How to Spectate competitive games and become better at Versus games

Spectate competitive games and become better at Versus games

Introduction

Just as like other games, Left 4 Dead series has also a competitive mode, which is rather not known to new players to average players usually. It is called Promod (a game mode, rather than just being a "mod") or confogl in earlier versions and it is there since about 8 years, serving Left 4 Dead and Left 4 Dead 2. It was created by ProdigySim and has been continuously improved ever since it was released.

There are a number of modes in Promod games: 4V4, 2V2, 1V1 and also different configurations, meaning different rules at the times (Retro, hunters only, etc.)

Regularly, the games played will be 4V4, just as in normal public games. But, the catch here is that there a number of spectator slots, where anyone can join and freely spectate the games (unless prohibited/kicked by server admins).

Method

This is where this guide can help you provide information as how to spectate these games which you normally cannot find in your game menu. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Firstly, you will need to enable your console menu. To check for this, try hitting '`' key (default key - the first key on left side besides 1). If you can see a console, all good. If not, here's your solution: Options --> Keyboard/Mouse --> Allow Developer Console - enable it.

2. Now, hit your '`' key to open your console and type openserverbrowser (as soon as you type open, the whole word will show up by itself).

3. Now you should be able to see Servers console (just like Counter Strike games).

4. Click on Custom tab.

5. In the Tags section, type confogl so to filter out other servers.

6. Now click on Stop refresh button and click on Refresh all button (or vice versa, depending on if all the servers had shown up when you typed confogl earlier).

7. Now click on Players tab (maybe twice) and make it arranged in descending order, that is, the servers with the most players going to the least.

8. Select any server with at least 8 or more players then click connect.

Voila! Now you're spectating (usually automatically) a confogl/promod game. If not, type !spectate and you will become a spectator. Note you might also join some modded 10v10 servers which are not competitive so also check that out.

Notice there are a number of things which you will never find in public games: such as when tank and witch will be spawning, who will be the tank, round health bonus (extra), current progress of the game (how much % of map covered) etc. But, most importantly: using concept of interpolation or lerps. ProdigySim has created a wonderful guide on that so please google it.

Concluding comments

Like I said in the beginning, the sole purpose of this guide is to help new players learn better about the gameplay. Usually, they end up in public games and get kicked once every now and then because they fail to co-ordinate with the team. By spectating competitive games, I hope it will help all the players who want to improve their skills and become better. It will take some time, but surely it will help. Good luck!

Some helpful Twitch links

Some competitive players regularly broadcast on Twitch:

Adam[www.twitch.tv]

M4[www.twitch.tv]

Sir[www.twitch.tv]

[Red™]

People who read this comment is gay

[smoop]

Hm. So, I wanted to know, how can I spectate my OWN server? Like, a local server where I play with friends (and randoms with sv_consistency 0) where I can use admin commands to spice up the game a bit.

[warmainiac]

i have been having this issue lately and no idea what could be causing it and it happens every time i am in a SINGLE PLAYER game and it "shuts down the server" saying both teams must be equal in human players. HELP ME!!!!!!

[Spiderflooro]

Ive been looking for something exactly like this, having been relatively late to the party. Thanks a bunch ^_^

[snobis]

great guide thanks