You can access training, lone wolf mode (offline/single player), host a listen server, or access multiplayer from the Main Menu. I have structured this guide based on the order of these menu items.



Important: Once a beta version has been released, you may opt into testing using the steam beta menu. Join the official Ground Branch Discord to find out when updates for testing are available.




*Separate CTE (Community Test Environment) builds are no longer being utilized and should be removed from your Steam library.

Training is a good place to start before jumping into multiplayer. Here you can test out your gear and get familiar with the controls. You will spawn directly into “The Farm” map, skipping the Ready Room.

Training Areas include:

• Aircraft Takedown (includes random targets)
  
• Killhouse (includes random targets and timer)
  
• Shooting / Explosive Ranges

You can modify your gear at a work bench which acts similar to a Locker in the RR or the Customize Operator option at the Main Menu.


Some areas have screens for adjustable pop-up targets and various kill-house layouts.

You can try Defuse, Terrorist Hunt (TH) and Intel Retrieval (IR) in Lone Wolf mode.

Defuse Objective: Find the bombs and defuse them all before the timer runs out.

TH Objective: Locate and eliminate all threats in the area.

IR Objectives: Locate and retrieve the objective (laptop). Exfiltrate to extraction point with the laptop. Exfil location will be identified on the Ops Room map before mission begins and on your map tablet [M].

Note: You can select up to 50 AI to go against. Selecting 30+ will start to impact performance though. I recommend around 15 AI for single player.

When playing single player or multiplayer, you will typically start in the Ready Room (RR). This is the starting place for all of your future missions.


*Press the [F4] key to force yourself back into the RR at any time.

After loading in, walk into the Mission Prep Area to pick your loadout at a locker, test out your weapons at the Firing Range, or walk into the Operations area to start a mission.

LOCKERS

Go up to your locker and tap [F] key to equip. Hold [F] to re-equip. Re-equip is convenient if you need more ammo after spending some time at the RR shooting range. Tapping [F] will bring up the customization menu shown below.


On the left side of the customization menu, you can pick your in-game Player Name and general appearance.

On the right side of the customization menu, you can customize your weapons, gear and outfit.

Weapons Kit: select Primary, Secondary or Special Purpose (future implementation).

Gear Kit: allows for changing your Headgear, Platform, Belt, and Holster. Click on each category to customize your look.

Outfit: select Eyewear, Mask, Top, Pants, Gloves and Footwear

When you select an item’s cog icon in the lower right corner, a new view will open up with various attachment options. The small triangle in the top right corner allows for different camo options.


To add an item select it on the right side and drag it onto your gear. Once you’re done customizing your item, select the Apply button and save if desired.

Be sure to equip Night Vision Goggles (NVG) on your helmet and a flashlight on your weapon for night missions. The flashlight can be accessed in game by using the inventory menu or designated hotkey and NVG will be available by pressing the [N] key. The PVS-22 night vision device can also be selected which can go in front of an optic on the top rail of your primary weapon.

There are lots of options within the Platform and Weapon kits. I recommend playing around and getting familiar with them.

PLATFORM
Grab what you need based on your mission. Add extra ammo for longer engagements or pack light for mobility. More and/or heavier items can equate to encumbrance issues so plan accordingly.

The Encumbrance bar, within the customization menu, provides you with a rough idea of whether your loadout is “Light”, “Medium” or “Heavy”. The main components of the Encumbrance System impact stamina and arm strength.


Primary and secondary ammo means the game adapts to what you carry. Pickup another weapon platform or bring the wrong ammo type and you might as well toss your bulllets at the enemy.

Platform/Belt items include:
Ammunition: Primary or Secondary
Grenade (selectable in game by holding or tapping 3): Smoke, Frag or Flash bangs
Equipment (selectable in game by holding or tapping 4): Binoculars, Breaching Charges, or Rangefinder

PRIMARY WEAPON
There are tons of options and attachments for your primary weapon. Primary categories include: submachine gun, shotgun, assault rifle, sniper rifle and machine gun. You can customize each to your liking.

Primary Weapon items include
Accessories: PEQ, laser, flashlight and rail covers
Risers: Offset rails and various site risers
Sights: Various weapon sights
Underbarrel: Foregrips and bipods
Muzzle Devices: Suppressors
Magazines: Poly or Stanag
*some attachments are cosmetic only like rail covers. Others are to be implemented like bipods.

