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Difference between revisions of "Alien Swarm"

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−
{{infobox
+
{{Infobox game
−
|title          = Alien Swarm
+
|cover        = Alien Swarm cover.jpg
−
|cover          = Alien_Swarm_Header.jpg‎
+
|developers  =  
−
|developer      = [[Wikipedia:Valve Corporation|Valve Software]]
+
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Valve Corporation}}
−
|publisher     = [[Wikipedia:Valve Corporation|Valve Software]]
+
|publishers  =
−
|engine        = Source
+
|engines     =  
−
|release dates = July 19, 2010
+
{{Infobox game/row/engine|Source}}
−
|steam         = 630
+
|release dates=  
 +
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|July 19, 2010}}
 +
|reception    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/reception|Metacritic|alien-swarm|77}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/reception|IGDB|alien-swarm|60}}
 +
|taxonomy    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | Freeware }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | Singleplayer, Multiplayer }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing            | Real-time }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives      | Bird's-eye view }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls          | Direct control }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres            | Action, Shooter }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/sports            | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/vehicles          | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/art styles        | Stylized }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes            | Sci-fi }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | Alien Swarm }}
 +
|steam appid  = 630
 +
|steam appid side =
 +
|gogcom id    =
 +
|gogcom id side =
 +
|official site= https://web.archive.org/web/20141027025625/http://www.alienswarm.com/
 +
|hltb        = 368
 +
|lutris      = alien-swarm
 +
|mobygames    = alien-swarm
 +
|strategywiki = Alien Swarm
 +
|wikipedia    = Alien Swarm
 +
|winehq      = 11822
 +
|license      = freeware
 
}}
 
}}
−
Alien Swarm is a top facing shoot 'em up game on the [[Source (game engine)]].
 
  
−
== System Requirements ==
+
{{Introduction
−
{{SysReq_BaseTemplate
+
|introduction      =  
−
|minOS_ = Windows XP
 
−
|recOS_ = Windows XP/Vista/7
 
−
|minproc_ = Pentium 4 3.0GHz
 
−
|recproc_ = Intel core 2 duo 2.4GHz
 
−
|minmem_ = 1 GB for XP / 2GB for Vista
 
−
|recmem_ = 1 GB for XP / 2GB for Vista
 
−
|minHD_ = 2.5 GB free
 
−
|minGPU1_ = ATI X800, NVidia 6600 or better
 
  
−
|minVRAM_ = 128
+
|release history  =  
−
|recGPU1_ = NVidia 7600, ATI X1600 or better
+
 
 +
|current state    =
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
== Issues And Fixes ==
+
'''General information'''
−
=== Crashes and overheating ===
+
{{mm}} [https://alienswarm.fandom.com/wiki/Alien_Swarm_Wiki Unofficial Alien Swarm Wiki]
 +
{{mm}} [https://steamcommunity.com/app/630/discussions/ Steam Community Discussions]
  
−
* [http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1374709 CPU Overheating Issues]: This threads walks you through running a simple stress test on your [http://pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Processor_%28CPU%29 CPU] to help you identify whether your cooling equipment is doing it's job.
+
==Availability==
 +
{{Availability|
 +
{{Availability/row| Steam | 630 | Steam | Free download. |  | Windows }}
 +
}}
 +
{{ii}} All versions require {{DRM|Steam}}.
  
−
* [http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1375184 Fix for temp problems/crashing]: This threads dictates how [http://pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Vertical_Sync_(Vsync) VSync] and [http://pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Graphics_Card_(GPU)#Multiple_GPU multi-core rendering] can be adjusted to eliminate problems relating to overheating and crasing. This tip can also increase performance.
+
==Game data==
 +
===Configuration file(s) location===
 +
{{Game data|
 +
{{Game data/config|Windows|{{p|game}}\swarm\cfg\}}
 +
}}
  
