Left 4 Dead 2

Left 4 Dead 2

SECTOR-74: March of the survivors
Toranks 17 May, 2022 @ 3:58pm
Sector 74 Review
I'm learning how to run a dedicated server and started with this map, which is complex, to see how well it works with 100+ plugins on server side and many mods on the client side.
I have been taking notes and screenshots while testing the functionality of the plugins and the server that I think can be helpful to both the author and the players.

Since it's long I'll break it into comments or update this comment as I go through the chapters

FIRST STAGE, I noticed that there is a small game console in a room at the beginning linked to a first aid kit. Whoever picks up the medkit will have the console permanently linked until the medkit is used. Although this console does not appear if the stage is restarted. Don't use the medkit, reserves it, the console kills the enemies around you, is a good help. There is some consoles more throughout the game, with the same mechanic (linked to a medkit).

When I went to the first house outside, I realized that the bots are unable to follow me to that area. And if I teleport them, they are unable to get out. There are no navigation zones between one point and another. That also applies to the infected.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2809443449
A little further on, there is a corner from which a large part of the wall can be traversed by an invisible curb inaccessible to enemies and bots.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2809444544
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2809444595
After a long and confusing path (confusing not as a criticism, I love getting lost in the woods surrounded by zombies) through the dam and the field, I manage to reach some tracks where I activate a train... and it doesn't tell me what to do. You have to run to the end of the train AFTER ACTIVATING THE SWITCH because the door will have opened. Making your way LOOOOONG to the tail of the train before activating the switch is useless, and there are no useful objects around, it is much better to fight near the switch, where there are infinite medkits and ammo (in my opinion very well placed, the stage is long and very hard).
By the way, I suggest to the author of the map to turn off at least half of all these lights, remember that it has been 10 years since the epidemic... And it will considerably improve the performance of that stage with less FPS drops or crashes:
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2809444649

SECOND STAGE, oh, the train... Spectacular views of the train and very original all the missions, but managing the bots is a nightmare, and not because they are stupid, but because the navigation on the train is bad. That also affects enemies, in the official walkthrough you can see a scene where the author fights a tank stuck between two train cars.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2809444735
I propose two solutions, one involves the player and one the author. To the player, use bots wait and bots warp with Left 4 bots to stop and warp bots. Every time you get off a wagon to cross a wagon without cabins or the roof, stop the bots inside the wagon with cabin, and warp to you when you reach another cabin. Be careful not to get caught by the specials, or the bots will come to your rescue (if you have it configured) and they will fall. Remember that the specials are also dumb on that part of the train, so they won't get too close to you and you can be forewarned.

The author's solution involves creating better navigation connections in that part, which do not go beyond the edges of the train. If it's too hard or doesn't work, I suggest that the bots don't die when falling out, just get incapacitated by losing health. This will allow players to teleport them to rescue them.

