Multiplayer Coop Needs Improvements

[Teriander]

I've been using DCS since the beginning, and one thing that bothers me and my friends, is the weak multiplier coop functionality. Some servers have random spawning A-A and A-G missions, but its a global event. If you're late or someone else reaches the objective, you're back to flying without a purpose. Often this leads players flying without ever firing a shot.

 

Here is what can improve this sytem:

First, allow users to choose if they are solo or with a group. If a group is selected they all use the same type of aircraft.

Second, allow user to choose what type of mission they want. CAP, CAS, SAM hunt, ANTI-SHIP, etc. Then this mssion type is assigned to the group or the solo pilot.

Third, allow the group or solo pilot to choose where they wish to launch. Airfield, carrier, etc.

Forth, a list of missions became available that is appropriate to aircraft, location, and mission type that the user of group had just made. The selected mission then becomes assigned only to this group and spawns away from other players that could interfere with this assigned group. The Details tab also has information of this mission during flight.

 

This is the best way to assure player on the server has something to do without receiving updates that are irrelevant. I can guarantee you'll see more online players if the multiplayer system was improved.

 

What do you think?

[Py]

As I understand it the PvE missions you are referring to are user-made, not made by ED?

 

It seems extremely complicated to build such a mission that is reliable though, otherwise there would be more of them, and with some of the features you mention.

 

I'm really hoping the new dynamic campaign system will help with this when it is eventually released.

[QuiGon]

I'm not sure I understand. Do you want mission makers to create other kinds of missions? If so, there are already missions that do assign specific tasks to certain aircraft groups out there. A prime example would be Operation Bactria, where you choose a group (either alone or with up to 4 other members) and then recieve tasks that are specifc to that group. It's all A-10C, but it would be no problem to swap the A-10s for other aircraft.

Edited January 7, 2019 by QuiGon

[Teriander]

Im not talking about user created missions. Im talking about a system that is created inside the engine. I find it hard to believe the developer can program one of the most complicated sims ever but struggle to program a coop system.

 

Something that is easy for users to operate, and does not require additional downloads. Or user make content.

[QuiGon]

Im not talking about user created missions. Im talking about a system that is created inside the engine. I find it hard to believe the developer can program one of the most complicated sims ever but struggle to program a coop system.

 

Something that is easy for users to operate, and does not require additional downloads. Or user make content.

You can already create such coop missions. Everything that is needed for that is already available in DCS. I even linked such a mission as an example above.

[Teriander]

You can already create such coop missions. Everything that is needed for that is already available in DCS. I even linked such a mission as an example above.

 

Is the mission you linked user created? Is it specific for a certain aircraft? Then no, what you are providing is not what im talking about.

 

Im talking about a dynamic coop system that does not require user made missions and easy setup.

[QuiGon]

Is the mission you linked user created? Is it specific for a certain aircraft? Then no, what you are providing is not what im talking about.

It is specific for the A-10C, yes, but it can be changed to any other aircraft if you like to.

 

 

Im talking about a dynamic coop system that does not require user made missions and easy setup.

You want a mission generator? Well you can just use the quick mission generator from the main menu to generate a mission and then manually add some human wingmen.

[draconus]

Something that is easy for users to operate, and does not require additional downloads. Or user make content.

 

 

You don't want to do stuff yourself yet you deliberately refuse to download or use the user made content wich defines almost 100% of multiplayer in DCS right now. That's just your attitude and your fault. You should have made it a wishlist thread anyway.

 

 

There are many servers, missions and mods to make you and your group happy but you can still wait for ED and ingame content to please you.

 

 

I remember server that you could even spawn the enemies for yourself from the comms F10 menu. But it's probably user made so... no, not for you.

[Sandman1330]

What it sounds like you are asking for is a dynamic campaign, like that other F16 sim. ED are actively developing it and are quoting some time in 2019 for its release, though I think it will be late this year if we get it in 2019 at all.

[Teriander]

What it sounds like you are asking for is a dynamic campaign, like that other F16 sim. ED are actively developing it and are quoting some time in 2019 for its release, though I think it will be late this year if we get it in 2019 at all.

 

Yes, this is more like what im looking for. Im glad to hear ED is working on it. Even if its single player. Hoping it includes multiplayer options as well.

 

Thanks for the response that is very informative.

[QuiGon]

Yes, this is more like what im looking for. Im glad to hear ED is working on it. Even if its single player. Hoping it includes multiplayer options as well.

 

Thanks for the response that is very informative.

But in a dynamic campaign you can't choose the aircraft of your liking, as you have to fly the planes that are available in the specific campaign situation.

[Sandman1330]

But in a dynamic campaign you can't choose the aircraft of your liking, as you have to fly the planes that are available in the specific campaign situation.

 

Little is known about what ED is developing, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it encompasses all or most modules in one campaign. I would hope it offers a variety of missions for different platforms within the overall campaign to choose from. Pure conjecture on my part though. Most user made DCs can only use one, but they are limited by the ME and LUA scripting that ED isn’t.

[Varis]

A paid mission pack that caters to all and especially new players in multiplayer?

 

Or a community COOP server with ED sponsorship? 1 module of your choosing to gift every month you run it? Or something like that.

 

DCS Finland has one guy who creates missions like these (and a few others doing the stuff occasionally). There are challenges like learning the scripting or making a mission where everyone has something to shoot when the platforms vary by capability, mission type, cruising speed and usable range. He's still doing a hell of a good job. Most people don't have the motivation and that's a problem. A bit of official focus from ED could help out the multiplayer scene.

[M1Combat]

Use a mission called "Through The Inferno".

 

 

There's one for each map as I recall. You can play as an MP flight and spawn a/a and a/g missions to your hearts content. There is also a dynamic campaign engine that does require a small bit of setup but it pretty cool.

[lefty1117]

We need a bit of a change in the system so that missions can be spawned and tasked to a specific slot or groups of slots, and only those slots have the mission details available to them. That doesn't mean that other slots may not come across those same missions targets but they wouldn't be directed to them.

 

What would really be cool is if you had a sequence of missions spawned in order depending on pass/fail of the preceding mission, and assigned to specific slots or flight groups based on their capabilities. A BARCAP covering a SEAD followed by a Strike, for example.

[QuiGon]

We need a bit of a change in the system so that missions can be spawned and tasked to a specific slot or groups of slots, and only those slots have the mission details available to them. That doesn't mean that other slots may not come across those same missions targets but they wouldn't be directed to them.

That's pretty much what Operation Bactria (the mission I linked on the first page) does.