24.03.2008, 10:04
With the proliferation of mods and especially the ability to add aircraft now and the resulting invisible planes that result if a client or server does not have the plane someone else has picked, it is becoming nearly impossible to manage the large number of changes to be able to play online with others easily even if you are using a manager type software program.
Perhaps what we could use for some Mods, especially period pieces like The Spanish Civil War (or maybe even a WWI mod someday) is "AAA sanctioned" IL2 mini installs. What this could be is a copy of IL2 in a new folder with non-essential files removed to massively reduce the size.
Take the Spanish Civil War for instance: (as this seems like one of the easist to make)
All you need is Maps of Spain (perhaps even just one)
All the relevant aircraft, tweaked to 1930's performance and renamed.
Delete all the other maps and planes saving gigabytes of space.
Load a new version of HyperLobby in this same folder to keep it separate for online flying.
This could then be released as a single install with all relevant files so everyone has the same version when flying online. (It would be convenient of the installer deleted unnescessary files automatically when pointed to the correct folder) Of course it could be tweaked further after install if someone wanted to, but it would have the basics. This would be especially nice for squad play, as the 2 competing squads could then say "We will be flying this mission using AAA SCW Ver .92 with no other mods allowed"
This also makes it very easier for the end users, increasing the popularity of the mod because they do not need to hunt down 12 different versions of planes and different map installs.
Yes I know this is more work for a burdened staff and I would like to help out if I could.
Perhaps what we could use for some Mods, especially period pieces like The Spanish Civil War (or maybe even a WWI mod someday) is "AAA sanctioned" IL2 mini installs. What this could be is a copy of IL2 in a new folder with non-essential files removed to massively reduce the size.
Take the Spanish Civil War for instance: (as this seems like one of the easist to make)
All you need is Maps of Spain (perhaps even just one)
All the relevant aircraft, tweaked to 1930's performance and renamed.
Delete all the other maps and planes saving gigabytes of space.
Load a new version of HyperLobby in this same folder to keep it separate for online flying.
This could then be released as a single install with all relevant files so everyone has the same version when flying online. (It would be convenient of the installer deleted unnescessary files automatically when pointed to the correct folder) Of course it could be tweaked further after install if someone wanted to, but it would have the basics. This would be especially nice for squad play, as the 2 competing squads could then say "We will be flying this mission using AAA SCW Ver .92 with no other mods allowed"
This also makes it very easier for the end users, increasing the popularity of the mod because they do not need to hunt down 12 different versions of planes and different map installs.
Yes I know this is more work for a burdened staff and I would like to help out if I could.