How to setup the old "mod" version of Fistful of Frags (FoF) in Steam on Windows

In general, there are TWO versions of the Source-engine game "Fistful of Frags" (FoF):

• The Steam-native version: released through Steam in 2014. This is the version that is still being actively maintained, and most players of the game are familiar with. This version is available (natively) for both Windows and Linux Steam client-installs. This version may be installed through its Steam Store page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/265630/Fistful_of_Frags/
  
  
• A much older "Mod" version: This version predates the Steam-native release, dating all the way back to 2007 (in its earliest incarnations). It was last updated (circa) 2013. This version is no longer "supported", but still playable for those interested in its older play-style and alternative modes.

Both the Steam-native and mod versions are free-to-play.

This guide provides instructions for setting-up the last pre-Steam Fistful-of-Frags "Mod" version (specifically version 3.9a) to work under Windows (presumably Windows 11). Several caveats and known issues with this configuration are noted near the end.

I. Revision History & Credits

Revision History:

NOTE: Latest updates at the top.

Revision Date	Revision Notes
20260515	Updated credits.
20260515	Added note about high resolutions.
20260508	Added shameless plug.
20260407	Initial creation, pre-publication.

Credits / Acknowledgements:

• Obviously, the orignal FoF development team (RYell, etc.)
  
• Targz for doing tons of research, tracking-down and archiving old versions of FoF. This is effort is what made it possible have FoF 3.9a be truly playable again - by making it possible to host compatible dedicated servers.
  
• Shoubi, Apologet, Scarfy & Skitzofrenia for helping work-out various dedicated server issues, and/or hosting a dedicated server for the revival.

Shameless Plug:

If you find this guide helpful, please consider a "Buy me a Coffee" donation:
https://buymeacoffee.com/weaselslair

II. Prerequisites

In order to proceed, you will need serveral things, as noted below:

• Either Windows 11, or some other Windows version (that you are very familiar with to overcome any differences).
  
• Steam client already installed and running (i.e you have already used it to play some games successfully).
  
• A copy of the Fistful of Frags 3.9a client files - in executable format (i.e. not the ".zip" version). The executable version (FoF_Client_3.9a_Full.exe), may be download from either the Internet Archive, or from ModDB - using either of the links provided below:
  https://archive.org/download/fistful-of-frag-v39a
  https://www.moddb.com/mods/fistful-of-frags

III. Licensing

A major component of this setup, is the use of the "Source SDK 2007[steamdb.info]". This is not open-source software, or necessarilly "free". However, licensing for it is included with a variety of Valve-produced game titles on Steam. If you own (in your Steam Library) any of the Valve game titles that use the "Source" game-engine, you are already licensed to use the "Source SDK 2007". Such games typically include:

• Half-Life 2
  
• Counter-Strike: Source
  
• Day of Defeat: Source
  
• Portal 1
  
• Portal 2
  
• Left for Dead 2
  
• Team Fortress 2

Effectively, if "Source SDK 2007" shows in your Steam Library, you are already licensed to use it.

IV. Preparation

You will need to install the "Source SDK 2007" as follows:

1. Open Steam, and if not already logged-in, so so..
   
2. Open the "Library" tab.
   
   
   
   
3. Enable "Tools" from the list of Library filters.
   
   
   
4. Expand the "Uncategorized" group.
   
5. Scroll down to "Source SDK 2007".
   
   
   NOTE: If "Source SDK 2007" does not already appear in the list (assuming "Tools" are included in the filters), then you are not yet licensed for it. See the list of games above in the Licensing secion, and purchase one.
   
   
6. Select the option to install "Source SDK 2007".
   
   
   
7. Optionally, add "Source SDK 2007" to your Favorites.
   
8. Oprionally, deselect "Tools" from the list of Library filters.

V. Installation

Installation of the Fistful of Frags (FoF) v3.9a client on Windows goes as follows:

1. Download the executable version of the client installer (FoF_Client_3.9a_Full.exe), from either the Internet Archive page, or from ModDB - using the links provided below:
   https://archive.org/download/fistful-of-frag-v39a
   https://www.moddb.com/mods/fistful-of-frags
   
   
2. Double-click on the FoF_Client_3.9a_Full.exe file.
   
   NOTE: Windows may pop-up a warning about the FoF_Client_3.9a_Full.exe file being from an "unknown publisher". This is because this (ancient) file pre-dates Windows "code-signing" requirements. Click :Yes" to trust this installer, or ♥♥♥♥♥-out and cancel it - it's up to you.
   
