How to Host a Black Mesa Co-op Server with SourceCoop

To play Black Mesa's campaign in co-op, run a Black Mesa dedicated server (SteamCMD app 346680) with SourceCoop on top. Install Metamod:Source and SourceMod 1.12 into the server's bms folder, extract the SourceCoop release built for Black Mesa from its GitHub page over it, and start the server with +mp_teamplay 1 +map bm_c0a0a. Players only need Black Mesa: they open the console and type connect ip:27015. Nothing extra is installed on their side.

What SourceCoop is

SourceCoop is a free, open source, fan made server mod that turns single player Source engine campaigns into co-op, and Black Mesa is its main target. It is not made by Crowbar Collective or Valve. All of the co-op logic runs on the server, which is why players need nothing but the game.

What changes when you play with friends:

• Weapons and ammo carry over between maps, as they do in single player.
• Difficulty scales with the number of players.
• Teammates can revive each other, with an optional survival mode where deaths count.
• You can start on any chapter by picking its map.

Black Mesa's single player campaign has no built in co-op, so this is the way to play it together.

What you need

Step 1: Install the Black Mesa server

steamcmd +force_install_dir /home/bms/server +login anonymous +app_update 346680 validate +quit

The game files go in a folder called bms inside the install directory. That is where every add on goes.

Step 2: Install Metamod:Source and SourceMod

Download the 1.12 builds for your server's OS from the official Metamod:Source and SourceMod sites. Both extract into bms/, creating bms/addons/metamod and bms/addons/sourcemod. SourceCoop depends on specific builds, so check its release notes for the versions it was tested with. A mismatched SourceMod build is the most common reason SourceCoop fails to load.

Step 3: Install SourceCoop

Go to the SourceCoop releases page on GitHub (ampreeT/SourceCoop) and download the release asset built for Black Mesa (its file name contains bms). Extract it into the bms folder, merging with the existing addons folder. It adds its SourceMod plugins, gamedata and the map data that teaches each campaign map how to work with several players.

Step 4: Write server.cfg

Create bms/cfg/server.cfg:

hostname "Black Mesa: Coop"
sv_password ""
mp_friendlyfire 0
sv_lan 0

Friendly fire is off by default in most co-op groups. Turn it on if your group wants chaos in the tram ride.

Step 5: Start the server

./srcds_run -console -game bms -port 27015 +maxplayers 10 +mp_teamplay 1 +exec server.cfg +map bm_c0a0a

bm_c0a0a is the opening of Black Mesa Inbound. To start partway through, use the first map of another chapter; the SourceCoop map names guide lists them all. Watch the console: SourceCoop and SourceMod print when they load. Type sm plugins list in the server console to confirm the SourceCoop plugins are running.

Step 6: Open the port and join

Forward UDP 27015 to the server and allow it through the firewall. Then players:

1. Launch Black Mesa and turn on the developer console in the options.
2. Press ~ to open it.
3. If there is a password, type password yourpassword.
4. Type connect your.ip:27015.

Keeping it working after Black Mesa updates

When Black Mesa updates, update the server too, then check SourceCoop still loads. Game updates can change engine offsets, and SourceCoop or SourceMod may need a newer build to match. If the server starts but co-op features are missing, check the console for SourceMod gamedata errors and look for a newer SourceCoop release. If a map hangs or crashes on load, see the SourceCoop crash and connection fixes.

Custom maps

Most files download when players connect, but custom Workshop maps do not. Everyone subscribes to the same maps on the Workshop before joining. Extra SourceMod plugins work too, but test them, since not every plugin expects a co-op campaign with map transitions.

The prebuilt option

Getting the SourceMod, Metamod and SourceCoop builds to line up is the fiddly part. A GamezServers SourceCoop server installs all three for you, with panel fields to choose the SourceCoop release and the SourceMod and Metamod builds if an update needs different versions. Server Name, Max Players, Password, Starting Map and Friendly Fire are in the panel, along with a toggle for map data pre-caching that fixes hangs on certain maps. Config files and plugins are in the file manager, and the server has its own address, so friends just type connect.

FAQ

Do players need to install SourceCoop?

No. SourceCoop runs entirely on the server. Players only need Black Mesa on Steam.

How many players can join a SourceCoop server?

Our setup accepts up to 128, but the campaign plays best with a small group of 2 to 10.

Does gear carry between maps in SourceCoop?

Yes. Weapons and ammo persist between maps, as in the single player game.

Is SourceCoop official?

No. It is an independent open source project, not made or supported by Crowbar Collective or Valve.

Why won't SourceCoop load on my server?

Usually the SourceMod or Metamod build does not match what the SourceCoop release expects, or Black Mesa updated. Check the console and the release notes.