Dateiliste

One of the many software bugs in Descent 3 is the one with co-operative games and the guidebot.

In the original version of this game type only 3 players can master a co-op mission together when the server is a dedicated server. When one of the players is hosting an in-game server, up to 4 players can be in the same game.

The bug is a bit nasty and probably not easy to spot on first sight, because sometimes it happens instantly and sometimes much later. It does however always end in a server crash, no matter whether it's an in-game or a dedicated server.

Most of the time it seems that one player can release and use the guidebot without causing any issues. As soon as a second player tries to release the artificial companion the server crashes instantly.

Sometimes it happens that two players release the guidebot and use it happily in a co-op game at the same time. When a third player tries to do it, the server dies immediately.

in many other situations, the first player who releases the guidebot already causes the crash to happen. It has also been observed that a game that has a guidebot in it, although obviously working for some time, is more prone to finish early due to an unexpected server crash.

Solution

There is no real fix available, at least not if you insist in having your guidebot during co-op games.

As a general rule, don't use the guidebot in co-operative games. This is said easily, but not quite as feasible in a game. The key to release the guidebot is often hit accidentally by players, and this is then usually the end of the fun.

Another option is to use Alexi's improved co-op.d3m file, which is fully compatible with the original co-operative mode of Descent 3, but suppresses the guidebot release. It also has many other features, like supporting an unlimited amount of players (up to the maximum allowed players in Descent 3), etc.