How To Make L4D Lobbies Always Join SGS

[J_Th4ng]

Information posted by WildCat on the Steam SAIX usergroup:

Most people in South Africa don't use Left 4 Dead's lobby system because it often selects an overseas server when you start the game. Instead, players usually connect to servers directly, which makes it a bit more difficult for a bunch of friends to start a game together.

However, there is a way to force the lobby to select an SGS server. You need to use the following console command:

mm_dedicated_force_servers

This command allows you to specify a list of IPort addresses that the lobby can use. Each IPort address must be separated by a comma. A good way to set this up is to create an autoexec.cfg file that contains the command. Here's how:

1. Navigate to this directory (or equivalent):
C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\left 4 dead\left4dead\cfg

2. Create a New Text Document and rename it to autoexec.cfg

3. Open the file, put the following line into it, and save:
mm_dedicated_force_servers "196.4.79.65:27015,196.4.79.65:27016,196.4.79.65:2 7017,196.4.79.65:27018"

The IPort addresses you see there are those of SGS's four Left 4 Dead servers. You can add other servers in there if you like. Please note that the lobby will most likely fail to find a dedicated server if all of the servers in your list are already in use. Additionally, two of SGS's servers are set up to only allow for Versus mode.

For your convenience, here's a list of SGS's Left 4 Dead servers:

-= SGS LEFT 4 DEAD I Server =- (196.4.79.65:27015)
-= SGS LEFT 4 DEAD II Server =- (196.4.79.65:27016)
-= SGS LEFT 4 DEAD VERSUS I Server =- (196.4.79.65:27017)
-= SGS LEFT 4 DEAD VERSUS II Server =- (196.4.79.65:27018)

Really useful set of parameters, now all we need to do is add all of the SA server IP's to the list. Anyone who has an IP please post it here so we can add them.

With L4D2 due in a month and a bit (pre-order already purchased ), I'm quite keen to get back into top zombie killing form before release...

[SoSheOhPathix]

Or, whoever is 'lobby leader' just sets the server to 'Local' in the settings before they start the game.
Then the leader hosts the game.
Works for me, when I play online. Never have any issues, even if we're playing an 8-man vs. game

[J_Th4ng]

Ja, I've done that a fair amount too. Not played VS mode, so dunno about eight players, but it does work with four nicely. VoIP isn't an issue either.

Couple of issues with this though:

1. Bandwidth usage is significantly higher for the host
2. If for whatever reason the host's game crashes or drops, everyone gets dropped

If we can use dedicated servers to game on, then it's just going to make a more stable connection for everyone...

Hopefully L4D2 is a little more 'server friendly'.