# BattleRecorder & BattleDirector

Imagine reliving your most epic Battlefield 2142 moments, but from a whole new perspective! BattleRecorder, a fantastic built-in feature, lets you do just that — you can rewatch your past games from a thrilling third-person view. And to dive into those awesome recordings, all you need is BattleDirector. Get ready to see your battles like never before!

<div><figure><img src="/files/tRFFsTcjYCReaLg8JARI" alt=""><figcaption><p>Source: ordinary_chicken @ <a href="https://discord.com/invite/MEwBW9U">BF2142 Reclamation</a></p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/85zsYCIwXo8flaWRJRqr" alt=""><figcaption><p>Source: ordinary_chicken @ <a href="https://discord.com/invite/MEwBW9U">BF2142 Reclamation</a></p></figcaption></figure></div>

{% hint style="warning" %}
With OpenSpy patches, demo files won’t appear under <mark style="color:blue;">Community</mark> > <mark style="color:blue;">Battle Recorder</mark> in-game.
{% endhint %}

### Preparations

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Create the `Demos` folder at `Battlefield 2142\mods\<MOD>`.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Download and install BattleDirector from [Downloads](#downloads).
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Read <mark style="color:blue;">Quick Help</mark> in BattleDirector.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
In <mark style="color:blue;">Settings</mark>, set <mark style="color:blue;">Game</mark> to <mark style="color:blue;">Battlefield 2142</mark> and set <mark style="color:blue;">Game EXE Location</mark> to your BF2142 executable .
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Recorded demos will appear in the <mark style="color:blue;">Launcher</mark> tab after you select the correct <mark style="color:blue;">Mod</mark>.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### Recording a demo with BattleRecorder

For singleplayer or LAN:

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
While in-game, press the `~` key to open the console (press it again to close).
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
To start recording, type `demo.recordDemo NAME` in console and press `Enter`.

You should see `recordingDemo` if it worked.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
To stop recording, type `demo.stopRecording` in console and press `Enter`.

You should see `stoppingRecording` (it also stops automatically at the end of a match).
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Find your demos in `Battlefield 2142\mods\<MOD>\Demos`.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

For multiplayer:

{% hint style="info" %}
Reclamation has disabled in-game demo downloads. Ask the admins on Discord for the file by providing the gameplay timestamp.
{% endhint %}

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Join a server with BattleRecorder enabled and properly configured.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
After the round ends, go to <mark style="color:blue;">Community</mark> > <mark style="color:blue;">Battle Recorder</mark> and download the demo under <mark style="color:blue;">Bookmarks</mark>.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Demos are saved to `Documents\Battlefield 2142\Profiles\Default\demos`.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Copy them to `Battlefield 2142\mods\<MOD>\Demos` to view in BattleDirector.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### Viewing a demo with BattleDirector

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Start BattleDirector.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
In <mark style="color:blue;">Settings</mark>, configure <mark style="color:blue;">FPS</mark>, <mark style="color:blue;">FOV</mark>, Hide <mark style="color:blue;">Nametags</mark>, and <mark style="color:blue;">Hide HUD</mark>.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Set <mark style="color:blue;">Resolution</mark> and check <mark style="color:blue;">Windowed</mark> if needed.

For full widescreen, add `+widescreen 1` to the second input box (append [other flags](https://www.moddb.com/tutorials/how-to-install-and-start-any-bf2142-mod-universal-tutorial-with-pictures) as needed).
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
In the <mark style="color:blue;">Launcher</mark> tab, select the <mark style="color:blue;">Mod</mark> used to record the demo.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Choose the demo and click <mark style="color:blue;">Record New Track</mark>.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
You should now see the map loading screen. Once it finishes, click <mark style="color:blue;">JOIN GAME</mark>.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Basic Controls

Press `Q` to open the Play Rose (start, pause, speed control). There is rewind. Do not press Restart — it will mess up the recording.

Press `T` to open the Camera Rose to switch players and toggle between free cam and player cam.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Console Commands

* Hide HUD: `renderer.drawHud 0`
* Show HUD: `renderer.drawHud 1`
* Exit current demo: `demo.ShutdownDemo`
* Adjust demo FOV: `demo.adjustDemoFov 90`

  For cinematic shots, try FOV 40–50.
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Play Shortcuts

* `1`: Pause
* `2`: Play at normal speed
* `3`: Play at 5% speed
* `4`: Play at 25% speed
* `5`: Play at 50% speed
* `6`: Play at normal speed
* `7`: Play at 150% speed
* `8`: Play at 300% speed
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Camera Shortcuts

* `Spacebar`: Cycle forward between players
* `Shift + Spacebar`: Cycle backward between players
* `Right Mouse Button`: Toggle between free camera and player camera
* `Mouse Wheel`: Zoom when locked onto a player
* `W`/`A`/`S`/`D`/`Ctrl`/`Shift`: Move free camera (forward/left/back/right/down/up)
  {% endstep %}
  {% endstepper %}

### Downloads

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Download" %}
**BF2142 Battle Director 1.7 (20.05 MB)**

{% embed url="<https://www.moddb.com/downloads/start/151152/all>" %}

{% embed url="<https://www.moddb.com/downloads/the-sir-community-battledirector-v1-7>" %}
Source: [GameWatcher](https://www.moddb.com/members/gamewatcher) @ [ModDB](https://www.moddb.com/)
{% endembed %}

**BF2142 Battle Director 1.6 (5.74 MB)**

{% embed url="<https://www.moddb.com/downloads/start/162132/all>" %}

{% embed url="<https://www.moddb.com/downloads/the-sir-community-bf2-bf2142-battle-director-1>" %}
Source: [GameWatcher](https://www.moddb.com/members/gamewatcher) @ [ModDB](https://www.moddb.com/)
{% endembed %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Changelog" %}
N/A
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

### Known Issues

* If BattleDirector fails to start with “See the logfile … for details”, install [Microsoft Visual C++ 2003 Redistributable](/help-centre/troubleshoot.md#a06-install-microsoft-visual-c-2003-redistributable).
* In-game player animations (e.g., “Thank you” via Q) don’t play back in demos.
* Recording may break (pause/crash) when the host player dies.
* AVIs often only render correctly in Windowed mode; Fullscreen AVIs can be corrupt.
* AVI files over 4GB tend to break rendering. Record via OBS or keep clips small to stay under 4GB.
  * 1520x855 (3.6GB) — working
  * 1744x981 (4.1GB) — not working
  * 1808x1017 (4.1GB) — not working

### Acknowledgements

Special thanks to

* higuy and HawkeAssault for sharing their findings @ [BF2142 Reclamation](https://discord.com/invite/MEwBW9U) ([BattleDirector SOP](https://discord.com/channels/404188413915299870/404484616846704660/1301036476003389472))
* Cheiftain\_UK for the quick checklist to record demo files @ [Battlerecorder](https://forum.realitymod.com/viewtopic.php?t=94558)
* [DMFDxUconn](https://forums.bf2s.com/profile.php?id=4788) for BattleRecorder insights @ [Battle Recorder Information](https://forums.bf2s.com/viewtopic.php?id=6845)


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.getbf2142.net/advanced/addons-tweaks/battlerecorder-and-battledirector.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.