KIT SAVING
After customizing your character and gear, you can save individual loadouts by selecting the [Save/Load] text at the top. This allows quick / favorite kit selections during games.


Click the Apply button in the bottom right corner to keep your selections and close out of the locker interface.

OPERATIONS AREA
Enter the Operations area of the RR and head over to the interactive, large screen TV on the wall. Read your objectives and plan your mission here before jumping into the game. Admins will be able to make some quick changes to the mission (time limit, time of day, etc) using the interactive tv.

Pick an insertion on the map to Declare Ready. When a player selects a spawn location a countdown will begin and you will be loaded into the map momentarily.



Multiplayer match features / scoreboard can be viewed on the below screen. There's also an interface to vote on the next map.


Note: If you're experiencing in game control and/or weapon/kit issues be sure to clear your configs.

• Loadouts are located at: Documents\GroundBranch\Loadouts
  
• User configs are located at: %LOCALAPPDATA%\GroundBranch\Saved\Config\WindowsNoEditor

You can host a game from your own computer if dedicated servers aren't your thing. There are two options available: Internet or LAN. Make sure to allow for enough max players. Options allow for 2-8 players.

Once your server is created, you can Invite Friends via the [ESC] Menu.

You become the default admin when hosting. Admin options are explained in the multiplayer section of this guide below.

Click Server Browser in the Main Menu to give multiplayer a try. Here you can pick a server based on Game Mode, Map, Players or Ping. Click a server and select Connect.

Dedicated servers can host up to 16 players; however, it's recommended to host 8 or less players for co-op / PvE due to the extra demand from AI.

Current Game Modes:

• Deathmatch (PvP)
  Kill as many players as you can.
  
  
• Defuse (PvE)
  Attackers have to find the bombs and defuse them all before the timer runs out. Be careful not to hit the bomb in the process or it will explode ending the round.
  
  *Tip: If you’re having trouble locating the bomb(s), there will be a greater number of enemies protecting the bombs location.
  
  
  
• DTAS: Dynamic Take & Secure (PvP)
  Two team spawn in completely random spots on the map. Once Defenders have placed the flag, Attackers must locate and capture the flag area.
  
  Echo 2-1 created a short video explaining how it all works: https://youtu.be/Ye3vAXw46vo
  
• Hostage Rescue(PvP)
  One attacker has been taken hostage by defenders inside a building. Attackers must reach their teammate to get them to extraction.
  
  
  
• Intel Retrieval (Solo/Co-Op)
  Play single player or COOP. Locate and retrieve the objective (laptop). Exfiltrate to extraction point with the objective.
  
  *Tip: Your GPS watch will alert when in range of the laptop.
  
  
  
• Last Man Standing (PvE)
  Don't die and be the last man standing.
  
  
• Team Elimination (PvP)
  Team Elimination consists of two teams. Eliminate the other team to win.
  
  
  
• Terrorist Hunt (Solo/Co-Op)
  Play Single Player or COOP and eliminate all AI opponents to win.
  
  
• Training (Solo/Co-Op)
  Have team training at Camp Peary with online friends.
  
  
  
• Uplink (PvP)
  Defenders guard an intel device (laptop) in one of several possible locations, as Attackers must locate and hack it to win.

VOTING
Hit the [Esc] key to bring up your options and you will also be presented with a Vote function. You can click this to participate in a new vote. Options include mission settings, map change, kick and next map.

ADMIN
Server admins have the ability to change a number of settings using the admin command.

As Admin, open console [`] then type "admin" and hit [Enter]. This will bring up all of your admin options. Note: You can also bring up the admin command by pressing the [F8] key.


PLAYER LIST
When you hit [ESC] to bring up the menu, you will also see a player listing with pings. You can mute players here if someone is abusing the VOIP. As an Admin, you have additional options as well.


MULTIPLAYER CHAT
Upon connecting to a server, the first thing you’ll want to do is say hello. Below are the default controls for doing that:

Talk (V) – You can be heard as far as your voice travels. Good for communicating with small teams instead of taking over the radio with chatter
Radio (B) – You can be heard over the radio by all team players. Please keep Radio chatter to a minimum.
Global Chat (T) – Text chat to everyone
Team Chat (Y) – Text chat to team only in team game modes
Prerecorded Voice Messages (G) - Press [G] and select a message using your mouse on the radial menu.


