In-Depth FAQ
>>==<<==>>==<<==>>==<<==>>==<<==>>==<<==>>==<<==>>==<<==>>==<<==>>==
For PC
Version 1.0
By Chris Zawada
User: antseezee
E-mail: antseezee@epix.net
Website: www.antseezee.com
Created: 05/09/05
Last Update: 05/10/05
Copyright 2005 Chris Zawada
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Author's Note
----------------------------
There are only a handful of tactical shooters available on the gaming market,
in which you can enjoy frequently without interruptions. Most of the time,
developers abandon their products after a shallow 1-2 years, and place all of
their efforts into future sequels. SWAT 3 is one of those games that tends to
differ. This guide will provide you with the online basics, a few websites to
go and download some of the most popular mods, and hopefully guide you to the
best online experience. No player out there should miss out on the opportunity
that SWAT 3 can provide to your PC gaming experience.
Contributing/Feedback
----------------------------
If you have any contributions, feedback, or strategies you'd like to have
added to the guide, contact me via e-mail or on GameFAQs. I'll be more than
content to add your segment of information, and will also provide credit. If
you have any questions you'd like added to the Common Questions section, ask.
I simply don't have the time to sit around thinking of questions. Provide me
with what you want to know!
Updates
----------------------------
=03/14/05= v1.0
Started the FAQ. This is going to be fairly short, but in-depth enough to help
provide some much-needed tips to players out there. Expecting to finish it by
Friday.
============================
- Table of Contents -
============================
1) Introduction
2) Online Basics
> Getting Upgraded
> Account Information
> Playing Games
3) Modifications
> Recommended
> Tools
4) Scenarios
> Tools
> Careers
5) Maps
> Recommended
> Tools
6) Common Questions
7) Copyright/Distribution/Reproduction Guidelines
8) Proper Credits
============================
- 1) Introduction -
============================
As many of you may already know, SWAT 3 is albeit one of the best tactical
shooters to be released in quite sometime. Matter of fact, its online play is
quite amazing, with an overwhelming amount of mods, extra weapons, player
skins, and a continuously supported community thanks to Sierra. However, very
little players know about this gem in the community which continues to shine.
For starters, playing SWAT 3 is entirely free, as long as you update to the
most recent version. Any of the SWAT 3 games can be upgraded for free, as
opposed to having a very outdated version, which does not have multiplayer
support (the patch adds the multiplayer support). Secondly, Sierra runs two
full-time dedicated servers to help keep smooth gameplay for SWAT 3. This means
you'll have less lag (partially depends on your host), and even basic chat
rooms to knock it up with other players. Finally, the most determining factor
is online co-op. Very few developers are willing to risk allowing such a thing,
since the replay value on online co-op is usually extreme and very risky.
Common issues such as lag, and AI problems clog up, but not with the refined
dynamics in SWAT 3. Prepare yourself for an online PC game, definitely above
most of the competition. Not to mention, this title is now free via purchase of
SWAT 4, compatible with slower computers, and gives everyone a chance to play.
============================
- 2) Online Basics -
============================
This section will briefly go over the online requirements you need to be able
to play SWAT 3, how to get them, and how to play your game efficiently.
_________________
/Getting Upgraded/
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
SWAT 3 has been published in the past years across three different formats, or
versions. Depending on your version, it usually determines what patches/updates
you need to download. The three versions are:
)))- SWAT 3: CQB (most common version, needs to be upgraded three times)
> Patch (v1.0 to v1.6)
> Patch #2 (v1.6 to v2.0)
> Patch #3 (v2.0 to v2.1)
)))- SWAT 3: Elite Edition (fairly rare, needs to be upgraded twice)
> Patch (v1.6 to v2.0)
> Patch #2 (v2.0 to v2.1)
)))- SWAT 3: Tactical Game of the Year (only one upgrade)
> Patch (v2.0 to v2.1)
- Please check the following page:
http://swat3.sierra.com/support/main.html
- In order to find FTP download links to each of the patches. If the link does
not work, go to Google, and search for "swat 3 upgrades sierra"
- Each of these updates add certain required elements for gameplay. Version 2.1
is the most recent version of SWAT 3 (and probably the last update to be
released). Once these .EXE patches are installed, your version of SWAT 3 will
be upgraded. What does this mean exactly? You can now play online with up to 10
players in one game at a time. Mods, Missions, and Scenarios can be downloaded,
created, or edited to maximize the gaming experience. Start up your version of
SWAT 3, and you'll now notice a Multiplayer tab on the main screen. Hit it. It
should reveal three more options, LAN, Internet, or SWAT3.com.
