You start a CTF/e server just like a normal UT CTF server and all the options you have used to seeing are still there. CTF/e has however, added a few new options to your "Rules" menu when you start a server. They are:

::Balance Teams::

This is an option you will find in all UT Team games. I only mention it here because when checked, ALL CTF/e play balance features are in effect.

::Balance Tollerance::

This value is used to determine if teams are out of balance. If there is more than an X player spread between teams then play balance rules will take effect. The default is 2 players. I don’t suggest setting this below 2 (in fact, I’ll probably force it to 2 in a later version).

:: Flag Cap Restriction::

If this option is checked, any team that has a player advantage will be kept from capturing a flag. If a player on that team attempts to do so.. WATCH OUT.

:: Allow BehindView:: (NEW)

Many people consider players using the behindview command to look around corners cheating. I happen to agree with them (it’s lame) so I’ve added a server side switch to STOP YOU from doing it. It defaults to off (ie: doesn’t allow it).

:: Balance Bonus:: (NEW)

CTF/e has a new command that can be used at the console "team". It is used to change to a different team or become a spectator. It’s format is:

Team <new team>

Possible values for <new team> are RED, BLUE or Spectator.

 This command used to be called "TogglePing". I’ve changed it’s name and format to match my other console commands. The "ShowPing" command is used to turn on/off the on-screen ping display. I personally like to have a good idea what my ping is (especially on Modem) so this is my command J

This value is saved between settings. The usuage for this command is:

ShowPing [on/off | 1/0 | true/false]

I’ve added this command for my clan mate and friend Mr. Sckum. He’s Mr. Sniper around here and wanted more control over the zoom. Well he got it. When Advanced Zoom is enabled, your next/prev weapon keys will scroll through the zoom levels of the sniper rifle. You will of course have to press ALT-Fire first.

The downside is the next/prev weapons functions are ignored when your zoomed so that’s a small (very small) penalty for using it.

This value is saved between settings. The usuage for this command is:

AdvanceZoom [on/off | 1/0 | true/false]

I’ve added some functionality to the TeamSay command. The UT command menus are impossible to use during a real game so I’ve added the ability to include % variables just like Quake 2. They are:

%H : Health

%W : Current weapon

%A : Armor

%P : Posture

%% : prints a "%"

All of these should be pretty self explainatory except %P. When you use the %P command, CTF/e will attempt to decide what your current role in the game is. You might be attacking, defending, floating, going after the enemy flag carrier, or defending yours. I’m sure this variable isn’t perfect yet, but it’s a big help.

I’m open for suggestions for new variables that people might find useful. Notice I’ve removed the %L command. It was useless. Some people have asked for a command to display ammo of current weapon. That will be implemented in the next release.

So… for example.. if you typed:

Teamsay "%P with %w and %h/%a" you might end up saying:

"Attacking Enemy Flag Carrier with a Redeemer and 75 health/A Powershield (50%)"

See how nice that is.

When you first connect to a CTF/e server, you will be greeted by the CTF/e Logon menu. Here you can see info about the server, pick a team or enter spectator mode. Note if team balance is in effect, you might not be able to join the team you want to. In the top of the menu, a display showing the current teams and score can be found.

I find the current UT method so annoying as ½ the time, people joining a game have no idea the teams are so screwed. This is actually the reason I made CTF/e.

You can also bring up this menu by typing "emenu" at the console. CTF/e will also automatically bind "emenu" to the scroll lock key. I know damn well I’ll probably run in to one or two people who actually try and use the scroll lock key during play so sue me.

I’ve added a much nicer spectator mode to CTF/e. In order to be a spectator in UT, you have to log off and change your player class. I’ve made it much easier. Just bring up the Logon menu and select spectator or type "team spectator" at the console and bingo, now your just a watching.

In spectator mode, you can watch from the original 3^rd person view or switch to the first person. The controls work as follows:

Fire will flip between all the different players in the game.

Alt-Fire will switch between 1^st and 3^rd person views.

In the future I’ll add some other custom stuff for spectators, but this is enough for now.

CTF/e supports Unreal Tournament's built in server browser.  However if you choose to not install this support when you installed CTF/e, here is how to do it.

You will need to edit 2 files, UNREALTOURNAMENT.INI and UBROWSER.INT.  These files have the necessary setup information for CTF/e to work.

If you chose not to install the CTF/e support, it's ok.  CTF/e servers will still display in the main server list.  I just find it easier to search see just CTF/e servers.

STEP #1: Changes to UNREALTOURNAMENT.INI

Open up the file UNREALTOURNAMENT.INI with your favorite editor (ie: NOTEPAD).   Search through it until you find the section

This will create our custom tab on the browser.  We now need to tell it what to do with that tab.  Scroll down to the very end of the ini file and add the following 2 lines...

This tells the browser what type of servers to display in our tab.    Now save this file, we are done with it.

STEP #2: Changes to the UBROWSER.INT file

The next file is the INT file that is used when setting up the browser.   Open up UBROWSER.INT and add the following line at the very end:

Save the file and your good to go.  CTF/e will now have it's own custom tab in the browser.  Don't you wish you just let the installer do it!

[The Future]

Wow.. are a lot of things planned. Here is a brief list of what’s on my agenda…

+ More % variables for TeamSay

+ Autoswitching of players to fix team balancing

+ FLAG DUELS

+ Server switch to boot spectators at the start of each map

+ New Spectator Hud

+ New Scoreboards

+ On screen Team Display

Who knows what else.