How do I set up a multiplayer game of Opposing Force?

[DarkCrystalMethod]

Pre-steam this game was both a single and multiplayer mod on top of half-life and I could get both working. Ever since steam though (and it became its own game folder) The Dedicated Server tool doesn't list Opposing Force. How may I get this added back onto the list?
Also when running a normal multiplayer (listen server) my gameserver never was listed for other people to join. Beyond that, directly telling the IP address refused to connect.

There are a few people who have been wanting to play it online(for nostalga sake), but none of us could figure it out.

Thanks.
(And if this needs to be moved please notify me on my profile comments page as there doesn't seem to be any kind of in-steam notification system about these discussion groups.)

[SF]

Hello DarkCrystalMethod. Im Also trying launch HLDS Opposing Force via steam DS
If founded following in HLDSUpdateTool Manual:

c) Run the HLDS Update Tool with the "update" command:

>HldsUpdateTool.exe -command update -game <game> -dir <installdir>

<game> "cstrike", "dmc", "dod", "ricochet", "tfc", "valve", "Counter-Strike Source", or "hl2mp"

<installdir> is the path where you want the files installed
e.g. . (for the current directory) or c:\hlserver

e.g.
>HldsUpdateTool.exe -command update -game cstrike -dir .

or

>HldsUpdateTool.exe -command update -game cstrike -dir c:\hlserver

As you can see there is no gearbox folder. But i just wana try put "gearbox" line and you get OP4 HLDS tool. You can get Opposing Force part from HLDSUpdateTool.

Read here info about HldsUpdateTool: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=6758-TCMF-2234
Use -game gearbox for download Opposing Force Server Base content.
How line looks?

hldsupdatetool -command update -game gearbox -dir "D:\Steam\steamapps\___gordonfreeman___\dedicated server"

Just replace my dir path from yours. Where is your dedicated server folder allocated on PC. After updating you can see Opposing Force game in HLDS VGUI Menu.
Sorry for my english.

[DarkCrystalMethod]

Thanks for the reply but I'm more looking for how to get OpposingForce(gearbox folder somewhere) on the pull-down list on the dedicated server dialog box... and have it work.

No way am I going to mess about with all that command line nonsense as Steam is supposed to hide the complexity of making sure all the installs are where they need to be and that they all work without fussing about in DOS and config files. It just shouldn't be neccessary.

Also that hlds update tool doesn't seem to be anywhere in any of my steam folders. (And I just now installed DS and OpposingForce).

[BIGCAKEASSAULTFAN6000]

If complexity for you is using simple launch parameters, I doubt you'll be able to manage a dedicated server in the first place. Just set up a listen server if you want to play with friends then.

The HLDSUpdateTool is downloadable through the Steam Homepage. Here, I'll link it over to you: http://storefront.steampowered.com/download/hldsupdatetool.exe

The advantage of using the HLDSUpdateTool instead of Steam's is that the HLDSUpdateTool installs a stand-alone dedicated server on itself, allowing you to run dedicated servers of ANY Half-Life based game or mod. It also lets you join your own dedicated server, whereas in the Steam version you can't.

[DarkCrystalMethod]

If I start the in-game server nobody can join me. So I figured thats just broken. Wonder when someone's going to fix it.

So as a workaround, I try the Dedicated Server, but that doesn't even list Opposint Force. Why not and can I get it on the list without too much fuss?

Thirdly what the heck is this hlds update tool? Does it actually need to download something once installed? (I already have OpFor installed and it has that listenserver that doesn't let people join) Does this tool fix the Dedicated Server program in the steam tools list? I don't quite understand why this tool is needed at all other than just someone said so.

I wonder if I just copy the current gearbox folder over to the dedicated server\gearbox folder I might not need the tool, but I remember trying that years ago and not having much success.

Anyway still a bit confused as all these other games are on the list. How did they get there? hlds update tool wasn't used for them, it was part of the Dedicated Server install.

Hopefully someone can explain most or all of these things.

[BIGCAKEASSAULTFAN6000]

HLDSupdatetool is what you use to set up a standalone dedicated server that isn't dependant on Steam. The Dedicated Server located on the Steam tools is stuck together and isn't even supported by Valve anymore (which is why it keeps the classic Steam layout from 2004 and doesn't support HL mods or some of the commercial HL based titles). What you do is install HLDSupdatetool, then launch it with the following parameters if you want to install an OP4 server:

hldsupdatetool.exe -command update -game gearbox
It will automatically start downloading HL and OP4 base files; only the ones you'd need to set up a dedicated server so it is a smaller install. If you don't know how to use launch parameters, just create a shortcut of the executable and add these parameters after the executable address in Proprieties. I wouldn't recommend just installing the HL base files and then moving your OP4 folder there, but if you want to try, just change the "-game" parameter to "valve" and it will only download the HL files.

