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Left 4 Dead 2 > Guides > Omixsat's Guides
94 ratings
How to unlock/use "hidden" cvars in L4D2
By Omixsat
Unlock console commands to be used via console such as "sb_allow_leading" and other sv launcher tagged convars
   
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Created by
Omixsat
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Category: Secrets, Workshop
Languages: English
Modding: Mutations/Scripts
Posted
Updated
3 Jul, 2016 @ 9:30pm
31 Jan, 2024 @ 7:07am
15,409 Unique Visitors
171 Current Favorites
Guide Index
Overview
Introduction 
Installation and usage 
Which add-ons benefit from the recording helper client plugin? 
Source 
Comments
Introduction
Ever wanted to use all of the console variables?
Ever thought of using sv_launcher tagged variables that never seem to work even though it has been set in the launch options?
If you want to skip all this chit chat and move on to the mod then read below.

The mod we're going to use is called:
Recording Helpers 0.6 by ProdigySim

Now you may wonder... What is Recording Helpers?

Recording Helpers is an L4D2 client plugin(meaning it shouldn't be used on dedicated servers) that aims to help out with various tasks and functions when recording in L4D2 to which it re-enables many hidden CVars on L4D2. It also re-enables a native thirdperson(shoulder) mode in gamemodes with player-controlled zombies. Even though it is originally designed for L4D2 it also has been ported to L4D1 due to the requests made by some players.
Installation and usage
Now how do I download and/or install this mod?

You would have to place this plugin/mod inside the addons folder of L4D2 and you would also have to set -insecure in the launch options in order to use it.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
If you do set -insecure in the launch options, please be aware you wouldn't be able to connect to VAC secure servers. If you do plan to connect to VAC secure servers then you'd have to do the opposite by removing the -insecure parameter from the launch options but take note that you won't be able to use the "hidden/not hooked up to code" console variables if you don't set -insecure

Current Version: Recording Helpers 0.6

For a 32-bit Windows PC(x86):
1 - Download the Recording Helpers[github.com] plugin. Mirror here[web.archive.org] 2 - Extract ALL the contents to:
C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\Left 4 Dead 2\left4dead2\addons
3 - Set -insecure in the launch options of L4D2 and you're ready to use it! 4 - Start Left 4 Dead 2 and just ignore the warning message stating that you wouldn't be able to connect to VAC secure servers. 5 - You will now see that all the "hidden/not hooked up to code" cvars can be used via dev console


For a 64-bit Windows PC(x64):
1 - Download the Recording Helpers[github.com] plugin. Mirror here[web.archive.org] 2 - Extract ALL the contents to:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Left 4 Dead 2\left4dead2\addons
3 - Set -insecure in the launch options of L4D2 and you're ready to use it! 4 - Start Left 4 Dead 2 and just ignore the warning message stating that you wouldn't be able to connect to VAC secure servers. 5 - You will now see that all the "hidden/not hooked up to code" cvars can be used via dev console


How is it supposed to look like in the add-ons folder?

You should see the following in the addons folder:
  • Workshop ~ Folder
  • Readme.txt ~ TXT file type
  • recording_helpers.dll
  • recording_helpers.vdf
Which add-ons benefit from the recording helper client plugin?

All those add-ons stated above will benefit from the plugin by unlocking the addon's potential.
Source

13 Comments
< >
Talion 9 Dec, 2024 @ 12:05pm 
mods work on non flatpack steam
Harry 4 Dec, 2024 @ 10:59pm 
Can it be used on Linux?
JONELINHO 8 Feb, 2024 @ 6:22pm 
I would like to know if you can use all these mods listed there. does it work or does it conflict?
T626 31 Jan, 2024 @ 8:58am 
@Omixsat Thank you.
Omixsat  [author] 31 Jan, 2024 @ 7:16am 
@ T626 : That's just a warning from steam as it isn't a steam link. The link should lead straight to ProdigySim's recording helpers zip file via github. Otherwise, you can also search for "recording helpers" via your preferred search engine.
gibus pyro 10 Jan, 2024 @ 4:51pm 
@T626 well, you can still download a mod to either bind the console for in-game or something like TUMTaRA's main menu buttons to enable it in the main menu (You get the server browser too.)
T626 27 Apr, 2023 @ 4:42am 
@Omixsat I just tried downloading the Recording Helpers plugin for PC (x86) and then (x64) but neither links are working because it's saying that the programs are from an untrustworthy source. What can I do to bypass this issue?
T626 9 Dec, 2022 @ 5:44am 
@Omixsat I have a question. Is it possible to type in “-insecure” and “-console” in the launch options for L4D2? I’m asking you this because I just recently read and favorited two guides that said that you can enable all console commands by simply typing in “-console” in the launch options. I just wanted to know if it was doable to type both of these things in the launch options so that both of these things could be done simultaneously.
Roon 2 Jan, 2021 @ 7:20am 
Well rip the recording helpers dead, no update after 2013...
spookedpro 1 Jun, 2020 @ 3:17pm 
AAA, i'm coooming