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{{game release free|appid=630}}
{{LanguageBar}}
{{hierarchy|as}}
{{Infobox game
|title = Alien Swarm
|image = Software_Cover_-_Alien_Swarm.jpg
|doc = [[:Category:Alien_Swarm|Alien Swarm level design]]
|developer = [[Valve|Valve Corporation]]
|publisher = Valve Corporation
|releasedates = July 19, 2010
|genre = Action, top-down shooter
|platform = {{win|1}}
|engine = {{src|4.1}} ({{asbranch|1}})
|appid = 630
|codelang = [[WP:C++|C++]]
|modsupport = Yes
|sdk = Yes ({{Astools|4}})
|distribution = Steam
|links = {{Steam store|app/630|Steam page}}
}}


{{toc-right}}
{{toc-right}}


{{as}} '''Alien Swarm''' (2010) is a completely free top-down shoot-em-up for up to four co-op players, created by [[Black Cat Games]] after the company was bought up by Valve. Its complete source code is provided in a new SDK as a sample project for Source modders, much like [[Team Fortress Classic]] was for [[GoldSrc]].
{{as|4}} (2010) is a completely free top-down shoot-em-up for up to four co-op players, which is a remake of the [[Alien Swarm (mod)|''Unreal Tournament 2004'' mod with the same name]], created by [[Black Cat Games]] after the company was bought up by Valve. Its complete source code is provided in a new SDK as a sample project for Source modders, much like {{ricochet|2}} and {{dmc|2}} were for {{Gldsrc|2}}.


'''A mod based on Alien Swarm will not require the purchase of another Valve game to play, but will not have access to the usual 'Source base' HL2 content either.'''
'''A mod based on ''Alien Swarm'' will not require the purchase of another Valve game to play, but it will not have access to the usual "Source base" HL2 content either.'''


The game thrusts players into an epic bug hunt featuring a unique blend of co-op play and squad-level tactics. With your friends, form a squad of four distinct IAF Marine classes. Plan your attack using an unlockable arsenal of weapons with countless loadout configurations against a wide variety of aliens. Blaze your way through an overrun, off-world colony, eradicating the alien infestation in environments ranging from the icy planet's surface, to a subterranean lava-flooded mining facility.
The game thrusts players into an epic bug hunt featuring a unique blend of co-op play and squad-level tactics. With your friends, form a squad of four distinct IAF Marine classes. Plan your attack using an unlockable arsenal of weapons with countless loadout configurations against a wide variety of aliens. Blaze your way through an overrun, off-world colony, eradicating the alien infestation in environments ranging from the icy planet's surface, to a subterranean lava-flooded mining facility.


For mapping in Alien Swarm, see [[:Category:Alien Swarm]].
For mapping in ''Alien Swarm,'' see [[:Category:Alien Swarm]].
 
== Features ==


==Features==
; [[Swarm TileGen|TileGen]]
; [[Swarm TileGen|TileGen]]
: A new quick-build mapping tool. Level designers create connectible rooms and corridors which can be arranged either by hand or programmatically. TileGen maps can be played in-editor, and/or can be exported to Hammer for further refinement.illuminate an entire scene.
: A new quick-build mapping tool. Level designers create connectible rooms and corridors which can be arranged either by hand or programmatically. TileGen maps can be played in-editor, and/or can be exported to Hammer for further refinement.illuminate an entire scene.
; [[VTF#Version history|VTF]] version 7.5 and [[PCF#File Format|PCF]] version Binary 5 PCF 2
: The latest versions of Source's texture and particle formats.
; [[env_dof_controller|Depth of field]]
; [[env_dof_controller|Depth of field]]
: A real-time depth of field shader blurs backdrop scenery. Presumably we also have a decent depth buffer now, too.
: A real-time depth of field shader blurs backdrop scenery.
; [[Vertex animation]]
: The ability to animate vertexes directly is now supported.
; Various entity improvements
: Numerous entities have been improved and have new features, such as {{ent|env_fire}} and {{ent|env_projectedtexture}}.
; [[Water_(shader)#Basetexture_Flow|Water debris flow]]
: Water now supports the ability to use a base texture layer that is flowed using a flow map. This implemention is less advanced than {{Portal2|2}}'s, however.
; [[Lightmap]] influence on [[$envmap|cubemapped]] materials
: Lightmaps can now tint cubemap reflections in the {{ent|LightmappedGeneric}} shader.
; [[Steamworks]] integration
; [[Steamworks]] integration
: Unclear how useful this will be, as currently Steamworks distribution is required to implement persistence, Steam Cloud, achievements, etc.
: Unclear how useful this will be, as currently Steamworks distribution is required to implement persistence, Steam Cloud, achievements, etc.


