Tell me more ×
Arqade is a question and answer site for passionate videogamers on all platforms. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 3 down vote favorite

It seems the only option for playing Left 4 Dead with my friends is to have all computers online, even though I bought the 4 pack from Valve. Is there anyway to plan a LAN game on Left 4 Dead 1?

share|improve this question

2 Answers

up vote 9 down vote accepted

It is possible. If you use srcds to set up a dedicated server and note the LAN IP of the computer hosting it, you can enable the developer console in-game (under Keyboard settings then advanced) press the ~ key (on foreign keyboards, it is usually whichever key is next to the 1 key) to open it and enter the command connect <LAN IP of server> into it. You'll then be dropped into the game. Make sure to edit the key of the server so that random people don't start joining. Consider setting it to LAN-only.

If you're using a non-QWERTY keyboard, sometimes binding the developer console may not work. If so, you can edit the launch options and add --console. Then, whenever you launch the game, you'll have console open.

share|improve this answer
All clients have to be connected to the internet throughout, though. Steam DRM still applies. – Bora Mar 13 '11 at 13:23
1  
@Bora Nope. You can run Steam in offline mode, and play it on a LAN. I've done it before. – user56 Mar 13 '11 at 13:39
Ok, scratch the throughout part. You have to connect to Steam once to switch to offline, at least. – Bora Mar 13 '11 at 19:16
1  
@Bora Also not true. If you reboot your computer without a working internet connection, Steam offers you the option to switch to offline, assuming you have logged in some time before that. – user56 Mar 13 '11 at 23:37
I was referring to the "some time before that" part, which might render the whole process inconvenient, just for the sake of getting around the DRM process. – Bora Mar 13 '11 at 23:58
show 1 more comment
up vote 0 down vote

Not as far as I know, you can create a lobby and host a local server, but I believe you need to connect there through steam, and that would mean connecting to the internet.

You wouldn't be able to see your friends either, because online/offline status is determined on the steam servers.

You'd be in the same area so I assume that would make it so you don't have too much lag, but you can't avoid being online.

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.