−
* [https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=4168-TLZB-4976 Swarm.exe has stopped working]: If you're having problems with <code>Swarm.exe</code> crashing, this Steam Support thread may help you if the problem's related to <code>Shaderapidx9.dll</code>. You can check if <code>Shaderapidx9.dll</code> is the cause of the problem by following the instructions [http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1374578 on this thread].
+
===[[Glossary:Save game cloud syncing|Save game cloud syncing]]===
 +
{{Save game cloud syncing
 +
|discord                  =
 +
|discord notes            =
 +
|epic games launcher      =
 +
|epic games launcher notes =
 +
|gog galaxy                =
 +
|gog galaxy notes          =
 +
|origin                    =
 +
|origin notes              =
 +
|steam cloud              = true
 +
|steam cloud notes        = Syncs save games and settings.
 +
|ubisoft connect          =
 +
|ubisoft connect notes    =
 +
|xbox cloud                =  
 +
|xbox cloud notes          =  
 +
}}
  
−
=== Ping & Latency ===
+
==Video==
 +
{{Image|Alien Swarm Video.png|In-game video settings.}}
 +
{{Video
 +
|wsgf link                  = https://www.wsgf.org/dr/alien-swarm/en
 +
|widescreen wsgf award      = gold
 +
|multimonitor wsgf award    = silver
 +
|ultrawidescreen wsgf award = silver
 +
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    = incomplete
 +
|widescreen resolution      = true
 +
|widescreen resolution notes=
 +
|multimonitor              = true
 +
|multimonitor notes        =
 +
|ultrawidescreen            = true
 +
|ultrawidescreen notes      = 21:9 resolutions are selectable under the 16:9 resolution options. Position of HUD elements is incorrect.
 +
|4k ultra hd                = unknown
 +
|4k ultra hd notes          =
 +
|fov                        = unknown
 +
|fov notes                  =
 +
|windowed                  = true
 +
|windowed notes            =
 +
|borderless windowed        = true
 +
|borderless windowed notes  =
 +
|anisotropic                = true
 +
|anisotropic notes          =
 +
|antialiasing              = true
 +
|antialiasing notes        =
 +
|vsync                      = true
 +
|vsync notes                = Double and triple buffering.
 +
|60 fps                    = true
 +
|60 fps notes              =
 +
|120 fps                    = true
 +
|120 fps notes              = 300 FPS cap by default. With console, can change <code>"fps_max"</code> up to <code>1000</code>; use <code>0</code> for uncapped framerate.
 +
|hdr                        = unknown
 +
|hdr notes                  =
 +
|color blind                = unknown
 +
|color blind notes          =
 +
}}
  
−
* [http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1043281 Windows 7 Ping Spikes (Fix)]: This thread explains how to disable a network-throttling feature shipped with Windows 7. It's more likely to fix ping-related problems, but has been reported to assist in [http://pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Framerate_%28FPS%29 FPS] also.
+
==Input==
 +
{{Image|Alien Swarm Remapping.png|In-game key map settings.}}
 +
{{Input
 +
|key remap                = true
 +
|key remap notes          =
 +
|acceleration option      = n/a
 +
|acceleration option notes =
 +
|mouse sensitivity        = n/a
 +
|mouse sensitivity notes  =
 +
|mouse menu                = true
 +
|mouse menu notes          =
 +
|invert mouse y-axis      = n/a
 +
|invert mouse y-axis notes =
 +
|touchscreen              = false
 +
|touchscreen notes        =
 +
|controller support        = hackable
 +
|controller support notes  = XInput only; open the console and enter <code>exec 360controller_pc</code>.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/630/discussions/0/864947740599674008/#c846960628228478771|title=360 controller support needed. :: Alien Swarm General Discussions|date=May 2023}}</ref>
 +
|full controller          = false
 +
|full controller notes    = Menus require mouse input.
 +
|controller remap          = true
 +
|controller remap notes    =
 +
|controller sensitivity    = hackable
 +
|controller sensitivity notes= {{file|{{p|game}}\swarm\cfg\360controller_pc.cfg}} needs to be modified.
 +
|invert controller y-axis  = n/a
 +
|invert controller y-axis notes=
 +
|xinput controllers        = hackable
 +
|xinput controllers notes  = Open the console and enter <code>exec 360controller_pc</code>.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/630/discussions/0/864947740599674008/#c846960628228478771|title=360 controller support needed. :: Alien Swarm General Discussions|date=May 2023}}</ref>
 +
|xbox prompts              = false
 +
|xbox prompts notes        =
 +
|impulse triggers          = unknown
 +
|impulse triggers notes    =
 +
|dualshock 4              = false
 +
|dualshock 4 notes        =
 +
|dualshock prompts        = unknown
 +
|dualshock prompts notes  =
 +
|light bar support        = unknown
 +
|light bar support notes  =
 +
|dualshock 4 modes        = unknown
 +
|dualshock 4 modes notes  =
 +
|tracked motion controllers= false
 +
|tracked motion controllers notes =
 +
|tracked motion prompts    = unknown
 +
|tracked motion prompts notes =
 +
|other controllers        = false
 +
|other controllers notes  =
 +
|other button prompts      = unknown
 +
|other button prompts notes=
 +
|controller hotplug        = false
 +
|controller hotplug notes  =
 +
|haptic feedback          = false
 +
|haptic feedback notes    =
 +
|simultaneous input        = true
 +
|simultaneous input notes  =
 +
|steam input api          = unknown
 +
|steam input api notes    =
 +
|steam hook input          = unknown
 +
|steam hook input notes    =
 +
|steam input presets      = unknown
 +
|steam input presets notes =
 +
|steam controller prompts  = unknown
 +
|steam controller prompts notes =
 +
|steam cursor detection    = unknown
 +
|steam cursor detection notes =
 +
}}
  
