Integrate irc chat in multiplayer UI?

[Distiler]

Hi I just got an idea for you guys that know about modding the game. Considering no one knows for sure if Hyperlobby is going to be updated anytime, why not integrate irc window or some kind of chat service into MP server list?

 

Web embedding irc: http://www.mibbit.com/

 

BTW there is a irc channel for DCS already (minified URL):

 

http://widget.mibbit.com/url/AQBLdL

 

Crazy idea I know, but maybe it's doable XD

Edited April 11, 2009 by Distiler

[Grave]

I support this idea, I think its great. Black Shark's MP lacks a chat room and what can be better than an integrated IRC room.

[Yskonyn]

Yeah good suggestion, but f HL isn't going to be updated anymore maybe someone could create a similar utility and spawn a new era with DCS as first supported product. ;)

[c0ff]

Hi guys.

 

The idea to have a chat in server selection window seems to have quite a strong backing.

But can you, please, explain, how you want to use it?

There are two main (sub)questions here:

1) how do you see it to be usable if there's a couple of hundreds of players there?

2) when do you want to use it? I mean, I don't think you'll have a DCS running in the background all the time to catch your friends (and don't even ask for popup notifications), because it's quite heavy and very bad messenger then.

I.e. it is only usable in the short moment when you select the actual server. You'll use forums/email/IMs before you start DCS, and you'll use in-game chat/some VoIP after joining the server.

So, what's the point to have a chat in the lobby?

[Distiler]

Have you ever used Hyperlobby? it's the standard lobby for il2 and LockOn (for il2 at any time there are 500-1000 players). It helps maintaining a community by knowing who is in the lobby at any time, by chatting and by organizing sorties. DCS, as a niche game, can really help from anything that can hold community momentum.

 

Obviously the best solution would be DCS integration into Hyperlobby, but developer seems absent, perhaps you could talk to him?

 

Test it please. If you have il2 go to "forgotten battles" room to see what's going on. Lock On also have some people but usually below 100, dunno why.

 

http://hyperfighter.sk/

Edited June 1, 2009 by Distiler

[Cyb0rg]

Yep, i also miss that hyperlobby feacture, just before join a mission, sometimes i didn't even join a server, cause all the time i had to fly was used in chat :doh:

[c0ff]

Hyperlobby is a lightweight application.

DCS is not.

 

Please, provide an actual use case (pretending DCS has such feature).

May be it would be more useful if we provide an official IRC channel or Jabber conference?

[Distiler]

I don't understand that comparison between Hyperlobby and DCS being one lightweight and the other not. Have you tried it? it's an external application, a gaming "lobby". What I was suggesting is something like Hyperlobby, but integrated in the DCS online launcher, would be nice. I'm not talking about in-flight chat, the actual one works ok, I was talking about a chat and server slot launcher system pre-flight.

 

The case is simple. You launch DCS online mode and below server list there is a chat and at the right side there is a vertical column with the people connected, with a tag ("in flight" or not and specifiyin the server), with the optional possibility of sending a private message (those in-flight will recieve when they leave the server and return to lobby).

 

As I said, you could try to contact Hyperlobby dev and this may be resolved without minimal ED effort. Even you can try to gather simulation community by developing Hyperlobby 2 XD

 

An Hyperlobby picture: http://www.virtualpilots.fi/help/hyperlobby.jpg

Edited June 2, 2009 by Distiler

[EvilBivol-1]

Disiler, I think c0ff is not arguing against the features you are requesting, but the methods of implementing them. I think his opinion is that using the DCS application is an inefficient way of implenting features that could be done with much lighter and more flexible tools, like web-based software. Creating such a system in DCS means it will be much harder to maintain and update, whereas an independent system that ties into DCS as a launching mechanism can be developed at will without the need to continually release patches for the simulation itself.