Quote:

From: Michael Booth [mailto:mike@tuxxxxxxxxios.com]
Sent: Saturday, October 11, 2003 5:59 PM
To: Gabe Newell
Subject: CZ AutoBuy and ReBuy

Another new feature of Counter-strike:Condition Zero is the AutoBuy/ReBuy system. This system can also be customized by advanced players.

We found that one of the largest barriers for new Counter-strike players was purchasing weapons and equipment. The large number of available weapons was intimidating to them, and once a weapon was purchased, they often missed details like buying ammo for that weapon.

By using “AutoBuy” (available as part of the buy menu, or by pressing F1), the system automatically buys a reasonable set of weapons and equipment, based on the amount of money the Player has available. In addition, on bomb defuse maps, AutoBuy will buy a defuse kit. Similarly, when playing Condition Zero missions that require specific weaponry, AutoBuy will purchase them as well.

This system allows inexperienced players to “just press F1” and get what they need (CZ’s new Interactive Tutor tells new players to do just this).

Experienced gamers can customize AutoBuy by editing the AutoBuy.txt file. This file is a simple list of “buy aliases” with the following additional rules:

1) Once a primary weapon has been purchased, all subsequent primary weapon buy aliases are ignored

2) Once a secondary weapon has been purchased, all subsequent secondary weapon buy aliases are ignored

Additionally, it is possible to rig up aliases to change the AutoBuy data on the fly, allowing one button to AutoBuy a sniper setup, and another to AutoBuy your favorite rifle gear.

Here is the default AutoBuy script in Condition Zero:

m4a1
ak47
famas
galil
p90
mp5
primammo
secammo
defuser
vesthelm
vest

The ReBuy system (available on the buy menu, or by pressing F2) attempts to purchase all of the weaponry and equipment you had last round, essentially building a “buy script” on the fly. It is extremely useful when you bought a unique set of equipment last round, died, and want it back. It is also very useful to “top off” your ammo, grenades, and armor between rounds.

When money gets tight, the order that items are “re-bought” can become important. We allow the experienced gamer to control ReBuy priorities by editing their ReBuy.txt file. It basically lists weapon and equipment categories in the order they should be purchased.

Here is the default ReBuy data for Condition Zero:

PrimaryWeapon
PrimaryAmmo
Defuser
Armor
HEGrenade
Flashbang
SmokeGrenade
SecondaryWeapon
SecondaryAmmo
NightVision

The AutoBuy/ReBuy system makes the process of buying weapons and equipment as fast and easy as possible for the new player, while simultaneously enhancing the tried-and-true buy mechanism for experienced Counter-strike players.