about comms on multiplayer

[Flyby]

One day DCS will have two-seater models that can be crewed online. I wonder how comms like Teamspeak might work out. I guess there will be lots of channels, eh?:joystick:

[SUBS17]

It would probably be best to have In Game Voice coms like OF with radio frequencys instead of teamspeak channels. For MP in a two seater the 2 pilots should be able to just push to talk on any freq since they are in the same aircraft without broadcasting on the radio.

[Flyby]

yup, SUBS17

 

rgrt 17, but it would be nice to know for certain. I guess there's plenty of time to sort that out

[Duke49th]

It would probably be best to have In Game Voice coms like OF with radio frequencys instead of teamspeak channels. For MP in a two seater the 2 pilots should be able to just push to talk on any freq since they are in the same aircraft without broadcasting on the radio.

 

I totally agree. :thumbup:

 

Better 2 or more Buttons for push to talk to more different programmed frequencies.(like VHF&UHF in OF - Group/Wing and Broadcast)

[jonob66]

In teamspeak you can have a whisper to function setup. So you can talk with your wingman (or in your senario, a WSO) without transmitting on the main channel. I have used it many times with the squad.

[SUBS17]

But teamspeak does not involve the realism of freq switching which is where IVC is better than teamspeak.

[xhaos]

it should be included inside the game otherwise it just adds too much complexity, plus to simulate RL there should be 3 channels, 1) pilot gunner (no buttons needed and good quality sound) 2) pilots inside wing (LOS, distance, terrain, weather and ECM dependable) and last 3) global channel to communicate with HQ, EWACS etc.

[Backsword]

But teamspeak does not involve the realism of freq switching which is where IVC is better than teamspeak

 

On MS flight sim when using Fsinn server module you can assign frequencies to TS and change comms via the sim. This is handy because you don't need to minimise the sim, which is even less practical in helicopters. Perhaps DCS could support this.

 

PS

 

TS also has command channels which are a must for large exercises. Even with these you have to keep down the banter. Mato, Squadron leaders, pilots, atc and ops commanders all trying to talk over each other can get a bit much

Edited October 1, 2008 by Backsword

[Flyby]

good discussion so far

 

You guys bring some interesting perspectives. LOS is a curious angle to play. Also I have personally regretted "word salad" of many people talking on the same channel. I've read where it was normal to hear many voices over comms in WW2 aerial combat. But that was then. As far as comms in a multi-player combat sim, it will be a matter of team discipline, regardless of which software is used.

What is IVC? Is that Ventrillo? Anyway, you guys rock on this.:thumbup:

Flyby out

[Zorrin]

He means Internal/In-Game/ Voice Comms by IVC.

[Flyby]

thanks Zorrin!

[504Goon]

I think this thread might be of intrest here

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=27478

[Duke49th]

I think this thread might be of intrest here

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=27478

 

Hey, thanks!

 

No VoIP yet. In the wishlist.

:cry:

[xhaos]

i know that we are in code freeze now but i really think this feature NEEDS to be added. or at least some handle that can be used with external program at least.

 

is there any official answer to this?

[Acedy]

or at least some handle that can be used with external program at least.

 

I looked through the Lua exporting tutorial on the main site and while it doesn't mention such a function (although iirc EvilBivol said somewhere that the tutorial will be updated before release) it seems that you will be able to get position coordinates (lat/long) and barometric/radar altitude for a given unit. Now if you could somehow read the terrain mesh files it would be possible to write a program that calculates distances and lines of sight between different player units and check if each LOS intersects with the terrain mesh. This way you could at least cover some of the variables affecting communication. I didn't see anything about selected radio frequency though, but since that is something pitbuilders would need I guess it will be possible to export them as well.

[SUBS17]

You guys bring some interesting perspectives. LOS is a curious angle to play. Also I have personally regretted "word salad" of many people talking on the same channel. I've read where it was normal to hear many voices over comms in WW2 aerial combat. But that was then. As far as comms in a multi-player combat sim, it will be a matter of team discipline, regardless of which software is used.

What is IVC? Is that Ventrillo? Anyway, you guys rock on this.:thumbup:

Flyby out

 

IVC is a feature that was in Open Falcon when I used to use it, its quite good to use in a sim in OF there was UHF and VHF freqs and push to talk for both on the Hotas just like real life. I think a third PTT button would be required for the AH64 when they make that for pilot/gunner coms. They probably don't really need this feature yet but I wouldn't be surprised if they added it later on. BTW when flying with a Squadron online there is rarely any word salad.:megalol:

[SUBS17]

I looked through the Lua exporting tutorial on the main site and while it doesn't mention such a function (although iirc EvilBivol said somewhere that the tutorial will be updated before release) it seems that you will be able to get position coordinates (lat/long) and barometric/radar altitude for a given unit. Now if you could somehow read the terrain mesh files it would be possible to write a program that calculates distances and lines of sight between different player units and check if each LOS intersects with the terrain mesh. This way you could at least cover some of the variables affecting communication. I didn't see anything about selected radio frequency though, but since that is something pitbuilders would need I guess it will be possible to export them as well.

 

Same could be said when out of the pit and walking maybe later on when you use the voice coms out of pit the AI can hear you if you are close enough. This would be good for E&E after you've been shot down.:thumbup:

[Flyby]

say whaaaaaaaaaaaaatt??!!

 

BTW when flying with a Squadron online there is rarely any word salad.:megalol:

No word salad? you guys must be a quiet bunch online!:D I actually came across that term while reading Donald Caldwell's "JG26/Top Guns of the Luftwaffe". a German pilot voiced that phrase describing comms while in a whirling dogfight. Great read, btw.

Flyby out

[nemises]

According to the book "Apache" , British apache pilots have 4 chanels on the go..

the permanent WSO -> pilot link, flight link (ie wingmen), and I think from memory a link to the JTAC and also the general allied comm net...as well as a text / data link within the flight.

 

All have to be listened too , and they just prioritise the most relevant by volume.

 

Interstingly ,the transmit button is activated by foot (except the internal link which is allways open).

 

Anyways, according to the book, there is constant chatter and it's just a matter of filtering out the crap down to what is relevant to you.

[Acedy]

Interstingly ,the transmit button is activated by foot

 

Afaik that is quite common.