Remember - It's only a game
It is only too easy to get so involved in a heavy match that you forget the reason you play in the first place..for fun. When things start getting a bit heated, tempers are flairing and the language is enough to make even the hardest criminal blush...stop for a second and remember - it is only a game.
Teams
It is inevitable that the skill levels between different players is going to range from seemingly indestructable to complete n00b and there are times when we all need to remember, we had to start somewhere. The problem comes when people try to balance team numbers, without giving any consideration to skill levels.... If you join a game where one team is losing by 30 point (for example) but has 3 or 4 more players.....it's a fair assumption that the players on that team could do with your help
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When you are joining a server or even in the middle of a game - look at the number of players AND the score...if it looks really unfair or out of balance - do the nice thing and change teams
If you are playing a 1 on 1 (or 2) match, don't go for a score of 50 - 0 but give yourself a handycap. use a type of weapon on which you are not so skilled at. Leave powerups, shields, damageamplifier available to the 'weaker'. It makes it more challenging (and a lot more fun) to both players
Spawn Killing
There is NOTHING worse for a new guy (or a vet for that matter) than being killed, only to respawn right in front of someone else and get killed again. New guys are not going to learn a thing if they spend the game dying and respawning; and more experienced players are going to get peeved and probably start hurling abuse around.
OK, OK - it happens sometimes...in the heat of battle, you see an opponent infront of you and before it has registered that the guy just appeared out of no where, you are firing at him. the simple answer - STOP FIRING!
apologise and run away.
HINT: Try a key bind with a nice simple "Sorry"...then you only have to press one key to apologise
...Of course, if someone who just spawned starts shooting at you straight away, the gloves are off and feel free to return fire
Type Killing
Getting shot while you are standing still and typing is as annoying (if not worse) than spawn killing....
If you are going to type something - try and find a wall and face it...you can't make it any more obvious that you are typing than that
If you see someone standing facing a wall....not moving...or holding their hand to their ear as if they are talking to someone on the radio....don't shoot them - they will either be away from their keyboard or typing.
The one exception is if they are the last player alive in (for example) SAS..then you will have to kill them to end the round.
And of course, if you find yourself shooting at someone before you realise they are typing....STOP FIRING, apologise and then get the hell outa there. They might decide to take a pop at you while you are apologising
HINT: That "Sorry" key bind would be flippin' useful here too
Cheats
While UT2004 has more than adequate protection against cheats (aimbots, etc), some find it a challenge to create a cheat that can bypass the security in the game.
If you suspect someone of cheating - don't go yelling it across the game....they might just be a DAMN good shot
Simply make a Demo of them playing and post it in the forums.
How to make a Demo of another player
1. Leave the game
2. Re-enter as a spectator
3. Press FIRE until you are viewing the player
4. Press ` to bring up the console
5 Type Demorec (you can add a file name after a space, but UT will add a default filename if you don't)
6. Just watch the rest of the game from here
HINT: Press F4 to view the player in first person mode (i.e. what they see on screen) - it will be much more obvious then if they are cheating
Complaints
Whilst most people just play to have fun and enjoy themselves, some will always take the game too seriously and start complaining at the slightest chance.
If someone starts complaining in game, don't get into a full blown row with them. If possible, just ignore them - if no one is responding, they will (hopefully) shut up and go away. If they contiue to complain,and begin getting abusive or complaining non-stop, send a PM to an admin with the game, date and a rough time and the players name.....we can always check the chat logs and speak to the person. If appropriate - take a screen shot of what is going on
HINT: Try just politely asking the person to stop swearing on the server...in most cases, that is enough
...at the end of the day, server etiquette is all about common decency and remembering to treat others how you would want to be treated yourself...and of course...remembering the primary rule......
JUST PLAY THE DAMN GAME!!!
yeah looks that way doesnt it