Disabling all external views to spectators

FLANKERATOR · March 26, 2023

Greetings!

I am trying to disable access to all external views to unslotted users (spectators) in my dedicated server.
I tried ["spectatorExternalViews"] = false

and ["setGlobal"] = true

in options.lua under config folder but to no avail.

Here is my full options.lua content in case of any conflict with another setting I might have overlooked.
Thanks.

options =
{
["difficulty"] =
{
["fuel"] = false,
["easyRadar"] = false,
["miniHUD"] = false,
["optionsView"] = "optview_all",
["setGlobal"] = true,
["avionicsLanguage"] = "native",
["cockpitVisualRM"] = false,
["reports"] = true,
["unrestrictedSATNAV"] = false,
["userSnapView"] = true,
["iconsTheme"] = "nato",
["weapons"] = false,
["padlock"] = false,
["birds"] = 0,
["permitCrash"] = false,
["immortal"] = false,
["cockpitStatusBarAllowed"] = false,
["wakeTurbulence"] = false,
["easyFlight"] = false,
["hideStick"] = false,
["radio"] = false,
["geffect"] = "realistic",
["easyCommunication"] = true,
["units"] = "imperial",
["tips"] = true,
["externalViews"] = false,
["autoTrimmer"] = false,
["controlsIndicator"] = true,
["RBDAI"] = true,
["userMarks"] = true,
["map"] = false,
["spectatorExternalViews"] = false,
["labels"] = 1,
}, -- end of ["difficulty"]
["views"] =
{
["cockpit"] =
{
["mirrors"] = false,
["reflections"] = false,
["avionics"] = 0,
}, -- end of ["cockpit"]
}, -- end of ["views"]
["VR"] =
{
["enable"] = false,
["box_mouse_cursor"] = true,
["pixel_density"] = 1,
["use_mouse"] = true,
["mirror_use_DCS_resolution"] = false,
["bloom"] = true,
["mirror_source"] = 0,
["msaaMaskSize"] = 0.42,
["mirror_crop"] = false,
}, -- end of ["VR"]
["graphics"] =
{
["messagesFontScale"] = 1,
["forestDetailsFactor"] = 1,
["LensEffects"] = 3,
["heatBlr"] = 0,
["anisotropy"] = 4,
["water"] = 2,
["motionBlurAmount"] = 1,
["scaleGui"] = 1,
["outputGamma"] = 2.2,
["lights"] = 2,
["shadows"] = 2,
["MSAA"] = 2,
["SSAA"] = 0,
["ScreenshotExt"] = "jpg",
["clutterMaxDistance"] = 0,
["cockpitGI"] = 1,
["terrainTextures"] = "min",
["multiMonitorSetup"] = "1camera",
["defaultFOV"] = 78,
["shadowTree"] = false,
["chimneySmokeDensity"] = 4,
["fullScreen"] = false,
["height"] = 600,
["DOF"] = 0,
["clouds"] = 1,
["sceneryDetailsFactor"] = 1,
["width"] = 800,
["useDeferredShading"] = 1,
["civTraffic"] = "",
["preloadRadius"] = 150000,
["secondaryShadows"] = 0,
["SSLR"] = 0,
["effects"] = 3,
["SSAO"] = 0,
["textures"] = 0,
["sync"] = false,
["forestDistanceFactor"] = 0.5,
["motionBlur"] = 0,
["flatTerrainShadows"] = 0,
["BlurFlatShadows"] = 0,
["visibRange"] = "High",
}, -- end of ["graphics"]
["plugins"] =
{
["Tacview"] =
{
["tacviewExportPath"] = "",
["tacviewDebugMode"] = 0,
["tacviewRemoteControlPort"] = "42675",
["tacviewFlightDataRecordingEnabled"] = true,
["tacviewRealTimeTelemetryPassword"] = "",
["tacviewSinglePlayerFlights"] = 2,
["tacviewTerrainExport"] = 0,
["tacviewAutoDiscardFlights"] = 10,
["tacviewRemoteControlPassword"] = "",
["tacviewRealTimeTelemetryPort"] = "42674",
["tacviewMultiplayerFlightsAsHost"] = 2,
["tacviewBookmarkShortcut"] = 0,
["tacviewRealTimeTelemetryEnabled"] = true,
["tacviewRemoteControlEnabled"] = false,
["tacviewMultiplayerFlightsAsClient"] = 2,
["tacviewModuleEnabled"] = true,
}, -- end of ["Tacview"]
}, -- end of ["plugins"]
["format"] = 1,
["sound"] =
{
["main_output"] = "",
["FakeAfterburner"] = false,
["volume"] = 80,
["headphones_on_external_views"] = true,
["subtitles"] = true,
["world"] = 100,
["hear_in_helmet"] = false,
["cockpit"] = 100,
["main_layout"] = "",
["headphones"] = 100,
["switches"] = 100,
["voice_chat_output"] = "",
["voice_chat"] = true,
["music"] = 60,
["GBreathEffect"] = true,
["hp_output"] = "",
["play_audio_while_minimized"] = false,
["radioSpeech"] = true,
["microphone_use"] = 2,
["voice_chat_input"] = "",
["gui"] = 100,
}, -- end of ["sound"]
["miscellaneous"] =
{
["headmove"] = false,
["chat_window_at_start"] = true,
["TrackIR_external_views"] = false,
["f5_nearest_ac"] = false,
["f11_free_camera"] = false,
["F2_view_effects"] = 1,
["f10_awacs"] = true,
["Coordinate_Display"] = "Lat Long",
["accidental_failures"] = false,
["autologin"] = true,
["force_feedback_enabled"] = true,
["collect_stat"] = false,
["show_pilot_body"] = false,
["synchronize_controls"] = false,
["allow_server_screenshots"] = false,
}, -- end of ["miscellaneous"]
} -- end of options