−
* [http://www.martin-majowski.de/wlanoptimizer/ WLAN Optimizer]: If you play over a wireless connection, you may occasionally experience 'lag spikes' due to Windows checking periodically for new wireless networks. Using this program, you can disable the 'background scan' and improve your gaming wireless experience.
+
==Audio==
 +
{{Image|Alien Swarm Audio.png|In-game audio settings.}}
 +
{{Audio
 +
|separate volume          = true
 +
|separate volume notes    =
 +
|surround sound          = true
 +
|surround sound notes    =
 +
|subtitles                = true
 +
|subtitles notes          =
 +
|closed captions          = true
 +
|closed captions notes    =
 +
|mute on focus lost      = true
 +
|mute on focus lost notes =
 +
|eax support              =
 +
|eax support notes        =
 +
}}
  
−
* [http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1384923 Hosting? Do everyone you meet a BIG favor. PLEASE!]: When people connect to your listen server, their client has a "rate" setting. By default it is set at 20,000 (bytes/second). If you're home internet cannot upload 60,000bytes/second (3 people connected) then you're going to have to set a sv_maxrate, to limit each player's rate so that everybody gets their own dedicated chunk of bandwidth, instead of their computers fighting for a piece.
+
{{L10n|content=
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = English
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Russian
 +
|interface = hackable
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = hackable
 +
|notes    = Fan translation by «Steam Translation – Russian» available [https://enpy.net/forum/files/file/76-alien-swarm/ here].
 +
|fan      = true
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Spanish
 +
|interface = hackable
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = hackable
 +
|notes    = Fan translation available [https://tiovictor.romhackhispano.org/alien-swarm/ here].
 +
|fan      = true
 +
}}
 +
}}
  
 +
==Network==
 +
{{ii}} For more information, see the [[Engine:Source#Source Dedicated Server|"Source Dedicated Server" section of our Source engine article]].
  
−
== Graphical Tweaks ==
+
{{Network/Multiplayer
−
'''Custom resolution (and multi-monitor/eyefinity/surround resolution):'''
+
|local play          =
 +
|local play players  =
 +
|local play modes    =
 +
|local play notes    =
 +
|lan play            = true
 +
|lan play players    = 4
 +
|lan play modes      = Co-op
 +
|lan play notes      =  
 +
|online play          = true
 +
|online play players  = 4
 +
|online play modes    = Co-op
 +
|online play notes    =
 +
|asynchronous        =
 +
|asynchronous notes  =
 +
}}
  
 +
{{Network/Connections
 +
|matchmaking        = true
 +
|matchmaking notes  =
 +
|p2p                = unknown
 +
|p2p notes          =
 +
|dedicated          = true
 +
|dedicated notes    =
 +
|self-hosting      = true
 +
|self-hosting notes =
 +
|direct ip          = hackable
 +
|direct ip notes    = Open the console ({{key|~}}) and enter <code>connect</code> followed by the IP and port.
 +
}}
  