>> LAN play allows you to play across a network of local computers with hardly
any lag. This option requires several other computers on a network, and also
that each computer have an individual SWAT 3 CD inside.
>> Internet play is the most common method as this is where you go on via
Sierra's servers, and play freely against other players. Hit this option to
start online play.
>> SWAT3.com takes you to your internet browser, and heads to their website.
____________________
/Account Information/
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Once you've completely upgraded, you cannot go on and play until you have
signed up with Sierra. The process is quite simple. Hit New Account, figure out
a cool username (SWAT 3 allows use of non-ASCII characters), plug in your
e-mail address, and any other required information. Once you're signed up, go
back into SWAT 3, type in your username and your password. Hit the Go button.
- The game will now log you onto the SWAT 3 Online system. You should be tossed
directly into a chat lobby. The system works fairly simple. If you look in the
lower right, and hit the Communication button, it will bring up a list of other
chat rooms available. You can only join games based on what chat room you are
in. If you're in a fairly empty/low-person chat room, and no games are showing
up, join another higher population chat room, and hope someone is hosting a
game. Basically, games are shown only in the chat room you are currently
located.
- Click the Officer tab near the bottom of the screen. This is basically what
your character looks like in all SWAT 3 Multiplayer games. It has no real
effect, although your username determines what your actual name is. The
different faces/personalities alter your face skin model, and voice commands
during gameplay. Years in SWAT is just an experience versus speed issue - makes
no difference whatsoever.
______________
/Playing Games/
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
To actually play a game in SWAT 3, you can either join another game that's
currently waiting in a pregame lobby, or create your own. The way it works is
simple. Sierra has two dedicated servers (East & West Bravo), each with
respective pings. The host of the game acts as a partial connection host, but
there game will be publicly shown via the Sierra servers, for other players
to join in and play. The host's bandwidth plays a HUGE factor in determining
how little, or how much lag you will have. A good notion is for players with
broadband connections (aka DSL/Cable) to host games, while 28.8K-56.0K modem
users join other games.
-=- Joining Games -=-
|||||||||||||||||||||
- When in the Call Up screen, you should see a list of ANY current games
going on, usually appearing in order. First and foremost, games in RED
cannot be joined because you either do not have the map, or do not have a
specific modification that the host is using. To bypass this, you must
download these maps/mods on your own time, and place them in their
respective directories. Games grayed out are currently in progress,
meaning you cannot join while the gameplay is occurring. Finally, games
marked in BLUE can be joined, unless the host starts the game.
- Once you're inside a game, you'll have several options to choose from.
Most of these options relate to optimizing your gear. When you are ready
to start, hit "GOGOGO!" at the bottom middle portion of the screen. The
game does not start automatically. ALL players in a lobby room must hit
this "GOGOGO!" button once, to initiate that they are ready to play. In a
sense, it acts like a confirmation button. If someone is typing "G^,
gogogo, ready up", make sure you hit the button. You may often be booted
for not hitting it quick enough.
- After a few screens of loading, you should be brought to another stale
screen showing all players in the game with loading bars. Computer speeds
and broadband connections affect how quickly the meters fill up. It does
NOT take this long everytime to start a game. Once you (the player) engage
one game with the host, the connection will be established on a permanent
basis, meaning missions load a lot quicker without any delay.
-=- Creating Games -=-
|||||||||||||||||||||
- When you create a game, you'll have four modes to choose from:
> Co-Operative {most popular, assist and work together with humans}
> Deathmatch {free for all battle}
> Team Deathmatch {team-based combat}
> Last Man Standing {free for all battle, except each player has one life}
- You can also create the game via any downloaded missions, or the default
ones. Once your game is created, you'll have four buttons at the bottom.
