Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter Tweak Guide

[Page 4] Patches, Maps & Mods



Official Patch


Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter is no different to any other game these days, and as such has had several patches released so far, and is due several more. The latest patch brings the game up to Version 1.21 (230MB). This patch contains all the fixes from previous patches as well, including the major 'June Patch', so you don't need to install them prior to installing this. This patch contains a range of multiplayer features including new maps, two new game types, several new multiplayer and Co-op options, and some bug fixes, and as such should be installed by all GRAW players. It should also address CD Key issues many people have been having.


As of the 1.16 patch several new features were added to GRAW, including a map editor (See Mods below), a new multiplayer mode, an anti-cheat checking method, and an Antialiasing/Edge Smoothing option - see Page 6 for details. As of the 1.21 patch, a new SLI checkbox has also been added to the graphics options, again see Page 6 for details.



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No-CD/DVD Patch


Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter uses the SecuROM copy protection system. From my previous encounters with this system in games such as FEAR, I can vouch for the fact that it can cause a range of problems on legitimate versions of the game. See the Troubleshooting Tips section for more details if you're having problems.


However unfortunately for legal reasons alone, I cannot tell you where or how to get a No-CD or No-DVD patch for the game - please do not write to me asking for a way to do this. While backing up your game may be legal in some countries, it is illegal in most countries to circumvent copy protection, and also a breach of copyright to download/distribute altered files from a game (cracked .exe files for example) without the author's permission - so it is definitely illegal despite what people may say, even though I don't believe it's immoral.



Mods


As part of the 1.16 patch, Ubisoft have released a Map Editor which allows users to create custom maps for the game. As for a more general Software Development Kit (SDK) for GRAW, at the moment it is unclear whether an official or unofficial one will be released. The original Ghost Recon title received a wide range of mods from the community, and it is still possible to modify the GRAW files to a certain extent, so keep an eye on this page as well as community sites like GhostRecon.net for details of mods as they emerge.


Importantly, as of the 1.16 patch onwards, the addition of an anti-cheat option for servers can cause problems with mods. This option checks to make sure that the game files or folders on your PC match those on the server (don't worry, doesn't include changes from the tweaks in this guide). So if you've installed a mod and try to play on a server without that exact same mod, you will likely be kicked for mismatched files. More details are here.


Finally, Ubisoft has released an official mod/add-on called the Advanced Tactical Center which allows GRAW players to coordinate strategies, and is well worth trying.



The next section goes into the details of all of Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter's In-Game Settings.