Alien Swarm

This page may require cleanup to meet basic quality standards. You can help by modifying the article. The discussion page may contain useful suggestions.

Key points

Runs on low-end hardware

Game is completely free

Small community

General information

Unofficial Alien Swarm Wiki

Availability

All versions require Steam.

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 it's 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.

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 FPS also.

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.

Games running on the source engine can utilize Source Engine Console Commands for various tasks. Also check this list of useful Alien Swarm console commands

Developers
Cover image missing, please upload it
	Valve Corporation
Engines
	Source
Release dates
Windows	July 19, 2010