Start recording in Counter-Strike

Hi!

I'm making a program which will start Counter-Strike and then automatically record the game. There is a command in-game to record, which is "record <name>".

steam.exe -applaunch 10 +cl_allowdownload 1 +connect " + ip + " +password " + pw + " +record test
This is the executable-path i'm using. I don't understand why it doesn't start to record. Because Steam sais in it's manual that you can use all the variable names in this line. If you put a "+" before.
http://developer.valvesoftware.com/w...ldsource_Games

What am i doing wrong? Please help me! :)

I don't see what are the "" you put for

Look up Process.Start(). There's another function very similarly named that handles arguments too...

Oh, i think you've misunderstood me. I know how to start a process. My question is how to make cstrike.exe start recording a demo since my execute-path doesn't work.

Btw, here's my code;

Code:

---

string arguments = "-applaunch 10 +cl_allowdownload 1 -32bit +connect " + ip + " +password " + pw + " +record match_demo";
                Process myProcess = new Process();
                ProcessStartInfo myProcessStartInfo = new ProcessStartInfo("C:/Program Files/Steam/Steam.exe", arguments);
                myProcess.StartInfo = myProcessStartInfo;
                myProcess.Start();

---

I suggest running that command manually so you know if the error lies in Steam/the command line or if it's a programmatic error. A quick search on your linked site shows there's no "record" command.

hl.exe <parameter1> <parameter2> <cvar1> <cvar2>

Example;
hl.exe +sv_lan 1 +mp_startmoney 800

And record is also a command so it should work, right?

There is a huge difference in commands and variables in counterstrike

For instance, sv_restartround 1 means restart the round in 1 second.

Setting the players startmoney can be accomplished by using mp_startmoney .

mp_startmoney is more or less a variable that can be set , so whenever you restart the server it would take this into account (its not like this immediately effects the game state).

record function exist but i guess it can only be started from the console (since this is not a setting like mp_startmoney).

What you can do is simulate the keypresses to get to the in game console, simulate the typing of record en hit enter. (requires the game to be running and you have some sort of hook to accomplish this)

So, how do i simulate KeyPresses? I did like this;

Code:

---

private void recordDemo()
{
    SendKeys.Send("{DEL}"); //DEL toggles the console
    SendKeys.Send("record");
    SendKeys.Send("{BACKSPACE}");
    SendKeys.Send("match_demo");
    SendKeys.Send("{ENTER}");
}

---

And after the Process.Start(); I had this;

Code:

---

Thread.Sleep(10000); // 10 seconds
recordDemo();

---

This doesn't seem to work.

I dont know how to simulate keypresses since I never tried it , I'm just saying that from my experience in setting up a counterstrike server and messing with configs and all sorts of scripts, I just think that adding the record option to exe as param wont work. Maybe have a look at HLTV (halflife tv) maybe theres some sort of api you can use... (probably not since eveyrthing that includes steam screams - more money!!!)

You've got your quotes and commands all mixed up (looks like you're attempting to dump symbolic names that didn't get bound to anything "+ ip +"??):

Code:

---

-applaunch 10 -32bit +cl_allowdownload 1 +connect 1.2.3.4 +password mypassword +record match_demo

---

Also, why not just use a script? then add "+exec myscript" to the command line options

@nthony, i said earlier that those are for this;
string arguments = "-applaunch 10 +cl_allowdownload 1 -32bit +connect " + ip + " +password " + pw + " +record match_demo";

Well, i have almost made it. :)

EDIT:
Oh, i'm wrong. I haven't made it. But with this solution, there will be many things that can go wrong. Example: If the person is talking with anyone on steamfriends, this won't work.
So, is it hard to record via my program instead, like Fraps. Are there any guidelines?

Any ideas?

What exactly are you attempting to do? i.e. what is your goal?

Well, in Counter-Strike you can use "Wallhack". I wan't to see if the user is using it. That's why it would much better if the program recorded the screen, because then you can see if he/she is cheating.

EDIT:
Check here instead http://cboard.cprogramming.com/showthread.php?t=108701

Yes, I think a .dem records game state/vars, but not actual visual output, so a recording from a hacked perspective may playback normally from a non-hacked game. I think you're best bet if that is the case would be to use fraps... although if it's not, you can save yourself loads of disk space with your original idea.

If you're having problems launching the game, using the Steam protocol may help (though it requires they have it installed)