Left 4 Dead 2

Left 4 Dead 2

94 ratings
Allow More Than 4 or 8 Players in a Game
By NgCOCKFIGHT λ
   
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Quick Note
Avatar from XD001's Modifications

Servers with more slots available doesn't make it easy for the extra slots to get filled up. See "Joining More Than 4 or 8 Players in a Game" to get started on filling those slots.
The Deets
If you require more people join your games than is officially supported, (e.g., campaign with 10 players, a versus with 20) follow the steps here.

  1. SteamCMD (optional, but recommended route)
  2. SourceMod (required)[wiki.alliedmods.net]
  3. SourceMod ABM Plugin (required)[forums.alliedmods.net]

The optional SteamCMD is the official dedicated server for Left 4 Dead 2. It's purpose is to stay running and does not depend on a player to locally host a game. Leaving in the middle of a game will not shut down the server. You can skip this and speed up this guide but it's highly recommended you go this route (at some point).

The secret sauce to all the great servers out there is SourceMod. Although it has "Mod" in the name, it does not mod any game in any way but will crack open the flood gates to some incredible server side modifications. It's simple and easy to install and a go to power tool for serious administrators (even if you're just having fun without mods).

I am the author of ABM and it enables more players to spawn into the game. Admins have quite a bit of power with it (please be responsible). You need the plugin and gamedata file (abm.smx and abm.txt) from the link listed above and in case you missed it on the last link, the ABM README[gitlab.com] will walk you through installing ABM.

I've decided to leave out any gory deets because everything you need to know is well documented at the links provided. If you follow the order above and have just a little patience, you'll be up and running in no time.

Have fun :)
19 Comments
SwiftKey 10 Jul, 2024 @ 12:44am 
docker run -it --name=steamcmd cm2network/steamcmd bash
Where should I go?
MoltenDishrag59 11 Dec, 2023 @ 6:45am 
@Kirlin imagine not having friends with other friends :spycon:
Maverick 18 Jun, 2023 @ 10:40am 
hello wanted to mention that I recently made a tutorial about same exact thing me and my friend can play all together, its a local server and uses this ABM plugin https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2987986639
FrostNova 4 Oct, 2021 @ 1:26pm 
I have been trying to look for a way to bypass the 4 player lobby thing but I can't seem to do so without the 8 player lobby mod.

Is there a way to make it into 8 players without having to rely on the lobby mod?

I can't seem to have 8 players without it.

The server.cfg already has sm_cvar sv_force_unreserved "1", unless there is something I am missing lol.
Roon 2 Jan, 2021 @ 10:43pm 
Sadly it crashes the game after closing the saferoom door, anyone know why this happens?
keribyte 6 Dec, 2020 @ 6:36am 
"If you require more people join your games than is officially supported, (e.g., campaign with 10 players, a versus with 20)"

wait what, how do you do a regular campaign with 10?????
Kirlin 3 Nov, 2020 @ 6:26pm 
imagine having 7 friends :(
AsianAngelo 8 Feb, 2020 @ 11:58pm 
It'd be great if you had a video tutorial.
NgCOCKFIGHT λ  [author] 28 May, 2019 @ 10:55pm 
This is a guide for server owners.
NumbFire 28 May, 2019 @ 8:43pm 
Is this method still works?
If so, should we all do it or only the host?