EKV (Encrypted Key Values)
In the Left 4 Dead branch and later there is a new file type with the extension .EKG. These files are encrypted with a game specific ICE key, and are used for video settings that the user shouldn't be able to set. The file to be used is determined by the CPU, GPU, GPU memory and memory specifications. In Alien Swarm this can be an issue, as even though the lower graphical levels do not have film grain, these EKG files will force film grain at higher graphical tiers, along with motion blur and several other Conveys. Thankfully it is quite easy to find the ICE key for these EKG files, and also those for other games, the Alien Swarm videoing. Lib contains the following keys:
| Game | ICE Key |
|---|---|
| Left 4 Dead 1 + 2 | zp14Hi(] |
| Portal 2 | UrE66! Ap |
| Alien Swarm | sW9. JupP |
| "nimbus" | E2NcUkG |
| Data 2 (Now unused?) | dAIt1IL! |
| Default | X8bU2qll |
These keys allow for the EKG files to be decrypted with vice, modified and then re-encrypted. For most mods you would want to use the default key as it is used when the mod name does not match any of the other games. This allows for you to set the different default values of Conveyors at the specified CPU, GPU and memory levels.