[WIP] VR Multiplayer Servers - Where? Who? How to?

[DerekSpeare]

Hi VR pilots!

 

Would a dedicated DCS VR server be something folks would want? It seems we're a small, but dedicated micro-community of DCS fans, and it's my hunch that a VR Multiplayer server would be something folks would use.

 

Sadly, however, It looks somewhat daunting to set one up...but not impossible as we have a surplus of PC's, one of which can be repurposed to act as a dedicated server for DCS's VR pilots. We have a dedicated TS host as well running right now.

 

That said, here are the questions:

 

1. Would a dedicated VR server for DCS be something folks would want?
   
2. Is there a simple, concise and easy to follow guide to setting one up?
   
3. Would you want TS for voice chat?
   
4. Would a monthly fly-in be of interest?
   
5. Do we have any DC IPs who would want to do training missions on occasion?
   
6. Is a dedicated 100mb (+/-) internet connection enough?
   
7. Is there a service out there who hosts DCS servers like we have with sim racing?
   

If it's feasible, we could set this up :joystick:

 

Cheers!

 

Derek "BoxxMann" Speare

[hansangb]

It'll be a while before I'm MP ready. I just mostly fool around in free flight mode. I wanted to build my switch boxes before becoming too used to flying w/o a box. But will definitely keep an eye out for the future.

[KLR Rico]

I'd love to see a server dedicated to VR users!

 

For chat, the friends I usually fly with switched to Discord, but I have no objections to using TS.

[Shahdoh]

Just curious as I have not gotten VR yet, but what is the need to have it exclusive to VR users, and how could you control it if you do?

 

Not against it, just trying to figure out why you would need one.

[NeilWillis]

I have one, and my question is also why a dedicated server? There is no handicap to using either VR or screens.

[hansangb]

Well, I'm thinking from an experience point of view, it would be common. E.G. Everyone has the same label-view experience, etc. So a 55" 4K user wouldn't have an edge. And flying in formation is much easier in VR so things like that.

[KLR Rico]

I'd think it'd be nice for things like dogfighting where there are advantages and disadvantages to VR, but everyone would be on common ground.

[Ktulu2]

I do not see how you would enforce the VR only though.

[Shahdoh]

That's a slippery slope. Where do you stop next? restriction to a certain HOTAS because someone has an advantage due to number of buttons for easy access? CPU/Video card combo because we all know better framerates are at an advantage?

 

In any light, all uncontrollable aspects of MP servers. Good luck sorting out that issue.

Edited July 12, 2016 by Shahdoh

[Ktulu2]

I did not mean it in a negative way, just wondering how you'd actually do it...The only way I see is to get a pass worded server and get to know everyone that has the password, which is a lot of gestion in the end.

[vicx]

Oh come on.. It's not anywhere near a slippery slope, it's not even a banana peel left on surface of the moon.

 

This is image was doing the rounds on reddit last week.

 

Just so you know. Current day VR HMD have a pixel per degree that is not that far from functional blindness. :)

 

hyperacuity : 460 PPD

perfect vision : 150 PPD

average vision : 85 PPD

normal vision : 60 PPD (also HDTV at manufacurers recommended viewing distance)

Rift : 13.6 PPD

 

For anyone interested in conducting their own tests ... Snellin chart testing apps are recently available for the CV1 and the Vive. Test out how close you are to 20:20 in VR.

For Oculus

For Vive

 

TL;DR In VR you are a LONG way from 20:20 and uncomfortably close to being Mr Magoo, Anyone who is a fan of VR already knows this and maybe they could just fly in VR with other pilots with very poor eyesight.

Edited July 12, 2016 by vicx

[DerekSpeare]

Thanks for the feedback. So it's clear:

 

THE SERVER WOULD NOT BE VR ONLY - ANY PUBLIC SERVER IS OPEN TO ALL WHO JOIN - THE EMPHASIS IS ON THE VR FOLKS, REALLY AS A CENTRALIZED HUB TO LIKELY HAVE OTHERS WHO ARE VR USERS AS WELL.

 

Since the name would be for example, "DCS VR Community Public Server" (or something like that), folks would be on the honor system to join in. There's no way to screen out users of various hardware there's no reason it's even needed. Since most of us are familiar names, it might be cool to "fly among ourselves" in VR instead of going out there in the wild all the time.

 

If there is a simple-to-follow guide on setting up a DCS server, please post it or the link to it here. :thumbup:

Edited July 12, 2016 by DerekSpeare

[JNelson]

Having just come off the 104th and got 5 kills, even though I'm not really current with combat, I don't really feel that VR puts you at a disadvantage.

[NeilWillis]

Yes, limiting it by password and membership of a group would be the obvious way.

 

My question though is still one of whether there is any distinction between the two methods of display. I guess time will tell which wins out in a straight dogfight.

 

On our server we have both methods, and I can't see any issues so far.

[DerekSpeare]

Yes, limiting it by password and membership of a group would be the obvious way.

 

My question though is still one of whether there is any distinction between the two methods of display. I guess time will tell which wins out in a straight dogfight.

 

On our server we have both methods, and I can't see any issues so far.

 

What is your server? Does it allow "casual" flying, too?

[chlywly]

If the community of VR players was large enough I'd love this. I play exclusively in VR.