RtCW MP - How To play online nowadays

What's below is the previous description; the official Master Server is back and running, only PunkBuster remains an issue; the tips given are still useful though ;)

Since a while now, iD Software has stopped the Master Server (the server which displays a server list client-side), and the anti-cheat software has also dropped the support to the game, as well as Quake III and Wolfenstein Enemy Territory (PunkBuster). So, as is, the game can't be played online easily... This guide will give you the keys to one of the most successfull MP of all time, RtCW MP!

Updating the game binaries

Firstly, recommended but not needed, get and install the Patch 1.41b (Steam release is 1.4):
Windows (ZIP) - http://download7.gamershell.com/filehell/98922190874e62a5b98f5cd7e1af775a5204ee9f003546/patch/Wolf-1.41b.zip

Alternative link - http://www.wolffiles.de/index.php?filebase&fid=2413

For Linux users, here's a tutorial for CD owners under Ubuntu:
http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-1451501.html

Then, go to your RtCW installation, and remove the pb folder (outdated and can't be auto updated anymore), and download/extract this one:
http://69.65.113.18/rtcw-pb.zip

Optionally, If it isn't installed, you can also get the PBSVC, it helped some users when the PB has troubles to initialize itself:
http://www.evenbalance.com/downloads/pbsvc/pbsvc.exe

[NOT REQUIRED ANYMORE] Incorporating a new server list

Now, the game files are ready. We're going to add a server list :)

Start the Notepad with admin rights (right click, start as admin or something like that).
Then click on the menu File, Open..., then browse: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\
Open hosts (a file without extension, make sure it isn't read-only with right click/Properties when you browse it); If you don't see it make sure you have at the bottom right selected "All files" and not "Only ANSI text files". Go to the bottom of the file while opened, and add as a new line:
64.22.107.125 wolfmaster.idsoftware.com
107.161.23.68 wolfmaster.idsoftware.com

Save the file.

Start the game and... TA-DAA:

Don't forget to enable the PunkBuster on the screen above! Or if you prefer the console way (~ for QWERTY keyboards, ² for AZERTY ones), check the value of /cl_punkbuster, if not 1 type /seta cl_punkbuster 1.

[NOT REQUIRED ANYMORE] If at this point it still doesn't work...

Check that:
- You started the Notepad as admin.
- You saved the file WITHOUT a txt extension.

Open the hosts file and check the line you've added is there, without typos.

Verify your game is present as an exception in your firewall.

Check that the CD Key is present in the settings: see the top of the section below.

If after these checks, you still have no server list... Well, you're part of a few group of users ^^'

You can try modified 1.41 binaries with hardcoded new master server address (thanks cole):
http://wolffiles.de/index.php?filebase&fid=4488

What you can try, and it worked for some of these people, is this distrib (thanks sal):
http://www.s4ndmod.com/wordpress/s4ndmod-240-released/

Let's hope it will be OK, I haven't tried it myself.

What you will need to play now

Now, we have a server list. BUT there are still several details you need to know to play without experiencing issues, like kicks :)

Check that the CD Key is present in the settings

It seems some people doesn't have the CD Key in the settings by default, and thus get banned on well-protected servers until it is entered.
Fire up the MP mode, and check in Options, CD Key.
If it isn't there, browse the Main folder and open the file rtcwkey in the Notepad: it contains the key.

Note that the last field is empty, that's normal. The key is 16 chars long.

Thanks to DJ MidiBeatz for figuring out this issue!

Allow custom content download

Several server are running Shrubmod (Fun Mod) or OSP (Comp Mod), and may also have custom maps in their rotation, and custom content (models, sounds, ...).
But, by default, the game doesn't allow the download of custom content, and there's no entry in the GUI to enable it.

To enable the client download system, open up the console (~ for QWERTY keyboards, ² for AZERTY ones), and type:
/seta cl_allowdownload 1

Sadly, the game doesn't support the download through the HTTP protocol, which means stunningly low download rates. But don't worry, there's a solution :) And it is called RtCW Map Downloader:
http://www.breezie.be/rtcw/mapdownloader/

When started it runs in the background (see the icon in the taskbar), and when a file need to be downloaded, it will close the game, download for you the file(s), then restart the game.

Server cvars

Some servers forced certain cvar values, because they can potentially advantage.
Even default values can be forced to an other value or range of values.
This section is (should be) temporarily empty, I will (should) shortly add the concerned cvars.

If you get kicked due to a cvar value, read the message: you should see if it's due to a cvar or something else. Then, open up the console: you'll find further details, with the cvars and values concerned :)

Advanced gameplay cvars

Well, not that advanced, but you probably don't know about them if you're following that guide, and you'll need the console (or add launch parameters, or edit directly the wolfconfig_mp.cfg file).

Draw the FPS counter
/seta cg_drawfps 1

Modify the FPS cap (90 by default)
The usual value is 125, fyi.
/seta com_maxfps 125

Change the Field of View (FOV - 90 by default)
I think the max allowed is 120 in RtCW, but I use 110... You'll see if you get kicked because of it :)
Don't worry, you'll not get kicked with a value of 110!
/seta cg_fov 110

How to find a server without bots

When you'll browse the server list, you'll probably join servers with bots, while you're looking for real players. Unfortunately, the ingame browser can't filter out the bot servers, but there are trackers online who do :)

The oldest one is SplatterLadder:
http://et.splatterladder.eu/

Click on sl.Serverlist, then gameversion, and tick RtCW 1.40/1.41 to only display RtCW servers.
Then, in Properties, second column third item, you can filter out Bots on Server by ticking until you have a red cross.

As a last recommendation, here is a populated server the evening, with usually 30+ players, ECGNetwork: 64.237.36.250:27960
To join it, open up the console and type /connect ip; Copy/paste works in this engine :)

bestpriceservice
Myself and 2 friends have a private funded MP server running the beach map. You can /connect 46.165.204.172:27960 in console. Bots too if no humans around. Enjoy.

Conclusion, sources & additionnal links

This is basically what I did today, and I've been able to play, without being kicked by the PB :)

Sources
Mainly these forums, I just used what was needed for Steam users (the GOTY Map Pack is already in) - http://www.ecgnetwork.co/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=26211
The thread giving the hint for the server list - http://www.ecgnetwork.co/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=25933&sid=f9c99888fa37276dba2c001b587fa0e3

Additionnal files
Well maybe I've been unlucky, but the server I joined playing mp_resurrection was extremely slow for download, so here are some maps you'd prefer to download through your browser instead:
http://www.ecgnetwork.co/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=24462

Suggestions, issues, comments are welcome :) The FileFront links may not work for some because they banned some countries a while ago, if really a lot of users have this issue I'll add more links after testing what I'll find ^^'

Happy fraggin' :)

[tony.pontin]

i cannot kill the last guard in episode 9

[tony.pontin]

I cannot zoom in or out or read maps

[>M@tEo$<]

I think IIRC the player requesting this will appear on the compass of the medic/fops for few seconds

[danjones]

When I am in-game and ask for ammo or a medic, my location shows "unknown". Is there a configuration setting or do you need to ask the Admin for some type of privilege so that your 'side' can find you during the game? Thanks!

[>M@tEo$<]

Does the game say it misses it? Is it blocking?

[nomezuke]

I heve not rtcwkey file in Main folder.

[GreenSoda]

nevermind

[GreenSoda]

my cd key wont work

[⛧Alice⛧]

even with the downloader, after it's downloaded and reopened the game, it's still slow to download the PK3....

[MOEEE⁷]

Bruh