−
'''For steam:'''
+
{{Network/Ports
 +
|tcp  = 27014-27050
 +
|udp  = 1200, 27000-27015
 +
|upnp = unknown
 +
}}
  
−
Right click the game, click "set launch options", enter "-h #### -w ####"
+
==VR support==
 +
{{VR support
 +
|gg3d name                  =
 +
|native 3d gg3d award        =
 +
|nvidia 3d vision gg3d award =
 +
|tridef 3d gg3d award        =
 +
|iz3d gg3d award            =
 +
|native 3d                  =
 +
|native 3d notes            =
 +
|nvidia 3d vision            =
 +
|nvidia 3d vision notes      =
 +
|tridef 3d                  =
 +
|tridef 3d notes            =
 +
|iz3d                        =
 +
|iz3d notes                  =
 +
|vorpx                      =
 +
|vorpx modes                =
 +
|vorpx notes                =
 +
|htc vive                    =
 +
|htc vive notes              =
 +
|oculus rift                =
 +
|oculus rift notes          =
 +
|osvr                        =
 +
|osvr notes                  =
 +
|keyboard-mouse              =
 +
|keyboard-mouse notes        =
 +
|3rd space gaming vest      =
 +
|3rd space gaming vest notes =
 +
|novint falcon              = true
 +
|novint falcon notes        =
 +
|trackir                    =
 +
|trackir notes              =
 +
|tobii eye tracking          =
 +
|tobii eye tracking notes    =
 +
|play area seated            =
 +
|play area seated notes      =
 +
|play area standing          =
 +
|play area standing notes    =
 +
|play area room-scale        =
 +
|play area room-scale notes  =
 +
}}
  
−
Replace "h"(height) and "w"(width) with the resolution such as "-h 1920 -w 1080"
+
==Issues fixed==
 +
===Purple and black broken textures===
 +
{{ii}} A generic fix for this issue can be found [[Engine:Source#Broken textures|on our Source engine page]].
  
 +
===Crashes and overheating===
 +
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110916083234/http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1374709 CPU Overheating Issues]: This threads walks you through running a simple stress test on your [[Glossary:Central Processing Unit (CPU)|CPU]] to help you identify whether your cooling equipment is doing its job.
 +
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20141205215244/http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1375184 Fix for temp problems/crashing]: This threads dictates how [[Glossary:Vertical sync (Vsync)|Vsync]] and [[Glossary:Graphics card#Multiple GPU|multi-core rendering]] can be adjusted to eliminate problems relating to overheating and crasing. This tip can also increase performance.
 +
* [https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=4168-TLZB-4976 Swarm.exe has stopped working]: If you're having problems with {{file|Swarm.exe}} crashing, this Steam Support thread may help you if the problem's related to {{file|Shaderapidx9.dll}}. You can check if {{file|Shaderapidx9.dll}} is the cause of the problem by following the instructions [https://web.archive.org/web/20141205215224/http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1374578 on this thread].
  
−
'''Without steam:'''
+
===Ping & Latency===
 +
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150324115529/http://forums.steampowered.com:80/forums/showthread.php?t=1043281 Windows 7 Ping Spikes (Fix)]: This thread explains how to disable a network-throttling feature shipped with Windows 7. It's more likely to fix ping-related problems, but has been reported to improve frame rates.
  
−
Right-click the games short-cut, go to properties, in the target box after the path and "", enter the above.
+
* [http://www.martin-majowski.de/wlanoptimizer/ WLAN Optimizer]: If you play over a wireless connection, you may occasionally experience 'lag spikes' due to Windows checking periodically for new wireless networks. Using this program, you can disable the 'background scan' and improve your gaming wireless experience.
  
