How to host a dedicated Suicide Survival Server – 2010 Edition

Since the update to the new Steam version players who want to host a Suicide Survival server with the “Team Fortress 2 Dedicated Server” tool are greeted with the following error message:  SetupArrayProps_R:  array prop ‘(null)’ is at index zero.

The reason for this is that the engine build used by the Orange Box DSes on Steam (one for TF2 and each of the Steamworks mods) differs from the one that Suicide Survival was built with (the 2007 SDK code). However there is a solution:

This is a step-by-step guide on how to host your own dedicated server. PS: this will probably also work for other mods with the same problem.

STEP ONE

Download the HLDS Update Tool, which installs a standalone dedicated server. This doesn’t require Steam to be running, but also doesn’t read data that Steam has downloaded — meaning that it requires a separate install of the game your are running from, including all textures and sounds. If you don’t have 2.5GB free space on your hard drive you’re out of luck.

Once downloaded run the hlsdupdatetool.exe and choose a install directory on your hard drive.

STEP TWO

Getting the necessary files to run the server:

a) Open a command prompt.

Go to Start, Run and type “cmd” (minus quotes) and press enter.

b) Change to the directory where the HLDS Update Tool is installed.

If you’re unfamiliar with the commands here is exactly what you’ll have to type:

> cd c:

> cd <the directory you installed the HLDS Update Tool>
usually its HLServer so type:  cd hlserver

c) Run the HLDS Update Tool with the “update” command:

> hldsupdatetool.exe -command update -game hl2mp -dir .

<-dir>   is the path where you want the files installed e.g.  ” .” (for the current directory) or “c:hlserver”

d) After its done run the update command again for a different game:

> hldsupdatetool.exe -command update -game orangebox -dir .

d) Once it’s done downloading all the files go to step three.

For further info regarding the use of the hldsupdatetool.exe check the readme file inside the hlserver folder.

STEP THREE

Copy the SuicideSurvival Folder into the orangebox directory you just created with the hldsupdatetool.exe.

In most cases this would be: c:hlserverorangeboxhlserver

STEP FOUR

Create a Server.cfg file. This file a simple text file which save config variables for the server. Here is a simple example config file:

hostname “the name of your server”
rcon_password “pick an admin password”

// Gameplay
mp_flashlight 0
mp_fraglimit 50
mp_timelimit 40
mp_falldamage 30
mp_teamplay 1

// Server Cvars
sv_lan 0
sv_region 255
sv_downloadurl “http://www.suicide-survival.com/sv_download”
sv_allowupload 0
sv_allowdownload 1
net_maxfilesize 60
sv_voiceenable 1
sv_alltalk 1
sv_maxrate 7000
sv_minrate 2000
sv_maxupdaterate 30
sv_minupdaterate 10

fps_max 100

Copy and paste the above text into a textfile and save it as: “Server.cfg” inside the HLServerorangeboxSuicideSurvivalcfg directory.

If you want to know what each command does check this console command list from Valve.

STEP FIVE

Well you’re almost there. One final step to starting your server is to make a shortcut of it and pass some commands along when launching it:

a) go to the Orangebox directory: HLServerorangebox

b) Right-click on the “srcds.exe” and choose: “create a shortcut”

c) Right-Click on the shortcut file and choose: “settings”

d) In the field “target” add the following at the end of it:  -game suicidesurvival

So it reads: C:HLServerorangeboxsrcds.exe -game suicidesurvival

e) Hit the OK button.

Voila! Your done. Double-click on the shortcut file and you should see the launch window for the dedicated server.

If you have any questions or encounter some errors leave a comment below. If your running a server regularly feel free to advertise your server in the forum.

Play Suicide Survival even if you dont own a game from Valve

The friendly modDB user “likestoplaymods” brought to my attention a solution for how you can play Suicide Survival for free! Even if you don’t own a game from Valve. So here is how:

Steam has some promotional packages which includes among other things Half-Lif 2: Deatmatch. How to get this package is very easy. Just visit one of the following links, depending on your graphic card manufacturer, and download Steam:

This is a limited time offer from Valve. So be sure to get it while its free. This is a great opportunity to play some rounds of Suicide Survival with your mates who  previously didn’t had the chance to play it.

General Update and a new Map!

ss_allan0000_small

Hi everyone, it has been a long time since there was an update so it is time for some news:

First of all, Suicide Survival is not dead, its only resting (just like the parrot). And whenever I check the servers I always see a few people playing which really suprises me. I figured Suicide Survival would be hip for a few months and then dissappear into the great void of the internet. Alas I was wrong which really makes me happy.

Second of all and mostly being the reason why I layed down the development of Suicide Survival for a while are some personal matters: I finished my Bachelor in Game Design this summer and I’m still trying to get a job in the game industry. Second I’m working on my final project again in order to submit it to the IGF and Unity Awards. If you want to check it out you can visit the website at: www.doppelscope.com The website is only in German for now but there will be a playable and English version of it as well in the near future.In short this has my main priority followed by creating my portfolio and getting a job. However I will try to get a new version of Suicide Survival out before christmas this year.

Last but not least Michael Kuzel aka Eccentricity from the official forums has made a pretty awesome and well designed map. Its called SS_Allan and even features a new and unique game mode. Taken straight from the read me:

In certain intervals, a special shrub will spawn in a random location. This special shrub has no identifying features that separates it from normal shrubs or even Suiciders – except for one thing – it chirps. Every few seconds this unique shrub will emit a small chirp sound. This sound can be heard both by the Survivors as well as the Suiciders. Use your ears to locate this shrub, as it will give an advantage to the Survivor team if its found and used!

Check out the thread from Eccentricity in the forums or simply download the map (21 MB) and try it out.

Suicide Survival Map Pack released

I finished two more maps and fixed some small issues on ss_garden.

ss_greenFog

A simple map with fog and lesser shrub placement to make the game a bit easier for Survivors.

Recommended players: 1 – 5 per team

ss_superGreen

This rather small map was originally used for testing purposes. However I finished it and I still think its good fun. Spawn and ammo placement is pretty random tough.

Recommended players: 1 – 2 per Team

ss_garden

The famous ss_garden map. Its pretty well balanced and also the map I worked the most on. Including the famous greenhouse and the hidden camper spot.

Recommended players: 2 – 8 per Team

Download the map pack (3 mb) and leave some comments on the forum.