Running A Deathmatch Game

Section [3]: Running a Deathmatch Game

OK, we're getting down to the heart of the matter. If you're just looking to find out how to start your Deathmatch game, look no further.

[3.1]: Do I need to set anything else up before I start?

You do unless you're using a network. If you aren't, you should run the SETUP program to create your MODEM.CFG file. This file will tell Doom what your modem strings are, and how fast it is. You should do this even if you are only using a null-modem cable, as Doom will need to know how fast the serial link is going to be.

Simply run SETUP, and choose Run a Network/Modem/Serial game from the main menu. From this menu, select Choose your Modem. If you can't find your modem, or if you are using a null-modem cable, just pick the GENERIC 14.4 MODEM. This will create your MODEM.CFG file, and then you can exit and move on.

If you want to customize your modem init string, or change the speed of the serial connection, you can edit your MODEM.CFG file manually. It's just a simple text file, and it's only got 4 lines. The first line is the modem initialization string, the second line is the hangup string, and the third is the speed of the connection. The last line is the name of your modem, and Doom doesn't read this line, so don't worry about it.

If SETUP freezes during initialisation, then try checking the Doom Setup page. Look up your modem on the page and change the initialisation string in your MODEM.CFG file to the one the page suggests...

[3.2]: How do I start a Deathmatch game from the command line?

The simplest way to start any Doom game is from the command line. We all know how to start a single player game. Type DOOM. Starting a multiplayer game is just as easy. Type SERSETUP, or IPXSETUP for networks. But there's many command line parameters you can add to alter your game. Included here are only the parameter specific to multiplayer gaming. If you're interested in learning all the Doom command line parameters, read Hank Leukart's Official Doom FAQ.

[3.2.1]: What are the general parameters?

These are parameters that can be used with any game - network, serial, or modem.

-deathmatch
This parameter must be used with a multi-player game or Doom will default to co-operative mode.
e.g. sersetup -deathmatch

-altdeath
Activates Deathmatch v2.0 (Doom v1.4 and above). This will cause most objects to respawn after 30 seconds. This allows you to play a level longer because you can continue to pick up weapons when they respawn.
e.g. sersetup -altdeath

-nomonsters
This will eliminate all the monsters in the levels. We usually play with this option. Monsters just get in the way of what Deathmatch is really all about - shooting at your friends!
e.g. sersetup -altdeath -nomonsters

-loadgame [number of the game]
Allows you to start Doom from a saved game. Instead of using the file name, simply enter the number (0-5) that corresponds to the slot you saved the game to on the SAVE GAME screen.
e.g. sersetup -loadgame 2
NOTE: this is the only way you can play a saved game in multi-player mode! So if you want to play a saved game, make sure you load it up beforehand, because you can't do it when the game is in progress.

-file [filename.wad]
This will add an external wad file to your game. External wads can contain any number of things, new levels, graphics, sounds, etc. Remember, you must type the full file name, and the extension must be .wad, otherwise it will not load.
e.g. sersetup -com2 -file mylev.wad
NOTE: All players must have the same wad files! If you are getting a consistency failure, your wad files are not the same. Make sure you are all using the same version of Doom, and the same external wad files. The files must be exactly the same, or you will get an error.

[3.2.2]: What are the serial-specific parameters?

These are parameters that can be used with serial games. They can (and probably should) also be used with modems.

-com[com port]
This tells Doom which com port you're using to connect. Legal values are com1 through com8.
e.g. sersetup -com2 -altdeath

-[#]
This tells Doom to connect at the specified rate. Legal values are 9600, 14400, 19200, 28800, 38400, 57600, 115200. I know that Doom's README.TXT file says differently, but I've tried all these speeds and they do work, except under certain circumstances. If they don't work, you can call me and ask why. Also remember, you need a 16550 UART to connect at speeds higher than 19.2k.
e.g. sersetup -com2 -57600

-8250
Tells Doom to set the UART to 8250. Don't use this unless your 16550 UART is acting up at the higher speed. Also remeber that you won't be able to use speeds higher than 19200 with this parameter.
e.g. sersetup -com2 -deathmatch -8250

-irq [irq number]
Only use this if you aren't using the default irq for your com port. Chances are, unless you've installed additional com ports, or at least upgraded your old ones, you won't have to worry about this parameter.
e.g. sersetup -altdeath -com2 -irq 10

-port [port number]
Once again, unless you've been mucking with your com ports, you won't need use this parameter. It overrides the default setting, and you use the hexidecimal value of the address.
e.g. sersetup -com2 -altdeath -port 0x3f8

[3.2.3]: What are the modem-specific parameters?

These are parameters that can only be used with modem games.