By setting up a standalone dedicated server you won't have any troubles joining your own server. It'll also let you install plugin modules such as AMX Mod X.

Hope you got it, just reply if you got anymore questions.

[DarkCrystalMethod]

So in order to play any multiplayer I can join any existing server and that would work just fine.

Setting up a "normal" listen server from inside Opposing Force won't allow others to connect and is "officially" broken with no fix in sight.

Installing Dedicated Server from the Tools list will not show Opposing Force on the game type menu.I'm a little unclear if I need Dedicated Server installed when I run the hldsupdate tool. I'm guessing it will re-download HL and OP4 so it would show up on the list finally (and hopefully work.

If I don't have Dedicated Server installed when I run the hlds update tool, it will download to a folder I specify (could be anywhere). Is that sufficient to start the server? Do I use hlds update tool to launch the server or will it be hl.exe as usual?

I'm going to try with DS installed, then run the update tool to pull opforce("gearbox") down into the DS folder, then launch DS and hopefully start my server from there.

Thanks for your help. I think I'm pretty close to understanding this now.

[DarkCrystalMethod]

Well I think I'm on the right track but... I got this error:

Checking bootstrapper version ...
Getting version 50 of Steam HLDS Update Tool
Downloading. . . . . . . . . . .

C:\Program Files (x86)\Valve\HLServer>Checking bootstrapper version ...
Failed to connect to any GeneralDirectoryServer, WinSock Error 0 "No error"


So are these General Directory Server's still running? Will the respond to a ping request? (if so, whats the ip address or hostname?) I don't see mention of any part of the error message on the hldsupdatetool instructions page. And I did switch to the HLServer folder before running it.

I ran this on an administrator command promp on Vista Ultimate 64-bit. Would there be anything extra I need to do?

The end result, no gearbox folder under my dedicated server folder. I'll pick at this some more, but I feel I'm close to getting this working.

[DarkCrystalMethod]

Its downloading a mass of files now. (Fingers crossed)

[BIGCAKEASSAULTFAN6000]

So... did it work out for you?

[DarkCrystalMethod]

Oh, it just wasn't reachable from the outside world because my router was in between my comp and the cable-modem. After I removed it, seemed to work fine.
Just not sure how to do this if I have the router in the way. Took forever to figure out that was the issue.
Thanks for all your help.

[eyedie]

hey there , will the hldsupdate tool allow set up for a ozdm server?

[[CIEN] FusionDrake]

Originally posted by serfreeman1337:

Hello DarkCrystalMethod. Im Also trying launch HLDS Opposing Force via steam DS
If founded following in HLDSUpdateTool Manual:

c) Run the HLDS Update Tool with the "update" command:

>HldsUpdateTool.exe -command update -game <game> -dir <installdir>

<game> "cstrike", "dmc", "dod", "ricochet", "tfc", "valve", "Counter-Strike Source", or "hl2mp"

<installdir> is the path where you want the files installed
e.g. . (for the current directory) or c:\hlserver

e.g.
>HldsUpdateTool.exe -command update -game cstrike -dir .

or

>HldsUpdateTool.exe -command update -game cstrike -dir c:\hlserver

As you can see there is no gearbox folder. But i just wana try put "gearbox" line and you get OP4 HLDS tool. You can get Opposing Force part from HLDSUpdateTool.

Read here info about HldsUpdateTool: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=6758-TCMF-2234
Use -game gearbox for download Opposing Force Server Base content.
How line looks?

hldsupdatetool -command update -game gearbox -dir "D:\Steam\steamapps\___gordonfreeman___\dedicated server"

Just replace my dir path from yours. Where is your dedicated server folder allocated on PC. After updating you can see Opposing Force game in HLDS VGUI Menu.
Sorry for my english.

So... how do I set up a multiplayer dedicated server game of Opposing Force, TFC, Etc. In 2021?...

Can´t find "HldsUpdateTool.exe" and some tutorial in Youtube... ¿Is it Possible?

[Stomper]

this is what you use today

https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD

[[CIEN] FusionDrake]

Originally posted by Stomper:

this is what you use today

https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD

Yup... Thx So Much...