The OPS menu allows you to setup your point of entry, dynamic/stealth
mode, and also which players are assigned to what position. You can boot
players from the game, assign AI elements, and mainly admin issues. Hit
the upper right button that says Standard Objectives, and it reveals a
drop-down menu which allows you to load any custom scenarios you have
downloaded, or enforce random objectives. The MISSION menu allows you to
see objectives, or review what the overall issue is. The GEAR menu let's
you pick your weapon and uniform. Different colored uniforms can be
selected for better target identification. Finally, the CHAT button brings
you to the actual pregame lobby chat of both the room you're in, and the
main chat room.
- A {FW} in the game name means the host has a firewall engaged. This can
sometimes cause extra lag, or in-game problems, but most broadband players
also use firewall protection.
- ALWAYS check the SWAT 3 Mod button before loading SWAT 3. If you have mods
engaged, which most people have not downloaded, then you'll have trouble
getting other players to join your game. The best recommendation is to
activate no mods if you want the greatest potential of players to join
your game.
============================
- 3) Modifications -
============================
Modifications are specifically "renovations" of an entire game, ranging from
weapons, model skins, new maps, and even programming changes all bundled
together, in order to make an overall change. Unfortunately, most of the mods
for SWAT 3 are primarily addition mods, since they really don't change the
programming system entirely (as opposed to some Half-Life mods). This section
will go over some of the best mods available.
If you need to download any of these mods, refer to this site:
http://www.hot-swat-mods.com/
- You'll have to register, and follow a confirmation process (to prevent
spamming of their downloads), but this site has nearly every mod, map, and skin
out there. Downloads are very quick, and you're not referred to other sites.
- As a secondary source, check out this site as well. They're missing download
links to certain files though:
http://www.10-david.com/
____________
/Recommended/
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
____________________
/==\ Chimera v1.0 /==\
======================
If you plan on playing any SWAT 3 games at all, Chimera v1 is one of the
most popular mods available. This large mod contains portions of another mod
called Armed Forces, and also features over 100 new weapons, about 20 extra
model skins, bullet tracers, a more arcadish feeling, and even some minor
programming changes. Chimera is often used during deathmatch and TDM games,
although you'll find it in extensive use for CO-OP. Go to Hot Swat Mods to
get this file.
___________________________
/==\ Tier One Pack / M79 /==\
=============================
These are two different mods, but also quite popular to some hosts. Chimera
covers both of these mods, but people sometimes activate them anyway (these
two packs were released by Sierra). Basically adds a few weapons, and the
M79 Gas Grenade Launcher, as opposed to continually tossing tear gas
grenades.
________________________
/==\ SAS Realism v1.4 /==\
==========================
I personally don't have this mod, although it adds more realism, better
model skins, and quicker AI. Partially rare, but you'll find a few hosts
using it.
______
/Tools/
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
______________
/==\ MOD HQ /==\
================
This is a file created by Sierra themselves that explains how to create SWAT
3 mods with ease. You can find it on 10-david.com. Fairly large, and
remember that modifications are a compilation of skins, maps, and scenarios.
Creating them takes effort, plus exposure and downloads on other players'
parts for compatibility issues.
=============================
- 4) Scenarios -
=============================
Scenarios are one of the few non-forced downloads in SWAT 3, as they basically
customize the situations on maps, without forcing your joined players to have
to download them. Scenarios alter the AI settings, their behaviors, their room
placements, and also the key objectives on the mission. This section will
describe how to create your own scenarios, and how to implement them. You will
also briefly hear about careers.
- In order to incorporate scenarios into SWAT 3, download a .zip file of them,
and then unzip the .sse files into the /scenarios directory of your SWAT 3
gaming directory. Try to find the readme file that explains which scenarios go
to which missions, so you know what maps to use during online play. Scenarios
can only be played for the map they are designed for. If you do not have the
map, then the scenario will not work.
______
/Tools/
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
_______________________
/==\ SCENARIO EDITOR /==\
=========================
This is a small program created by Sierra that allows gamers to create their
own custom scenarios for specifically "official" maps. You can download this
program via Sierra's official site. Once it is installed, start it up. The
Scenario Editor works like this:
-=- Scenarios can only be made for Sierra-esque maps -=-
--> Basically, you cannot create a scenario for a map you downloaded off
the internet. This means only the default maps, GOTY releases, or other
official Sierra maps can be used.