== SDK and source code ==
==SDK and Source Code==
 
The source code for {{as|2}} is included in the {{Astools|4}}. It lacks a lot of supporting code that the {{srcsdk|4}} provides, however:
The source code for Alien Swarm is included in the [[Alien Swarm SDK]]. In a huge - and very welcome - change from the [[SDK Base]] source code, it is updated in sync with the game. It lacks a lot of supporting code that the Source SDK provides, however:


<div style="display:inline-block;vertical-align:top;margin-right:2em;">
<div style="display:inline-block;vertical-align:top;margin-right:2em;">
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<div style="display:inline-block;vertical-align:top">
<div style="display:inline-block;vertical-align:top">
'''Removed'''
'''Removed'''
* devtools ''([[shader]]s)''
* Linux server support
* Linux server support
* [[materialsystem]]
* [[mathlib]]
* [[mathlib]]
* [[tier1]]
* [[tier1]]
* utils ''(various command-line tools)''
* utils ''(various command-line tools)''
* [[VGUI]] controls ''(probably obsolete)''
* [[VGUI]] controls
* [[VMPI]]
* [[VMPI]]
</div>
</div>


The SDK is available to ''everyone'', not just owners of Source games. If you convert your mod to Alien Swarm it will be available to anyone.
The SDK is available to ''everyone'', not just owners of Source games.
 
== Official maps/campaign ==
{{todo}}


== Dedicated server ==
== Dedicated server ==
 
See [[Alien Swarm Dedicated Server]] for instructions on setting up your own ''Alien Swarm'' dedicated server.
See [[Swarm Dedicated Server]] for instructions on setting up your own Alien Swarm dedicated server.
{{warning|Uninstalling the Alien Swarm Dedicated Server will uninstall the main game, too!}}
 
== Gallery ==
 
<gallery>
File:Swarm menu.jpg
File:As lift.jpg
File:As boom.jpg
File:As flame.jpg
</gallery>


== Content ==
== Content ==
* Alien Swarm (<code>swarm</code>)
* Alien Swarm (<code>swarm</code>)
* Alien Swarm base (<code>swarm_base</code>)
* Alien Swarm base (<code>swarm_base</code>)
* Alien Swarm platform (<code>platform</code>)
* Alien Swarm platform (<code>platform</code>)
* [[Alien Swarm (engine branch)|Alien Swarm engine branch]]
* {{asbranch|4}}


[[Category:Valve Games]]
[[Category:Alien Swarm]]
[[Category:Alien Swarm]]
{{As topicon}}{{Source topicon}}
[[Category:Open source mods and games]] <!-- game code available via Alien Swarm SDK -->

Latest revision as of 08:37, 30 July 2025

English (en)Translate (Translate)
Alien Swarm Alien Swarm ▶ Alien Swarm: Reactive Drop Alien Swarm: Reactive Drop
Alien Swarm Deferred Alien Swarm Deferred
Alien Swarm
Software Cover - Alien Swarm.jpg
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)
Valve Corporation
Release date(s)
July 19, 2010
Genre(s)
Action, top-down shooter
Platform(s)
Steam AppID
Written in
Mod support
Yes
SDK
Documentation
Distribution
Steam
Links

Alien Swarm Alien Swarm (2010) is a completely free top-down shoot-em-up for up to four co-op players, which is a remake of the Unreal Tournament 2004 mod with the same name, created by Black Cat Games after the company was bought up by Valve. Its complete source code is provided in a new SDK as a sample project for Source modders, much like Ricochet Ricochet and Deathmatch Classic Deathmatch Classic were for GoldSrc GoldSrc.

A mod based on Alien Swarm will not require the purchase of another Valve game to play, but it will not have access to the usual "Source base" HL2 content either.

The game thrusts players into an epic bug hunt featuring a unique blend of co-op play and squad-level tactics. With your friends, form a squad of four distinct IAF Marine classes. Plan your attack using an unlockable arsenal of weapons with countless loadout configurations against a wide variety of aliens. Blaze your way through an overrun, off-world colony, eradicating the alien infestation in environments ranging from the icy planet's surface, to a subterranean lava-flooded mining facility.

For mapping in Alien Swarm, see Category:Alien Swarm.

Features

TileGen
A new quick-build mapping tool. Level designers create connectible rooms and corridors which can be arranged either by hand or programmatically. TileGen maps can be played in-editor, and/or can be exported to Hammer for further refinement.illuminate an entire scene.
VTF version 7.5 and PCF version Binary 5 PCF 2
The latest versions of Source's texture and particle formats.
Depth of field
A real-time depth of field shader blurs backdrop scenery.
Vertex animation
The ability to animate vertexes directly is now supported.
Various entity improvements
Numerous entities have been improved and have new features, such as env_fire and env_projectedtexture.
Water debris flow
Water now supports the ability to use a base texture layer that is flowed using a flow map. This implemention is less advanced than Portal 2 Portal 2's, however.
Lightmap influence on cubemapped materials
Lightmaps can now tint cubemap reflections in the LightmappedGeneric shader.
Steamworks integration
Unclear how useful this will be, as currently Steamworks distribution is required to implement persistence, Steam Cloud, achievements, etc.

SDK and Source Code

The source code for Alien Swarm Alien Swarm is included in the Alien Swarm - SDK Alien Swarm - SDK. It lacks a lot of supporting code that the Source SDK Source SDK provides, however:

Added

Removed

The SDK is available to everyone, not just owners of Source games.

Official maps/campaign

[Todo]

Dedicated server

See Alien Swarm Dedicated Server for instructions on setting up your own Alien Swarm dedicated server.

Warning.pngWarning:Uninstalling the Alien Swarm Dedicated Server will uninstall the main game, too!

Content

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