A fight with a tank on a train can be tough, but it's spectacular.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2809444850
There are some tables on the train like this where if the bots get there by being pushed by enemies or their own teammates, they can't get back out. If a player gets on that table, the enemies cannot reach him, it is a safe place where only the spitters can attack him. This doesn't happen on all tables, some yes, some no.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2809444935
The helicopter...
I think I'm the only one who's seen this technique used, I've been revealing it in comments from other campaigns, and I say it here too. Bots can be made to crouch with the command sb_crouch 1 (needs sv_cheats 1, although if you have sourcemod you can do it even without cheats enabled). What I do is assign it to a button:
alias gocrouch "sb_crouch 1; vocalize PlayerLookOut; alias crouchbots nocrouch" alias nocrouch "sb_crouch 0; vocalize PlayerAskReady; alias crouchbots gocrouch" alias crouchbots "gocrouch" alias "A" "crouchbots"
Where "A" you can put any key. Each time you press this button, you'll tell them to crouch or stand up, respectively, with vocalizations for all players to hear. This is the result:
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2809445035
In addition to asking them to crouch, you will have to tell them to stop ('bots wait' with Left4bots), so they don't get out of the boxes fighting with the zombies coming.
That part of the train has better navigation and they won't fall to get there, but still be careful.
I managed to beat the helicopter by shooting it myself, but the bots don't know how to shoot vehicles. I suggest that the HP of the vehicles change according to the number of players. The more HUMAN players, the more HP.
Last edited by Toranks; 18 May, 2022 @ 2:21am
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Showing 1-15 of 59 comments
Toranks 17 May, 2022 @ 11:14pm 
THIRD STAGE, the big forest. It's gotten a lot better, I love getting lost in it, and it's got more detail than before, including a permanently roaming vehicle, which also serves as a 'guide' to the main roads to follow, so you're not completely lost. Congratulations on the idea, it's great.
I also noticed that the graveyard no longer have purple/black textures, and has such cool details like this:
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2809445105
But there is something that ruined my adventure for us in a second. When the gate was opened, with all the enemies harassing us because of the noise of the alarm. In mid of that situation, the vehicle just arrived, at which it had been shooting for LONG bursts several times crossing the forest, without destroying it. Just then it received his last shots, surrounded by zombies, we can't move enough fast, and in just on 2 seconds the car explosion killed all four of us at once.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2809445151
I understand that the explosion incapacitates, but kill completely is too much playing on NORMAL difficulty.
Second round... Again???? I need to kill this ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ car before open the door. I can't avoid it because I'm opening the door. I'm starting to think that this trap is intended. If you doesn't kill the car before activates the alarm, the car go to the door an suicide to explode and kill the team.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2809509187
Finally I dedicated myself to chasing the car for long minutes, until destroying it, and being able to do the mission of the fence without problems. I found a little problem, and that is that the bots have a tendency to go and stay static in this position, because they think it is the saferoom:
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2809538573
Only if you go a long way away, do they follow you back. Although it was not a problem for me, since as soon as I give them the order to go pick up gascans and refill (which they do wonderfully with "bots lead" Left 4 Bots order), they go looking for the closest one. It was actually an invaluable help as the gascans are not easily visible, you have to walk quite a bit through the woods to start to see the glow. What I did was follow the most vulnerable and furthest bot (so that it would not be left alone) while the rest each do their job. That part was much easier for us than opening the door, since hordes of zombies only come when someone takes a gascan, but during the long walks there is some security, which is appreciated. It is not pleasant to be caught by a hunter in the middle of the forest too far from your companions.

I will continue soon. The campaign is one of my favorites for its many details, and I'm happy with how much it has improved since the beta.
Last edited by Toranks; 17 May, 2022 @ 11:17pm
CR0NO  [developer] 18 May, 2022 @ 12:57am 
wow this is a big help for me, thank you , i can use it to fix more bugs
CR0NO  [developer] 18 May, 2022 @ 1:14am 
this is like "treasure" to me XD
CR0NO  [developer] 18 May, 2022 @ 1:20am 
bytheway i want to setup a dedicated server for a lan party in a couply of months for 18 players coop. even tho i installed sourcemod + metamod + left4downtown to have 18 players, my server still shows only 4 players lobby in serverlist. if you know how to fix it, i am very gratefull.
i will keep a close eye on your review, and use it all to fix the bugs and make the mod better. so a big thank you for your constructive feedback , its really helpfull
Toranks 18 May, 2022 @ 3:07am 
FOURTH STAGE. Here I premiered a fix for a mod that allows bots to pick up chainsaws (Left 4 Bots). They will now pick up and hold the chainsaw until it gas out, not trying to pick up other weapons wasting time and delaying back. This is a unique feature and I don't know of any other mod or plugin capable of doing it.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2809546772
Being able to see your legs has been possible for a long time and it was very useful for me in this part, since these platforms move like crazy, and in the beginning, with those platforms that hide under your feet on the first elevator shaft.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2809574107
As I walked through them, I was praying that at least halfway there would be a platform that went up and down, and the gift came in the form of a ladder. Bots aren't able to traverse this part, but it doesn't matter because if you make it to the other side, a fence will fall off, making way for the rest (including clumsy human players). Whoever manages to jump the fence first can be proud, it is one of the most difficult parts, but luckily there are hardly any enemies in the meantime, and the bots kill them immediately.
ome doors appear in a unique style, double sliding, but they are difficult to open, you have to learn the timing and go through at the right time. It's a good challenge for a human, but those clumsy bots don't know what to do and in the other side lots of enemies are waiting to ambush you. I was caught by a hunter, but luckily they managed to shoot from afar as the door opened by itself.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2809574371
And here came the only unavoidable problem so far that I have had. As soon as I got into the elevator, the doors closed and the rising of the elevator crushed us all to instant death.
I thought it was a trap, and on the second round I push the elevator button and we all got out.
But.. No path opens. There are no more buttons. It doesn't come back...
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2809574473
I had to vote a stage restart and reconsidered the strategy. Maybe if we crouch, the elevator stops at the right height, and goes back up when the doors open.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2809574591
What happened?
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2809574853
The door seemed open, unlike the previous time, when it was closed. But just as it reached our head height, it suddenly closed! Literally beheading us.
Since I don't like to use cheats to get past certain parts, I left it here.