   
   
   
3. Follow the installers prompts.
   
   
   
   
   NOTE: Right before the installation completes, there will be a pop-up notification warning that game-servers for this version of Fistful of Frags (3.9a) may not be displayed in the server list. This is out-dated information, and can be ignored. There is a server-side tweak that those hosting dedicated game-servers Fistful of Frags 3.9a can use to ensure their servers get successfully listed.
   
   
   NOTE: After the installation completes, a web-page will automatically open in your default web-browser. The installer tries to direct you to what used to be the game's website but this website has long been shut down. The domain was recently purchased by a Japanese idol agency for advertising purposes. Obviously, feel free to just close that browser window.
   
   
   
4. Exit Steam, and then re-launch it. This is required to force steam to re-scan the "sourcemods" folder to find the newly installed game/mod.

VI. Validating

How to find your new Fistful of Frags (3.9a) installation:

1. In Steam, open the games "Library" list.
   
2. A new entry for "Fistful of Frags 3.9a" should appear in your list of games.
   
3. You launch it just like any other Steam game (see caveats in the next section).

Visually, Fistful of Frags 3.9a will show-up in your games list, like any other game on Steam. You may (optionally) add it to your "Favorites" list or any "Collection".

• If you do not see "Fistful of Frags 3.9a" in your games Library, you can use the "Search" box, entering "Fistful". You may then right-click on Fistful of Frags 3.9a and add it to your "Favorites" to make it easier to find.
  
  
  
  
  
  NOTE: If you have the current Steam-native version of Fistulf of Frags installed, that will also show on the list. Both versions can be installed on the same Steam client.
  

VII. Caveats / Known-Issues

You may experience some or all of the following issues:

1. When you launch "Fistful of Frags 3.9a", it will almost immediately change the button back to Play (as if it had crashed or something). However, this is normal expected behavior. It will / should automatically launch "Source SDK Base 2007" - with "fistful_of_frags" as a command-line launch option. Consequently, you should ignore the status in the Library for "Fistful of Frags 3.9a", and it should show "Source SDK Base 2007" as Running instead. It may take a moment or two for the game to actually load in a visible way.
   
   
2. The game will use a 4:3 aspect-ratio video mode by default. Under "Options", on the "Video" tab, you can change this to a 16:9 aspect-ratio, and whatever exact resolution works for you (and your hardware allows).
   
   
3. When you first enter the game, there will be an old pop-up warning that this version of the client is only compatible with servers running 3.9. This dates back to when 3.9 was "new", and servers did not necessarily update from older versions quickly. You may select the option to "Don't show again" and close that pop-up.
   
   
   
   
4. Although the number of servers on-line for the "mod" version of Fistful of Frags is very small, list may take a minute to load the first time. If it appears blank, use the "Refresh All option and wait a few moments for the list to populate.
   
   
   
   
5. Since this is a very old game, using a very old version of the Source game-engine, you may encounter issues running it in "High Dynamic Range" (HDR) video features. Typical symptoms would be things like weapons and other reflective surfaces exhibiting and especially bright or shiny appearance. To resolve this issue, I recommend disabling HDR entirely. This may be done by selecting Options, the selecting the Video tab, then clicking the Advanced ... button, and then selecting None from the list of Full Dynamic Range options. Then of course, clicking Ok and such to back out of the options dialogs entirely. After doing so, the game may restart to apply the new settings.
   
   
   
   
6. Sometimes, when quitting the game, "Source SDK Base 2007" will continue running in the background after FoF 3.9a has closed. When this happens, there is a process named "hl2.exe" running which may prevent other games from launching. You may need to go into Windows Task Manager to "end" it to fully recover.
   
   
7. IF YOU'RE USING A HIGH RESOLUTION MONITOR, This old release of FoF will refuse to launch with resolutions higher than 1080p. If you've set your resolution too high and the game refuses to launch, head into the game's properties on steam and add

   -windowed -width 1920 -height 1080

   to the game's launch options
   
   

[Gibbs]

Thx 4 the dedicated server setup.

[[WL] Weasel (Asynchronous)]

FYI: dedicated server setup ...

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3714162121

[|12.Iftr| Brig. General John]

How do you get the old version on a rented public server then?

[Gibbs]

Cool!

[[WL] Weasel (Asynchronous)]

Old Fistful of Frags Pre-Steam "Mod" Event (Long Read)
https://steamcommunity.com/groups/fof/discussions/0/836124703224566618/