diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 3d1201bf7..7bdfc9f81 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -128,11 +128,11 @@ This means that plugins that do binary code analysis (Orpheu for example) probab
 
 ## How to install zBot for CS 1.6?
 * Extract all the files from an [archive](regamedll/extra/zBot/bot_profiles.zip?raw=true)
-* Enter `-bots` option at the command line HLDS
+* Enable CVar `bot_enable 1` in `cstrike/game_init.cfg` (if this config file does not exist, create it)
 
-## How to install CSCZ hostage AI for CS 1.6?
+## How to install CS:CZ hostage AI for CS 1.6?
 * Extract all the files from an [archive](regamedll/extra/HostageImprov/host_improv.zip?raw=true)
-* Enter `-host-improv` option at the command line HLDS
+* Enable CVar `hostage_ai_enable 1` in `cstrike/game_init.cfg` (if this config file does not exist, create it)
 
 ## Build instructions
 ### Checking requirements
diff --git a/dist/game_init.cfg b/dist/game_init.cfg
index 90e31b2d5..de6cb5326 100644
--- a/dist/game_init.cfg
+++ b/dist/game_init.cfg
@@ -1,3 +1,18 @@
+// Enables ZBots for the server
+// NOTE: ZBots are always enabled on a listen server, regardless of this cvar
+// 0 - disabled
+// 1 - enabled
+//
+// Default value: "0"
+bot_enable "0"
+
+// Enables the improve AI for hostages from CS:CZ
+// 0 - disabled (classic hostage)
+// 1 - enabled (improved hostage)
+//
+// Default value: "0"
+hostage_ai_enable "0"
+
 // Sets mins/maxs hull bounds for the player.
 // 0 - disabled (default behaviour, sets engine)
 // 1 - enabled  (sets gamedll)
diff --git a/regamedll/dlls/bot/cs_bot_init.cpp b/regamedll/dlls/bot/cs_bot_init.cpp
index 1bf7aec00..665b3c337 100644
--- a/regamedll/dlls/bot/cs_bot_init.cpp
+++ b/regamedll/dlls/bot/cs_bot_init.cpp
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@
 
 #include "precompiled.h"
 
+cvar_t cv_bot_enable                 = { "bot_enable", "0", 0, 0.0f, nullptr };
 cvar_t cv_bot_traceview              = { "bot_traceview", "0", FCVAR_SERVER, 0.0f, nullptr };
 cvar_t cv_bot_stop                   = { "bot_stop", "0", FCVAR_SERVER, 0.0f, nullptr };
 cvar_t cv_bot_show_nav               = { "bot_show_nav", "0", FCVAR_SERVER, 0.0f, nullptr };
diff --git a/regamedll/dlls/bot/cs_bot_init.h b/regamedll/dlls/bot/cs_bot_init.h
index 8687e3f7f..b50e020c3 100644
--- a/regamedll/dlls/bot/cs_bot_init.h
+++ b/regamedll/dlls/bot/cs_bot_init.h
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@
 
 #pragma once
 
+extern cvar_t cv_bot_enable;
 extern cvar_t cv_bot_traceview;
 extern cvar_t cv_bot_stop;
 extern cvar_t cv_bot_show_nav;
diff --git a/regamedll/dlls/game.cpp b/regamedll/dlls/game.cpp
index 3f26b8554..12f63c1a7 100644
--- a/regamedll/dlls/game.cpp
+++ b/regamedll/dlls/game.cpp
@@ -460,9 +460,18 @@ void EXT_FUNC GameDLLInit()
 	CVAR_REGISTER(&vote_flags);
 	CVAR_REGISTER(&votemap_min_time);
 
+	CVAR_REGISTER(&cv_bot_enable);
+	CVAR_REGISTER(&cv_hostage_ai_enable);
+
 	// print version
 	CONSOLE_ECHO("ReGameDLL version: " APP_VERSION "\n");
 
+	// execute initial pre-configurations
+	SERVER_COMMAND("exec game_init.cfg\n");
+	SERVER_EXECUTE();
+
+	Regamedll_Game_Init();
+
 #endif // REGAMEDLL_ADD
 
 	Bot_RegisterCVars();
@@ -473,12 +482,6 @@ void EXT_FUNC GameDLLInit()
 	VoiceGameMgr_RegisterCVars();
 #endif
 
-#ifdef REGAMEDLL_ADD
-	// execute initial pre-configurations
-	SERVER_COMMAND("exec game_init.cfg\n");
-	SERVER_EXECUTE();
-#endif
-
 }
 
 SpewRetval_t GameDLL_SpewHandler(SpewType_t spewType, int level, const char *pMsg)
diff --git a/regamedll/dlls/h_export.cpp b/regamedll/dlls/h_export.cpp
index 486a3eedf..544a92ffb 100644
--- a/regamedll/dlls/h_export.cpp
+++ b/regamedll/dlls/h_export.cpp
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ C_DLLEXPORT void WINAPI GiveFnptrsToDll(enginefuncs_t *pEnginefuncsTable, global
 	gpGlobals = pGlobals;
 
