FAQ
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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 !
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?
As for most Spring downloads UnknownDownloads is the place to be! A collection of maps can be downloaded here.
I used the small installer where can I get the missing maps?
Unfortunately the maps included in the regular installer aren't available for seperate download. However, since many of the scripts included in the game rely on map4, this can be downloaded here.
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. 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.
Playing
What is with this weird right-click mode? I'm 'bout to break my keyboard.
Sorry, you'll just have to get used to it. As of now it can't be changed.
Why is somebody else also controlling my units?
In the 'game lobby' there are two sets of teams. There are the 'Teams' and the 'Ally Teams'. If you are on the same 'Team', then you both get the same commander, and can control the same units. If you are on 'Ally Teams', then you both get different commanders and can't control each others units.
Is there a way that I can play music directly through TA-Spring, with alternating tracks for building/attacking like in the original Total Annihilation?
Currently there is no in-game music player. For now, you will have to rely on a seperate program to play music such as Winamp or Windows Media Player.
Then why would I want to be on the same 'Team' as somebody?
Because it's fun to just drive around units and not have to worry about commanding. (Assuming that one of the people on the team is commanding.)
How do I talk to my allies only?
You must type 'a:' before you speak. Here's an example: a: Now I am talking to my allies only.
And most important, you can split tasks, as base building, troops managment.
Help! After I'm finished driving a unit, the camera is all insane! This is nuts! How do I fix it?
Whoa now. Calm down. Just press ctrl + mouse button 3 to change camera modes. If your unit is destroyed in FPS mode, you will stay in FPS mode until you change camera modes. Also, the camera will stay in "free look" when FPS mode is disengaged, press middle-mouse or J to switch to normal scrolling.
After I'm finished driving a unit, where what used to be my mouse pointer is now a crosshair. Why?
-This is a special 'view mode' that allows you to move around the screen much faster. It's good for viewing the battle or getting screenshots. Simply press on your third mouse button or 'delete' to revert back to your mouse pointer.
But I don't have a third mouse button!
The key 'J' works in the same way as the 'middle mouse button' does. So where you would use ctrl + middle mouse button to change camera modes, ctrl + j does the same thing. Pressing J once will also switch you from 'crosshair mode' to 'pointer mode' and vice versa.
I´ve managed to get stuck in this weird camera mode and my perspective is all messed up. How do I switch to the overhead (OTA style) camera?
Shift+Backspace (or Shift+J or Shift+MiddleMouseClick) switches between the fps style, total war style and OTA style cameras. Use it to get your camera back to normal in this situation.
People are cheating! How do I stop it?!
Well currently, you can't.
Only the host can "activate" the cheat codes. After that, any player can do almost all cheats.
The best thing to do is just not play with the cheaters anymore. But with new spring version cheats are disabled in multiplayer, so that paragraph is hopefully now irrelevant.
Well how do you cheat?
| Cheat Command | Effect |
|---|---|
| .cheat | enable cheats - Cheats don't work in multiplayer until the host types this |
| .nocost | instabuild (doesn't work on things already under construction, only on new ones) |
| .setmaxspeed 50 | Changes the maximum speed multiplier (default is 3.0) |
| .setminspeed 0 | Changes the minimum speed multiplier (default is 0.3) |
| .spectator | Allows you to see the entire map... but you lose control of your units |
| .team 0, .team 1, etc. | Change player |
| .give ARMCOM, .give 10 CORKROG, etc. | Place 1 or specified number of specified unit. Valid units are the internal names of units as specified in the unit definition. |
In Game Commands
The following non-cheating commands are also available in game:
| Command | Effect |
|---|---|
| .info | Shows you what colour each player is and their ping delay in the bottom left corner of the screen |
| .clock | Shows you the elapsed game time in minutes and seconds in the bottom left corner of the screen |
| .take | Pulls all allied units, that are owned by players who have lost connection to the server, to your team. |
How do I ally or unally in game?
I'm pretty sure you can't. Yet.
How do I give somebody units or metal or energy?
Press the 'H' key. Then select the amount of metal and/or energy to share. Then select the receiving player and press OK.
When sharing units, you must first select the units to share, then press 'H' key. Tick share units checkbox and choose a receiving player.
You'll notice that on your metal and energy bars (top of screen), there are two red bars. You have to put them wherever you want your metal and energy to be shared after.
This game is different than TA, the units HP and damage are not the same
There were several third party "balance" mods for the original TA game.
One of those mods were xTA, and was developed by the same clan (SY) that has brought life back to TA, making Spring.
This balance mod is what is bundled by default with the spring engine, and is the mod that was ready to play when spring was released.
Now are several mods available, install the mod of your choice.
XTA? OTA? AA? OMFGLAMO? What those all the abbreviations mean?
zwzsg maintains a handy dandy FAQ about TA, and the abbreviations that relate to Spring too, of course. click here. See also the Spring Glossary, which contains brief explanations for all non-standard words and phrases.
Why am I destroyed so easily by long range assaults?
This is a realistic feature of Spring. Units will automatically attack 'radar blips' (units that they can not actually see, but that are indicated on radar). However, the accuracy is very bad while shooting at radar blips until:
- Your unit kills a lot of units and gets experience
- You get a targeting facility.
Can I kick people from my 'game lobby' or my game?
First of all, you have to be the host to kick. Use the good old ".kick playernamehere" command. Works in-game too, use it wisely.
When I'm 'driving' my commander, why can't I use my laser?
The TA: Spring team will most likely add a way for you to use your commander's laser soon.
I hate driving around with the 'arrow keys'. Is there any way I can use the 'W-A-S-D' controls (the controls most First Person Shooters use) anymore?
Go into your Spring directory and edit the uikeys file. Keep in mind that 'S' is originally a 'hot-key' that will stop your units and that 'D' is a 'hot-key' for your commander's D-Gun. You might want to change those too.
I turned the shadows feature on; I still don't see shadows. What gives?
Your graphics card can't handle shadows, so Spring automatically turns them off.
I can't go backwards when I am 'driving' a unit. Why not?
Because TA units were never intended to go backwards. Sorry, but you just cant.
I'm in an Unreal Tournament kind of mood. How do I strafe?
You can only strafe in 'brawler type' ships, such as the brawler, rapier, and light gunships.
How can I record and watch demos/replays?
From version 0.62 onwards recordings of all the games you play are easily available for replay via the Replays button in the TASclient.
You can use the Speed up/Slow down game keys while watching the replay, along with other in-game commands like .team
From version 0.60b1 onwards, demos are automatically recorded in the "demos" folder, underneath your Spring folder (default is C:\Program Files\TASpring\demos), named for the date and map they were played on. If you play multiple games in the same day on the same map, the games will also be numbered to prevent them from overwriting each other.
From version 0.62 onwards, to view a demo from the Windows file manager you can just double click the file name.
Sometimes when I play get "not sync" "delayed synch" errors
Thats caused because of lag. One of the players in the game is having some lag issues. Ask him/her to free up its bandwidth for the game to use.
Alternatively you can use the pause key and wait till the connection gets more stable.
Lag is the seccond number showed when you use the .info command ingame, numbers bigger than 40 are not usual in a normal game and are a signal of lag.
Creating Content for Spring
How do I create maps?
See the Map development page for all the map info.
How do I create units/mods?
See the Mod and Unit development page on creating units/ mods.
