A mission server for player submitted missions!

FlashPan · July 7, 2023

Howdy,

One complaint you often see is people complaining about things to do. This could be mitigated by having the DCS UI present user created missions within DCS. This would greatly expand the available missions and thus give the players more to do!

RobP

Mr_sukebe · July 7, 2023

We can already do that.

We have the "dedicated server" option and can install and run it on whatever you want. As it's the server, it doesn't even need that much horsepower. Personally I run a dedicated server on one of my CPU cores. Tends to use around 5-8GB of RAM, so you need some spare for that.

My reason is primarily to offload AI logic (e.g. pathfinding) away from the primary client, which enhances my own performance.

As for nothing to do, just look at multiplayer and you'll see how many others also host servers, yet often have no one on them.

cfrag · July 7, 2023

4 hours ago, Mr_sukebe said:

We have the "dedicated server" option and can install and run it on whatever you want.

I don't think that's what OP had in mind. In any way, I think it would be great if players could discover missions available on ED's User Files from within the MISSION dialog. Likewise, it would be great if mission designers could publish/upload their missions directly from within mission editor: we are already logged in, and DCS knows who we are. Even better, ME can harvest 99% of the data from the mission file itself: which map, which aircraft, etc. This way, players can stay up to date on all missions, and mission designers can easily contribute without having to go through ED's IMHO currently quite archaic upload system.

Mr_sukebe · July 7, 2023

Being fair, we can already publish our missions in the User Files.

Possibly more relevant is the “intellectual property” side of things. Allowing harvesting of missions from multiplayer is possibly not what some mission designers wish.

ShuRugal · July 7, 2023

59 minutes ago, Mr_sukebe said:

Allowing harvesting of missions from multiplayer is possibly not what some mission designers wish.

That's already what we have, though. If you open a multiplayer track in the mission editor, it gives you the mission file.

This also isn't what the original poster is asking for, though. The original post appears to be asking for an in-game way to browse through offline missions and campaigns created by other players, without having to go to the Eagle Dynamics website and download them manually (or, presumably, upload them manually). The ask for an in-game function to submit missions for other players to play and to browse through those missions.

FlashPan · July 9, 2023

Aye - I'm just after a way to browse offline user made missions and campaigns within DCS itself. It would save trawling through forums and would create a lot more exposure for the mission creators hard work. Plus it removes the common issue of their being 'nothing to do', as there would literally be hundreds of missions to pick from

SharpeXB · July 9, 2023

5 hours ago, FlashPan said:

Aye - I'm just after a way to browse offline user made missions and campaigns within DCS itself. It would save trawling through forums and would create a lot more exposure for the mission creators hard work. Plus it removes the common issue of their being 'nothing to do', as there would literally be hundreds of missions to pick from

You know there’s a searchable Downloads section right?

sirrah · July 9, 2023

31 minutes ago, SharpeXB said:

You know there’s a searchable Downloads section right?

Not from within DCS, which the OP is specifically asking for.

It's actually quite a good idea if you ask me!

Especially for those using VR (switching between VR DCS and pancake, is a pita)

Edit:

Perhaps the use of the word "server" in the thread title is a bit confusing. If I understand it correctly, the OP is only asking for a way to explore the user files section, from within the DCS main menu screen.

Edited July 9, 2023 by sirrah

SharpeXB · July 9, 2023

21 minutes ago, sirrah said:

Not from within DCS, which the OP is specifically asking for.

Honestly how would that be different or better? VR players certainly don’t need to do everything in VR. You can launch your browser and go directly to the DCS website via the News Flag on the main screen.

Edited July 9, 2023 by SharpeXB

sirrah · July 9, 2023

56 minutes ago, SharpeXB said:

Honestly how would that be different or better? VR players certainly don’t need to do everything in VR. You can launch your browser and go directly to the DCS website via the News Flag on the main screen.

We're just talking QOL improvements here Sharpy. I happen to agree with the OP to some extent (although, as said, I would have chosen different wording/explanation for it, but this ain't my thread).

I can imagine it would be quite handy, if I could browse through and access user made SP missions and SP campaign, without having to remove my headset.

Admittedly, it would probably be a challenge to implement. For instance: Keyboard input requirement should be kept to a minimum (otherwise I would still have to remove my HMD).

Sure, there are more pressing matters at the moment, but in general, I'm not opposed to the idea.

cfrag · July 10, 2023

14 hours ago, SharpeXB said:

Honestly how would that be different or better? VR players certainly don’t need to do everything in VR. You can launch your browser and go directly to the DCS website via the News Flag on the main screen.

