[Boo]

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.

[Guest]

nice idea, could be hardto do though

[15/JG52_Riddler]

[I believe that mod packs should be released instead of 100 different mods requireing this or that version of soundmod. Just like the original game.

For example we could have 1.0 mod containing the best available mods in one pack, enhancements, new sounds, maps, aircraft etc. And everybody plays that online.

Then we release 1.1 with additional content, bug fixes, etc.

That way we can all play online and not have issues with 100 individual mods

[spud]

At some point there will have to be an "official" release with certain content, IMO. FC's ship mod, fabianfred's stuff, etc, all need to be combined definitively since adding new units will totally foul up any use of them without identical mod installations.

There was always some talk of a Il-2 5.00m (unofficial) "patch." I really think that this is the way to go.

Then new object mods, for example, get submitted to jolly and become a "dot patch." Like 5.01m.

Some mods need not be included in this, they can be entirely optional as long as they do not add new stuff. So the 5.00m patch might have the basic soundmod functionality, plus new objects, planes, etc, so that everyone is on the same page. This would allow map builders to use the new objects if they wish as well.

tater

[urufu_shinjiro]

The problem with the stand alone mini installs is that is can be construed as piracy since someone who does not own the game or even downloaded a pirate disk copy could download the mini mod and play the game as simple as that. While prohibiting this will have no real impact on piracy as anyone so inclined could download a disk image, it may put AAA in a bad light or even in real legal trouble if we are actively distributing a fully playable copy of the game. Thats my concern, a very good idea but may not be doable.

[GentleKiller]

+1

[Radoye]

At some point there will have to be an "official" release with certain content, IMO. FC's ship mod, fabianfred's stuff, etc, all need to be combined definitively since adding new units will totally foul up any use of them without identical mod installations.

There was always some talk of a Il-2 5.00m (unofficial) "patch." I really think that this is the way to go.

Then new object mods, for example, get submitted to jolly and become a "dot patch." Like 5.01m.

Some mods need not be included in this, they can be entirely optional as long as they do not add new stuff. So the 5.00m patch might have the basic soundmod functionality, plus new objects, planes, etc, so that everyone is on the same page. This would allow map builders to use the new objects if they wish as well.

tater

Good stuff!

[Boo]

The way I envisioned it the mini install would still require the game files. It would contain nothing of the original game files in the mod installer (except the required mod files).

On install it would add the mod patch to a pre-existing stock IL2 install, then add the mod specific airplanes, textures, and maps and then delete the unneeded sfs files to reduce mod size.

That is no different than what the mod community is currently doing, but it makes for a small and orderly package for that Mod's theater of combat that everyone who wants to fly online can have the same version easily.

[Bearcat]

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.

Hmmmmm I wonder if that explains something that happened to me online the other night...

I got shot up and there was no one around me ... no artillary on the ground either. :?

[Boo]

From what I read the other day Bearcat that does not happen, if you are in a plane that the other machine does not have you do not exist in their world, they can not harm you. I am pretty sure that is what the guy who tested it out reported in another thread.