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{{lang | Germany | Zuerst lesen | Zuerst Lesen}}
__NOTOC__= Playing =
'''Spring is an engine!''' It can play many different games and maps. To play, you need at least one [[Games|Game]] and [[Maps|Map]]!


<BR><center>'''The following will answer the most commonly-asked questions about Spring from newcomers.'''</center><BR>
==Getting Started==


===About Spring===
To get started with Spring, download [https://springlobby.springrts.com/ SpringLobby], which you can use to play, chat and download games and maps.
Spring is an open source project. This means everyone with programming knowledge is invited to contribute to the project. It also means Spring is made by regular people in their free time.<BR><BR>


===Installation (on Windows)===
==Downloading Games/Maps==
* For installation on Linux, [[SetupGuide|go here]]
# Get the installer here: [[Download]]
# '''Spring is not Total Annihilation''', they are two completely different programs, and their files are not in any way interchangeable.
# As such, they should be installed to different directories.  Spring is usually installed at C:\Program Files\Spring
# Make sure you have the latest version of Spring.  The current version is 0.79.1
# Spring it self is an engine, the program that runs the content. The content itself (the buildings, units, sounds, images) are packed in mod files. There are several mods and games you can play with Spring. They all have different play styles. Mods and games can be found at the [[games]] page.


===Playing===
'''To download [[Games|Games]] (or [[Maps|Maps]]), use your lobby to join an online battle hosting the game/map that you want. It should offer to download for you.'''
# To play a game of Spring, you must run the <b>TASClient.exe</B> program.  Spring itself, at this time, cannot be run directly very well.
# You can start TASClient through the start menu link it creates or by running <b>TASClient.exe</b> in the directory you installed Spring in.
# It is possible to play a single player game. Of course, this requires an AI to fight against. Take a look at the Bots section of this article.
<br>
# To chat with <b>allies</b>, press Alt+Enter, or type "a:" (without quotation marks) before your message.
# Press Shift+Enter or type "s:" before your message to chat with <b>spectators</b> only.
<br>
# Press F1 for seeing the <b>heightmap</b> (because some buildings cannot be built anywhere).
# Press F2 when you want to see where the builder <b>can build</b> the selected unit.
# Press F3 for seeing <b>last action</b> in the game.
# Press F4 for seeing <b>metal map</b> (where to build metal extractors).
# Press F6 to enable/disable sounds.
# Press F9 to enable/disable the health bars above units.
# Press F12 to take a screenshot with average JPG quality.
For more information Check Keyboard Key Layout:
[http://img108.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=03721_PK06A_Compact_Keyboard_ProdImage_Black_V2_122_972lo.jpg Spring Keyboard Layout Image]
<br>
# Press the left mouse button to select a unit.
# Press the left mouse button and drag a rectangle to select multiple units.
# Press the right mouse button on the terrain to move all selected units to that location.
# Press the left mouse button on the terrain to deselect any selected units you have selected.


===Using Mods/Games===
<i>If the download fails, or if no games/maps show up, you should check that your lobby has found your Spring install. With SpringLobby, click edit -> preferences -> Spring, and make sure that it has the correct paths.</i>
# A list of the most commonly played and recently updated games and mods can be found in the [[games]] page, and you can then download them from the links on that page.
# To install a game to Spring, you can double-click on the mod file (.sd7 or .sdz) and a program called "archive mover" that comes with spring will automatically install it for you. If you cannot do this, you can instead directly drop the file into your "Spring\Mods\" directory.
# Some mods have multiple .sd7 or .sdz files for single player games modes or mutators. All of the mneed to be in the "Spring\Mods\" directory in order to be functional.
# Once a mod has been installed, you can use the "refresh maps/mods" option from the "tools" list in SpringLobby.


===Using Maps===
You can also download games and maps manually, see the [[FAQ|FAQ]]. There is also the option to install different [[GamesDownloads#Universal_Downloaders|Lobbies]].
# Maps can be found at [http://spring.jobjol.nl/subcategory.php?id=1 SpringFiles] and at [http://spring-portal.com/index.php/docman/cat_view/35-maps Spring-Portal].<BR><BR>
# This files are also ".sd7" or ".sdz" files. They may be zipped with WinZip or WinRar, to further reduce their size. In that case, unzip them before placing them in the "Maps" directory in the Spring folder.<BR><BR>
# As is the case with mods, use the "refresh maps/mods" option from the "tools" list in SpringLobby.


