[sp / CO-OP MP] EXPANSION - a Dynamic Mission and Sandbox (all aircraft)

[cfrag]

9 hours ago, Digitalvole said:

Is it possible to randomise the time of day when the mission starts?

This is possibly the longest-standing wish of all mission designers, posted over a decade ago, and yet to be fulfilled. So, sadly, not at this time.

9 hours ago, Digitalvole said:

Alternatively, if I change the .miz mission start time would it cause issues with triggers and/or persistence?

No. There are no time-of-day related triggers in expansion

9 hours ago, Digitalvole said:

As a sp player it’s great to have a mission that feels alive, and it’s a good size for helicopters.

I'm sure that you have discovered this already, but you may gain additional respect for the Kiowa's abilities when you order a drone over your objective, and carry some laser-homing missiles... How I wish that we could synch the Kiowa's TV to the drone's feed, it could jump the Kiowa to the forefront of all current DCS helos for me.

Edited December 8, 2024 by cfrag

[Dangerzone]

11 hours ago, cfrag said:

How I wish that we could synch the Kiowa's TV to the drone's feed, it could jump the Kiowa to the forefront of all current DCS helos for me.

I'm fairly sure that you can. Sorry - I don't have the information available at the moment (TBH - it's been a while since I've flown the Kiowa or done a lot in DCS), but I'm certain that I've flown before and viewed the TV feed from drones in the Kiowa.

Edit: This might help

 

Edited December 8, 2024 by Dangerzone

[cfrag]

8 hours ago, Dangerzone said:

I'm fairly sure that you can. Sorry - I don't have the information available at the moment (TBH - it's been a while since I've flown the Kiowa or done a lot in DCS), but I'm certain that I've flown before and viewed the TV feed from drones in the Kiowa.

My apologies, I should have been more clear. While the Kiowa's L2MUM video feed shows a potential unit that the drone might be targeting, it is currently unable to show the target that the drone is actually engaging/lasing. It might, by random coincidence, show the correct one. The reason is as simple as incredible, and not the fault of the kind people at PolyChop: there is no way to know the target that a unit Is currently engaging. Yes, the mission scripting environment, after nearly two decades, still does not allow a script to ask a unit what target it is engaging. Some people might think that in a combat environment, that would be relevant information. ED, it seems, are not among those.

So the kind folk at Polychop made an educated guess to show off the incredibly cool L2MUM feature: get the nearest enemy group, and then get the first unit in the group. The image that you see on-screen seems to be a simulated camera view from the drone's position to that unit. Should a script then tell the drone to lase another target, the simulated camera has no way to know about that fact, and will continue to show the target that it initially chose - even if that target (or even entire group) was destroyed.

So, I'm hoping that ED (not PolyChop) provide the means to know which unit a unit is targeting (more precisely: allow scripts to control and query which unit to lase), and I'm quite certain that a few days later, L2MUM will be updated to correctly synch the video feed with the unit that the drone is currently engaging.

Edited December 9, 2024 by cfrag

[GrEaSeLiTeNiN]

2 hours ago, cfrag said:

My apologies, I should have been more clear. While the Kiowa's L2MUM video feed shows a potential unit that the drone might be targeting, it is currently unable to show the target that the drone is actually engaging/lasing. It might, by random coincidence, show the correct one. The reason is as simple as incredible, and not the fault of the kind people at PolyChop: there is no way to know the target that a unit Is currently engaging. Yes, the mission scripting environment, after nearly two decades, still does not allow a script to ask a unit what target it is engaging. Some people might think that in a combat environment, that would be relevant information. ED, it seems, are not among those.

So the kind folk at Polychop made an educated guess to show off the incredibly cool L2MUM feature: get the nearest enemy group, and then get the first unit in the group. The image that you see on-screen seems to be a simulated camera view from the drone's position to that unit. Should a script then tell the drone to lase another target, the simulated camera has no way to know about that fact, and will continue to show the target that it initially chose - even if that target (or even entire group) was destroyed.

So, I'm hoping that ED (not PolyChop) provide the means to know which unit a unit is targeting (more precisely: allow scripts to control and query which unit to lase), and I'm quite certain that a few days later, L2MUM will be updated to correctly synch the video feed with the unit that the drone is currently engaging.

It's basically a ghost drone lasing whatever enemy target it wants and completely ignores your ME drone mission design. In the feed, the target's coords are correct but the drone's coords are just misinformation because they are the coords of whichever drone you selected in the INIT page regardless of the target in the feed. 

