Cooperative Play Features
Cooperative mode emphasizes teamwork, and allows players the chance to work together as a five-man SWAT team. One person is assigned the position of Element Leader, while the rest of the players occupy the team positions Red1, Red2, Blue1 and Blue2.

If and when the starting element leader expires, the player in the Red1 position becomes the element leader. Succession is repeated, followed by Red2, Blue1 and eventually Blue2.

Cooperative missions are scored like the single-player missions, with a debriefing screen at the end summarizing the team's overall success at completing the mission's objectives.

Visual Aids
As an assaulter, your primary job is to follow the commands of your element leader. However, receiving commands in a multiplayer game can be confusing. To help you make sense of the commands you receive (the what & where of the command) four interface features have been added to the multiplayer version of SWAT 3: Elite Edition.

• Navigational Lines
• Direction/Distance Assist
• Command Box
• Command Tags

Navigation Lines
Navigation lines graphically display the most direct path from the command recipient's position to the command point or object. Nav lines are red and can be toggled on and off, using the "P" key.

Nav lines are removed from the screen two ways: they can be toggled off, and they automatically disappear when the commanded player is in line of sight of the command point or object.

The "P" key is the default setting and can be changed in the Options, Key Mapping screen.

Distance/Direction Assist
Incorporated into each weapon's reticule interface is a distance meter and a two-part direction arrow.

The distance meter and the two-part arrow appear when you receive a command.

The distance meter displays the distance between the command recipient's position and the command point or object. As the command recipient moves closer to or further away from the command point, the number dynamically changes.

A two-part arrow points in the direction of the command point (arrow outline) and the direction of the best path (solid arrow). Both arrows dynamically adjust as the command recipient changes position. The two-part arrow disappears when the command is completed

The Distance/Direction Assist feature cannot be toggled on or off.

Command Box
The Command Box displays commands issued by the element leader, and is located above the assaulter's Response Menu.

Active commands are displayed in green text upon receipt. The active command persists until another command is issued or the recipient responds to the element leader using the Response Menu.

The Command Box feature is active only if the Response Menu is toggled on.

Press the "M" key to toggle the Response Menu on and off.

Command Tags
Command tags exist on the 2-D plane of the player's face shield. This means that command tags will move or float across, and possibly off, the screen as the player moves his head (with the mouse).

There are two types of command tags available to help the assaulter; a tic box and a target icon. The tic box and target command tags are the same color green as the Command Box text and appear upon command.

Target icons are used when directional commands (Clear to the right, Breach door) and general commands (Clear room) are issued.

The tic box is used when the issued command relates to or targets a character, such as "Fall In" or "Restrain."

The tic box command tag disappears when a new command is issued, or a dynamic event occurs (such as shots being fired).

Target icons disappear both temporarily and permanently. The target command tag will temporarily disappear when the command recipient is within approximately five feet of a command point or object. The target command tag will reappear when the command recipient moves moves outside of this range. The target command tag disappears permanently once the command has been completed or a dynamic event occurs (such as shots being fired).

The placement location of the target icon is a result of where the Element leader clicked his mouse & issued the command.

The tic box appears around the character (element leader) that issued the command "Fall-In." As the character moves away the tic box scales smaller. The tic box persists until a different order is issued.

Element Leader View Port
Just like assaulters, the element leader has a small camera mounted onto his helmet that can be accessed with the press of a key.

View port keys function two ways. First as an on-off toggle switch, and second as a sequential switch.

View-port key as a toggle: Click a view port key once and the view port of choice appears. Click the key a second time and the view port disappears. You can also turn the view port on and off by using the "]" key.

View-port key as a sequential switch: Click a view-port key once and the view port of choice appears. Click a second view port key and the new view port replaces the first.

To clear the view port from the screen, click the second key a second time.

Default keys are assigned to each team position:

INSERT: Red1
HOME: Red2
DELETE: Blue1
END: Blue2.
BACKSLASH: Element Leader

To change the view port's default key mapping, go to the Keyboard Mapping screen. For instructions on how to change the key mapping, see Main Menu, Options above.

Observer Mode
If you expire during a non-re-spawn multiplayer game, you will receive a prompt asking if you would like to access Observer Mode. Selecting the option allows you to rejoin the game as an observer and use the view-port keys to access your fellow officers' points of view. If you decline the option, you return to the Operations Screen.

Communications
The Element Leader's Command Menu was introduced in the single-player portion of SWAT 3, and is incorporated into cooperative multiplayer game play. The Command Menu functions the same in both single-player and multiplayer, with the same tree command structure and communiqués accessed by number keys. For details on the Command Menu, refer to the Single-Player Communications Section.

Multiplayer Command Menu
In multiplayer mode, the Command Menu has been expanded to enhance communication between the element leader and his team. To that end, the Command Menu has new options, including an expanded root directory and the addition of branching Opti-Wand messages.

Expanded Root Directory
8: Copy

Pressing the 8 key transmits the word "Copy" to your team. "Copy" is used to acknowledge that you've received and understood a comment from your team.

9: Custom Chat

Pressing the number 9 key from the root directory expands the message menu by one level. The expanded menu allows the element leader to send customized messages to the individual teams or to the element.

Custom Chat messages are configured through the Main Menu Options screen.