===Client===
==Single-Player==
# The main purpose of SpringLobby is to set up and start games on the Spring engine, either as online multiplayer games or single player games. Additionally, it is also an IRC-like chat client, has a BitTorrent-based maps and mods downloader, and can be used to watch demos of previously played games.
# Private messaging is also supported through SpringLobby by double-clicking a person's name, either in a chat channel or in a battle room.  To exit a private messaging window, click on the "X" button on the tab with that player's name on it in the "chat" tab.
# To host a game, go to the "Multiplayer" tab and click the "Host new" buton on the bottom right of the screen. Another tab in the "multiplayer" section will show up, allowing you to chose the mod and other settings.


===Bots===
To start a single-player game, use your lobby. Go to the Single-Player tab. Select a game, map and [[AIs|AI]] and click "Start".  
Bots are AI controlled players. There are several AI projects in development. Most of them are at a playable stage.<br>


There are bots packed with Spring, so you should already have several AI to fight against. Installing other AIs or new versions is simple as using new mods or maps.<br><br>
Some AIs don't work with all games. If the one you pick builds nothing, try another!
# Unpack the downloaded file, and place the dll files in \Spring\ai\bot-libs. Note that some AIs require additional folders/files to work properly so read their install instructions carefully<br><br>
# You can then use [http://springlobby.info SpringLobby] (included with the engine), to set up easily a singleplayer game offline by clicking on the
single player" tab.<br><br>


A list of AIs can be found at: [[AIs]]<br><br>
==Playing Online==
To play online, you need the latest version of the [[Download|Spring Engine]]. To join matches, look for the "battles" or "multiplayer" tab in your lobby client.


Your question not answered here? Got problems? Read the [[FAQ|Frequently Asked Questions]].<BR><BR>
== Wondering where some former popular games are? ==
Some larger games run their own lobby servers!
* Zero-k (which grew out of CA) can be found at https://zero-k.info/
* Beyond All Reason (which grew out of BAR) can be found at https://www.beyondallreason.info/
* Balanced Annihilation and some other legacy *A games can be found at at https://balancedannihilation.com/


===The Spring Forum===
==Lan Party==
See the dedicated page [[Spring_on_a_LAN|Playing on a lan]].
 
=Useful Hotkeys, Etc.=
 
For the default keyboard layout please look at the [[Keyboard]] page.
 
=The Spring Forum=
[[Forum_Etiquette|Guidelines For Forum Etiquette]]
[[Forum_Etiquette|Guidelines For Forum Etiquette]]


[[Category:Playing]]
=Development=
To get started with development check the [[Engine_Development|Development]] page.
 
=Your question not answered here? Got problems?=
Read the [[FAQ|Frequently Asked Questions]] or ask in the [http://springrts.com/phpbb/viewforum.php?f=11 Forum].
You can also report [[Bugs]] to the developers so they can be fixed.
 
==Game Specific Questions==
If you have a question or problem with a certain gameplay mechanic in a game, you can talk about it at the [http://springrts.com/phpbb/viewforum.php?f=47 game's subforum]
 
If Spring crashes/hangs, please look at the [[FAQ:trouble|FAQ]].
 
[[Category:Help]]
 
<!--
This page opens, when the installer finished installing, keep that in mind when changing stuff here. This Page is also linked directly from the start-page.
 
This page should explain how to get an running game after installing the engine.
(Install Mod + Map)
-->

Latest revision as of 18:03, 17 August 2021

Playing

Spring is an engine! It can play many different games and maps. To play, you need at least one Game and Map!

Getting Started

To get started with Spring, download SpringLobby, which you can use to play, chat and download games and maps.

Downloading Games/Maps

To download Games (or Maps), use your lobby to join an online battle hosting the game/map that you want. It should offer to download for you.

If the download fails, or if no games/maps show up, you should check that your lobby has found your Spring install. With SpringLobby, click edit -> preferences -> Spring, and make sure that it has the correct paths.

You can also download games and maps manually, see the FAQ. There is also the option to install different Lobbies.

Single-Player

To start a single-player game, use your lobby. Go to the Single-Player tab. Select a game, map and AI and click "Start".

Some AIs don't work with all games. If the one you pick builds nothing, try another!

Playing Online

To play online, you need the latest version of the Spring Engine. To join matches, look for the "battles" or "multiplayer" tab in your lobby client.

Wondering where some former popular games are?

Some larger games run their own lobby servers!

Lan Party

See the dedicated page Playing on a lan.

Useful Hotkeys, Etc.

For the default keyboard layout please look at the Keyboard page.

The Spring Forum

Guidelines For Forum Etiquette

Development

To get started with development check the Development page.

Your question not answered here? Got problems?

Read the Frequently Asked Questions or ask in the Forum. You can also report Bugs to the developers so they can be fixed.

Game Specific Questions

If you have a question or problem with a certain gameplay mechanic in a game, you can talk about it at the game's subforum

If Spring crashes/hangs, please look at the FAQ.


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