-dial [phone number]
If you're going to be the one who originates the call, this will tell Doom what number to dial.
e.g. sersetup -com2 -deathmatch -dial 555-1212

-answer
If you're going to be the one who answers the call, this puts your modem into answer mode.
e.g. sersetup -com1 -altdeath -answer
NOTE: You must use dial or answer with a modem game or sersetup will assume you are using a null-modem cable! The reverse also applies - don't use these parameters with a null-modem game, or sersetup will think you're using a modem.

[3.2.4]: What are the network-specific parameters?

These parameters can be used only with a network.

-nodes [number of players]
This will start Doom as a network game and sets the number of players. If you don't specify the number of players, the default is 2.
e.g. ipxsetup -nodes 3

-port [number of the port]
Sets the port from which to play DOOM2 multiplayer on the network. By setting a different port, more than one group of players can play Doom on a single network.

[3.3]: Can I use Doom's SETUP utility?

YES! If all this stuff is a little too heavy for you, Doom's SETUP utility works just fine. Just go through and select all the options you want, and away you'll go! The big downside to using SETUP is it does not handle external wads.

[3.4]: Does Doom come with any other utilities?

As a matter of fact, it does (well, version 1.9 does, anyway). It's called Deathmanager, and it works pretty much the same way SETUP does. Simply type dm at the Dos prompt, and you're in there. Choose all your settings, add whichever wad files you want to the list, and you're off and running.

There is also DWANGO. Version 1.4 and above (I think) ships with a progam that will hook you up to a DWANGO server. DWANGO is a network of multiplayer game servers, more or less like a BBS, that will allow you to play Doom (and other games) with other players who call in. All you need to do is run SETUP to create your MODEM.CFG file, and type DWANGO. It will dial the Texas server and hook you up right away. From there, you can find the server nearest you, and play anytime you want. There is a fee, and there's long distance charges if you don't live in the area. But it is one of the best places to find Deathmatch opponents, day or night.

[3.5]: Are there any other ways of doing this?

Oh, yeah. Plenty. There are many, many third party utilities that will allow you to load up Doom in any way possible. Most of them do handle wad files, and in fact, some will make them jump through hoops. At this point in time, I can't recommend one in particular, nor can I really say which does what. These things tend to be a matter of taste, and you'll have to browse around and find one that best suits your needs.

[3.6]: What about playing over the Internet?

Yikes! I always cringe when somebody poses this question. This is kind of a complicated matter, for several reasons.

The first reason being that most utilities that allow you to play over the Internet are pretty complicated in themselves, and usually require a lot of tweaking to work acceptably. Some even require you to compile the source code on your Internet Provider's server. For some people, this can be more of a headache than it's worth. That's up to you.

Secondly, the nature of the Internet itself doesn't really help matters too much. Depending on your type of connection to the Internet, you may not be able to use some of these utilities at all, and if the speed of your connection isn't up to par, you may as well not bother.

There is also the matter of latency and packet loss. Latency is a lag in data tranfer due to heavy loads. This is very common on the Internet because so many people are using it all the time, and servers tend to get bogged down. Packet loss can occur anytime. All data on the Internet moves in small packets. The information is broken down into these packets, which are then sent along their way. Unfortunately, to get the packets to their destination as quickly as possible, they do not all go by the same route necessarily. Packets are passed along to the closest availible carrier until they reach their destination. This can cause some packets to arrive late, or to become lost altogether. That's fine for standart file tranfers because the packets can be re-sent if they're lost. In a real-time game where you need to be updated all the time, it has a devistating effect. The game can become very bogged down, and displays get very jumpy. This isn't too much fun for anybody.

OK, if you're still determined, here's the place to go.
Walnut Creek - California
Mirror Sites: Oregon Texas Wisconsin Virginia France Belgium Germany Austria Sweden1 Sweden2 South Africa Taiwan Australia

In this ftp directory you will find various utilities for Dooming over networks - including the Internet. Some of these require a direct connection to the Internet, but some will work over dial-up lines. I haven't used any of these myself, so you're on your own.

Conclusion

Well, that's all for now. I hope this little FAQ has answered your questions and helped you get a start in the world of Deathmatching.

Rogue Enterprises no longer run this FAQ. Like the rest of their pages it was handed over to me (Gestalt666) at the end of September '96. To be honest, I don't get to play Deathmatch half as often as I'd like to, but if you have any questions not answered in the FAQ, feel free to e-mail me at jb54@le.ac.uk and I'll try my best to answer them...

If you don't have anyone to play against, or are looking for someone new to rip apart, check out the Deathmatch Database, which includes hundreds of people from all over the world, playing a wide variety of games.

And if you haven't got yourself put on the list yet, do it now!!! Just click here and fill in a quick form, and I'll add your name to the list as soon as I can...

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