Maverick87Shaka · March 28, 2023

it's depend on the .miz file mostly, not from the server settings.

Try to remove Spectator External Views tick from the client that save the .miz file:

As well as set all the relevant view options in the mission editor:

FLANKERATOR · March 28, 2023

I thought server's settings had the last word when setGlobal = true... I will try your solution and revert back... Thank you!

FLANKERATOR · April 2, 2023

On 3/28/2023 at 8:10 PM, Maverick87Shaka said:

it's depend on the .miz file mostly, not from the server settings.

Try to remove Spectator External Views tick from the client that save the .miz file:

As well as set all the relevant view options in the mission editor:

Thank you, it worked! Clicking Briefing from spectators now does nothing.
Would you happen to know if it would be possible to enter inside a user's cockpit when watching a server TRK file? I know there is a command called "jump into cockpit" but does it work for clients as well?

71st_AH Rob · April 2, 2023

Unfortunately, players can override your choice with a check box that is enabled by default. It overrides all your choices, external views, labels, g-force, simplified flight model etc. Makes setting mission parameters a waste of time.

FLANKERATOR · April 2, 2023

4 hours ago, 71st_AH Rob said:

Unfortunately, players can override your choice with a check box that is enabled by default. It overrides all your choices, external views, labels, g-force, simplified flight model etc. Makes setting mission parameters a waste of time.

Wait, what?! You mean on the dedi server itself? How on earth? I think you mean changing the mission's options on their editor if they had a copy of the mission.
Because I hope a dedi server can enforce the mission settings for all its clients...

71st_AH Rob · April 2, 2023

Nope, ED added an option in the Gameplay tab of Settings at the bottom right under a light blue heading called 'Presets'. There is a check box that is checked by default with the inscrutable description "No force from Mission, use Mine"

Hopefully the new MT DServer that allows map selection will also have a method to override this in MP.

@FLANKERATOR

Edited April 2, 2023 by 71st_AH Rob

FLANKERATOR · April 2, 2023

OMG! This renders competitive play utterly useless. Any ETA on a fix? this is a critical issue...

71st_AH Rob · April 3, 2023

No fix is planned, it's a feature. Unless the new DServer has a fix...

FLANKERATOR · April 3, 2023

Hmm, it is weird, I tried to enable cheat features like immortal and unlimited fuel and tried to join my own server but it did not bypass my server's settings (yes I had the "no force use mine" box ticked and even restarted DCS).
Weird but I am relieved.

Hoirtel · April 3, 2023

55 minutes ago, FLANKERATOR said:

Hmm, it is weird, I tried to enable cheat features like immortal and unlimited fuel and tried to join my own server but it did not bypass my server's settings (yes I had the "no force use mine" box ticked and even restarted DCS).
Weird but I am relieved.

I hadn't got round to testing this, as I didn't quite believe that this option would work like it says it does..... As I hadn't heard of anyone jumping into PvP as an immortal, game flight, unlimited weapons and fuel I sort of assumed it wasn't working like that. Unsure what the point really is, just for SP campaigns?

