Cube FAQ - Index
Installation & configuration
What are the minimal requirements for Cube?
How do i install Cube on Windows?
How do i install Cube on Gentoo Linux?
How do i install Cube on Debian Linux?
#TODO: RedHat+Mandrake... Any rpm user?
How do i install Cube on any other Linux distro?
How do i change my name/team?
How do i set the resolution?
Network games
How do i setup a LAN game?
Can i also use the server PC for playing?
I have a very slow internet connection. Can i still play Cube on internet?
When i connect to a server, i have a "could not load map xxx" message and other players are running in the air/through walls.
#TODO: different protocol => check latest version.
#TODO: firewall rules for playing/hosting a server.
Troubleshooting
I can't shoot/rockets are exploding in my face! why?
Why do i have an "SDL-parachute deployed" error when i start Cube?
Why do i have a "double free or corruption" error when i start Cube?
Some textures/text characters are replaced by full black or white texture. How to fix this?
I'm using twinview configuration, why does Cube starts splitted in the center of the two monitors?
#TODO: Errors about missing dependencies, point to Linux install.
#TODO: running at 1-9 FPS => check hardware acceleration.
Mapping
Is there a Cube map editor?
Is there an external Cube map editor?
So how do i make maps for Cube?
What is coopedit?
Mods and features requests
Is there a CTF mode?
Are there bots?
What are the existing Cube mods?
Is there a Counter-Strike/tactical mod?
I want to make a mod. How do i mod Cube?
But i really want to make a mod. Then how do i mod Cube?


Cube FAQ - Answers

Installation & configuration

What are the minimal requirements for Cube?
#TODO: link to appropriate forum threads

How do i install Cube on Windows?
#TODO: link to Cube windows installer

How do i install Cube on Gentoo Linux?
emerge cube

How do i install Cube on Debian Linux?
apt-get install libsdl1.2-debian-alsa(or oss) libsdl-image1.2 libsdl-mixer1.2
(this will pull all the other dependencies, png, jpeg, zlib... And if other 3D games already works on your PC then your OpenGL setup is already correct)
Download the .tar.gz file from the "files" link on the Cube page, put it in the directory where you want to install Cube. Then:
cd /where/you/put/the/file
tar zxvf cube_2004_05_22.tar.gz
cd cube
chmod +x cube_unix
chmod +x bin_unix/*

-- skip the following if your card isn't an ATI --
If you're using the fglrx ATI driver, download the cube_2004_06_06_linux_client_ATI_workaround.zip and put it into Cube directory, then:
apt-get install unzip
unzip cube_2004_06_06_linux_client_ATI_workaround.zip
chmod +x linux_client
mv -f linux_client bin_unix/


How do i install Cube on any Linux distro?
#TODO: libs-installation details for Debian+RedHat+Mandrake
#TODO: link to Cube linux installer

How do i change my name/team?
In game, use the 'T' key, then type /name yourname, then press Enter. Same thing with /team for changing the team name.
If you want to have the name and team already set when you start Cube, then edit the autoexec.cfg file in the Cube directory.

How do i set the resolution?
Windows users: edit the file cube.bat and set the appropriate -w and -h parameters (without spaces between -w/h and the number) for the desired resolution:
bin\cube.exe -w1024 -h768 %1 %2 %3 %4 %5
Linux users: edit the file cube_unix, locate the last line with exec and change it like that:
exec ${CUBE_DIR}/bin_unix/${MACHINE_PREFIX}${SYSTEM_PREFIX}client -w1024 -h768 $*


Network games

How do i setup a LAN game?
1. Install Cube on all PC if not already done.
2. Chose a machine to use as a server. write down it's IP address. (Start->Run->winipcfg on a 9X box, on a NT/2K/XP: command-prompt->type ipconfig)
3. Start server.bat on this machine.
4. launch cube.bat on all other machines.
5. each player types T, then /name hisname
6. each player types T, then /connect 192.168.1.5 (replace by the written IP of the server PC)
7. each player frags each other :)

Can i also use the server PC for playing?
Yes, replace the IP at step 6 by /connect localhost
That won't affect performance, the server consumes a negligible amount of memory and CPU even for an old PC, and a negligible amount of bandwidth for a LAN.