I just read you, Crono, let's see if you can tell me what kind of trap this is xD
About the help, my pleasure! I take a lot of notes and screenshots learning how to manage the server commands for myself in different situations, so it's better for everyone if I put them here.
About the 18 server, I have never configured it with more than 4, and I have focused on plugins that improve the gameplay instead of the number of players, so I have no idea. Maybe you have to change the number of players directly with the loading attributes:
D:\Left 4 Dead 2\SRCDS\l4d2\srcds.exe" -console -game left4dead2 -port 27016 +hostname "Name of the server" +map sector-74-chapter-3 +maxplayers 18 +sv_lan 0
Last edited by Toranks; 18 May, 2022 @ 3:12am
CR0NO  [developer] 18 May, 2022 @ 3:43am 
Those Doors in chapter 4 should not close on you when using the elevator , they are really annoying so i AM going to fix IT. Its not a trap, Just bad editing XD
Toranks 18 May, 2022 @ 3:50am 
Originally posted by CR0NO:
Those Doors in chapter 4 should not close on you when using the elevator , they are really annoying so i AM going to fix IT. Its not a trap, Just bad editing XD
Oops, thank goodness xD By the way, many elevators can't be activated unless they're all survivors inside, I think it's a property that can be edited on the map. That is necessary, or the elevator can go back down, or the human players left behind will not be able to continue (bots can teleport). Imagine 10 players back xD
Last edited by Toranks; 18 May, 2022 @ 3:59am
CR0NO  [developer] 18 May, 2022 @ 4:05am 
good tip
Supreme Leader 18 May, 2022 @ 5:12am 
Originally posted by CR0NO:
bytheway i want to setup a dedicated server for a lan party in a couply of months for 18 players coop. even tho i installed sourcemod + metamod + left4downtown to have 18 players, my server still shows only 4 players lobby in serverlist. if you know how to fix it, i am very gratefull.
i will keep a close eye on your review, and use it all to fix the bugs and make the mod better. so a big thank you for your constructive feedback , its really helpfull
Hey CR0NO, check out these guide on dedicated server setup, I've tried both and my sv was up and running great:
https://forums.alliedmods.net/showpost.php?p=2750588&postcount=4
https://forums.alliedmods.net/showpost.php?p=2756041&postcount=220

Currently I'm using the plugin on HarryPotter's guide though. Also left4downtown is pretty old and I recommend switching to Left4dhooks instead.
CR0NO  [developer] 18 May, 2022 @ 11:06am 
thnx man ill look into those guides, big help.

ps. just uploaded the very first "Community Feedback Update" for my mod (see changenotes)
Toranks 19 May, 2022 @ 9:14am 
FOURTH STAGE -UPDATED 18 MAY-
Last time it can't go very far, so I barely saw how long this stage is. In the beta this stage was one of the most long and boring because of the repetitiveness of the scenario, and because with 8 players that we did it we were very separated from each other. VERY far behind, especially in the area of movable walls.
The change to this version has been radical and has become one of the most intense and hard, but compensated by a good placement of supplies. Trust me, this time you won't be bored.