−
== Mods And Utilities ==
+
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20141205215231/http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1384923 Hosting? Do everyone you meet a BIG favor. PLEASE!]: When people connect to your listen server, their client has a "rate" setting. By default it is set at 20,000 (bytes/second). If you're home internet cannot upload 60,000bytes/second (3 people connected) then you're going to have to set a sv_maxrate, to limit each player's rate so that everybody gets their own dedicated chunk of bandwidth, instead of their computers fighting for a piece.
−
[http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1388728 Custom Mod/Map/Addon Release-Thread]
 
  
−
== Improvements ==
+
==Other information==
−
=== Multiplayer (5-6 players) ===
+
===API===
 +
{{API
 +
|direct3d versions      = 9.0c
 +
|direct3d notes        =
 +
|directdraw versions    =
 +
|directdraw notes      =
 +
|opengl versions        =
 +
|opengl notes          =
 +
|glide versions        =
 +
|glide notes            =
 +
|software mode          =
 +
|software mode notes    =
 +
|mantle support        =
 +
|mantle support notes  =
 +
|vulkan versions        =
 +
|vulkan notes          =
 +
|dos modes              =
 +
|dos modes notes        =
 +
|shader model versions  = 2, 3
 +
|shader model notes    =
 +
|windows 32-bit exe    = true
 +
|windows 64-bit exe    = false
 +
|windows arm app        =  
 +
|windows exe notes      =  
 +
|macos intel 32-bit app =
 +
|macos intel 64-bit app =
 +
|macos app notes        =
 +
|linux 32-bit executable=
 +
|linux 64-bit executable=
 +
|linux executable notes =
 +
}}
  
−
When there are 6 players, 6th can not choose a class, so 5 players will be used in this guide.
+
===Middleware===
 +
{{Middleware
 +
|physics          = Havok
 +
|physics notes    = Heavily modified variant.
 +
|audio            = Miles Sound System
 +
|audio notes      =
 +
|interface        =
 +
|interface notes  =
 +
|input            =
 +
|input notes      =
 +
|cutscenes        = Bink Video
 +
|cutscenes notes  =
 +
|multiplayer      = Steamworks
 +
|multiplayer notes=
 +
}}
  
−
Create a file <code>server.cfg</code> to <pre>\Steam\steamapps\common\alien swarm\swarm\cfg</pre> with the next content:
+
===Console commands===
−
<pre>
+
{{ii}} Games running on the Source engine can utilize [https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Console_Command_List Source Engine Console Commands] for various tasks.
−
//Name of the server
 
−
hostname "aliens on a plane"
 
−
//You know what this does
 
−
rcon_password <password here>
 
−
//Set the rate for your server (mine doesn't go above 45 in game)
 
−
sv_maxupdaterate 60
 
−
//this command is not a must
 
−
sv_unlag 1
 
−
//self explanatory
 
−
sv_allow_lobby_connect_only 0
 
−
//this will set the maxplayers
 
−
maxplayers 5
 
−
//set this the same as maxplayers (NOTE: this will revert after your server is up!)
 
−
default_maxplayers 5
 
−
</pre>
 
  
−
After this is done, you need to start the server. Do so, by opening CMD and then starting the server from there (you do NOT want to run the server from the .exe, it will not load the server.cfg!). In CMD, type the following (change it according to your likings):
+
{{Fixbox|description=Enabling the console in Source games|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
 +
# Launch the game.
 +
# From the main menu select <code>Options</code>.
 +
# Select the <code>Keyboard</code> tab.
 +
# Click the <code>Advanced</code> button.
 +
# Check the box next to <code>Enable developer console ({{key|~}})</code>.
 +
# Click {{key|Apply}}.
  
−
<pre>"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\alien swarm\srcds.exe" -console -game swarm +ip xx.xxx.xxx.xx -port 27015 +exec server.cfg +map lobby -autoupdate</pre>
+
'''Notes'''
 +
{{ii}} Press {{key|~}} to open the console.
 +
{{ii}} Some commands may first require you enabling sv_cheats. You can do so with <code>sv_cheats 1</code>.
 +
{{ii}} Many servers will not allow you to play with cheats enabled, or will disable them upon entering the server.
 +
{{--}} Users without a US keyboard could experience some [[Engine:Source#Console doesn't open|problems]].
 +
}}
  
−
I created a <code>.bat</code> file on my desktop, so it's easier to run and you don't have to remember anything.
+
===Launch options===
−
After your server is running you can check by typing "maxplayers" into the CMD window. The output should look something like this:
+
{{ii}} View [https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=1040-JWMT-2947 this Steam Support Article regarding launch options] as well as [https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Launch_options#Source_Games the relevant Valve Developer wiki page] for further information and a list of useful Source engine launch options.
  
