This is a multiplayer guide on how to setup Rainbow Six for multiplayer games, and some general tips.
Configuration...................................................This is a tutorial on the basics of connecting
Mods: The what, why and how...................How to use 3rd party additions
Advanced Multiplayer....................................How to find new friends to play against
This tutorial will cover the following topics:
You will need to be connected to another computer in some manner. Possible connection types are the Internet (WWW) and an Intranet network(LAN).
Please remember that Rainbow Six does not provide your Internet connection for you. You will need to have Internet access through an ISP or another type of service provider.
The higher the speed of your connection the more you (and the other players) will enjoy the game.
You will want to verify the basic configuration before starting your first game.
You need to launch the proper game .EXE for the type of game you want to join (Standard Rainbow Six or Eagle Watch). Remember that you must have the Eagle Watch add-on installed to play an Eagle Watch game. Also, some games require that you have additional weapon packs or maps.
Always remember that you should honor the moderator's wishes. If the game is designated as "Pistol Only" and you run around with an M60 machine gun waxing friendlies it is a good bet that you will wear out your welcome in a hurry.
You will need to have the IP address of the hosting computer.
You will need to have the IP address of the hosting computer. Using the Rainbow Six Toolkit ( R6 Toolkit! ) makes it quicker and easier than ever to play Rainbow Six.
You may begin the game with only a chat window. Please be considerate of the players already in the game. Don't flood them with messages
You will need to provide your IP address to the players.
You will need to provide your IP address to the players.
You may occasionally experience minor difficulties when playing a multi player game. Usually the best course of action is to stop, retrench, and think about the type of game. Most connection issues are caused by incorrect settings.
So you think you're ready for mods...
One of the first things new players run into when they discover multiplayer is MODS. Either you see a game announcement that states the server is running Arsenal or NATO or you find yourself unable to connect because the server is using a mod. Fear not! The Rainbow Six Retreat is here to help! This tutorial will cover the following topics:
By definition a ' mod ' is simply a modification to the Rainbow Six game. These are files the fans of the game have created to add features or maps which are not included in the original game. Examples are the popular NATO addition which gives users over a hundred new weapons and the 'Maps Of Motion' add new depth to the existing maps by giving users a more interactive environment.
Although not everyone uses mods it is a good idea to become familiar with their care and feeding. It isn't uncommon to join an internet game and receive the message "This server is using mods you do not have installed" While there isn't any way to determine what mods are being used a good server will generally include this information in their game announcement (see the section Advanced Multiplayer)
YOU can make a mod, if you want to. That is one of the reasons why R6 is such a popular game. Almost all of the game files are in plaintext and anyone with patience can recreate their favorite R6 weapon. You should know that most files are indexed and usually crosslinked. This can make the mod creation process difficult for a newcomer. For instance, each weapon includes more than five files in five directories. Before starting your own project I advise you to take a look at some of the more popular mods and examine their structure.
What should I know before installing a mod?
You should understand that these mods are NOT SUPPORTED by the talented team at Redstorm. If anything happens to your game, your PC, or your lunch money you may not hold Redstorm responsible. The good news is that these mods are generally self-contained, and even if something does go wrong if can usually be repaired with a quick reinstall of R6.
Mods may replace standard R6 files although the good ones will include an uninstall feature. BACK UP YOUR FILES. If you aren't sure how to install a mod you should consider asking an experienced player for help.
USE THE AUTHOR'S README FILE!!!
Most mods involve adding new files into the R6 file tree. The two most common methods either use an automatic installer or will require you to manually copy the files. A good rule of thumb to follow is to take a look at the R6 file tree Before installing your first mod. This will give you a general idea of where things will end up.
Normally, the R6 tree looks something like this:
C:\Program Files\Red Storm Entertainment\Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six\Data\some other directories
Where "some other directories" is a series of directories such as Bitmap or Kit or Text (the three most used folders).
Mods will usually consist of several files which need to be placed in the proper location. An uninstall would require simply removing the files you added.
Be aware though, that some mods also REPLACE files, so it is always a good idea to make back up copies. Some mods are also incompatible with each other (we are working on this one!)
FYI, I always unzip a mod into a Temporary location and take a look at it before installing.
If you have the space of you may want to back up your entire Rainbow Six directory tree.
Finally, if at first you don't succeed (you'll know because you won't be able to join a game where that mod is being used) try again! There isn't anything a mod will change that a complete uninstall/reinstall of R6 won't fix.
Weapons mods are just new weapons (either individual or bundled in packs). Every player has their favorite gun, and fans of R6 have worked very hard to create these new toys. Popular weapons mods include the M40 Granade Launcher and the Arsonal weapons pack. Weapon mods install (and uninstall) in the same fashion as any other.
Map mods, unlike those for many other first-person games (e.g. Doom, Quake, Quake 2), unfortunately DO NOT give you an entirely new playing field. They do change the environment by placing new hostages and moving vehicles. They also occasionally limit the scope of larger maps by changing the starting locations and restricting movement through the use of barricades. Like weapons mods the installation is simple. Follow the directions.
What can I say? These are tools which may enhance your enjoyment of the game. One of the most popular is Dr. Mod. It keeps track of the installed mods and allows you to quickly change your configuration, even going back to the default modless state.
Many players want to 'personalize' the game through the use of new clothing overlays for the human models. Popular mods include CounterSkin (gives the enemy terrorist clothes) and FBI uniforms. Installs are routine, use the README files.
You've been playing R6 for a few weeks and perhaps you're a bit tired of the default sound scheme. Common additions improve the multiplayer 'go-codes' and make the weapon sounds more realistic. Install is easy. Check out The Rainbow Six Retreats Sooner's Sounds page; it is quite good.
Advanced multiplayer (Make new friends and kill them)
To play Rainbow Six with other people online you will need to find a server that is hosting a Rainbow Six game. There are several popular ways to find multiplayer games.
The MPlayer interface ships with R6 and is a good way to learn about multiplayer.