 	FileSystem_Init();
-	Regamedll_Game_Init();
 }
 
 #if defined(_LINUX)
diff --git a/regamedll/dlls/hostage/hostage.cpp b/regamedll/dlls/hostage/hostage.cpp
index 7ef34b222..e3ddd6750 100644
--- a/regamedll/dlls/hostage/hostage.cpp
+++ b/regamedll/dlls/hostage/hostage.cpp
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@
 
 #include "precompiled.h"
 
+cvar_t cv_hostage_ai_enable = { "hostage_ai_enable", "1", 0, 1.0f, nullptr };
 cvar_t cv_hostage_debug = { "hostage_debug", "0", FCVAR_SERVER, 0.0f, nullptr };
 cvar_t cv_hostage_stop  = { "hostage_stop", "0", FCVAR_SERVER, 0.0f, nullptr };
 
@@ -273,6 +274,7 @@ void CHostage::Precache()
 		static int which = 0;
 		switch (which)
 		{
+		default:
 		case REGULAR_GUY:
 			pev->model = MAKE_STRING("models/hostageA.mdl");
 			break;
@@ -285,22 +287,25 @@ void CHostage::Precache()
 		case GOOFY_GUY:
 			pev->model = MAKE_STRING("models/hostageD.mdl");
 			break;
-		default:
-			break;
 		}
 
 		m_whichModel = static_cast<ModelType>(which);
 
 		if (++which > 3)
 			which = 0;
+
+		if (!g_pFileSystem->FileExists(pev->model))
+		{
+			// It seems that the model is missing, so use classic hostages
+			g_bHostageImprov = false;
+			pev->model = iStringNull;
+		}
 	}
-	else
+
+	if (pev->model.IsNull())
 	{
 		m_whichModel = REGULAR_GUY;
-		if (pev->model.IsNull())
-		{
-			pev->model = MAKE_STRING("models/scientist.mdl");
-		}
+		pev->model = MAKE_STRING("models/scientist.mdl");
 	}
 
 	PRECACHE_MODEL(pev->model);
diff --git a/regamedll/dlls/hostage/hostage.h b/regamedll/dlls/hostage/hostage.h
index 44a501235..6bacec2dc 100644
--- a/regamedll/dlls/hostage/hostage.h
+++ b/regamedll/dlls/hostage/hostage.h
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ enum HostageChatterType
 extern CHostageManager *g_pHostages;
 extern int g_iHostageNumber;
 
+extern cvar_t cv_hostage_ai_enable;
 extern cvar_t cv_hostage_debug;
 extern cvar_t cv_hostage_stop;
 
diff --git a/regamedll/dlls/util.cpp b/regamedll/dlls/util.cpp
index de6159469..b1102c470 100644
--- a/regamedll/dlls/util.cpp
+++ b/regamedll/dlls/util.cpp
@@ -1660,14 +1660,12 @@ int UTIL_ReadFlags(const char *c)
 // Determine whether bots can be used or not
 bool UTIL_AreBotsAllowed()
 {
-#ifdef REGAMEDLL_ADD
-	if (g_engfuncs.pfnEngCheckParm == nullptr)
-		return false;
-#endif
-
 	if (AreRunningCZero())
 	{
 #ifdef REGAMEDLL_ADD
+		if (g_engfuncs.pfnEngCheckParm == nullptr)
+			return false;
+
 		// If they pass in -nobots, don't allow bots.  This is for people who host servers, to
 		// allow them to disallow bots to enforce CPU limits.
 		int nobots = ENG_CHECK_PARM("-nobots", nullptr);
@@ -1687,15 +1685,10 @@ bool UTIL_AreBotsAllowed()
 		return true;
 	}
 
-	// allow the using of bots for CS 1.6
-	int bots = ENG_CHECK_PARM("-bots", nullptr);
-	if (bots)
-	{
-		return true;
-	}
-#endif
-
+	return cv_bot_enable.value > 0;
+#else
 	return false;
+#endif
 }
 
 bool UTIL_IsBeta()
@@ -1728,18 +1721,10 @@ bool UTIL_AreHostagesImprov()
 	}
 
 #ifdef REGAMEDLL_ADD
-	if (g_engfuncs.pfnEngCheckParm == nullptr)
-		return false;
-
-	// someday in CS 1.6
-	int improv = ENG_CHECK_PARM("-host-improv", nullptr);
-	if (improv)
-	{
-		return true;
-	}
-#endif
-
+	return cv_hostage_ai_enable.value > 0;
+#else
 	return false;
+#endif
 }
 
 int UTIL_GetNumPlayers()