The below guide is recommended if you’re interested in creating your own dedicated server:
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1449083065

Map Listing and Description

Note: Some maps come with variations so they can be played with smaller group sizes like Compound vs Compound (close spawns)

• 747: A Ram Airways 747 airliner sits at the end of the runway of a small under-developed airfield somewhere in the Horn of Africa.
  
  
  
• City: A peaceful downtown square now littered with empty cars and emergency vehicles. Fight on the streets or the subway station underground.
  
  
  
• Compound: An unusually fortified compound in Southern Asia is rumored to contain a High Value Target. A daring insertion may be required.
  
  
  
• Creek: Cabins, ruins, tunnels and a militia encampment are on the margins of this snaking creek that runs through subtropical woodlands.
  
  
  
• Depot: A temperate forest with scattered man-made structures surrounds the central compound; a multi-building, railroad-fed depot.
  
  
  
• Docks: A maze of trucks, warehouses, cranes and dozens of shipping containers populates the small-scale cargo port on the coast of [REDACTED].
  
  
  
• Power Station: An under-construction substation-part of a Middle-Eastern wind power farm with a larghe C-shaped building and maintenance tunnels.
  
  
  
• Rig: This is one of the biggest and most expensive rigs ever built, and bad guys have just taken charge of it.
  
  
  
• Run Down: This decrepit abandoned building standing in an Eastern European industrial district appears to have hosted a school turned field hospital.
  
  
  
• Small Town: MOUT (Movemenet Over Urban Terrain) training site featuring four multi-story buildings in a small closed-off wooded area for CQB practice.
  
  
  
• Storage Facility: Somewhere in the Ukrainian wilderness, a large lakeside tunnel in the side of a mountain serves as a storage facility for undisclosed goods.
  
  
  
• Tanker: A natural gas carrier in route to an oil platform off the Eastern coast of Africa, this ship's multi-level accommodation overlooks its 170-yard deck.
  
  
  
• Training: CIA training site for clandestine officers in Camp Peary, Virginia. Features multiple shooting ranges and killhouses for practice.
  
  
  
• User Arena: A closed off arena for quick firefights.
  
  
  
• User Arena 2: Another closed off arena for quick firefights.
  
  
  
• Paintball: This small paintball field was not built for lethal shootouts, but paintball markers aren't as readily available to paramilitary operators as real guns.
  
  *Team elimination only

Ground Branch does not clutter your screen with unnecessary information. Stance icons for example can be added or removed and controls can be modified with bindings in settings.

STANCE
Up Action [Space]
Up action from prone/crouch


Down Action [C]
Down action from standing/crouch


Prone [Z]
Prone position has been added with v1034. It is a work in progress but very functional now.


Lean left/right [Q]/[E]
Be a smaller target by leaning while behind cover.

High / Ready / Low Ready (Mouse Wheel Up/Down)
Weapon positioned up to sky or lowered to floor to prevent flagging of unintended targets. Ready position allow you to fire your weapon unsighted.



Engaged (Right Mouse Button)
Weapon raised for aiming down sights. Staying in this position for a prolonged period will result in increased weapon sway.

Note: Engaged position can be changed under the settings / gameplay / aim style. You can toggle Aim or Hold RMB to Aim.


Breath Control / Steady Aim
With weapon sway introduced in version 1030, you can now control your breath for better accuracy. Hold [CTRL] when aiming to control breathing / weapon sway.

Secondary Sight if applicable (Mouse Wheel Up from engaged position)
If you added an additional sight by attaching an angled riser or on top of an applicable scope. Mouse wheel down to go back to primary sight.


Scope Reticle Options
You can adjust various reticle options in game; such as, brightness and magnification on all applicable optics. Check the Settings Menu for binding configurations.

Some scopes have variable zoom like AccuPower 1-8x, Specter DR 1/4x, and PM II 25x56. Set your zoom controls in settings.


You can even adjust your sight priorities in Settings. This is helpful when you have multiple sights on your weapon (i.e. scope, canted sight, iron sight)


Movement
Walk: [W][A][S][D] keys
Run: hold [Shift] while using [W][A][S][D] keys
Sprint: hold [CTRL] while using [W][A][S][D] keys
Note: Run and Sprint will impact weapon sway and stamina negatively.

GPS Watch
You're equipped with a GPS watch which comes with several features (some depending on game mode): compass, time, and objective location. Free Look down to take a glance before calling out positions.


