The basics

The interface

Menus

In game, press ESC to access the main menu. From there you can access almost anything and use all sorts of actions, like joining multiplayer games and changing settings. As example, in multiplayer you can use the vote submenu to vote on a new mode/map. Further customizations and actions can be done to these menus using CubeScript.

The console

Many actions in AssaultCube can be done in a console. Although not entirely neccesary to use it (the menu can be used to do most important commands) it can be very useful and often easier/faster to use it. To get a console press T to open the chat prompt. You can use it as console if you put a “/” (slash) at its beginning followed by a command. As example, type this command into the console:

/crosshairsize 25

This will increase the size of your crosshair. Check the reference to see all gameplay relevant commands you can use through CubeScript.

Hint: Press F11 to get a bigger console history.

The HUD

HUD stands for Head-up display and is a common term in video gaming. The HUD is used to indicate things such as health, armour, etc when playing the game.

The HUD

The scoreboard

The scoreboard will tell you (horizontally in this order):

CTF flags captured (if playing capture the flag).
Frag count.
Death count.
Packet jump (PJ).
The ping between the player and the server.
CN (Client number).
The players name.

The scoreboard

Packet jump (PJ) is the amount of milliseconds that have passed since you have received updates from players. A high (for example: 950) or variable (for example: The PJ is at 40 then jumps to 1000 and then 300 then 550) packet jump is bad for game play, because these players may become difficult targets and "warp" around the map (warp means they disappear/reappear out of nowhere). If someone's packet jump is bad enough, their PJ number will turn into the word LAG and they'll stand still and start saluting because they are lagging so badly. Special note: You cannot see your own packet jump.

Ping is the amount of time in milliseconds that it takes for your packets of data to get back and forth from the server. A lower ping is a better ping.

Client number is a number that is given out automatically by the server. There is nothing particularly special about it other than allowing people to identify players easier.

If someones name turns up in red, then they are an administrator of that server and have full control over it.

Players names that are in grey, are currently in dead/spectate mode.

How settings are saved

There is the file defaults.cfg in the config directory. If you run AssaultCube for the first time it will execute this file. Once you quit AssaultCube, the default settings and your changes on them will be stored to config/saved.cfg. If you want to reset your settings to the default values just delete it.

Edit the config/autoexec.cfg file and insert scripting commands you want to execute on every start of the game.

Setting Your Name

Open the console as described above and type the following command:

name yourname

where yourname is your desired name.

Joining a Game

In game, press ESC and choose Multiplayer ⇒ Refresh Server List. The masterserver will be queried and provide you with a list of servers. Do so every few days, to add newly created servers to your list.

Once you updated your server list, you can use Multiplayer ⇒ Serverbrowser. Simply select a server (up-/downarrow) and press return.

Alternatively, you can connect to a server directly using this command:

connect N P

Where N is a valid IP or FQDN and P a password (optional).