Now that new aircraft can be added, the problem is how to use them online.
I'll suggest a possible solution:
1. Make an official AAA mod patch/add-on that changes the version of the game from 4.08m to 5.01MOD or some other and includes cockpits of AI planes, new maps and new aircrafts (Spitfire Mk1 and others that are ready by the time of release).
2. Make a patch/mod for Dedicated server that also chandes version to 5.01MOD and includes new aircraft and maps. (Wiht all the skilled modders working todether, modding the Dedicated server software shouldn't be too difficult.)
After these steps fair online play with new aircrafts and maps would be possible and original version check system ensures that only players with right mod/patch installed can join the game. Thus there won't be any problems when using for example Spit Mk1 and England map on dedicated dogfight server.
3. Every time new maps and aircraft are to be included in the game, make a new patch/addon (for both game and dedicated server) with new version number (next 5.02MOD, then 5.03MOD etc.). Mods that don't affect online gameplay can be published separately outside these patches just like it is done now. Because these packs are different versions and incompatible online, also FM/DM and weapons of stock aircraft could be changed in these patches without any cheating problems.
4. When Oleg publishes official version 4.09m patch, don't make any mods for that version. Just publish a version 5.10MOD patch that includes all new content and corrections of v4.09m. (Or several version: unmodded 4.08m -> 5.10MOD, unmodded 4.09m -> 5.10MOD and previous mod pack -> 5.10MOD) Then continue with 5.11MOD ect. patches/add-ons.
This solution would offer the possibility to use mod-free version 4.09m (even without CRT=2) for those who don't like mods online, while others can use the latest AAA mod version 5.xxMOD online wihtout any compatibility issues (only players with all required mods can join due to version check). Server admins could simply choose whether to run mod-free server (use v4.09m dedicated server) or take advantage of the latest mods (use latest 5.xxMOD dedicated server), and Oleg Maddox will be happy since mod-free online gaming is possible.
yes that may be a good idea
witch im not a fan of BTW
but us map makers are completing and starting maps everyday or updating them so in a month we would be up to 10.0 so i dont think its a good idea but thats just my 2 cents
i kind of agree with you leigh, also not all people download ALL the mods and i dont think that if you have a different patch, it will incompatible with other servers except AAA
Wouldn't work.. At the rate this site is evolving you'd be re-patching weekly, and in real terms it's still in it's infancy!
Its time to realise that 'this site' is the way forward for IL2.. The vanilla version of the game is on the wane, even more so when SoW hits the shelves, when alot of the fanboys will leave IL2 anyway..
However, with the modded version there is so much more scope for development, and it'll be sites like this that will determine what the state of play is, not the other way round..
so when is SOW will come out? :evil:
well mr Evil or very mad face.. Depending on what site you go on depends what date they give.. On a persoal note I think it will be next year.. Play.com says it will be next month!..haha!!
"Two weeks" dont you know :roll:
I Agree with Trooper, here, AT the rate MODs coem out No one would wait for teh next official patch and would install new thinsgs the day they come out. I think that the compatibility isue is part of the servers responsability. In other heavilly modded games like Arma, the Server determines What you have to install to play there. and thats it.
Still I agree with not touching official 409 patch once its out and if it does have soemthing new, try to imported to our 5.0.
Maybe you could do official AAA installs every mionth with whatever is defenite but the beggining of the month.
I wish you could mod a server mod, but I belive that must be quite a challenge.
The problem of online play, as I see it, has nothing to do with fairness, but everything to do with compatibility. As Trooper et al have said, there are mods coming out every other day. Where this is going to be a huge problem is with the maps and aircraft that the host has installed and included for each mission/DF map. That is where the challenge, or frustration is going to come from. We have already experienced this while trying to conduct an SEOW campaign with MODs installed. The multi crewed aircraft are what hair lipped those who didn't have them. But even that could be overcome provided that the single seaters were assigned/tasked first. Now, once we start dealing with multiple versions of the Slot, it's going to be even more difficult to make sure that all participants have the necessary mods to join.
I mentioned this earlier with my mini installs idea.
There could be servers dedicated to certain periods/theaters using only files from that groups project. You would take a normal IL2 install, patch it with the latest verions of that theater's mod, and then the installer strips out all the unnescessary map and plane files to make it a small manageable install which would be updated from time to time as that team deems an update worth doing. You could even load a separate HyperLobby install in each theater package for ease of switching theaters online.
