch the flag to return it to your base before another
opponent comes and touches the flag to pick it back up.
Games can be set to terminate after a certain number of captures by a team or
can end after a set time. In addition to team score, players are awarded individual
points for kills as well as capturing or defending flags. Individual scores do not
affect team score.
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6. Recommended Multiplayer Level Loads
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7. RED - The Red Faction Editor
-------------------------------
Red Faction includes RED, the full-featured level editor used by Volition to
create the RF levels. A shortcut to RED can be found in your Red Faction
folder under the Start Menu.
Online documentation for RED is available under the Help/Help Topics menu.
All RED functions are documented in more detail in the Help file. Here
are a few of the basics:
THE GAME WILL NOT LOAD RFL FILES DIRECTLY. You need to export your level into
a VPP "packfile" with the "Create Level Packfile" under the File menu.
You will need to do this before using the "Play Level" command, or
before attempting to find the level in the Multiplayer map list screen.
Please see the Tutorials section of the RED online Help file for details.
Custom Textures:
You can add new level textures to RED by saving them to this folder:
\RedFaction\user_maps\textures
All textures must be 24- or 32-bit TGA (Targa) files. They must be
a power of 2 in each dimension (32x32, 64x32, 256x256, etc.)
If you use the "Create Level Packfile" command on any level that uses
custom maps, they will automatically be included in the new VPP file.
Please see the Tutorials section of the RED online Help file for details.
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8. Mod Support
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Red Faction contains support for data-based "mods". A basic tutorial on
how to create a mod can be found in this file:
\Red Faction\mods\MOD Tutorial.txt
Also see the Tutorials section of the RED online Help file for details
on RED editor usage with mods.
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9. Troubleshooting
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SUPPORTED CARDS
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Red Faction has been tested with the following video cards:
If your card is not on the list, you can still run Red Faction but may
experience technical problems.
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Installation notes for Microsoft ADPCM installation
===================================================
Note: you only need to do this if you did not hear the test sound
in the launcher.
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EAX
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Users running Win2k need to get updated drivers from Creative's site for
EAX to work in Win2k.
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Video Cards
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Please ensure you are using the latest drivers available for your video card
if you experience random crashes, exits, or graphical glitches while playing
Red Faction. You should check your card manufacturer's site for drivers first,
and use generic chipset drivers if your manufacturer's drivers do not
resolve the problem. A list of web sites for generic drivers is listed
below.
If problems persist, make sure that your computer and video card's BIOS are
both updated to the latest version (particularly for AGP cards) and that
your video card is on the supported list of hardware for your motherboard.
Red Faction has been tested using version 6.50 of Nvidia's Detonator 3 drivers.
You should
ensure you are using the latest drivers for your Nvidia card before running Red
Faction.
http://www.nvidia.com/Products.nsf/htmlmedia/detonator3.html
Matrox cards:
Red Faction has been tested using version 6.04 of Matrox's drivers. You
may experience random crashes or texture corruption if you are using an
earlier version of these drivers.
http://www.matrox.com/mga/support/drivers/home.cfm
http://support.ati.com/products/pc/rage128pro/rage128pro_drivers.html
Red Faction should automatically detect if you are trying to run the game on a
Voodoo
card. If you encounter difficulty getting the game to run, Red Faction will allow
you to use command-line parameters to allow you to play. Use the command-line
parameters
" -voodoo " for any Voodoo cards except the Voodoo3, and " -voodoo3 " for the
Voodoo3 if
you have difficulty.
Voodoo2 cards:
If you have a Voodoo2, the RF Launcher will still list 1024x768 and 1280x1024 as
valid resolutions. No Voodoo2 cards can support 1280x1024, and unless you're
running
in SLI, you cannot use 1024x768, either. The max resolution for non-SLI Voodoo2
cards
is 800x600. Choosing a resolution higher than this may cause the game to crash.
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Hardware Acceleration
==================================================
You may encounter problems running Red Faction if your hardware acceleration
settings
are not set properly. Make sure your hardware acceleration is set to either
"Most Functions" or "Full."
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Accessibility Options
==================================================
There are a number of accessibility shortcuts that are enabled by default in some
Windows operating systems, such as XP. When activated, these features may bring up
pop-up windows which can cause Red Faction to crash. If you experience these
problems,
you may disable the shortcuts by going to the Control Panel and looking under
"Accessibility Options." In general, you should disable programs that use pop-ups
while
playing Red Faction.
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Memory Management
==================================================
If you run out of memory while playing Red Faction, you can take steps to help
alleviate this problem in Windows. Make sure you allow Windows to manage your
virtual
memory and shut down other programs that are not needed during the game, including
those
in the taskbar. In addition to this, you should make sure you have an adequate
amount of
free hard drive space available for swapping by all your programs.
==================================================
ALT-Tab Issues
==================================================
You may experience problems if you use Alt-Tab to exit Red Faction. For immediate
program exit, press Shift-Esc.
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Modem Dial-out Problems
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If you are connecting to the Internet via modem and using ICQ, you may experience
an undesired dial-out. The installer/uninstaller may dial-out when ICQ has been
running previously but is NOT running at install/uninstall time. If the modem is
already connected, or if ICQ is running (or was never running to begin with), you
will not encounter this problem.
==================================================
AGP Aperture Size
==================================================
If the game crashes on startup or periodically while playing, you can try lowering
the AGP aperture size in your system's BIOS setup utility to 64 megabytes. This
option is
typically found under the "Chipset Features Setup." You may also wish to ensure
that
your system's AGP drivers and BIOS are up to date by downloading the latest updates
from your motherboard's manufacturer's web site (particularly if you have an ASUS
motherboard). These problems have ocurred under Windows 2000 while using GeForce
cards,
though other configurations might be subject to similar problems.
---------------------------------
10. Technical Support Information
---------------------------------
If you're unable to resolve your problem with the above information,
please contact THQ for assistance.
Your 5-digit Product Code is 49026. Please have this number ready
when you contact Customer Service.
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11. Red Faction Web Links
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Red Faction Watch - An excellent fan run website which not only features
comprehensive Red Faction coverage but for all of Volition's games.
http://redfaction.volitionwatch.com/
http://www.volitionwatch.com/
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12. Legal Stuff
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1. READ THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE INSTALLING THE
PROGRAM. THIS SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT IS A LEGAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN YOU
(AN INDIVIDUAL OR A SINGLE ENTITY "YOU") ON ONE HAND, AND THQ INC. AND ITS
SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES (COLLECTIVELY REFERRED TO AS "COMPANY") ON THE
OTHER HAND, FOR THE SOFTWARE PRODUCT ENTITLED "RED FACTION," WHICH
INCLUDES COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND ANY ASSOCIATED MEDIA, PRINTED MATERIALS,
AND/OR "ONLINE" OR ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTATION (TOGETHER CALLED THE
"PROGRAM"). BY INSTALLING, COPYING, OR OTHERWISE USING THE PROGRAM (OR, IN
THE EVENT YOU HAVE PURCHASED THE PROGRAM AS CONTAINED ON A CD-ROM, BY
OPENING THE PACKAGING MATERIALS THEREOF), YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE
READ THIS SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY ITS TERMS.
IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THIS SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT, DO
NOT INSTALL OR USE THE PROGRAM AND DELETE ALL COPIES IN YOUR POSSESSION.
6. You shall not modify the Program or merge the Program into
another computer program (except to the extent the Program is made
to operate within a computer operating system and in connection with
other computer programs) or create derivative works based upon the
Program.