−
<pre>
+
{{Fixbox|description=Enabling a launch parameter|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
−
maxplayers
+
# Find the game in your Steam Library.
−
"maxplayers" is "5"
+
# Right-click the game name.
−
"mininum_maxplayers" is "1"
+
# Select <code>Properties</code>.
−
"absolute_maxplayers" is "6"
+
# Select <code>Set Launch Options...</code>.
−
"default_maxplayers" is "4"
+
# Input your selected launch options and separate each command with a space.
−
"max_splitscreen_players" is "1"
+
# Press <code>OK</code>.
−
</pre>
+
# Launch the game.
 +
}}
  
−
If you can't use that window for any reason at all, you can also check the serverbrowser. Open your game and in the console, type "openserverbrowser" and navigate to LAN.
+
==System requirements==
 +
{{System requirements
 +
|OSfamily = Windows
  
−
Source: [http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1377239 Steam Forums]
+
|minOS    = XP
 +
|minCPU  = Intel Pentium 4 3.0 GHz
 +
|minRAM  = 1 GB (XP)<br/> 2 GB (Vista)
 +
|minHD    = 2.5 GB
 +
|minGPU  = Nvidia GeForce 6600
 +
|minGPU2  = ATI Radeon X800
 +
|minVRAM  = 128 MB
 +
|minDX    = 9.0
 +
|minSM    = 2.0
  
−
= General Information =
+
|recOS    = Vista, 7
−
== Console Commands ==
+
|recCPU  = Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz
−
Games running on the source engine can utilize [https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Console_Command_List Source Engine Console Commands] for various tasks. Also check this [http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1371124 list of useful Alien Swarm console commands]
+
|recGPU  = Nvidia GeForce 7600
−
 
+
|recGPU2  = ATI Radeon X1600
−
== Useful Links ==
+
|recSM    = 3.0
−
* [http://steamcommunity.com/games/AlienSwarm Alien Swarm Official Group]
+
}}
−
* [http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=930 Alien Swarm Steam forum]
 
  
−
[[Category:Game]]
+
{{References}}
−
[[Category:Windows]]
 

Latest revision as of 12:53, 9 April 2024

Alien Swarm
Alien Swarm cover
Developers
Valve Corporation
Engines
Source
Release dates
Windows July 19, 2010
Reception
Metacritic 77
IGDB 60
Taxonomy
Monetization Freeware
Modes Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives Bird's-eye view
Controls Direct control
Genres Action, Shooter
Art styles Stylized
Themes Sci-fi
Series Alien Swarm
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Alien Swarm on HowLongToBeat
Alien Swarm on IGDB
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Alien Swarm guide on StrategyWiki
Alien Swarm on MobyGames
Alien Swarm on Wikipedia
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Alien Swarm
Alien Swarm 2010
Alien Swarm: Reactive Drop 2017

Alien Swarm is a singleplayer and multiplayer bird's-eye view action and shooter game in the Alien Swarm series.

General information

Unofficial Alien Swarm Wiki
Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Steam
Icon overlay.png
 Free download.
Windows
All versions require Steam DRM.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\swarm\cfg\[Note 1]
Steam Play (Linux) <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/630/pfx/[Note 2]

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
Steam Cloud
Syncs save games and settings.

Video

In-game video settings.
In-game video settings.

Graphics feature State WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
 
Multi-monitor
 
Ultra-widescreen
 
 21:9 resolutions are selectable under the 16:9 resolution options. Position of HUD elements is incorrect.
4K Ultra HD
 
Field of view (FOV)
Windowed
Borderless fullscreen windowed
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Anti-aliasing (AA)
Vertical sync (Vsync)
Double and triple buffering.
60 FPS and 120+ FPS
300 FPS cap by default. With console, can change "fps_max" up to 1000; use 0 for uncapped framerate.
High dynamic range display (HDR)
See the glossary page for potential alternatives.

Input

In-game key map settings.
In-game key map settings.