With this format I would think the average person would have one mega-mod install with all sorts of add-ons to play around with, but also a few theaters that are under a gig or two in size. With the size of hard drives today that would not be much space at all.
You could have specialized theaters with their own DCG and online servers like:
Spanish Civil War (which several of us are starting work on)
Korea
Africa
Marianas/Slot
Each in a tidy package updated every month or so as warranted by that teams dev's. Then that team could also recommend official servers for their package.
I doubt if there are two people ...now...with the exact same mods install
some are interested in the LW planes and cockpits.......some in Allied......some have installed and tried mods, then put a '-' in front to disable them....and now the Map Tools are available to all, many have taken the opportunity to fiddle and make their own versions....or populate other peoples maps with buildings
I also make my own 'improvements' to other peoples and stock maps
It is chaos.........
But...up until now.....the only hassle on-line has been with co-ops where there is a mix of people with and without the mods getting in the wrong cockpit...which has been corrected ......after a little work for the mission builder/host
Now new a/c are coming out...........who knows...
most teams can ensure their own squad have all the necessary mods and play private games
This concept been thought of, discussed, and discarded 6 months ago. The same reasoning against then, has been brought up here now.
Regarding online play - its fair enough as it is. If people want these - they can bloody well come and get them.
Let me explain the idea a bit more.
I meant that not every mod makes a new version of the game. All mods should be published separately first (New FMs/DMs/weapons first in their own AC slots. When it is widely agreed that modded version is better than stock version, the stock version can possibly be replaced in next patch). New maps and aircraft can be installed as separate mods first and tested without changing the version number. The right time to publish new patch version is when enough important new content is ready and players want to use these naw planes and maps online in dogfight servers.
The release times of patches can be decided by the community so that too many updates aren't needed. The patches can also contain an update for version switcher so that switching to older version is easy if server uses older mod pack. All the version switcher has to do is to change version number and replace significantly different FMs, DMs, and maps with older versions. The switcher shouldn't uninstall any mods, only change those that are too different for online play.
Of course only new aircraft, maps and FM/DM/weapon changes should be included in patches that change version number. Other mods that don't affect online gameplay (better textures, 6DOF mod, 3d model corrections, sound/effect mods ect.) should be left outside version changing patches so that everyone can freely decide which mods to use. Just make a list of recommended other mods (with download links) released after previous mod patch and place the list under the patch download so that anyone can easily see which mods could be useful. Also note all known compatibility issues and links to correct versions of these mods at the patch download site.
The first mod patch/addon (5.00MOD) could include:
Generic mod activator (sound packs could be installed separately and patch installer can leave present sound set)
New wrapper
AC installer
Cockpits for all AI planes (to make sure everyone can use these planes as flyable)
Spitfire Mk1 + possibly other new aircraft
All new maps that are ready (so ready that layout/airfield changes aren't expected anymore)
Corrected FMs for some AI planes (Tu-2S, Avanger, B5N2, B6N2 ect. if ready)
Fire extinquishers for all aircraft that had them (if ready)
Of course these are only ideas and perhaps the best solution is somewhat different.
The installer of 5.00MOD could ask for mod activator/soundmod version
Sorry mate.. it just can't work. Fred is right.. it is chaos at the moment, and remember, you are thinking of controlling this from the products within this site.. Don't forget, there are other sites doing the same thing, and unless they all come under one unified command it can't be policed!
I know alot of this is to appease the online community, (of which I'm one).. but as mentioned, there has been very little drama caused by all of this, and when encountered quickly sorted..
These theories are all very well and good, but with the current situation it's simply pie in the sky..
As an online player, I believe this is a very good idea.
Having an alternate/modded "semi-official" or "AAA official" version would be tha right solution for online play, but as far as I know we currently can unpack (extract) sfs files, but we cannot repack them.
If someone who is a trusted person (e.g. the admins of AAA) could do that, and alter game's version, that would mean that we could use online an official "modded" patch, so no cheating, etc...
Using Checkruntime=2 would now be possible with the modded game.
I understand that this is the only problem (the problem of cheating I mean, not referred to AAA mods but to mods made by other communities) that still prevents modding to be fully acceptable by the IL-2 online community
Of course for offline playing we could still use unpacked files, so new mods could be incorporated ithout delay as it now happens.
So the question is: has anybody ever thought about repacking sfs files?
Maraz
