l4dsr-wiki/docs/rules/rules.mdx

# Rules

## For any questions please ask in the [Discord server](https://discord.gg/JAUCEJmm2H)

## [Click here for the Game Version Glossary](https://www.speedrun.com/l4d2/guides/up099)

## Submission/Proof Requirements

### ALL RUNS require proof in the form of demo files AND suitable video with game audio

- Proof must remain publicly available for at least 6 months in order for runs to remain on the leaderboard.

### VIDEO PROOF

- Video must be recorded as you play (not demo playback).
- Video must be uncut for the entire run.
- Game audio must be clear enough to confirm that no addons or mods were used.
- Video must be hosted on a permanent platform, such as YouTube or as a Twitch highlight
- A Twitch VOD is not acceptable as it will expire.
- For co-op runs, only video from the host is required.
- Video must contain mostly the speedrun itself (some extra footage is fine).

### DEMO PROOF

- Click [HERE](https://l4dsr.github.io/l4dsr-wiki/docs/tutorials/welcome/demos) for a guide on recording demos.
- It is highly advised that you install [SST](https://mikes.software/sst/) to make demo recording easier.
- **ALL PC RUNS must have demo proof in addition to video proof.**
- As of 7/17/23, **demo recording must contain the entirety of the intro cutscene** on the first level of the run (pausing and recording immediately after the loading into the first level is **NOT** enough to comply with the rule. Check the [guide](https://l4dsr.github.io/l4dsr-wiki/docs/tutorials/welcome/demos#demo-recording-basics) for recommendations).
- Demos must be recording at all times for the entire duration of the run.
- For co-op runs, all players in the run must record and link their demos in the submission.
- If you need to go to the main menu or run the `map` command at any point during a multi-campaign run, you need SST in order for the run to be valid.

### ADDONS AND MODS ARE BANNED

- This DOES INCLUDE **ANY** kind of textures, reskins, changes to audio, **autojump (autobhop) scripts**, null movement/null cancelling scripts, macros, etc. 
- This DOES NOT INCLUDE configs, or external custom crosshairs (RTSS, HudSight, mike's xhair program, etc.). 
- **Some keybinds and commands are banned, see below for more info.**

## General Rules

- The red "4" loading icon in the top right must be unobstructed during loading screens.
- You cannot change game versions mid-run.
- HUD elements must fully disappear when entering the escape vehicle in a finale in order for a campaign to be considered completed.
- During a run, you may only play campaigns that are a part of the category. For example, if you are running Main Campaigns, you are not allowed to enter The Passing at any point in the run.
- Campaigns can be played in any order in multi-campaign runs, but each campaign must be played in a single, unbroken instance from its first map to the last map.
- During a multi-campaign run, if you accidentally do something that breaks a rule (such as voting to Easy in Expert Realism), you may continue the run if you restart the current campaign.
- Playing on Realism is allowed.
- It is highly recommended (but not required) for runners on PC to use LiveSplit and the included autosplitter.
- It can be enabled by right-clicking in Livesplit, clicking “Edit Splits”, and clicking “Activate”.

### CO-OP RUNS

- Must be played on a local server (via lobby or `map` command)
- The submitted perspective must be of the host, or whoever loads first.
- Can be completed with 2 to 4 players.
- Players cannot be swapped mid-run.
- All players in the run must record and link their demos in the submission.

## Keybinds/Commands

Though custom keybinds are allowed for convenience, **any route, trick or in-game action which relies on behaviour that is only achievable through the use of the developer console is banned**. Examples of said behaviour include pausing/unpausing the game in ways that are not otherwise possible and sending different commands when pressing and unpressing a key. This rule doesn't concern which commands are allowed to be used, but how the developer console itself impacts the speedrun. That being said, a full list of allowed commands and their allowed usages is as follows:

### Whitelisted Commands

**These commands may be bound to any number of keys, but must be bound directly, not as part of an alias or with other commands on the same key:**

- `+attack`
- `+attack2`
- `+back`
- `+duck`
- `+forward`
- `+jump`
- `+mouse_menu Orders`
- `+mouse_menu QA`
- `+moveleft`
- `+moveright`
- `+reload`
- `+showscores`
- `+speed`
- `+use`
- `+voicerecord`
- `+zoom`
- `chooseteam`
- `go_away_from_keyboard`
- `impulse 100` (flashlight)
- `impulse 201` (spray)
- `invnext`
- `invprev`
- `lastinv`
- `slot{1-10}`
- `toggle_duck`

**These commands can be used, and may be bound to keys and combined in aliases, including key-toggling and cycling scripts:**

- `bind`
- `callvote [ChangeDifficulty/ChangeMission/RestartGame]`
- `disconnect`
- `host_writeconfig`
- `jpeg`
- `map <map name> <difficulty> <mode>`
- `messagemode`
- `messagemode2`
- `motd`
- `r_cleardecals`
- `rate`
- `say`
- `say_team`
- `screenshot`
- `setinfo name <name>`
- `Vote [Yes/No]`

**These cvars can be modified, and may be bound to keys and combined in aliases, including key-toggling and cycling scripts:**

- `cc_linger_time`
- `cc_predisplay_time`
- `cl_cmdrate`
- `cl_colorblind`
- `cl_crosshair_*`
- `cl_glow_*`
- `cl_interp_ratio`
- `cl_interp`
- `cl_showdemooverlay`
- `cl_showfps`
- `cl_showpos`
- `cl_updaterate`
- `cl_viewmodelfovsurvivor` (on game versions that support it)
- `closecaption`
- `con_fiter_*`
- `demo_*`
- `engine_no_focus_sleep`
- `fov_desired` (on game versions that support it)
- `fps_max`
- `m_pitch [0.022/-0.022]`
- `m_filter`
- `m_rawinput`
- `m_customaccel`
- `m_customaccel_exponent`
- `m_customaccel_max`
- `m_customaccel_scale`
- `name`
- `net_graph`
- `net_splitpacket_maxrate [15000/30000]`
- `sensitivity`
- `snd_mixahead`
- `snd_musicvolume`
- `sv_lan`
- `volume`

**These cvars can be modified, but their value must not change for the entire duration of the speedrun:**

- `snd_mute_losefocus`

### Blacklisted Commands

While only the *whitelisted* commands above are allowed to be used, for clarity, the following list contains common commands that are **NOT** allowed to be used. This list is not exhaustive.

**Using these commands, or changing them from default/game-controlled values WILL RESULT IN YOUR RUN BEING REJECTED:**

- `sv_cheats`, or any command/variable/game state requiring `sv_cheats`
- `developer`
- `z_difficulty`
- `kick`
- `kill`
- `wait`
- `thirdpersonshoulder`
- `changelevel`
- `jointeam`
- `snd_restart`
- `mp_*`
- All `sv_*` commands not mentioned in the whitelist

**If you feel something is missing from the whitelist or blacklist, or wish to seek clarification, please contact a moderator through the [Discord server](https://discord.gg/JAUCEJmm2H).**

**Attempts to abuse any potential loopholes in this white/blacklist (or the rest of the rules in general) will be dealt with at the discretion of the mod team.**