Map Tablet
You can now easily figure out where you are in relation to objectives and your teammates (if you have any) by tapping [M] or selecting the Tablet item in the Equipment menu [4].


Free Look
You can move your head independently by holding [Tab] and moving your mouse in the direction you want to look.

WEAPON MENU
You can switch between Primary, Secondary, Grenades and Equipment by quickly pressing the [1] [2] [3] [4] number keys. Hold down on these keys and you will temporarily be presented with a bar at the top of your screen to select a particular item.

Press [N] to activate night vision if equipped.


ATTACHED ITEMS
Weapon accessories can be selected from a hot keys or a radial menu. What shows up depends on your selected loadout.

Settings/Controls/Weapon Attachments:


Attachments Wheel:


FIRING MODE
Firing mode can be changed by pressing the [X] key by default.


RELOADS
Tap [R] to reload you magazine. Double tap [R] for quick reload but note you will dump your mag on the ground. This can be changed under "Default Reload" in the Gameplay settings menu.

MAG CHECK
Hold [R] to check your magazine for an estimated number of rounds remaining. An icon will be presented on screen corresponding to:

• Fairly full
  
• About half-full/empty
  
• Nearly empty
  
• Empty

GRENADES
Select Grenades in your attachments menu [3]. You can see an arc and adjust your toss by scrolling with the middle mouse button after the pin has been pulled.

Note: if you pull the grenade pin and want to cancel press [R] to insert the pin and cancel the grenade toss. ability to re-pin removed with v1034


PROMPT
Which brings us to the Team Kill (TK) prompt. After being TKed, you are presented with information about who killed you and an option to forgive or report the user. After a set number of unforgivable offenses the team killing player will be kicked from the server.


AFK DETECTION
After 2 minutes of complete inactivity, players will receive a prompt. Failure to respond to it will result in them being removed from the mission area and sent back to the Ready Room.

WEAPON PICKUPS
Weapons and ammo can be picked up with the [F] key and dropped using [J] by default. Below is what you will see when attempting to pick up a weapon.


ENTRY
Once you are near a door, you can press [F] to open/close all the way or Hold [F] and scroll Middle Mouse Button to gradually open or close it. You can also push the door open once it’s slightly opened.



Breaching is another option for doors. Hold the [4] key down to select the charge. Place it on the door then [Left Click] your mouse to blow it up with the detonator in hand.


Accessible windows can be shot out and become a method of entry. Shattered glass can be pushed out with anything to gain entry.


When you approach usable ladders you will be presented with an icon at the bottom of your screen. Press [F] on the ladder to attach and then start climbing up or down.


You can go underwater for a limited amount of time as well. This adds another possible dynamic. Note: Weapons cannot be fired and breathing is limited under water, forcing the player out of prone when you run out of oxygen.


SPECTATE
If spectator is enabled (server option) you have a number of tools for following the action. You can also press [H] by default to hide the icons if taking screenshots and you don't want the screen cluttered.

This category could have its own guide since there are numerous options available. Below is a quick summary of what can be found here. Lots of great features to help customize the game controls to your liking. I recommend changing things that might work for you; such as, momentary vs fixed lean.

Controls
Movement and other control settings are located here. You can toggle crouch and lean here as well.


Gameplay
Gameplay settings help you customize Combat (weapon manipulation and sight preference) and Look (Freelook, Freeaim, and NVG) settings.


Hud
Change any HUD (Heads Up Display) items here like stance icons, grenade arcs, interactions, chat, etc.


Video
It's best to test the graphics settings out yourself instead of letting the game detect at this time.


Audio
Adjust sound and microphone volumes here. Unfocused Volume Multiplier now allows you to hear users while Alt-Tab out of game.

If you are experiencing microphone issues please run through the troubleshooting instructions listed in this menu. These instructions have resolved most sound issues experienced by players.

This section is very important. Ground Branch has reached EA and will constantly be updated. The Developers need your help to identify major issues.

Any bugs that are found need to be submitted within the bug tracker. This will help the devs keep track of known issues. Don’t expect a comment on the forum or Discord to be answered all the time.

When submitting a bug, make sure you are as detailed as possible. Where did it happen? What happened? Can it be reproduced? Can you submit a screenshot? If you can answer all of these questions then we are a step closer to solving the problem.

Press the [ESC] key to enter the menu and click Bugs and Issues on the right side.

From there you can submit your own bug report. Include your log file and screenshot if applicable.


