Guide: How to download the new Empires beta

Discussion in 'Testing Discussion' started by Jephir, Jan 12, 2013.

  1. Jephir

    Jephir ALL GLORY TO THE JEPHIR

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    Accessing the new Empires beta is easier than before.

    1. Backup Empires

    If you have custom content in your Empires directory, you should make a backup of your current Empires folder before proceeding. Empires is usually installed at C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Empires.

    This is just a precaution since you're running a beta version. You don't need to use this backup to return to regular Empires once you're done testing, and you only need this backup at all for your custom models, scripts, or (text) files that you consciously added; otherwise, you can skip this step.

    2. Opt Into the Beta

    In your Steam library, right-click Empires and click Properties. Click the Betas tab and choose Beta - Empires Beta Test.

    Close the properties window. Steam will now update Empires to the beta version. Click Play to launch Empires beta.

    3. Join the Test Server

    Once Empires is running, connect to the testing server; this should be listed in the forum announcement, but the server name will also contain "beta". Alternatively, you can host your own. If so, after starting you should open the console (set "Multiplayer options > Developer console" on, then press ~ left of the number keys) and do "exec testing" so that you can cheat; see "How to speed up singleplayer testing" for more information.

    4. Opt Out of the Beta

    Follow the same steps in the opt-in section above, but choose NONE - Opt out of all beta programs instead. Steam will update Empires back to the regular version.




    FAQ

    How large is the update?

    Usually it will be 10-100 MB. Steam will only download what has changed between the regular version and the beta version. The downloaded files are not cached however. This means the difference has to be re-downloaded each time when switching between regular and beta.

    How do I know if I'm running regular or beta?

    In the steam games list, Empires ends with [beta] when you are opted in to beta. Also, from the main menu, the version identifier in the bottom right will end in "beta".

    Will opting into beta overwrite my custom content?

    Only if we add an updated file that conflicts with your custom content. You can restore your custom content with your backup after you're done testing and have opted out of the beta.

    Steam will not overwrite any controls or config files. These directories and files are safe and will never be overwritten:
    • scripts\presets\
    • cfg\
    • mapcycle.txt
    • maplist.txt
    • motd.txt
    • pure_server_whitelist.txt
    • serverconfig.vdf
    Can I continue to use Empires SVN?

    No. We've stopped using SVN entirely; you should update through steam.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 27, 2016
  2. ViroMan

    ViroMan Black Hole (*sniff*) Bully

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    Can't make the background pic in empires start say "BETA" in big red letters?
     
  3. Jephir

    Jephir ALL GLORY TO THE JEPHIR

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    Then when we release it will also say beta. A release build is just a beta build that's been set live.

    [​IMG]
     
  4. Trickster

    Trickster Retired Developer

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    You make such pretty diagrams Jephir.
     
  5. Sgt.Security

    Sgt.Security Member

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    So, backup the Empires folder is not a must right?
    I don't really want to have 10GB wasted in my harddrive.
     
  6. wealthysoup

    wealthysoup Lead Tester

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    Nope security, just chop and change as necessary
     
  7. Grantrithor

    Grantrithor Member

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    I tested it without backing up, it only seems to download about 160 MBs so a backup doesn't seem necessary.

    Btw, this system is awesome, 1000x better than SVN, release clients, and modifying the steamuser.cfg file.
     
  8. wealthysoup

    wealthysoup Lead Tester

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    Yeah it only downloads files that have changed, in this case its so big because so many maps have been updated. Hopefully it will be smaller in future. Worth backing up any custom sounds / models you have but apart from things like that its not important
     
  9. JustGoFly

    JustGoFly Member

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    Weathly can you start a new thread that describes to new players how to get started with the game? You might want to mention issues that have been addressed. Some of us will link old discussions in the groups to that thread to let them know the previous issues are addressed.

    Main web page needs updating too. http://www.empiresmod.com/
     
    Last edited: Mar 26, 2014
  10. D.D.D. Destroyer

    D.D.D. Destroyer Member Staff Member Moderator

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    They only need to download Empires and play, no need for instructions. News needs to be posted though, I really don't understand why nothing has been updated.
     
  11. wealthysoup

    wealthysoup Lead Tester

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    Needs beerdude to update the main web page, I;m just finishing off a changelog and making an announcement thread of changes.

    As DDD said all you have to do now is download Empires (all additional stuff that is required will be installed automatically).
     
  12. Lazybum

    Lazybum :D Staff Member Moderator

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    When he says get started I think he means how to play empires, so we don't (hopefully) get too many clueless new people.
     
  13. D.D.D. Destroyer

    D.D.D. Destroyer Member Staff Member Moderator

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    I'd make a quick video tutorial of the absolute basics but I don't have the stuff required.
     
  14. wealthysoup

    wealthysoup Lead Tester

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  15. flasche

    flasche Member Staff Member Moderator

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    put the research tree in the news window ...
     
  16. Beerdude26

    Beerdude26 OnThink(){ IsDownYet(); }

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    Updated website front page.
     
  17. D.D.D. Destroyer

    D.D.D. Destroyer Member Staff Member Moderator

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    Get the in-game news panel fixed up too, it still shows 2.41 news from last March.
     
  18. wealthysoup

    wealthysoup Lead Tester

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    Can we stop all this bloody cross posting please.

    DDD you already have a thread in suggestions that I've replied to and kept you updated on
     
  19. DocRabbit

    DocRabbit Member

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    Just in case anyone ever has a issue using the dropdown to select beta, just use your up/dwn arrows keys to select it.
     
  20. Redskull

    Redskull Member

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    I'm having a bit of a problem here, I got this beta version as well as the SVN one, but I can't create a server in order to try out models and stuff in-game.
    Both versions launch just fine but they boot me back to the start screen whenever i try starting a map.

    My launch options for the SVN and Source SDK base 2013 Multiplayer are both set to -game "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\sourcemods\empires"
    I have not changed anything inside the empires folders.
     

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