Left 4 Dead 2/Scripting/Expanded Mutation System/Getting Started

What do I need to get started?

In order to get the new Mutation System you will need to install the latest version of Left 4 Dead 2 on Steam.

Note:Beta Testers - use Left 4 Dead 2 Beta)

After installing Left 4 dead 2 install the Left 4 Dead 2 Authoring Tools

Note:Beta Testers - install Left 4 Dead 2 Beta Authoring Tools under the TOOLS heading in Steam)

Creating Necessary Folders

AFTER you install Left 4 Dead 2 Beta you'll need to create a couple of folders before you can start working with the examples or building your own mutations.

<Your Steam Folder>\steamapps\common\Left 4 Dead 2 Beta\left4dead2\modes

<Your Steam Folder>\steamapps\common\Left 4 Dead 2 Beta\left4dead2\scripts\vscripts

How do I launch the game and use the new Mutation System?

To use the new mutation system just run Left 4 Dead 2 as you normally would. When you select Mutations from the main menu you will be presented with a list of mutations to play.

Tip: If you are developing your own mutation you may want to add developer launch parameters to your game like: -dev -sw -width 1680 -height 1050 -console -toconsole

How do I play a Mutation in a specific map via the console?

To load a map and start a Mutation you can use the map command with the first parameter being the map name and the second parameter the name of the Mutation you wish to run.

For example if you created a new Mutation named "mymutation" and want to play your mutation in the map 'c5m2_park' you would launch the map with this console command:

map c5m2_park mymutation

and your map would load and start playing the 'mymutation' Mutation.

What new Mutations are available in this release?

In addition to prior mutations, a few new Mutations are available in this version of Left4Dead2 which demonstrate what is now possible with the Mutation System:

dash - players must touch a series of waypoint poles spread throughout a map while under attack by infected.

supported maps: c5m2_park, c5m4_quarter

holdout - a 4 player COOP Mutation where players can defend a stronghold against waves of infected. Players signal a rescue helicopter by powering a spotlight with a steady supply of scavenged gas cans.

supported maps: c10m3_ranchhouse (training), c3m1_plankcountry, c10m5_houseboat, c4m1_milltown_a

Hands-On Tutorial Mutations

This wiki includes complete, step-by-step instructions to walk you through authoring two basic Mutations:

simple - A very simple Mutation set in c3m3_plankcountry, covered in this tutorial.

gnomehunter - Find and rescue Gnome Chompski. Implementation of this Mutation is covered in this tutorial