FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions - Zero-K (still under construction)
Questions
- I'm new to Zero-K. Where should I start?
- How can I unlock technologies?
- How do I gain skillpoints?
- How can I reach a new rank? How are they split?
- How much XP do I need to reach the next level?
- My FPS is low after some time have passed ingame. What can I do?
- I get ugly bubbles in the minimap/the whole screen flashbangs.
- I have some game ideas. Where can I post them?
- What does all the ingame abbreviations mean?
- How can I support the game? Donations?
- I forgot my password / username. Help me pls!
- My question isn't answered here. Where can I ask my question?
Answers
1. I'm new to Zero-K. Where should I start?
First you should read the "Newbie Guide" and try some practice games against the AI. You can also spectate some online games to see which things are significant. Some mission are designed for new player to get to know the interface and some basic gameplay ideas (e.g. Sandbox and 2v1. You can also access them from Zero-K lobby directly.
2. How can I unlock technologies?
You have to visit the Zero-K Homepage (www.zero-k.info) and log in with your account. If you're using our Zero-K lobby you can easily unlock them ingame in the "Home" tab.
If you want to use all technologies without any points, you can disable unlock system in modoptions. (In battle room click extras -> game options).
3. How do I gain skillpoints?
You can gain skillpoints (based on the Elo rating) if you're winning multiplayer games. Based on you enemies' skill you will gain/lose more or less skillpoints.
4. How can I reach a new rank? How are they split?
Rank system is based on user's ingame time:
= 0 Hours 
= 5 Hours 
= 15 Hours 
= 30 Hours 
= 100 Hours 
= 300 Hours 
= 1000 Hours 
= 3000 Hours
5. How much XP do I need to reach the next level?
Mouse over the XP bar on the home page; the XP needed is displayed in the tooltip. You can also calculate it yourself:
XP for next level = level * 80 + 20 * level^2 for instance:
- Level 1: 100
- Level 2: 240
- Level 3: 420
- Level 4: 680
- Level 5: 900
- Level 6: 1200
6. My FPS is low after some time have passed ingame. What can I do?
Try to reduce your graphics settings. To do so, go to the Settings Tab on Zero-K Lobby and click Graphics Settings -> Run SpringSettings. Some system-intensive elements that you could tone down/disable are shadows and water type. Try a new game and probably change some settings again.
7. I get ugly bubbles in the minimap/the whole screen flashbangs.
Do you get bubbles like this? This is caused by ATI graphics and OpenGL. Try to restart your computer and start a game without changing any graphic settings.
8. I have some game ideas. Where can I post them?
Visit the Zero-K forum and pose your ideas in one of the sections. Furthermore, you can create a new issue on our development site: http://code.google.com/p/zero-k/issues/entry
9. What does all the ingame abbreviations mean?
You can look up some abbreviations used ingame here in this list. Some abbreviations unrelated to the game can be looked up on this page. Another way is to ask some players ingame.
10. How can I support the game? Donations?
On the one hand you can donate some coins so we can still pay the server costs. On the other hand you can support us by simply playing the game or hosting one of our web banners on your site. Thanks a lot! :-)
11. I forgot my password / username. Help me pls!
If you forgot your password / username please contact one of the server admins to receive your password / username. They will reset it to something and pm it to you.
12. My question isn't answered here. Where can I ask my question?
As above you can visit the forum and ask your question in one of the listed sections.
You can also ask some players ingame to get help.