These corridors are dark, but on the server I use a plugin that allows all flashlights to be seen by other players. In the beta it was also used, and it is very useful, I recommend it. On this image my flashlight is off:
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810037015
At first I was rewarded with a tank spawning right out of the wall. I say reward because he broke the fence that disappears when you finish crossing the platforms, saving me all the way. With Left 4 Bots and about 5 sourcemod plugins my teammates are tank killing machines and retreat properly so this long wide hallway is no problem for us even though it has 10k HP instead of the 4k by default.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810037853
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810035307
In the part where you descend on some platforms, depending on where you jump, you can left hanging, to avoid that, take a long jump or drop down on another corner
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810041217
We get to the troublesome elevator from the last version, and I realize that the bots don't always know how to get in. Sometimes they do, but other times they don't.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810036491
For me it is not a problem because I use a frequent solution in many situations, not only elevators:
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810040174
This elevator is deadly if you are on the edge, whether you are human or bot, perhaps that property should be changed to another that makes the elevators stop when they collide with a player or enemy (and you have to kill them)
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810040888
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810042483
Now that that killing door is gone, enemies can fall from above, although they can't do anything to you. It's fun to watch them fall.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810043944
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810043223
Last edited by Toranks; 19 May, 2022 @ 11:26am
Toranks 19 May, 2022 @ 9:33am 
FOURTH STAGE II
Because of the image limits for post, I will continue on new post.

