Latest/Same Version Required for Multiplayer?

[2circle]

Please forgive my ignorance here as I don't do much multiplayer...I noted that there is a new DCS update on the street that I have not yet installed.  I also noted that today when I tried to get onto one of the servers I usually do BFM on, it wasn't listed.  In fact, there were only about 80 servers listed to choose from (and I did not filter out any based on map, password, etc.).  I'm wondering if perhaps since I did not update to the latest version, that I'm only allowed to join servers that are running the same version of DCS as me?  Any other thoughts are welcome?  I'm always reluctant to update to a new version right away since it's been my experience that new releases sometimes create as many problems as they are designed to solve...Thanks in advance!

[rob10]

Yes, you need to be on the same version as the MP server (including any hotfixes).  That's very likely why you only have a limited number of servers showing.

[Exorcet]

39 minutes ago, 2circle said:

I'm always reluctant to update

I very rarely update right away and actually have two installs of DCS. One for normal use and one to try the latest update. It's also possible change versions, including going backwards, with the DCS updater.

So it's possible for you to stick to a specific version while also playing with others on the latest version through multiple means.

[MAXsenna]

Like the others writes, you need to be on the same version as the server.
To be honest I've never heard of a game that accepted clients of different versions.
Cheers!

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

[2circle]

10 hours ago, Exorcet said:

I very rarely update right away and actually have two installs of DCS. One for normal use and one to try the latest update. It's also possible change versions, including going backwards, with the DCS updater.

So it's possible for you to stick to a specific version while also playing with others on the latest version through multiple means.

Thanks for the response.  This seems like a good way to proceed.  I'm assuming that means you need to redo all the key bindings, mods., etc. for the 2nd install?  Are there any shortcuts? That seems like a lot of work!

[Exorcet]

29 minutes ago, 2circle said:

Thanks for the response.  This seems like a good way to proceed.  I'm assuming that means you need to redo all the key bindings, mods., etc. for the 2nd install?  Are there any shortcuts? That seems like a lot of work!

You do need to setup the second install if you want it to match the first, but DCS saves a lot of information in the Saved Games folder and from there you can copy from one DCS folder to another. This won't always work 100% because updates sometimes change controls and things, but it should work most of the time. The Config folder contains module controls and sim options.

Also backup your DCS folders in Saved Games before messing around with them just to be safe.

[2circle]

On 4/19/2024 at 8:21 AM, Exorcet said:

You do need to setup the second install if you want it to match the first, but DCS saves a lot of information in the Saved Games folder and from there you can copy from one DCS folder to another. This won't always work 100% because updates sometimes change controls and things, but it should work most of the time. The Config folder contains module controls and sim options.

Also backup your DCS folders in Saved Games before messing around with them just to be safe.

Thanks Exorcet.  So if I'm understanding you correctly, I can install another version that I'll use exclusively for multiplayer in a separate folder.  Is there a specific file or folder I should look to copy and paste into the new DCS download that has all of the key bindings/controls associated with the current (old) version that I can use to replace the default file/folder in the new Saved Games folder structure? Or do I just replace the Saved Games folder in its entirety?  Thank you - this could potentially save me many hours or work.

[Exorcet]

8 minutes ago, 2circle said:

Thanks Exorcet.  So if I'm understanding you correctly, I can install another version that I'll use exclusively for multiplayer in a separate folder.  Is there a specific file or folder I should look to copy and paste into the new DCS download that has all of the key bindings/controls associated with the current (old) version that I can use to replace the default file/folder in the new Saved Games folder structure? Or do I just replace the Saved Games folder in its entirety?  Thank you - this could potentially save me many hours or work.

 

Yes, install a new DCS version in a different location and you'll be able to choose which to launch. Previously OB and Stable had different names which made keeping track of which was which easy. I haven't updated to the new unified DCS yet, so I'd back up the current Saved Games DCS folder you have now before installing the second one just to be safe.

C:\Users\<USER>\Saved Games\DCS\Config

Contains settings for DCS

The folder \Input specifically has the controls for modules. Copy this folder to the same location in the new install Saved Games to bring your controls over. I believe there is also an option in DCS to save your inputs as a file and then load them. You can try that too.

If you make a backup of each (old and new) DCS Saved Games folder before copying files you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

[2circle]

On 4/29/2024 at 9:50 AM, Exorcet said:

 

Yes, install a new DCS version in a different location and you'll be able to choose which to launch. Previously OB and Stable had different names which made keeping track of which was which easy. I haven't updated to the new unified DCS yet, so I'd back up the current Saved Games DCS folder you have now before installing the second one just to be safe.

