feat(core): tiered bot management

README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,120 @@
+## Description:
+This SourceMod plugin adds fake clients (bots) to your server with a flexible tier system that adjusts the number of bots based on the number of real players currently connected. It helps simulate player activity and maintain server population dynamically.
+
+---
+
+## Features
+
+- Dynamic bot count adjustment based on real player count using configurable tiers.
+- Configurable delay before bots join after a map change.
+- Supports fallback mode without tiers.
+- Loads bot display names from an external file for varied and realistic bot names.
+- Prevents kicking real players or SourceTV clients.
+- Staggered bot join timers with random delays to avoid scripted behavior.
+
+---
+
+## Installation
+
+1. Place the compiled plugin (`FakeClients.smx`) into your `addons/sourcemod/plugins/` directory.
+2. Place the configuration files in the `configs/` directory:
+   - `fakeclients_tiers.cfg` — defines the tier thresholds and max bots per tier.
+   - `fakeclients.txt` — list of bot names, one per line.
+
+3. Restart or change the map on your server to load the plugin.
+
+---
+
+## Configuration
+
+### 1. `fakeclients_tiers.cfg`
+
+This file defines the tier system controlling how many bots are allowed based on the number of real players connected.
+
+Format (KeyValues):
+
+```plaintext
+"FakeClientsTiers"
+{
+    "0"   "23"
+    "3"   "22"
+    "9"   "20"
+    "12"  "19"
+    "18"  "17"
+    "45"  "8"
+    "48"  "7"
+    "62"  "0"
+}
+```
+
+- The key is the minimum number of real players required to trigger that tier.
+- The value is the maximum number of bots allowed at that tier.
+- Entries are automatically sorted by threshold, so order in the file does not matter.
+- You can define up to 32 tiers.
+
+---
+
+### 2. `fakeclients.txt`
+
+This file contains the list of bot names to be used when creating fake clients. Each name should be on its own line.
+
+Example names:
+
+```
+SHITSHITSHIT
+-Impulse-
+SLAVA_UKRAINE
+4ik-pyk
+BigBoss
+muhahahahaha
+nide.gg
+HeadShot
+CRAY_ZEE
+mlpro
+Deadmemories
+MaGothic
+Hawk
+```
+
+- Duplicate names are allowed but the plugin tries to avoid assigning the same name to multiple bots simultaneously.
+- You can customize this list freely to fit your server's theme.
+
+---
+
+## ConVars
+
+- `sm_fakeclients_players` (default: 8)  
+  Number of bots to spawn when tier system is disabled.
+
+- `sm_fakeclients_delay` (default: 120)  
+  Delay in seconds after map change before bots start joining.
+
+- `sm_fakeclients_tiers` (default: 0)  
+  Enable (1) or disable (0) the tier system. When enabled, bot counts follow the tiers defined in `fakeclients_tiers.cfg`.
+
+---
+
+## How It Works
+
+- On map start, the plugin loads the bot names and tier configuration.
+- After the configured delay, it adjusts the number of bots based on the current number of real players.
+- If there are too many bots, it kicks the excess ones.
+- If there are too few, it schedules staggered timers to add bots gradually.
+- When real players join or leave, the bot count is adjusted accordingly.
+- The plugin reserves slots to ensure real players can always connect, including extra slots if SourceTV is active.
+
+---
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+- Make sure `fakeclients_tiers.cfg` and `fakeclients.txt` are correctly placed in the `configs/` folder.
+- Check your server logs for any errors related to missing or malformed config files.
+- If the tier system is not working as expected, verify that `sm_fakeclients_tiers` ConVar is set to `1`.
+- Ensure your bot names file has enough unique names to avoid duplicates.
+
+---
+
+## Support & Contribution
+
+For issues, feature requests, or contributions, please visit the GitHub repository:  
+[https://github.com/srcdslab/sm-plugin-FakeClients](https://github.com/srcdslab/sm-plugin-FakeClients)

addons/sourcemod/configs/fakeclients_tiers.cfg

@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+"FakeClientsTiers"
+{
+	"0"   "23"
+	"3"   "22"
+	"6"   "21"
+	"9"   "20"
+	"12"  "19"
+	"15"  "18"
+	"18"  "17"
+	"21"  "16"
+	"24"  "15"
+	"27"  "14"
+	"30"  "13"
+	"33"  "12"
+	"36"  "11"
+	"39"  "10"
+	"42"  "9"
+	"45"  "8"
+	"48"  "7"
+	"51"  "6"
+	"54"  "5"
+	"55"  "4"
+	"57"  "3"
+	"60"  "2"
+	"61"  "1"
+	"62"  "0"
+}