Command line switches
Redemption supports several command line options (also called keys, flags, arguments, parameters or switches) - the exact number of them is unknown, but two important ones are described in detail below. Both activate special modes that give you the access to extra functionality otherwise unavailable in the game, as well as provide the alternative (often much quicker) methods of accessing the already existing features. It is recommended to use them both at all times.
To activate these options, you need to edit the target path of a desktop shortcut pointing to the game executable (Vampire.exe) by opening its Properties and editing the Target field as follows:
C:\GAMES\VTMR\Vampire.exe -console -devmode
I.e. you append a space and add a word starting with hyphen "-" which acts as a switch. You can append several such switches at the same time and in the same way, as seen from the example. This can be achieved anywhere else with the appropriate prompt - such as in file managers with command line support.
Console (-console)
This argument enables the access to the Console. Without it, pressing the ` (tilde) key will have no effect. Once the game is launched with -console, you may press this key to open a very minimalistic-looking black prompt at the top center of the screen. Typing commands and pressing Enter will list all available strings in the status area, but without any explanation of their effects and usage. Some of these commands can be used as cheats in Singleplayer game (such as addthing <object>), some only work in Multiplayer (humanity 0-100) or are Storyteller-specific (team 0-19), and a few act as configuration options for the map you're currently in (playmusic <filename>). For the extensive list of useful and interesting console commands along with their effects and usage syntax, see the eponymous page.
Devmode (-devmode)
Short for development mode, this parameter activates a few special hotkeys which were evidently meant to facilitate the testing of the nascent game's many aspects. Once the game is launched with -devmode switch, you may immediately make use of these shortcuts - by far the most useful of them being the Ctrl + S key combination, which is a much more convenient way of tactically pausing the game compared to the default hard-to-reach Pause button. Since in Redemption you have to control a whole party of characters, and the game's action is fully in real-time, having an easy means to pause it and issue your commands or manage the equipment, is truly a blessing. The only wonder being why hasn't this been the standard key to do so in the first place. This function also works in Multiplayer, even in character mode - opening new possibilities of taking great looking screenshots, especially when used together with the (also devmode-exclusive) Free Camera, of which a little later.
Another very useful combination is Alt + RMB, which is normally used only in Storyteller mode, allowing you to jump anywhere on the map (except mid-air), without restrictions. With Devmode active, this combination works everywhere, even in Singleplayer, where it can act as a cheat or help your characters get unstuck if they've clipped into some unfortunate level geometry.
Free Camera
The most curious feature offered by Devmode is the Free Moving Camera activated by pressing Ctrl + P. This is a whole separate mode of the game, in which most commonly used keyboard shortcuts (bar the Esc key) become unavailable, and instead you are given several ways to control the in-game camera, which is no longer bound to your current character. Normal interaction with the game world is actually still possible, but in a limited way: you must use your mouse to open the UI panels and e.g. select your disciplines, and you cannot pick up items, open doors, change locations or attack enemies. You may still move about by left-clicking the terrain, though. To exit this mode and return to your character, simply press Ctrl + P again.
Tutorial - How To Enable Free Camera Mode (by Javokis of E-Mods.net)
| Key | Function |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + P | Toggle Freecam, game interaction becomes possible only via mouse, which must be in the main screen for the following keys to work |
| WASD and Arrows | Move camera / Adjust view |
| X and C | Move camera up / down |
| NUM / and NUM * | Tilt camera left / right |
| Shift | Speed up camera movement, press and hold |
This camera mode is especially useful for admiring and taking beautiful screenshots and videos of the level architecture or character designs up close, something which isn't possible with Redemption's default camera, which offers a very constrained view, unless First Person mode is used - but it requires pressing and holding the Z button while moving the mouse at the same time, and it only shows what is seen from the position of the current character. If Free Camera is to be used in this way, it is prudent to turn off the interface beforehand (with F11) and end any active Discipline buffs by clicking on their icons with the Right Mouse Button. You may also want to freeze the game world with Ctrl + S key, which works inside Free Camera mode as well. Another possible use for the Free Camera is scouting the level before venturing forward, akin to Psychic Projection.
Free Camera can also be used in advanced scripting to make custom camera paths from recorded keyframes. For more information, see the E-Mods.net tutorials here.
Other switches
The -level switch can be used to quickly test a newly exported user map. To do this, append the full filename of the map you created with the Embrace editor, including the .NIL extension, like so: -level mymap.nil. The default Redemption NIL files are located inside the Levels.nob archive in the game's main folder. After appending the switch, launch the game and start a new Single Player game. Your map will now load in place of the usual Redemption chronicle. You explore the level with the default Christof character, with no Storyteller available, and the Console command usage is the same as in normal Single Player scenario.
The -user switch appears to act as a profile manager, at least for the Multiplayer aspect of the game. Create a folder called example inside the game's main folder, and then create an empty Crypt folder inside of example. This duplicates the game's main Crypt folder which is used for storing your Multiplayer characters. If you then launch the game with the -user example argument, and attempt to create another multiplayer character, you'll notice that while it works, they will not appear in the actual player list in Character Selection screen. Instead, your character will be saved in the Crypt folder under the username you specified in the command line, but only if such such user folder (example\Crypt\ in this case) is present in the first place. Further investigation is required to see in what other ways the -user flag could be utilized. It is also known to be used for launching the Age of Redemption mod.
The -nofog parameter can be used to disable all fog effects on maps like the London hub. It has been offered by Nihilistic as a workaround for video cards that were having severe issues with rendering such effects. Not recommended for use with modern graphics cards, as they all should be capable of handling the fog fairly well (aside from minor glitches with the dynamic lights, e.g. torches). This switch is also stubborn and won't return the fog even after it is removed from the command line, as it directly modifies your game settings. To restore fogging effects, remove the switch and either set detailFlags=32 under the [render] section in your masquerade.ini, or simply go into Advanced Display Options screen in-game, click OK and restart Redemption.