I have a very slow internet connection. Can i still play Cube on internet?
Cube uses enet, a very efficient network library.
enet, plus the client-side gameplay of Cube makes it playable well even with a 56k.
It's still playable at ping 350, and very comfortable/fluent at 200

When i connect to a server, i have a "could not load map xxx" message and other players are running in the air/through walls.
You don't have the map that's playing on this server. To get the map:
Type "T", then type /getmap
This will download the map if someone already did a /sendmap. The download time isn't noticeable so the map should change the second after you type enter.
If nothing has changed, use the "T" key to speak, and ask if someone can do a sendmap.
When you see a "[map xxx uploaded to server, "getmap" to receive it]", type "T", then type /getmap


Troubleshooting

I can't shoot/rockets are exploding in my face! why?
Install latest drivers for your video card.
There is a known bug in ATI Linux drivers that makes this happens.
If you're using the 2004_05_22 Cube version, then you'll need to download cube_2004_06_06_linux_client_ATI_workaround.zip from: http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=91993&package_id=97123
Unzip this, and replace the linux_client in the bin_unix dir by the one in the zip.

Why do i have an "SDL-parachute deployed" error when i start Cube?
The most common cause (but not always and not the only one) is a program blocking the soundcard.
Check that xmms or any other music/video player is stopped, not just paused.
Check that your desktop manager doesn't start some so-called sound daemon. As root, do a:
# killall esd ; killall artsd
If you really need software mixing, you can do some special configuration in ALSA.

Why do i have a "double free or corruption" error when i start Cube?
Some people have reported this with Fedora Core. The fix is probably sending this command to a console:
export MALLOC_CHECK_=0
before starting Cube.
note: If it works, you should confirm it on the general thread of the Cube forum, as i still haven't got any feedback on this issue.

Some textures/text characters are replaced by full black or white texture. How to fix this?

I'm using twinview configuration, why does Cube starts splitted in the center of the two monitors?

NVidia twinview makes the screens behave like one larger screen, also with OpenGL games/applications.
Instead, you must define multiple screens in XFree/Xorg. You can do this with one device that has multiple outputs by defining it's outputs as multiple devices, like in the example above.
Here is an extract of my XF86Config that works with dualhead desktop, and Cube starts only on the first monitor (LCD):

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "LCD Panel"
Option "dpms"
HorizSync 31-60
VertRefresh 40-60
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "External Monitor"
Option "dpms"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "GeForce0"
Driver "nvidia"
BusID "AGP:01:00:0"
Option "nologo" "1"
Option "CursorShadow" "1"
Option "CursorShadowAlpha" "63"
Option "CursorShadowYOffset" "2"
Option "CursorShadowXOffset" "4"
Screen 0
Option "TwinView" "false"
Option "ConnectedMonitor" "DFP"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "GeForce1"
Driver "nvidia"
BusID "AGP:01:00:0"
Option "nologo" "1"
Option "CursorShadow" "1"
Option "CursorShadowAlpha" "63"
Option "CursorShadowYOffset" "2"
Option "CursorShadowXOffset" "4"
Screen 1
Option "TwinView" "false"
Option "ConnectedMonitor" "CRT"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "LCD"
Device "GeForce0"
Monitor "LCD Panel"
DefaultDepth 16
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1024x768"
EndSubsection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "External"
Device "GeForce1"
Monitor "External Monitor"
DefaultDepth 16
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1024x768"
EndSubsection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen "LCD"
Screen "External" LeftOf "LCD"
InputDevice "Touchpad" "CorePointer"
InputDevice "Mouse" "SendCoreEvents"
InputDevice "Keyboard1" "CoreKeyboard"
EndSection


#TODO: Errors about missing dependencies, point to Linux install procedure.


Mapping

Is there a Cube map editor?
Yes, you already have it :)
Type "E" to switch between playing and map editing mode (note: this only works when the server mode is set to coopedit, or when you're not connected to a server.)

Is there an external Cube map editor?
What for? you already have the most powerful map editor ever. The first one to support realtime and even cooperative editing!