C:\Users\<USER>\Saved Games\DCS\Config

Contains settings for DCS

The folder \Input specifically has the controls for modules. Copy this folder to the same location in the new install Saved Games to bring your controls over. I believe there is also an option in DCS to save your inputs as a file and then load them. You can try that too.

If you make a backup of each (old and new) DCS Saved Games folder before copying files you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

This is really helpful.  I'm going to give it a try.  My doomsday scenario has always been what to do if my bindings are lost since I have well over 200 set up with my Voice Attack since I use VR.  Thanks so much!

[MAXsenna]

This is really helpful.  I'm going to give it a try.  My doomsday scenario has always been what to do if my bindings are lost since I have well over 200 set up with my Voice Attack since I use VR.  Thanks so much!

Have you made custom keystrokes for your keyboard? If yes, I can see your predicament, while if you always use the default keystrokes provided, VoiceAttack will not be affected at all.
Cheers!

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

[2circle]

On 4/29/2024 at 9:50 AM, Exorcet said:

 

Yes, install a new DCS version in a different location and you'll be able to choose which to launch. Previously OB and Stable had different names which made keeping track of which was which easy. I haven't updated to the new unified DCS yet, so I'd back up the current Saved Games DCS folder you have now before installing the second one just to be safe.

C:\Users\<USER>\Saved Games\DCS\Config

Contains settings for DCS

The folder \Input specifically has the controls for modules. Copy this folder to the same location in the new install Saved Games to bring your controls over. I believe there is also an option in DCS to save your inputs as a file and then load them. You can try that too.

If you make a backup of each (old and new) DCS Saved Games folder before copying files you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

OK, I tried the steps you outlined (pls see above), but it doesn't appear to be working - or at least I'm not doing something right (likelier).  I created a separate folder structure called 2nd DCS install.  I downloaded the latest version into this new folder and I'm able to load it fine.  I think the problem is I can't seem to find the new Saved Games folder that was theoretically created when I installed the 2nd version of DCS.  I've included a screenshot of a search for Saved Games (that includes the backup I made before I installed the new version).  Interestingly, all the key binds still work in the old (original) install without me having had to move any files around.  I do see that the new version of DCS includes a "save profile" option, but the one I'm currently playing on does not.  Do you know where this diff.lua file saves?  I may be able to transfer that over directly (assuming I can find the correct folder to paste into)?  Worst case, I can maybe update my current version to the latest one that includes this "save profile" feature, then upload the existing profile to the new install somehow?  Of course the whole point of this was to allow me to keep using the previous version since it seems to be working great and there may yet be undiscovered bugs in the latest release.  Any help would be appreciated.  I think one of my issues is conceptually I'm having difficulty understanding how the Saved Games folder structure works.  Thank you!

 

 MAXsenna,

DCS has been a work in progress for me.  Had I known that I was eventually going to use VR and need Voice Attack, your approach of leaving the default key binds and just modifying VA would have been a better way to go.  Unfortunately, that ship has sailed...

On 5/1/2024 at 2:53 PM, MAXsenna said:

Have you made custom keystrokes for your keyboard? If yes, I can see your predicament, while if you always use the default keystrokes provided, VoiceAttack will not be affected at all.
Cheers!

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk
 

 MAXsenna,null

DCS has been a work in progress for me.  Had I known that I was eventually going to use VR and need Voice Attack, your approach of leaving the default key binds and just modifying VA would have been a better way to go.  Unfortunately, that ship has sailed...

Edited May 9, 2024 by 2circle

[MAXsenna]

 MAXsenna,null

DCS has been a work in progress for me.  Had I known that I was eventually going to use VR and need Voice Attack, your approach of leaving the default key binds and just modifying VA would have been a better way to go.  Unfortunately, that ship has sailed...

I fully understand. Have you considered trying VAICOM? It's a plugin for VoiceAttack that is now free and maintained by the community. VAICOM let you communicate with the airfields and AI without any keybinds, as it does not use the radio menu. It will also know what modules you are using, so you can have ONE single VoiceAttack profile, like I have, with a little tinkering. IE. I say "gear up" and VoiceAttack will send different keystrokes to the F-16 compared to the MiG-21.
Cheers!

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk