Half-Life Console Command and Variable Categories
All Half-Life console commands
and variables have been divided up into 15 categories to help you find
what you need quickly. Check the list below for a description of each category,
then click on the name of the categorized list you'd like to see. At the
very least, make sure you check out the Tweaks category
for all the settings that can affect your FPS and lag!
If you want to look up a certain
command or variable alphabetically, or use your browser's search function
(usually CTRL-F) to look for key words in the descriptions, see the complete
alphabetical list.
Audio
Audio commands and variables
control the sound system (both in-game and cd-audio). Anything related
to your soundcard or quality settings (that may affect overall performance)
is here.
Cheats
There are just a few, and
each must be preceeded by a '/' in the console (and sv_cheats must be 1)
to use. Many people report difficulties getting any of these to work (but
especially the impulse 101), but many people do get them to work
just fine. I don't know what the problem is if you've tried everything
here,
so please don't email me and ask. Besides, you don't need them for TFC
:)
Controls
These commands are those most
likely to be bound to keys -- they control your player (and your interface
to your player and other players). Some of these commands are class-specific
(i.e. will only work for the engineer class), but most are global, and
should be set in your autoexec.cfg file.
Demo
Utilities
Given Half-Life's relatively
extensive set of built-in demo recording, editing, and playback tools,
I'm surprised there aren't more really good demos floating about the net
(I'd make a page for them if there were).
Developer
These are commands and variables
that the vast majority of users will never need to change or even know
about. Unless you're making a mod or your own maps, don't even bother with
these.
Joystick
Commands and variables related
to your joystick (please consider switchin go the mouse). The readme.txt
that was installed with Half-Life contains complete descriptions of all
joystick commands -- why bother to repeat them in detail here?
Miscellaneous
These commands and variables
are ones you'll probably never use again once you finish the single-player
game (except for quit or exit, of course). Oh, I dunno, snapshot
is pretty handy too. But how often do you need to check your version
or actually save a game?
Mouse
Commands and variables related
to your mouse. Know them all.
Network
and Multiplayer
The most important set of
commands and variables I have to offer. Learn these; bind most of them
to keys, and use them to tweak your multiplayer game to the maximum performance
level.
Old
and Outdated
Old, outdated commands that
no longer function in the latest versions (1.0.0.9+) of Half-Life. Included
here for reference only.
Preferences
Basically a list of things
you'll set once and leave alone forever (with the defaults being perfect
for most people).
Script
Making
These commands are useful
for writing scripts. Note that these are not the only commands you
can use in a script -- you can use any console command or variable
in a script. These are the commands that really have no other purpose than
script-making. If you're writing some scripts, be sure to check out the
Controls
and Net categories too.
Server
Options
These commands and variables
are mostly used only by those who run servers. While some of the commands
can
be executed by clients on a server (i.e. not the host), it's a server
operator who is most likely to use these (I think).
Tweaks!
These are all of the console
commands and variables that can affect your video or network performance.
If you're looking for settings that can help increase your FPS or reduce
lag, this is it. Although some of the settings listed here are "free" improvements
(such as r_mmx 1), most of them involve a trade-off between visual
quality and speed. But, in many cases you may not notice or care about
the difference in quality, so it may be worth it to you to gain the extra
speed. I suggest trying each and save the ones you like best in your autoexec.cfg
file. Remember that some video and sound changes will not take effect until
the game restarts, so if a change appears to do nothing, try putting it
in your autoexec.cfg file and restarting. See the console
help if you need it.
Unknown
I have no idea what these
commands do despite all testing attempts. If you know one, please send
it in.
Video
The all-important video console
variables -- use these to find the best tradeoff between performance and
quality and leave them alone. Or, use these to make scripts to change your
settings on-the-fly. Know one I don't? Send it in!
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