-=- Scenarios can only have hostage/suspect/civilian/primary entities -=-
--> This basically means you can only place hostages, civilians, suspects,
or a primary objective-based person. You cannot place random weapons on
the ground, nuclear bombs here and there, and so forth.
-=- Uncheck the top dot when placing entities -=-
--> By default, the scenario editor will automatically place your selected
NPC on the topmost dotted location, even if you don't want him/her
there. It's imperative that you go through your entities, and check to
make sure none of the top extra locations are checked.
-=- Each dotted location means a possible spawn point for entity -=-
-=- You cannot place duplicate characters on a map -=-
--> If you do this, you will receive an error, and the error will repeat
even if you change the duplicate character. Don't do this at any cost.
-=- Mission & Loading text can be altered to look like a briefing -=-
--> Mission Objectives text cannot be altered though. You're forced to
stick with the in-game names of characters, which can sometimes ruin the
mood, especially if you're trying to emulate Carlito Brigante, or
something along those lines.
-=- Entity behaviors can be set - Hunting/Attacking are very aggressive -=-
-=- Make sure the SWAT entry point is changed to a specific location -=-
--> By default, the editor places SWAT at the topmost dot, which can
sometimes be a bad entry point. Check to ensure that it is changed.
-=- To use the scenario in a CO-OP game... -=-
--> Create a custom game. Go to Ops, hit the Standard Objectives button,
then pick the scenario name from the drop-down menu.
________
/Careers/
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The Scenario Editor program also comes with a built-in campaign editor, which
let's you create your own Career Scenarios. Careers are basically linked
scenarios with win/lose conditions, that determine the order of missions, your
mission success, and whether or not your career is a failure/success. You'll
also receive more medals than usual, as opposed to doing individual missions.
Careers are very fun when created, linked, and briefed correctly.
Unfortunately, very few players online host Careers because they don't own any.
- Sierra released an official career pack which can be downloaded via their
site as long as you own some of their official expansion packs. The official
career follows similar tradition, except many of the missions you "once knew"
are now revamped.
-=- Creating a Career -=-
--> Once you have created a few scenarios (you only need 2), hit the
Campaign button at the bottom portion of the screen. You'll be brought
to a screen showing all created campaigns. Hit New, name the campaign,
and select your first scenario (introduction mission). Once it is
selected, press the -> arrow. It will now forward you to a screen
showing the current mission at the top, with the mission outcomes. You
can check which mission conditions you want to be valid, or account for.
By default, mission conditions are based on overall mission
success/failure. You can also pick whether or not a certain person if
kept alive or not. For example, if a Congressman dies, you can set it so
that your career is a failure...and so forth.
--> Once you have stringed together a few scenarios, each with winning or
losing conditions, click to go back to the Career Main Screen. Save it,
and voila, your first career is done.
-=- Executing a Career -=-
--> Your custom career can be applied to either single player or online
play. To do so, when the game starts, simply use the Career tab, and
pick your selected one. In multiplayer, do the same. People can freely
join your career game no matter what progress you have made. Your career
stats are kept in the postgame lobby in a small window labeled career.
You receive more medals than you normally would during a career. Your
overall leadership score is also kept.
-=- Troubleshooting with Careers -=-
--> One of the biggest flaws of careers is unbriefed players and map loading
errors. If a player in your party does not have the upcoming map, it
will often show up by default as the "Barricaded House" mission, or Map
A. Right when they hit the loading screen, they'll usually get an
illegal operation. Players who are not informed of the objectives, where
the suspects are on the map, and so forth may struggle. I find it best
to make my briefing screens (on the Mission tab) informative and
descriptive. While I'm a great writer, let your officers know the
situation, since you don't want them wandering around where there are no
suspects.
============================
- 5) Maps -
============================
Maps, also referred to as Missions, are basically what they sound like - the
environments you play in. Maps can be created via the handy Worldcraft program,
which is also used for many other games including Half-Life, Quake III, etc...
This section will go over the recommended maps YOU should download, and also a
few tips for using Worldcraft. I personally am not a great map maker, so heed
my advice when possible.