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
Mouse acceleration
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
XInput only; open the console and enter exec 360controller_pc.[1]
Full controller support
Menus require mouse input.
Controller remapping
Controller sensitivity
<path-to-game>\swarm\cfg\360controller_pc.cfg needs to be modified.
Controller Y-axis inversion
Controller types
XInput-compatible controllers
Open the console and enter exec 360controller_pc.[2]
Xbox button prompts
Impulse Trigger vibration
PlayStation controllers
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Generic/other controllers
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Additional information
Controller hotplugging
Haptic feedback
Digital movement supported
Simultaneous controller+KB/M

Audio

In-game audio settings.
In-game audio settings.

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Surround sound
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
Russian
Fan translation by «Steam Translation – Russian» available here.
Spanish
Fan translation available here.

Network

For more information, see the "Source Dedicated Server" section of our Source engine article.

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
LAN play
4 Co-op
Online play
4 Co-op

Connection types

Type Native Notes
Matchmaking
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated
Self-hosting
Direct IP
Open the console (~) and enter connect followed by the IP and port.

Ports

Protocol Port(s) and/or port range(s)
TCP 27014-27050
UDP 1200, 27000-27015
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.

VR support

Devices State Notes
Novint Falcon

Issues fixed

Purple and black broken textures

A generic fix for this issue can be found on our Source engine page.

Crashes and overheating

  • CPU Overheating Issues: This threads walks you through running a simple stress test on your CPU to help you identify whether your cooling equipment is doing its job.
  • Fix for temp problems/crashing: This threads dictates how Vsync and multi-core rendering can be adjusted to eliminate problems relating to overheating and crasing. This tip can also increase performance.
  • Swarm.exe has stopped working: If you're having problems with Swarm.exe crashing, this Steam Support thread may help you if the problem's related to Shaderapidx9.dll. You can check if Shaderapidx9.dll is the cause of the problem by following the instructions on this thread.

Ping & Latency

  • Windows 7 Ping Spikes (Fix): This thread explains how to disable a network-throttling feature shipped with Windows 7. It's more likely to fix ping-related problems, but has been reported to improve frame rates.
  • WLAN Optimizer: If you play over a wireless connection, you may occasionally experience 'lag spikes' due to Windows checking periodically for new wireless networks. Using this program, you can disable the 'background scan' and improve your gaming wireless experience.
  • Hosting? Do everyone you meet a BIG favor. PLEASE!: When people connect to your listen server, their client has a "rate" setting. By default it is set at 20,000 (bytes/second). If you're home internet cannot upload 60,000bytes/second (3 people connected) then you're going to have to set a sv_maxrate, to limit each player's rate so that everybody gets their own dedicated chunk of bandwidth, instead of their computers fighting for a piece.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 9.0c
Shader Model support 2, 3
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Physics Havok Heavily modified variant.
Audio Miles Sound System
Cutscenes Bink Video
Multiplayer Steamworks

Console commands

Games running on the Source engine can utilize Source Engine Console Commands for various tasks.
Enabling the console in Source games[citation needed]
  1. Launch the game.
  2. From the main menu select Options.
  3. Select the Keyboard tab.
  4. Click the Advanced button.
  5. Check the box next to Enable developer console (~).
  6. Click Apply.

Notes

Press ~ to open the console.
Some commands may first require you enabling sv_cheats. You can do so with sv_cheats 1.
Many servers will not allow you to play with cheats enabled, or will disable them upon entering the server.
Users without a US keyboard could experience some problems.

Launch options

View this Steam Support Article regarding launch options as well as the relevant Valve Developer wiki page for further information and a list of useful Source engine launch options.
Enabling a launch parameter[citation needed]
  1. Find the game in your Steam Library.
  2. Right-click the game name.
  3. Select Properties.
  4. Select Set Launch Options....
  5. Input your selected launch options and separate each command with a space.
  6. Press OK.
  7. Launch the game.

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) XP Vista, 7
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium 4 3.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz
System memory (RAM) 1 GB (XP)
2 GB (Vista)
Hard disk drive (HDD) 2.5 GB
Video card (GPU) Nvidia GeForce 6600
ATI Radeon X800
128 MB of VRAM
DirectX 9.0 compatible
Shader model 2.0 support		 Nvidia GeForce 7600
ATI Radeon X1600
Shader model 3.0 support


Notes

  1. ↑ When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMDATA%, or %WINDIR% might be redirected to %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore on Windows Vista and later (more details).
  2. ↑ Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:

References