Thank you for helping out!

Full modding support will be implemented closer to v1.0. Check the Roadmap[trello.com] for additional details.

Missions, game modes, and weapon mods are now open for modding. Steam Workshop will be the repository for all mods after the v1034 release.

Modding Guides
Mission Editor: The Mission Editor allows you to place AI, objects, spawn points, etc. To access, type editmission in the console when in a Lone Wolf level.
Mission Editor Guide by FatMarrow[cdn.discordapp.com]

Lua Game Mode Library: These files can be used to edit Game Modes. Lua files can be found in your GroundBranch/Lua folder.
Lua Resource File by FatMarrow[cdn.discordapp.com]

GROUND BRANCH SDK: You can mod weapons by using the GROUND BRANCH SDK (Software Development Kit). Guide to follow shortly...

*Modern Lancer’s Texture Replacement: https://youtu.be/yyXqXsOLzHI?si=I7BDowIuRvK9kRFN
*John’s message about texture replacement via the GB Discord: “Hey everyone, I know mods are not officially supported yet and honestly we wish you all would just wait. But that isn't going to happen so here is a bit of information when replacing weapon meshes so that they don't continually crash the game....

Please make sure that the skeleton stays exactly the same. Do not add, remove or change the hierarchy of the bones. You can translate them as needed (Move not rotate). Some 3d software will add bone that ends in 'end' to bones to "terminate" them. Something like this Bn_ChargeHandle_end

That will, and currently is, sending in a lot of crash reports to us. So bottom line, if you are going to make mods that replace weapon geometry please make sure the skeleton doesn't change. It's causing a lot of headaches on our end and reducing development time for the game.”

Console commands can really be helpful in a number of situations. Use the ` key for US keyboards or * for international keyboards. Below are some popular commands being used:

• Reconnect to server. Great if you’re having issues with equipment (NvG) not working in game to quickly reconnect.
  reconnect
  
  
• Change time of day
  Debuggamecommand timeofday 1200
  Or ... 1245_20231223 to set date too
  
  
• Set User Name (usually done at Locker)
  setname <new name>
  
  
• Show Frames Per Second
  stat fps
  
  
• admin motd
  As an Admin, will broadcast the server MOTD (message of the day) to all players on the server
  
  
• admin resurrect
  respawn players at their death location
  
  
• admin resurrectnear
  respawn players in the vicinity of a teammate
  
  
• Open Map in Single Player (SP)
  open <map name>
  
  
• Open mission editor in game
  editmission
  
  
• Travel to Map in Single Player (SP)
  travel <map name>
  
  
• High resolution screenshots
  highresshot <number you'd like to multiply your resolution by>
  also
  r.screenpercentage <150 or 200>
  
  
• IP connect to a server
  open IP:Port
  
  
• God Mode (SP only)
  God
  
  
• Pause the Game (SP only)
  pause
  
  
• Free Roaming Camera (SP only)
  ToggleDebugCamera
  
  
• Moves player wherever camera is pointed
  teleport
  
  
• Add Bots
  addbots <number of bots> <team>
  
  <number of bots> — The amount of bots you wish to add (currently no limit).
  <team> — Which team the bots should be added to:
  1 — Alpha (red)
  2 — Bravo (blue)
  255 — Auto/random, also used for non-team-based game modes (Terrorist Hunt, Deathmatch, Last Man Standing)
  
  
• Remove Bots
  removebots <number of bots> <team>
  Removes the designated amount of bots from the designated team (use 255 to remove amount from both teams).
  
  
• Kill Bots
  killbots <team>
  Kills all bots within the designated team (255 for all teams).
  
  
• Freeze Bots
  freezebots <team>
  Freezes all bots within the designated team (255 for all teams).
  
  
• Unfreeze Bots
  unfreezebots <team>
  Unfreezes all bots within the designated team (255 for all teams).
  
  
• Set Anti Aliasing (I have not tested this one yet)
  Default Engine
  r.DefaultFeature.AntiAliasing=2
  
  DefaultGameUserSettings
  sg.AntiAliasingQuality=2
  
  
• Change Brightness Settings
  gamma 1-4

Thank you for visiting this guide.

Feel free to ask questions or point out anything that might improve this guide. I hope this has been helpful and I look forward to seeing you on the battlefield.

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Additional Links:
https://www.groundbranch.com/
https://www.microprose.com/games/ground-branch/