- To add new maps to the SWAT 3 gameplay, simply download the .zip file each is
in, and place them in the /missions folder under the SWAT 3 game folder. You do
not have to unzip the files. If they are in .exe format, install them (usually
only the Sierra maps are like this).
____________________________
/==\ 5 GOTY RELEASED MAPS /==\
==============================
Five different maps were released by Sierra after their GOTY version of SWAT
3 was released. They are: Chang's Theater, LA Subway, Hollywood Hills,
Whitman Airport, and City of Angels Hospital. A majority of these maps are
VERY large, and in the .EXE format. They're also very entertaining, and
offer extreme elements to the gameplay.
______________________________
/==\ 6 SIERRA RELEASED MAPS /==\
================================
Again, the makers of SWAT 3 decided to make 6 new maps around 2001 which
were released entirely free. They are: Civil Unrest, Abandoned 2.0,
Autoshop, Parking Garage, Library 2.0, and Post Office 2.0. A majority of
these maps are fairly smaller, and have complex layouts. CQB becomes a major
factor. All of them are required for the official released career pack to be
playable.
_____________________
/==\ AIR FORCE ONE /==\
=======================
A map based strongly off of the design of the Air Force One, Presidential
747 Plane. Many of the rooms are intertwined CLOSELY, with tons of CQB
combat, and also a few booby traps here and there. Great for those
Presidential Missions, but you need a sense of the map to be efficient at
it.
_____________________
/==\ AMERICAN BANK /==\
=======================
Based off of the events that occurred in LA, with the North Hollywood
American Bank, this map is pretty darn good. Has a wide open urban front,
where you can proceed into the deeply engrossed bank, complete with three
floors of a roof, offices, and the main lobby. Pretty difficult too if
unprepared.
________________
/==\ GUNSTORE /==\
==================
A fairly small three bi-level complex featuring lots of weapons on stacked
rows, dodgy corners, and adult-based posters on the wall. Even has a roof
entry point. The actual size of the map is small for a building, but the
condensed rooms and basement make it seem larger.
______
/Tools/
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
__________________
/==\ WORLDCRAFT /==\
====================
This is a game-based mapmaking tool specifically for first person shooters
that allows you to create environments based on angled polygons, with
applied textures. The program works in a simple program, yet I struggle to
understand it exclusively. In the program, you can have up to four different
camera angles, each showing different axis, pictures, or the overall view
of the map with the applied textures. Basically, maps are drawn in a X/Y/Z
fashion. You have your length, width, and height of a polygon. From there,
you fill in the polygon sides with textures, that are suppose to represent
floors, ceiling, entities (TVs, weapons, and so forth). The key to being a
great map maker is practice and patience, something of which I possess
neither.
- If you're interested in learning more about map making, there are TONS of
websites out there, along with forums that are willing to help. Sierra has
released Worldcraft with a built-in SWAT 3 template that you can learn from.
Check out their official site in the SWAT 3 section, and it's under the
Tools bar.
- When you start up the program, it will ask for a texture file to select
from. Inside the SWAT 3 directory is a .wad file which was designed for map
making. Check each of the folders for it, select it, and you should be able
to start.
============================
- 6) Common Questions -
============================
)) Gameplay ((
----------------------------
<< What would you rate SWAT 3's multiplayer? >>
- In my opinion, SWAT 3's multiplayer gets a 10/10. Six years after its
release, and this game is STILL getting a decent amount of players fooling
around in co-op games, deathmatch fights, and team battles to this day. It's
absolutely amazing as to how a tactical shooter with older graphics, and decent
AI can hold up to the battle. The reason you ask? It was one of the first PC
games based entirely off of a co-op experience. 10-david.com had a nice article
posted explaining how few PC games were based off of co-operative based
gameplay, since it would eat up more bandwidth and resources to manage the
computer AI (plus any friendly opponents). Because of this, few developers
could manage to complete a co-op online game without suffering lag issues. SWAT
3 not only did this in a great manner, but the 3D engine was advanced enough to
present a realistic setting, while restraining players from simply gunning down
innocent suspects. The fact that Sierra still supports it fully to this day,
and a friendly community only keeps it chugging along the rail lines.