Edited December 9, 2024 by GrEaSeLiTeNiN

[Dangerzone]

3 hours ago, cfrag said:

My apologies, I should have been more clear. While the Kiowa's L2MUM video feed shows a potential unit that the drone might be targeting, it is currently unable to show the target that the drone is actually engaging/lasing. It might, by random coincidence, show the correct one. The reason is as simple as incredible, and not the fault of the kind people at PolyChop: there is no way to know the target that a unit Is currently engaging. Yes, the mission scripting environment, after nearly two decades, still does not allow a script to ask a unit what target it is engaging. Some people might think that in a combat environment, that would be relevant information. ED, it seems, are not among those.

So the kind folk at Polychop made an educated guess to show off the incredibly cool L2MUM feature: get the nearest enemy group, and then get the first unit in the group. The image that you see on-screen seems to be a simulated camera view from the drone's position to that unit. Should a script then tell the drone to lase another target, the simulated camera has no way to know about that fact, and will continue to show the target that it initially chose - even if that target (or even entire group) was destroyed.

So, I'm hoping that ED (not PolyChop) provide the means to know which unit a unit is targeting (more precisely: allow scripts to control and query which unit to lase), and I'm quite certain that a few days later, L2MUM will be updated to correctly synch the video feed with the unit that the drone is currently engaging.

Thanks for the clarification. That makes more sense. Here I was assuming the lack of API was only affecting us 'external' scripters/coders/modders... 

[Digitalvole]

On 12/8/2024 at 10:30 AM, cfrag said:

This is possibly the longest-standing wish of all mission designers, posted over a decade ago, and yet to be fulfilled. So, sadly, not at this time.

I thought so.

The randomisation of time/weather would add a fair amount of dynamism to  the most simple of mission, especially with the new fog. At the moment I’m adjusting the time in the mission editor, and that works fine. But hopefully We’ll get this, at face value it seems like a pretty obvious improvement.
 

On 12/8/2024 at 10:30 AM, cfrag said:

LI'm sure that you have discovered this already, but you may gain additional respect for the Kiowa's abilities when you order a drone over your objective, and carry some laser-homing missiles... How I wish that we could synch the Kiowa's TV to the drone's feed, it could jump the Kiowa to the forefront of all current DCS helos for me.

I need to look into this, . Live vid feed would be sick. Maybe one day?  Hunting for targets with the mms and seeing how far you can get a APKWS rocket to go is a lot of fun. If only it were a little faster.

I have a couple more questions if you don’t mind?

Id like to use the OH 6 mod for CSAR, I think I’ve found the CSAR config in the triggers but I don’t know what to put in there so that it recognises the OH6 for troop pickup. 

Where is the best place to start in learning how to creat a dynamic mission like expansion?  I recently find my self with the time and the will, but not the knowledge. I’d really like to make a dynamic WWII mission with persistence, and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again for this though, great fun.

[cfrag]

4 hours ago, Digitalvole said:

Where is the best place to start in learning how to creat a dynamic mission like expansion?  I recently find my self with the time and the will, but not the knowledge. I’d really like to make a dynamic WWII mission with persistence, and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I believe that creating missions is a creative act that improves with practice - much like playing an instrument. And of course by playing other people's missions, and taking note of what you like and (more importantly) dislike you can become inspired. Most of all, though, you should enjoy creating missions. So if you have the time, see if you also have the inclination, if creating missions is fun for you. Be advised, though, that DCS's Mission Editor will fight you - hard, and it will never love you. It probably helps if you can derive fun from being able to create fun missions in spite of ME. Become comfortable working in ME, know its limitations, bugs, pitfalls and other idiosyncrasies. Because they are legion.

There are some tools available that can make some tasks writing missions easier. I'm using DML, and many other exist. These tools won't magically endow you with mission-creation abilities, they merely make some aspects of your work easier - just like a good brush multiplies a painter's potential. I recommend that you start with simple ideas, and create simple, fun missions. They should be fun to create and fun to fly. Then, when you feel comfortable, broaden the scope of your missions, and experiment and choose from the available tools to reduce the amount of work and multiply your abilities.

So I think that the best place to start is ED's User Files section, where you can find many small, fun missions. Study them, see how it's done. And notice that a lot can be done without scripting. Now, Expansion is heavily scripted, so obviously there will come a point at which you may want to look into that. Some tools do not require that the mission editors script themselves, others do. No matter what, if you enjoy crafting missions, there's lots of frustration, and (if you are lucky) even more joy ahead.

Have fun!

Edited December 14, 2024 by cfrag

[cfrag]

5 hours ago, Digitalvole said:

Id like to use the OH 6 mod for CSAR, I think I’ve found the CSAR config in the triggers but I don’t know what to put in there so that it recognises the OH6 for troop pickup.

