FAQ:getting a game started

Getting into a game

People talk about 'Single Player'. How do I start a single player game?

Simply start a game in the lobby, and enter a password, so that nobody can join. Then click ready, and start and away you go !

Alternatively, you can get Spring Single Player (new link) , a handy tool that lets you create single player games without cluttering up the lobby, as well as watch replays easily.

It's also very easy to set up singleplayer games using SpringLobby. Just click on the singleplayer tab, add some bots, and play. You can grab it from the SpringLobby website.

When I try to make a single player game, it gives me an error.

Your graphics card probably can't support Spring. If you read the requirements it did say GeForce 3 or better. Go to the settings file in your Spring directory and lower some of the options. Sometimes that works.

Does Spring support AI Players?

Yes, see AI You can also use the random_enemies script, which spawns units out of thin air and sends them to attack you.

How do I join an Internet multiplayer game?

Run the "TA Spring multiplayer battleroom" from the Start menu or the TASClient.exe from your installation folder. In the "Server" tab change the server to "Official Host". Hit "Apply and close". Re-open the TA Spring client. Create an account on the "Account" tab.

When I try to connect to the lobby it gives me an error.

There could be 3 problems. Either you don't have an account, the server is down, or you have not configured your router/firewall correctly. If you don't have an account, make one. If the server is down, you'll just have to wait (this doesn't happen often, though). If you have a router/firewall read below. Have a look at this website's News page and/or the Messageboard, it is likely that you will get some information there in the eventuality that the server is down.

Also make sure that you don't have any spaces in your username.

I have a router and I don't seem to be able to get a game

If you are using a router you may have other problems. Explanations of how to forward ports has instructions for every router.

Where can I download more maps?

Please refer to the Maps section.

How do I install downloaded maps?

Most maps are released as .sdz or .sd7 files. These can be put directly into the "maps" folder inside the Spring folder. Spring now includes a script to move maps and mods to the proper directory on Windows if you double click them. If they are compressed into another type of archive you will have to unpack them first. Just unzip them into your spring maps folder. Some map files use newer (smaller) file formats such as .rar or .7z, to unzip these newer formats, you'll need to download 7-Zip http://www.7-zip.org/ or Zip-genius http://downloads.zipgenius.it/. They both handle almost all formats and are totally free. There is also now a map browser in the TASClient lobby software, click the more maps button in a battle screen to access it.

Sometimes when I try to join games it gives me an error.

The host is behind a firewall that has not opened the correct ports for Spring.

When a multiplayer game starts I never make it past the loading screen.

This indicates a problem with your video card. Once again the best way to deal with this situation is to make sure your video card has the latest driver updates and that all Spring video features are on the lowest settings.

When a multiplayer game starts, I make it past the loading screen, but when I get into the game it says, "Waiting for Host", and does a 10 second countdown. It always reaches zero and boots me out, what gives?

This is a firewall issue. There are three things you can do to fix this. First, make sure your windows firewall is either off, or is not blocking the TA: Spring application. Secondly, if you are behind a router, you can forward the ports that the host is using (especially if you are the host), and it usually fixes the problem. To do this you must go to your router configuration page. You can see what port 'you' are using (as the host), by hosting a multiplayer game in the Spring Lobby. You must make this your trigger port, and make sure that it is open for both TCP and UDP. Thirdly, if none of the aforementioned worked. The easiest thing to do (assuming you are behind a router) is to set the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone). This means your computer will be completely exposed to the internet, which will make you vulnerable to any unknown or unpatched exploits in windows. All you have to do is find the personal IP if the computer you are using and add it to your router's DMZ list. Please only try this last option if you can't get the others to work. Good Luck

I got into the game, but some people didn't.

The host may have reached the number of players it has set. Or the players may be experiencing firewall or video card difficulty. That is not your fault. Please ask them too leave if they are still there when you get into the 'game lobby'. Some people have problem connecting to "hole punching" hosts.

I got into a game but my name is red, nobody can hear me speak, and eventually I get disconnected

This is to do with how long it takes the game to start up (the "load time"). If it takes too long you will see this problem. The load time can be reduced by changing the game graphics settings to lower quality. In particular try setting texture quality to lowest.

What do all those icons mean in the server list?

Server status icons inform you, at a quick glance, what the server is doing at the moment, and what state it's in (password protected, locked, open, full, etc). Read all about the server status icons and what they mean here. Or hit F1 in the Battle room for even more information on the icons and their meaning.