<< What other systems have SWAT 3 or better games? >>
- Well, for starters, SWAT 4 was just released in early April, 2005.
Supposedly, it VERY improved elements (graphics, sound, realism) which make it
a nice pickup for players with modern computers (something I lack). It has been
getting above average reviews, around 8.5/10. What it lacks is anything really
new since SWAT 3. It's entirely the same, but with a face lift, and more
realism. Aside from that, SWAT: Global Strike Team was released for the
PS2/XBOX a year before. This game was sort of an arcadish mix of action and
realism, which cut down from previous games in the series. It averaged out at a
7/10. Aside from that, all other SWAT 3 or better games are available on the
PC.
<< I'm getting illegal operations when I start SWAT 3, or when I play some
multiplayer games. >>
- Your only solution is to re-install SWAT 3. Place all of the missions you
downloaded, setup files to install, or what not, and place them in a safe
directory. Uninstall it, reinstall, and it should work fine. Sometimes you can
cause internal errors in the game if you edit a scenario, save it, but then
exit the program before it can finish. Corrupt data can leak into the game.
Chimera has also been known to conflict with certain maps/games and cause
illegal operations. The errors disappear though once you upgrade to v2.1.
<< How do I prevent lag to my clients? >>
- For starters, the host of the game needs a broadband connection, preferably
DSL or Cable. Players in SWAT 3 can use any online connection to play the game,
all the way down to a 28.8K modem. Find someone with a fast connection, have
them host, then the modem players will only lag as fast as their modem can
upload. Vice versa. Also, the host shouldn't fool around such as minimizing
SWAT 3 when they die, and playing music or what not.
<< How come I cannot join any games? >>
- You either do not have the correct mods in your SWAT 3 /mods directory, or
you don't have the mission that the players are on. Check out the Maps & Mods
section on how to obtain the necessary elements.
<< How come no one will join my games? >>
- You may have TOO many mods activated, or a rare map that no one has
downloaded. Go to the SWAT 3 MOD Activator on your desktop before launching the
game, and check a minimal amount of mods if necessary. Better yet, just pick
Chimera if possible. The same can be said about maps. Everyone has the
defaults, half have the expansions, and a millionth have your custom map.
<< Any general tips? >>
- Use the headcams of the player closest to you, or of someone who splits up.
Believe it or not, the second reason most players die during co-op matches is
because of friendly fire. Too many players panic (especially ones who have
lag), and will fire at a suspect. Meantime, the host might try to run in front
and shoot him, and get shot in the process. Watch the line of sight of your
teammates, and don't be a rambo. Feel free to toss CS, flashbangs, and use C2
breaches before going in.
======================================================
- 7) Copyright/Distribution/Reproduction Guidelines -
======================================================
This FAQ/Strategy Guide/Walkthrough is my own published work, and copyrighted
by Christopher Zawada. Whatever you do, DO NOT edit this FAQ in any way. DO
NOT steal anything from this FAQ. If you want to use some information in your
own guide, simply ask me. If you want to place this guide on your website,
either link to the GameFAQs game page, or download the file and place it on
your own web server. Basically, you can post this on your website as long as
its in ORIGINAL form, and not linking directly to GameFAQs. Aside from that,
all proper credit is due when necessary. Also, don't even think about selling
FAQs. Trying to prosper off of other people's work will get you in big time
trouble (coming from an eBay seller myself).
This is a list of the current known sites that host my FAQs:
============================
- 8) Proper Credit -
============================
I'd like to thank the following people for their help in making this FAQ
possible:
)) CJayC (( for constantly updating GameFAQs, and dedicating his entire life
to it. Takes a lot of effort to keep a site going this long.
)) Sierra (( for producing an amazing title in SWAT 3, one of my top 5 favorite
games ever. The game sold well, was awarded well, and still continues to do
this day well for a good damn reason.
)) Rootsecure.net (( for providing an ASCII generator to help make the title.
I was in a rush, and needed a quick fix. Their site was just the key.
"Some people make sacrifices to make other people happy." - Chris Zawada
"Freeeeeeddooommmmmmmmm!" - William Wallace (Braveheart)
