feature request/suggestion

verbosity · Post by **verbosity** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 10:34 am

hi,

would it be possible to have a universe selection/management tool in-game ( similar to the pilot profile) so players could swap maps easily ( say one server uses the standard map and another uses the evoaup ) without exiting the game and manually playing about with files that have the same name.

Also ( I've suggested this before...) the possibility for servers to specify which map they wish to use on the server, this could be checked using something like a hash check and server admins could specify a url for downloading the universe is the player does not already have a copy of it.

Poodle · Post by **Poodle** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 1:24 am

Or, even better, an automatic map transfer system (Starcraft is a good example). Transfer would be virtually instantaneous.

Post by **Vice** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 2:21 am

Transfers can't be intantaneous if you want to transfer data to new clients from the server, you have to send them the needed data and for data files in the 200-500 KB range, that's a lot of data to transmit. It's been discussed before, details here: http://www.starwraith.com/forum/viewtop ... 827&page=2 Likewise for the client, there are too many dependencies established at game launch for the universe data file, including dynamic memory allocation and locking values in array slots, which essentially prevents feasibly changing that data in-game.

An external app is more feasible for managing data files. For a server option, I could include the option to force lock the universe data file to a specific server, where the operator would place the data file they want to use in the server app's folder, but this has been viewed as a negative by some. Some prefer the dynamic setup where the server adapts automatically to the first client. It's a tricky thing to add though as it may risk breaking some other routines to include this dependency check, so I'm a bit hesitant to make such a significant change unless the regular users really want to see it.

Poodle · Post by **Poodle** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 3:09 am

...data files in the 200-500 KB range...

As I wrote my response to that, I glanced at the actual filesize of universedata.txt, and was surprised to learn that it actually is almost exactly 300 KB. However, using Starcraft maps again as an example, the average map was about 150-200 KB, and it took only a few seconds to download for even the slower connections. Large maps of around 1.5 MB took around 45 seconds to a minute to download through the abominably glitchy Starcraft map daemon. It wouldn't be a monstrous amount of time.
-Edit: Now I understand. Using Starcraft as an example was inaccurate, because the game does not run in real time; all players join prior to the game beginning, allowing them to download the map. After all connected players have already downloaded the map, the host may begin the game.
However, if it would be difficult to add, then I won't continue pushing the argument. However, having the ability for the server to set it doesn't seem like it would be all that hard; if anything, it could be fixed by joining your own game with a modded universedata.txt file. Would creating an automated process that does this be impossible or nearly?

[Edited on 6-28-2008 by Poodle]

Post by **Vice** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 4:23 am

It's not difficult to add, it's a major drawback for players to sit there and have to wait on pause while the server transfers the needed data to a new client... every time a new client signs in with an outdated or missing data file. It's a 10-30 second pause that would get really old really quick as it repeats over and over again. Just not practical in a real time game.

You can already join your game (or another server) with a unique data file that will require other players to use the same file, or they get dropped. It's automated.

[Edited on 6-28-2008 by Vice]

verbosity · Post by **verbosity** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 8:49 am

I'd already asked once before about the downloading of maps files ( once reason I hadn't brought it up again

), it's worth pointing out that if there were a map management system then in theory the map would only ever be downloaded once (if that).

in regards to an external app, I believe that lampy was working on one, I'll try to find out if its still around.

Originally posted by Vice
You can already join your game (or another server) with a unique data file that will require other players to use the same file, or they get dropped. It's automated.
[Edited on 6-28-2008 by Vice]

I can understand how some would want the server to be dynamic, adapting to the first universe that joins, but this causes issues at the moment, when players join with either older or altered versions, which then locks other players out, often with the first pilot being unaware that its the case.

in regards to my original suggestion, if the server were locked, it could then record the 'hash' ( or similar file check) which could be checked against the pilots universe file to tell a pilot whether he can fly before connecting, possibly giving server operators the option to specify a url for the universe if there is a difference.

tha_rami · Post by **tha_rami** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 3:55 pm

Indeed, how about allowing a server to host a universedata file on the internet, and having the game point to that file?

verbosity · Post by **verbosity** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 3:59 pm

Originally posted by tha_rami
Indeed, how about allowing a server to host a universedata file on the internet, and having the game point to that file?

what didn't i say that?

possibly giving server operators the option to specify a url for the universe if there is a difference.

tha_rami · Post by **tha_rami** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 9:42 pm

Yes, you said that, but I tried to translate it to comprehensible English.

(kidding, kidding!)

Poodle · Post by **Poodle** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 4:20 pm

Well, with sulferic acid flittering around my head, this might be somewhat unintelligable, but...

My last suggestion was that you not need to join the game manually; that it just simply requires you to have the same 'universedata.txt' file as the server. Others expanded on it, but wouldn't it be easier if it just pulled it from your install directory, and required that everyone match it?
Or have a directory that you place a universedata.txt file in for the server?