FLANKERATOR · April 3, 2023

1 hour ago, Hoirtel said:

I hadn't got round to testing this, as I didn't quite believe that this option would work like it says it does..... As I hadn't heard of anyone jumping into PvP as an immortal, game flight, unlimited weapons and fuel I sort of assumed it wasn't working like that. Unsure what the point really is, just for SP campaigns?

Yes I think the labeling of this feature is misleading. Why would a dev allow a user to bypass server rules in MP anyways? If one wants to fly on own terms, they can still do it in SP or create their own server.

Edited April 3, 2023 by FLANKERATOR

71st_AH Rob · April 3, 2023

So I have not found a way to stop players from enabling Labels, that was in fact the first indicator that we had a problem. So far, nothing that I have been able to implement on my side, mission or server setting, has been able to prevent players from displaying the labels as per their preferences unless they uncheck that box.

FLANKERATOR · April 3, 2023

18 hours ago, 71st_AH Rob said:

So I have not found a way to stop players from enabling Labels, that was in fact the first indicator that we had a problem. So far, nothing that I have been able to implement on my side, mission or server setting, has been able to prevent players from displaying the labels as per their preferences unless they uncheck that box.

Will test that tomorrow and revert back.

EDIT: @Maverick87Shaka beat me to it!

Edited April 4, 2023 by FLANKERATOR

Maverick87Shaka · April 3, 2023

On 4/2/2023 at 4:45 PM, 71st_AH Rob said:

Unfortunately, players can override your choice with a check box that is enabled by default. It overrides all your choices, external views, labels, g-force, simplified flight model etc. Makes setting mission parameters a waste of time.

This option only works for mission that you run locally from DCS, not for multiplayer.
If you set NO LABELS and ENFORCE them in your mission hosted on a server, even if you have the full labels enabled on your client and "No force from mission" tick, you'll not see the label.

71st_AH Rob · April 4, 2023

2 hours ago, Maverick87Shaka said:

This option only works for mission that you run locally from DCS, not for multiplayer.
If you set NO LABELS and ENFORCE them in your mission hosted on a server, even if you have the full labels enabled on your client and "No force from mission" tick, you'll not see the label.

Running the mission on my dedicated server, players see labels if they have them enabled and have checked that box. So far I have not been able to prevent them from seeing them.

Maverick87Shaka · April 4, 2023

6 hours ago, 71st_AH Rob said:

Running the mission on my dedicated server, players see labels if they have them enabled and have checked that box. So far I have not been able to prevent them from seeing them.

I think this is not the expected behavior, and also is not working like this on all my servers and instances ( 4 different 24/7 servers ) or even popular PvP servers.
Even if I tick "No force from mission" and set labels to full, it will not shown on multiplayer.

here a video of new test performed today, just speed up the loading time:

Maverick87Shaka · April 4, 2023

11 hours ago, FLANKERATOR said:

Will test that tomorrow and revert back.

EDIT: @Maverick87Shaka beat me to it!

A double check on this topic it will be worth it if you can, don't worry if I just make a test in the meanwhile. Since it's a severe issue if it will overwrite settings for multiplayer, considering PvP server especially, I'll be also more confident if you can provide your feedback.

FLANKERATOR · April 4, 2023

4 hours ago, Maverick87Shaka said:

A double check on this topic it will be worth it if you can, don't worry if I just make a test in the meanwhile. Since it's a severe issue if it will overwrite settings for multiplayer, considering PvP server especially, I'll be also more confident if you can provide your feedback.

I confirm your findings: I was not able to override the label settings or any other settings if enforced by the mission.

Test conducted
1 - Label setting set to "FULL" in DCS UI
2 - "No force from mission, use mine" checkbox ENABLED in DCS UI
3 - Close dedicated server completely (no pause)
4 - Open mission in Editor, set labels to "FULL" + tick ENFORCE check box + Save
5 - Start then join server as client-------> Result: Labels were active.
6 - Close dedicated server completely
7 - Open mission in Editor , set labels to "NONE" + tick ENFORCE check box + Save
8- Start then join server as client-------> Result: Labels were NOT active.

So I think this force my preset checkbox in DCS UI only works in SP, not MP (which is the desired behavior).

Ignition · September 28, 2023

We use:

["f11_free_camera"] = false,

["f5_nearest_ac"] = false,

["optionsView"] = "optview_onlymap",

["userSnapView"] = false,

["externalViews"] = false,

We did use this:

["spectatorExternalViews"] = true, ---> this option prevents the multicrew in multiplayer so we had to false it. It does block the spectator view.
DCS needs a LOT of work for multiplayer servers. Player pool option and password coalition was a very nice adition but it needs a lot more options.

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Disabling all external views to spectators

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