Since the OH 6 isn't an official DCS aircraft, I can't look it up. It would be the "TypeName" attribute for the unit in the mission. For example, the Kiowa's typeName is "OH-58D". You could try opening a mission that contains an OH-6 and copy that name from the mission. From there it'll be only a few seconds until CSAR accepts the 6.

 

[Sunbather]

How safe is it to do the de-sanitizing thing for a singleplayer like me who doesn't engage in any multiplayer stuff (but obviously is connected to the internet while playing)?

Also, is there some autoscript that I can use that reverts the file back on the press of a button? (Similar to how DCS Liberation/Retribution do it where it restores the mission script file back to vanilla once you close the Liberation/Retribution app.)

[cfrag]

5 minutes ago, Sunbather said:

How safe is it to do the de-sanitizing thing for a singleplayer

personally, I believe that the risk is very small, provided that you only download missions from ED's user files. DCS is a small target as vector for malware authors, but you should not become complacent, so be sure to only get your missions from reputable places.

7 minutes ago, Sunbather said:

Also, is there some autoscript that I can use that reverts the file back on the press of a button?

I use copy/paste on the original, so I have a backup and revert by delete/renaming. 

[Sunbather]

Am 29.12.2024 um 17:48 schrieb cfrag:

personally, I believe that the risk is very small, provided that you only download missions from ED's user files. DCS is a small target as vector for malware authors, but you should not become complacent, so be sure to only get your missions from reputable places.

I use copy/paste on the original, so I have a backup and revert by delete/renaming. 

Thanks for the fast reply!

I too judged the threat negligible but I wanted a second opinion so thanks for that! I am basically only going to use your Expansion mod, Foothold and, as mentioned, DCS Liberation/Retribution.

[cfrag]

Version 1.70 - 20250128 -- Major Update, Support for CA

I recommend that you delete old save files before starting an updated mission.

All Changes:

• major DML core update
• support for CA
• added 4 operators
• droppable CA-controllable units (AA)
• blue convoys now contain CA-drivable
• enabled ground unit control for all pilots
• added lase units to Nal, Moz, Bes and all FARP for infantry helicopter deployments
• added jtac status report
• added AA troops to Beslan
• plane guard upgrade (carrier)

 Enjoy,

-ch

[Eeroth]

I really love the mission. I enjoy it a lot super fun to play. I might even try to make my own using wonderful DML. 
Newest version of your mission has one very small things going on. I suppose a debug message or something comes up every now and then when unit is killed by AI "Enter UnitLoss Preproc"

Also if you kill bunch of stuff it will spam some messages that doesn't look like it should be there as it includes <> inside message.

I mean these are not breaking anything I suppose or have not noticed they just fill the screen.

[cfrag]

47 minutes ago, Eeroth said:

I suppose a debug message or something comes up every now and then when unit is killed by AI "Enter UnitLoss Preproc"

Indeed, and it is way too generous awarding score. This will be fixed with the upcoming release 

48 minutes ago, Eeroth said:

Also if you kill bunch of stuff it will spam some messages that doesn't look like it should be there as it includes <> inside message.

It's probably debugging code that I erroneously left in, and I'm working on that. Some messages do use pointed brackets "<>" to better delineate between a name and the rest of the text, though.  

[cfrag]

Version 1.71 - Important performance/bug fix - 20250216

This update finally tracks down a bug in DCS that can potentially lead to crippling performance behavior in DCS - a bug in DCS-internal line-drawing methods. This update also patches a new DCS bug that appeared with the January 2025 update inside the way that DCS saves zone attributes. 

Other changes include some less generous scoring after players buy the farm, less aggressive AI on lower difficulty settings, and some other minor changes.

Version 1.71 Changes in detail:
•    worked around a show-stopping DCS bug (performance killer)
•    patched a silly change in DCS mission data format
•    playerScore is less generous awarding kills
•    made playerScore less verbose
•    more mission difficulty balancing
•    setting difficulty to less than 1 suppresses RED repair/upgrade

[Eico]

I dont know how active you are but I tried to play the mission and launched a multiplayer server(because SP didnt work for some reason) but I get the same error, Im trying to go into a F16 but it says "F16 is currently blocked and cant be entered". since MP launches with an active pause in the beginning I seem to be able to enter the F16 but when I deactivate the pause it kicks me out.

[cfrag]

Just now, Eico said:

it says "F16 is currently blocked and cant be entered"

What airfield? Initially, only Nalchick should be avalable.

[Eico]

vor 1 Stunde schrieb cfrag:

What airfield? Initially, only Nalchick should be avalable.

