6.7 Installing and Using Multiplayer Maps


  The following instructions explain how to install and use Multiplayer Custom Maps on .




  Lately, I've been seeing a lot of message posts cropping up on the various sites, asking how to use custom maps in the game. People are either misunderstanding the fact that virtually all the maps are Multiplayer, or they simply want to check out the maps to see what they look like. Or maybe it's because they want to practice alone by themselves, before they play online.

  Let's get something out of the way, first. Just about all the custom maps for are Multiplayer only. They aren't meant to be played alone. More often than not there are no AI opponents to play against (there are a few maps that are exceptions), and there is virtually nothing you can do in the maps by yourself. For example: the Light Cycle maps cannot be played in Single Player mode, and if you try to play them that way, they won't work properly. Instead of appearing on a Light Cycle, you will end up walking around on foot in the map.

  That being said: there is a way to play a Multiplayer custom map by yourself, if you want to check it out before playing against others online. Here's how.


  First of all, make sure to download and install the latest v1.042 Patch. This adds the Derez (Deathmatch) gameplay mode to Multiplayer. It's also required to play Multiplayer. Without it installed, you will not see any servers and you won't be able to play online. Just be warned that if you have any saved games in the Single Player part of the game, they will become useless after installing the patch.

  Next, do yourself a favor and download and install REZ Handler. It's not absolutely necessary to use this program to install maps, but it will make your life much easier if you do. The program helps you install maps and mods, and keeps track of the "REZ limit" that the game has. The game can only handle so many map packs (.rez files) before problems start to occur. There are also numerous other beneficial features that this program has, which I will leave you to discover on your own.



  After installing the patch and REZ Handler, click on the REZ Handler program icon in the Start menu. The program will eventually display its main window.



  What you've just done, is started hosting the map on your computer in a server session. But since you've set Dedicated Server to No, the map is actually being hosted in the game itself, where you can play it. And by setting LAN Only to Yes, the server will not be listed on Gamespy even if you have an active internet connection. This will prevent people from seeing your server and unexpectedly joining the game. Unless you want to play against others, and in that case you would set LAN Only to No.

  Of course, if someone else is hosting a map online on a server . . . then as long as the same map is installed and active on your machine, when you join that server (Join Internet game) the map will automatically load and you can start playing.


  For more detailed information about installing Custom Maps (and Mods), click HERE.