Opti-Wand Messages
1 - 3: [Element, Red, Blue]

Pressing the 1-3 keys from the root directory defines a recipient and expands the message menu by one level. When the Opti-Wand is active, the message options on the second level include the number 9 key, the Opti-Wand.

Pressing the number 9 key expands the message menu by one level. The message options on the third level relate to potential threats, or the presence of hostages, as seen in the Opti-Wand image screen.

1: All Clear - Reports no sign of threats, as seen through the Opti-Wand. 2: Civilian - Pressing the number 2 key allows the player to report on the status of civilian(s), as seen through the Opti-Wand, and expands the menu to provide various modifiers:

1: Lone Civilian
2: Multiple Civilians
3: Plus Lone Threat
4: Plus Multiple Threats

1: Lone Hostage
2: Multiple Hostages
3: Plus Lone Threat
4: Plus Multiple Threats

1: Lone Suspect
2: Multiple Suspects

For further details on the Command Menu, refer to the Single-Player Communications Section.

Response Menu
The Response Menu, found in cooperative multiplayer, is the counterpart to the Command Menu. It too is a menu system built on a tree structure, with communiqués accessed by number keys. The Response Menu gives assaulters the means to communicate with the element leader, teammates, the Command Post, civilians, hostages and suspects.

The Response Menu is built on a three-level, branching tree structure with messages accessed by number keys.

Beyond the root-directory level, message options change according to the command received from the element leader. The assaulter always has at least two responses to any given command, and can respond to the Element Leader or to his partner.

Root Directory
The root directory allows the player to begin a response message, communicate with teammates, report mission status and issue compliance.

1: Leader

Pressing the 1 key from the root directory expands the message menu by one level. The response options on the second level are directly related to the element leader's last command, and vary from confirmations to refusals.

The response is directed at the element leader, and heard by the element leader and all other assaulters.

When the Element Leader has not issued a command, pressing the 1 key from the root directory allows the assaulter to notify the element leader he is awaiting orders, or to query the element leader on holding or continuing.

When the Opti-Wand is active, pressing the 1 key from the root directory expands the menu by one level. The report options on the second level allow the assaulter to notify the element leader of potential threats, or the presence of hostages, as seen in the Opti-Wand image screen.

2: Team

Pressing the 2 key from the root directory expands the message menu by one level. The response options on the second level refer to the execution of the pending command. As an example, if the pending command is "Try the Door," the possible responses are: Trying the Door, Standing By, Door Locked and Door Open.

Sending any one of these responses to your partners informs them of your action, or the status of the situation. Only your partner or partners will receive these response messages.

Your partner or partners are your other teammate (Blue / Red) or, where the order was issued to the element, all the other assaulters.

When there is no pending command, pressing the 2 key from the root directory expands the message menu by one level. The message options on the second level relate to you and your partner's next move, such as Follow Me and Hold.

When the Opti-Wand is active, pressing the 2 key from the root directory expands the menu by one level. The report options on the second level allow the assaulter to notify the team of potential threats, or the presence of hostages, as seen in the Opti-Wand image screen.

3: Cover

Pressing the 3 key from the root directory expands the message menu by one level. The message options on the second level request support and are sent to the element leader and all other assaulters.

1: Back Up - Requests that your team provide cover for you.
2: Under Fire - Alerts your team that you are taking fire.
3: No Ammo - Alerts your team that you have run out of ammunition.
4: Report Mission Status

In cooperative multiplayer, each team member is responsible for the evacuation of secured suspects and rescued hostages. Reporting civilian, hostage and suspect status to the Command Post keeps the Brass abreast of your tactical situation and allows them to provide evacuation support.

Pressing the number 4 key from the root directory begins a report message and expands the message menu by one level. The expanded menu allows the assaulter to report the status of an individual character.

To access the various status options, you must point the game cursor at an individual. When the game cursor is pointed at an in-game character, the extended menu options highlight. Choose a number to report the character's status or request evacuation (1 - 5).

1: Down - Reports highlighted individual is wounded.
2: Evacuate - Requests evacuation of highlighted individual.
3: Neutralized - Reports highlighted individual is DOA.
4: Contact - Reports contact has been made with highlighted individual.
5: Secured - Reports highlighted individual is secured with handcuffs.
5: Area Cleared

Pressing the 5 key from the root directory results in the assaulter notifying his teammates that an area is clear of threat. The assaulter can follow up this announcement by dropping a lightstick at the entrance to the cleared area.

6: Compromised

Pressing the 6 key from the root directory results in the assaulter notifying his teammates that their situation has been compromised. This notification will cause the game to switch to dynamic mode.

A compromised situation is one in which a suspect is unexpectedly encountered.

7: Compliance

Compliance means giving hands-up orders to non-threatening individuals, and is issued when no one is in immediate, mortal danger. For instance, an officer may order compliance from unarmed civilians and hostages, or armed suspects who are not pointing their weapon at an innocent.

To issue compliance, target an individual in the reticule and press the 7 key from the root directory. If you do not target an individual before pressing the key, you'll order general compliance. You can also issue compliance by pressing your middle mouse button.

8: Copy

Pressing the 8 key transmits the confirmation "copy," which acknowledges that you've received and understood a command or comment.

9: Custom Chat

Pressing the number 9 key from the root directory expands the message menu by one level. The expanded menu allows the assaulter to send customized messages to the element leader, a teammate or the element.

Custom Chat messages are configured through the Main Menu Options screen.