View source for Setting Up a Game

== Commands ==
The game lobby allows the game experience to be customized by typing commands into the chat input line. Some useful commands:
*<kbd>!help</kbd> gives a list of all commands.
*<kbd>!map <mapname></kbd> sets specific map. Entering <kbd>!map</kbd> without <kbd><mapname></kbd> starts a poll with four maps relevant to the game mode you have set currently.
*<kbd>!spec <playername></kbd> will move the specified player to <samp>Spectators</samp>. Without <kbd><playername></kbd>, it is equivalent to <kbd>!specafk</kbd> and moves all <abbr title="away from keyboard">AFK</abbr> (marked with a "<samp>z<sup>z<sup>z</sup></sup></samp>" icon) players to <samp>Spectators</samp>.
*<kbd>!endvote</kbd> ends the current poll.
*<kbd>!type <gametype></kbd> changes the room type. The game type can be FFA, Teams, Coop, Custom or 1v1.
*<kbd>!resetoptions</kbd> resets custom options.
*<kbd>!title <newtitle></kbd> changes the room title.
*<kbd>!kick <playername></kbd> removes a player from the room and starts a penalty timer. Use only as last resort to remove disruptive players. Consider using <kbd>!spec <playername></kbd> instead if you just don't want the player to participate in the next game.
*<kbd>!start</kbd> or <kbd>!poll start</kbd> starts a game. <kbd>!poll start</kbd> will start a poll asking players to vote when they are ready to start a game.
*<kbd>!y</kbd> or <kbd>!n</kbd> is how you vote in a poll. Of course, it's usually easier to just click the green check mark or red X button instead.
*<kbd>!maxplayers <number></kbd> changes the maximum number players for the room. Spectators are not counted.
*<kbd>!force</kbd> force-starts a game before the regular set-up time expires at the beginning of the game.
*<kbd>!exit</kbd> exits the game in progress.
*<kbd>!balance</kbd> attempts to balance players in two teams by skill. You can also <kbd>!balance <numberofteamsyouwant></kbd>.
*<kbd>!predict</kbd> gives a calculated victory chance prediction for the current teams.
*<kbd>!password <password></kbd> sets password for the room. To remove the password, enter <kbd>!password</kbd> without a value.
*<kbd>!notify</kbd> plays a ring sound when game ends.

==Playing with Friends ==
For a Skirmish match, go to <samp>Multiplayer</samp>, <samp>Custom Game</samp>, <samp>Host Game</samp>, set a password, select <samp>Game Type: Custom</samp>.

For Campaign co-op on Steam: Go to Steam friends list, click your friend and press <samp>Invite to Lobby</samp>, then select a planet on the campaign screen and press <samp>Start</samp>.

== Propose Battle ==
You can use the "propose battle" command to propose a battle with certain characteristics. It will be hosted and populated once a number of players have accepted to join. The command will show a link that has to be clicked by other players to accept the proposal. By default, the game will be hosted with a password, but you can use <kbd>!password</kbd> to make the game public.

*<kbd>!proposebattle <parameters></kbd> can be followed by the parameters minelo, maxelo, minsize and maxsize. For example, "<kbd>!proposebattle maxelo=1600 minsize=6 maxsize=6</kbd>" would propose a six-player game for players with rating (maximum of teams and <abbr title="matchmaker">MM</abbr>) below 1600.
*<kbd>!endproposal</kbd> stops a proposal and prevents people from joining a hosted game if they have the link.

Proposal links do not work until the proposer looks at the lobby (due to command buffering while the proposer is playing).

== Advanced Options ==
{{See|Battle Options}}
On the left of the current map preview, there is a button called "Options." Here, you will be able to change the game settings in many ways. For example, set a metal multiplier or allow players to spawn anywhere on the map.

== Disabling Units ==
In <samp>Options</samp>, open the tab named "Start". In the empty box to the right of <samp>Disable units</samp> enter the name of a particular unit from the [[List of All Units]]. Separate multiple entries with the plus (<kbd>+</kbd>) symbol.

== Playing Unsupported Maps ==
The game's website has a [https://zero-k.info/Maps listing of all maps]. If you are trying to play a certain map and the lobby isn't changing to that map, you have probably selected an unsupported map. To set it, you need a private/passworded lobby. Enter <kbd>!password <passwordvalue></kbd> to make it private. The value can be anything, even just one letter. Now go to the website and click on <samp>PLAY ON THIS MAP</samp>, or type the command <kbd>!map <mapname></kbd> (substitute "<mapname>" with the actual name of the map). You can now remove the password by entering <kbd>!password</kbd> without a <kbd><passwordvalue></kbd>.


{{Navbox manual}}