Imma send a clip of me launching a MP server.
I joined the blue side but the airfield with the F16 is red, l feel like the mission is completely broken.
https://medal.tv/games/dcs-world/clips/jOaMBocyF0BsOIbDs?invite=cr-MSxNQ3MsMTM4NjA5NDg5LA
I dont need any mods right?

Edited March 3 by Eico

[cfrag]

37 minutes ago, Eico said:

joined the blue side but the airfield with the F16 is red,

At the beginning of the mission, blue only owns a single airfield: Nalchick. All other airfields are owned by red, and players cant join them. The goal of the mission is to expand (hence the name) to capture the other airfields.

Edited March 3 by cfrag

[Eico]

vor 9 Minuten schrieb cfrag:

At the beginning of the mission, blue only owns a single airfield: Nalchick. All other airfields are owned by red, and players cant join them. The goal if the mission is to expand (hence the name) to capture the other airfields.

Oh so you preplaced aircrafts on other airfields? I got it, now it works.
I have another question tho to capture something I have to land there right? how do I land to capture something as an aircraft or do the AI do that if they notice me the player is not doing it?
also does the mission only play in the north? I dont see targets around like senaki etc. and if this is the case it feels like the Air to Air battles are really close range all the time.

[cfrag]

9 minutes ago, Eico said:

I have another question tho to capture something I have to land there right? how do I land to capture something as an aircraft or do the AI do that if they notice me the player is not doing it?

To capture you either send a mission (AI will generate one automatically) that you pay for with the funds that you earn, or take a helicopter with some troops and deploy them there (Expansion is really fun if you can fly one of the transport helos).

9 minutes ago, Eico said:

also does the mission only play in the north?

Yes. Total playing time (if you are good) is some 20 hours. No need to long for Senaki.  

Edited March 3 by cfrag

[Eico]

Hey so I noticed a different problem, I dont own a helicopter which makes it Impossible for me to go to a captured zone land there and upgrade it. I dont know if its possible but it would be nice to have a version where you can upgrade zones while at an Airfield and if you wanna go further you could make it so that it sends out a transport helicopter and escort helicopters

Is there a way to send helicopters to a specific objective so I can capture that? because I had the problem I pressed the option that sends out troops to like idk a random objective, I couldnt chose which.

It doesnt seem like launching a multiplayer server, playing on there, leaving a little bit later and then launching the server again to continue playing where you left off doesnt work, I started playing in MP and had then to switch to SP luckily it kinda saved so I didnt lose all the progress.

And I have one more point now after playing more, it would be better imo if there was atleast 2 CAP aircrafts atleast somewhere because I sometimes cant focus on what I actually wanna do because theres just a random Su-25 destroying a captured objective and that objective cant even defend itself because theres only Rolands, so no like C-RAM even tho I did upgrade one last time and now it has vulcans but it says their inactive and the didnt shoot at the incoming missiles and I dont seem to be able to repair them, I did find out you can transfer funds to command but they didnt repair the roland search radar. I feel like theres way to few allied flights for SP, if you restart the mission there will be CAP and like SEAD but I have not seen command order a CAS on their own, I dont even think it ordered any allied flights, its only when you restart the mission. Also please no hate, I love this mission but these are just some points that are annoying and make it less fun to play.

Do you still work on this mission or are you done with updating etc. Im guessing your still working on it since you responded really fast to me in this thread.

Edited March 4 by Eico

[cfrag]

32 minutes ago, Eico said:

I dont know if its possible but it would be nice to have a version where you can upgrade zones while at an Airfield

That is already in the game

32 minutes ago, Eico said:

if you wanna go further you could make it so that it sends out a transport helicopter and escort helicopters

Good news: that is already in the game

33 minutes ago, Eico said:

Also is there a way to send helicopters to a specific objective so I can capture that?

Not specific, no. But unspecific capture missions are available.

37 minutes ago, Eico said:

And it doesnt seem like launching a multiplayer server, playing on there, leaving a little bit later and then launching the server again to continue playing where you left off doesnt work

I recommend that you follow the instructions to de-sanitize DCS so that saving works. While at it, also install stopGapGUI.

[Eico]

vor 1 Minute schrieb cfrag:

That is already in the game

Good news: that is already in the game

Not specific, no. But unspecific capture missions are available.

I recommend that you follow the instructions to de-sanitize DCS so that saving works. While at it, also install stopGapGUI.

while you wrote your answer I edited again.
I did de-sanitize DCS with the insturctions you wrote and whats stopGapGUI? I know the thing that makes airfields more crowdy and realistic is called stopGap and I deactivated it because I thought it would crash my game but seeing how little assets there are actually I think my pc could handle it

[cfrag]

Just now, Eico said:

whats stopGapGUI?

please see here. It's for servers only to work around a DCS bug.