Or people could go to the DCS server pages, list all available servers, and copy the IP from the server that we want to connect to. Then, paste that into the server IP address in the connect screen and try to connect the server. You know, the absolute bare necessities. We luckily don't have to do that because we have an integrated server discovery UX, and people today are used to integrated server discovery.

Now, there are many games - especially on the Steam side of the universe - that have integrated mission ('level', scenario, MOD, whatever extension you like) discovery, and it adds to the user experience, it draws in more users. Even better, if ED integrated mission upload to their user files into Mission Editor, the uploading app (ME) can harvest tons of metadata from the mission: what planes can be player-controlled, what map, what MODs, what weather, time period etc. Plus, mission designers can update their missions at the touch of a button, and players always have access to the most up-to-date version. It would make DCS a much better experience for players. Plus, ED can implement automatic scans for malicious bits, increasing trust in all things downloaded.

A couple of months ago, I made a similar suggestion, but unfortunately, ED have never responded nor acknowledged it, so I have no idea if this (IMHO quite obvious improvement) ever made it before the eyes of the team.

Imagine we had something like this in our 'Load Mission' screen:

IMHO, that would be a far cry from the current 90's era 'download your own adventure' that is currently the maximum of comfort in DCS.

Edited July 10, 2023 by cfrag

SharpeXB · July 10, 2023

3 hours ago, cfrag said:

IMHO, that would be a far cry from the current 90's era 'download your own adventure' that is currently the maximum of comfort in DCS.

The Downloads page has more info, description, pictures etc. So it’s actually more useful. Not really so hard to use.

cfrag · July 10, 2023

13 minutes ago, SharpeXB said:

The Downloads page has more info, description, pictures etc. So it’s actually more useful. Not really so hard to use.

Of course, the image you see there is a pitiful first attempt of mine to show what could be possible from within DCS, a few-minutes of uninspired throwing together some artwork. Let a few experienced, seasoned game-designers work this over, and then we are talking. Still, I believe that the potential for such a feature is evident to most anyone.

And I believe you are being willfully obtuse here - I think that you know full well the difference that good interactive design makes in modern UI, we all are using it daily. So, a fully-blown, interactive, integrated, well-designed (in contrast to that image of mine) UI to access missions from within DCS is an incredibly helpful tool for almost everyone - maybe even you.

Just for illustration, why don't you from now on use this page to find your next on-line game? It's about on the same level of comfort as finding a new user-contributed mission, and also "not really hard to use". I'm looking for the equivalent for user-created mission discovery to today's existing built-in on-line server finder.

SharpeXB · July 10, 2023

30 minutes ago, cfrag said:

Of course, the image you see there is a pitiful first attempt of mine to show what could be possible from within DCS, a few-minutes of uninspired throwing together some artwork. Let a few experienced, seasoned game-designers work this over, and then we are talking. Still, I believe that the potential for such a feature is evident to most anyone.

And I believe you are being willfully obtuse here - I think that you know full well the difference that good interactive design makes in modern UI, we all are using it daily. So, a fully-blown, interactive, integrated, well-designed (in contrast to that image of mine) UI to access missions from within DCS is an incredibly helpful tool for almost everyone - maybe even you.

Just for illustration, why don't you from now on use this page to find your next on-line game? It's about on the same level of comfort as finding a new user-contributed mission, and also "not really hard to use". I'm looking for the equivalent for user-created mission discovery to today's existing built-in on-line server finder.

Sure it seems like a great idea. But at the rate things get done it probably would take 7-8 years to accomplish. I recall how long it took for the GUI just to work at anything beyond 1080p. Doesn’t seem like a realistic expectation.

Edited July 10, 2023 by SharpeXB

MAXsenna · July 10, 2023

1 hour ago, SharpeXB said:

Sure it seems like a great idea. But at the rate things get done it probably would take 7-8 years to accomplish. I recall how long it took for the GUI just to work at anything beyond 1080p. Doesn’t seem like a realistic expectation.

Does your glass ever get above dry and empty?

ShuRugal · July 10, 2023

3 hours ago, MAXsenna said:

Does your glass ever get above dry and empty?

I'm honestly surprised there aren't more people here screaming "It's perfect the way it is! everyone should enjoy what I enjoy!" - the DCS Forums have historically had a very vocal "grump old man yelling 'get off my lawn'" problem.

MAXsenna · July 10, 2023

I'm honestly surprised there aren't more people here screaming "It's perfect the way it is! everyone should enjoy what I enjoy!" - the DCS Forums have historically had a very vocal "grump old man yelling 'get off my lawn'" problem.

Really? Guess I'm not a veteran yet.

Yes, people are kind of (VERY) vocal, but that's absolutely to be expected in a sophisticated hobby like this with very intelligent participants. .

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A mission server for player submitted missions!

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