Modding and cheating on multiplayer servers

[Bossco82]

Hi guys,

I know enough about the mission editor, some scripting and running a DCS server. But, I know very little about modding. I dont run any integrity check on my server and I have had some players ask me about the possibility of cheating.

I know that on the low fidelity modules you can modify the unit loadouts .lua to put for example a AIM-54 on a Mig-29 etc etc. If someone did that it would be obvious in the SL-mod post in chat.

My question is could someone modify a current missiles performance without anyone knowing, alter its speed, acceleration or counter measure resistance? Like take a R-27R and make it perform like a R-27ER or even turn it into a Fox-3 missile. Could a modification like this client side actually be usable server side? Is any form of underhand cheating like this even possible? 

Thanks in advance for any answers.

Edited December 3, 2023 by Bossco82

[razo+r]

For a mere mortal, I'd say no, it is not possible for someone to alter the behaviour of a missile.

However, there were some cases in the past where someone made his aircraft immortal, or was capable of spawning in one that wasn't available for selection (both in IC protected servers). In that case I would say if someone is determined enough and has the knowledge, he can alter much more than just the behaviour of missiles.

Edited December 3, 2023 by razo+r

[WinterH]

I don't know if current missile API allow that, but as far as I know, earlier on a lot of weapon aero and seeker performance parameters were in editable .lua files, and someone who had them altered could perhaps ruin people's fun in a server that doesn't enforce pure clients/integrity check.

There were also some utilities that'd give you something like a western 4th gen's EW MFD page, even if your jet doesn't have such a feature which created bit of a storm, and kinda gave us integrity check feature in the first place

Well basically, there is a reason integrity check exists. But with any online PvP experience, it is hard to know what is people cheating, what is people being salty over being defeated, or indeed, what is sim engine/network going wonky sometimes.