So how do i make maps for Cube?
Select cubes and use the mousewheel to raise/lower them. Look up to change ceiling cubes height, look down to change floor cubes height.
Read the editing.html and editref.html manuals for much more advanced and powerful features.
Pushplay and Spentron have nice mapping tutorials too. #TODO: links

What is coopedit?
#TODO


Mods and features requests

Is there a CTF mode?
There is no CTF mode in Cube itself, but there is CTF in Pushplay's mod Quad
#TODO: add link to Quad masterserver

Are there bots?
There is a mod for bots: Rick's Cube bots

What are the existing Cube mods?
Roughly by date of release, all those mods show the diversity Cube engine can support:

Death Illustrated by Topher, Pushplay, SirLiveAlot, Bubba, Everdark, Morgul, Larry, Steini, Justin, Alchemist.
"Deathmatching inside a three dimensional comic book"
Black and white comic style graphics, textures, models, sound and maps.

#TODO: Raiden

Quad by Pushplay: both singleplayer and multiplayer
Includes 3 more multiplayer modes: rocket bounce, gib collector and CTF, and 3 singleplayer ogro-hunter modes plus nice features for gameplay/visual/editing.

Fusion by Impp D: singleplayer
A large single-player campaign with new textures, models, ambient sounds and music. Windows only for now, i'll probably make the linux conversion i did available for download in some time.
alternate download link

VectorX by Staffy: mod for Quad, both singleplayer and multiplayer
Includes all features of Quad, plus new sounds, models and music.
Unfortunately the link is broken... I still have it on my HD, if someone has some bandwidth free so we can put it back online?

Orb by Sinsky: singleplayer game using Cube engine.
Strange looking and design, probably the most different to an FPS.
Windows only for now, i'll probably make a linux conversion.

LoZ-Cube by Tentus: Cube mod in Legend of Zelda style.
New maps, textures, models, musics, this one also shows Cube engine used in a game very different to an FPS.

#TODO: FRAGGER

Is there a Counter-Strike/tactical mod?
No, and there probably won't ever be for a single reason: Cube is designed for very fast-paced action/gameplay/moves.
While this isn't technically impossible, many things would have to be changed and that would be a huge amount of work(mapping+modelling+sounds+much coding) compared to making something Cube is designed for.

I want to make a mod. How do i mod Cube?
If you're asking, then there is very little chance you can.

But i really want to make a mod. Then how do i mod Cube?
First of all, consider how far you can go with your existing skills, and what skills you're willing to acquire.
Doing a Cube mod is always a very time-consuming project, and required skills can vary a lot depending on the goals.
And you can already create interesting things without elite coding/modelling skills if you set reasonable objectives.
Here is a quick description of what you can do, and required skills:
-Single player campaign: you must know mapping. Cube map editor is very powerful, but fortunately it is very intuitive, so by practicing sufficient time, playtesting and with enough inspiration you'll make something interesting.
While not considered as a mod itself, it has the added benefit that it's easier to distribute (small filesizes) and it can even become part of the official Cube distribution if it's very good.
-Content modifications: changing textures, weapons and monster models, sounds and musics. You need:
photoshop/gimp/whatever image editing program for textures.
modelling for changing weapons and monster models, or adding mapmodels (objects on the maps)
sound processing for new sounds, some tracker for new musics.
strongly recomended is a good knowledge of the Cube scripting language for optimal use of all the new contents.
#TODO: links to image/sound/tracking/modelling tutorials.
With all those you can already make Cube looks very different. See Fusion or VectorX for examples.
-Code modifications: The most powerful, virtually no limits, but if you've never coded you should consider learning C language before thinking of that. Then have a look at weapon.cpp and monster.cpp (the easiest ones) and check if you fully understand how they work.
Code modifications allows adding weapons and monsters, modifying physics, adding game modes or modifying the engine itself(then i suppose you've already closed this FAQ to begin reading the source ;)
See Quad for an example of code modifications.
#TODO: bringing stuff before trying to recruit/announcements, respectful use of the forum, getting help by asking questions the smart way...