Suddenly, I see that on one of the intermediate floors Ellis abruptly separates.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810044904
Now I don't know how to pick him up, because the elevator doesn't have intermediate stops... but... what??
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810045015
Problem solved xD
And if someone still stays at the bottom, there is a button nearby from which you can call the elevator. In fact, in the previous version I was pressing it repeatedly, since the texture represents some up and down arrows with buttons. But it didn't work, now it does.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810046019
I've noticed that, surely on the other side of the tunnel, specials can open or break a door that alerts the horde. I have a plugin that allows specials to open them (instead of breaking them), but respect doors with the "locked" property. This also happens in many custom maps, because specials can broke the door, or there is no door but an alarm. Sometimes it adds realism and surprise, but other times it can mess up the sequence of events. In the three times it happened to me (on diferents restarts) nothing problematic happened. Only calls a horde and you have to fight with it, all perfect.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810047267
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810047343
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810050162
On the first platform the same thing happens as with the elevator, sometimes they don't know how to get in, but if I call them or set them to get closer to me, they do.
However, those boxes prevent both enemies and bots from moving properly, and they frequently fall off or stay stuck.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810052063
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810052200
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810051453
This happens in some custom maps with mobile platforms, but it has the same solution as with the train, related to the navigation zones. I have never designed maps, and I don't know how to make them, but I do know how to see them with some commands.
What I do is ask the bots to stay very close or just stop them with the Left 4 Bots "bots wait" command. The configuration that I recommend to keep the bots closer is this:
sb_battlestation_human_hold_time 1 sb_path_lookahead_range 266 sb_separation_danger_max_range 300 sb_max_battlestation_range_from_human 300 sb_battlestation_give_up_range_from_human 200 sb_separation_range 150
And when you need the bots to spread out a bit again, especially during exploration and search
sb_battlestation_human_hold_time 2 sb_path_lookahead_range 1000 sb_separation_danger_max_range 600 sb_max_battlestation_range_from_human 750 sb_battlestation_give_up_range_from_human 750 sb_separation_range 300
Another thing that I have noticed, and it also happens in certain custom maps with mobile platforms, is that neither you nor anyone else can be healed, because every second you teleport one meter and the healing is cancelled. I don't know the solution to this, but I've never cared. A mobile platform is not exactly the best place to be performing emergency first aid xD
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810057075
Last edited by Toranks; 19 May, 2022 @ 11:20am
Toranks 19 May, 2022 @ 10:07am 
FOURTH STAGE III
After the platform with boxes we reach a place where you have to take another one, and a smile appears on my face
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810053245
And on top has a lookout post! xD
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810053492
Leaving out all these issues, the rotating walls and the combat are spectacular, I especially loved the detail of the mounted minigun
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810058212
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810058473
When crossing this door they sometimes have problems, but in the vanilla game the bots know how to teleport to get through quickly
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810061022
And finally we can heal
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810060161
A nice detail is that if in a server with many players where not everyone fits on the platform, they can be divided into two trips by sending the platform back again by pressing this button, and then the corresponding button on the platform for the desired direction.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810061574
Advancing a little more I see a strange door that closes by itself, I don't calculate well and...
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810062763
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810063056
I use a defibrillator (with cheats) to rescue myself and test how the bots behave in that trap. I cross twice in both directions and the first time they do it well, but the second time one of them die. Remember that I have the bots set to stay very very close to me, so a vanilla bot is likely to die easily in this trap.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810063310
Last edited by Toranks; 19 May, 2022 @ 11:21am
Toranks 19 May, 2022 @ 10:35am 
FOURTH STAGE IV
When I got to a room with traps below and a platform above, those scared me so much that I just ran across the platform to the other side... but we fell, and Ellis was trapped. I saw him spinning around like crazy but he managed to get out and survived.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810066079
I thought the bots were immune to this trap, so it wouldn't kill the zombies that kept coming. I was like two minutes killing zombies without daring to pass, until I discovered that it is not lethal for me either. The trick is to see which way the blades are spinning, and take advantage of the fact that some are high and some are low to avoid them by quickly ducking or jumping. No need to worry about bots, they know what to do and teleport automatically (vanilla behavior).
It's one of my favorite traps so far in Left4Dead maps, you're going to go crazy dizzy, but not frustrating, it doesn't take long to cross them.
Here I found the first totally insurmountable problem for bots. If I go up the ladder, they don't see it and try to go back looking for another way, away from me.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810067817
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810067933
What will they do if I go down the ladder? They stay stuck
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810067628
A moving wall puzzle with giant boxes appears later, similar to the one in the beta, but much shorter and in a narrower space. It's still challenging, as there are ambushes from enemies around every corner, but we don't go that far (in fact the difference in distance is brutal). I love this puzzle now, it has just the right amount of challenge and length.
There is an area with rewards, but the bots cannot enter
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810069951
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810070087
After this I arrive at the lasers zone. I remember that a friend and I spent about five minutes on the beta version walking around because we arrived much later than the other teammates at this part, we were left alone, and we didn't know if the yellow lasers kill or not. But not. The dangerous lasers are the red ones that move around, and bots can be incapacitated by those, just like players. However, if you time it right, there is enough time to cross all of them. Lasers are very well measured to be a challenge.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810070495
I climbed this ladder but I realized that I couldn't pass, it was the wrong side xD
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810073862
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810073938
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810074346
Last edited by Toranks; 19 May, 2022 @ 11:21am
Toranks 19 May, 2022 @ 1:25pm 
FIFHT STAGE
At first I tried to open the door but I couldn't. I noticed that a lot of zombies were blocking it on the outside, so I mushed them from inside.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810131807
I noticed that some of the lookout posts were passable and some were not, and there are often weapons inside, but they can all be picked up.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810135358
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810135256
Just like I saw in the forest in the third stage, there are some inaccessible mounted guns. When a mounted gun is for decoration, the property that allows it to be used can be removed, so that it does not glow.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810135399
I have a sourcemod plugin that prevents bots from blowing up these explosive barrels. But seeing so many together, I can't resist seeing what happens if I shoot those.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810131887
After going around several times without knowing what to do, I discovered that you can jump on these walkways.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810132415
As soon as I did, the bots moved away from me to this point.
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810132799
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810132564
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810132642
Last edited by Toranks; 21 May, 2022 @ 8:20pm
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