Fwatch - Useful Features

FWATCH IS ONLY FOR THE LEGACY VERSION OF THE GAME. NOT FOR THE REMASTER.

Go to https://ofp-faguss.com/fwatch/download and download installer. Unpack archive using password "fwatch". Make sure your game was run at least once since installing it on Steam and then start the installer.

Installer will create a shortcut on the desktop. Use it to play the game.

If your antivirus / firewall is giving you trouble then add fwatch.dll / fwatch.exe to the exception list.

Fwatch (along with OFP Aspect Ratio pack which was in the installer) adds a mod selector to the game main screen.



In the main menu click on the Mods button (in the lower left corner). Double-click on a name from the list to restart the game with that mod.

To load more than one modfolder hold SHIFT while double-clicking. Release SHIFT before the last item.

Mod selected with SHIFT will appear in red. Click again to remove it.

Currently loaded mods are marked pink on the list.

If there's a combination of mods you're using often then use option [Add Shortcut] to create a quick launch button.

There's a bunch of mods that you can install automatically.

In the game main menu select Mods, then double-click on the [Downloads Mods]. A list will appear. Click on any name to display more information.



Double-click on a name to start the installation.



While waiting you can safely play the game or quit it.

Complete list of downloadable mods you'll find here: https://ofp-faguss.com/schedule/allmods

Installer replaced file "dta\anims.pbo" with a new one that will make the game automatically check for mod updates on launch.



To disable this feature navigate to the "fwatch\mdb" folder. Open file "fwatch_version.db" in a text editor and change value "onlinecheck" to 0.

To avoid the mess with having lots of missions in a single MPMissions folder you can now store them in the modfolders instead. Fwatch will automatically transfer files when the mods are loaded.

Side note: mods you downloaded from the list already have their own mission folders.

For example: create Missions and MPMissions directories inside a modfolder.



Then copy files there



Now the start the game with this mod. In Single Player menu a sub-directory with a modfolder name will appear.



In multiplayer selection screen missions for this mod will appear only when it's loaded.



Here's a list showing how Fwatch transfer files:

Multiplayer server browser stopped working when GameSpy was shutdown (July 2014). Game is locked to the master.gamespy .com but Fwatch automatically replaces that address with the one pointing to the community master server.

If you ever need to change this address then go to the game main menu, click on Mods, select Master Server and then double-click on the [Add New].

By default, the game does not report multiplayer sessions created in the game to the master server. Fwatch can do that instead.

Right-click on Fwatch shortcut, select "Properties" and then add add parameter -reporthost to the "Target" field.



Start CWA and select Multiplayer -> New. Your game will be visible in the server browser within a short while.



To secure your game click on Password: No password and type in password. Then select New.

If you want your server to use a different port then go to Steam library, right-click on the game, select "Properties" and in "Launch options" type -port=<number> parameter (default is 2302).

To skip main menu screen and immediately start hosting add -host to the "Launch options"

When you organize a multiplayer session register it on the OFP Game Schedule[ofp-faguss.com] website (you can do it from Steam overlay using web browser). Players will be able to automatically download required mods and connect to your server.

Click on the Login button in the upper right corner and then select Sign in with Steam.



Next add a new server.



Write name and IP of the server. Optionally other information.



Click on the "Schedule" button on the top to move to the section where you set up game times and add a new one.



If your server has mods then go to the "Mods" section and select the ones being used. If you have your own mods then you can add a new mod to the website from the main page.



Start the game with Fwatch. Click on the Mods --> Game Schedule. Select your server from the list.



Double-click to open options. If you don't have required mods then [Download] button will appear. Otherwise it will be [Connect].



Double-click on it to restart the game with required mods and connect to the server.

Not all of the HUD elements can be changed through standard modding but it's possible to tweak them with Fwatch. Installer automatically adds configuration that gives you enlarged chat and action menu.



If you want to change these settings then go to the "bin" folder and open "config_fwatch_hud.cfg" in text editor.

Each mod can have its own settings if you place the file in <mod>\bin folder. Some of the mods available for automatic download already come with their own settings.

Here's a list of items that can be modified:


To change color write four numbers (red, green, blue, opacity) ranging from 0 to 1 separated by commas. For example:

Fwatch shifts items to the side for widescreen. To disable it you can add noar. For example: