Lock Down of Files for Lock On Multiplayer

[104th_Crunch]

Just thought I would make a very important quick request since we are expecting a Lock On update. I hope Eagle Dynamics can at least take it into consideration.

 

The recent Black Shark patch added the capability for a server to deny connections to clients that edit certain files. I am hoping the same can be done for Lock On. It is too easy for someone to edit files so that they are able to see planes out to 70km for example. It is a major detriment to Lock On multiplayer.

 

Thanks for listening.

Edited September 4, 2009 by Crunch

[Vekkinho]

Nice idea and I second that!

 

However there's this Patch 1.13 request/wish list thread so check if it was ever posted before...

[71st_Mastiff]

are you kidd'in me? you take the 5 days it might take to read all that. lol

[Boberro]

I am sure it was posted but I don't think anyone reads previous post :D too many posts.

 

If it is in Lock on, I hope it'll be better solution than it is in BS where u don't know what you have wrong and must search failure mod to enter.

[Sov13t]

It is outright shocking that this is being brought up this LATE into the life cycle of development.

 

The multiplayer platform should ALWAYS be well thought out and developed to battle any exploits on client side, and in todays day and age where Multiplayer is way more important than Single player I have no idea why even Blackshark didn't have this... and only finally was released as a "fix" patch and even then it seems it wasn't well thought through as Boberro pointed out. By no means do I want to disrespect Eagle Dynamics team, but I do want to challenge their Multiplayer engineers to raise their standards... this isn't Flanker 1.0 where Multiplayer was played every blue moon on dial up speeds and by some miserable percentage of players.

 

I believe there should be three levels of consistency checks between Server side and Client side (enforced by the Server of course).

 

1. Full consistency - Players are unable to join the server unless their configuration files, models, scripts and skins/themes/graphics match the server's. Of course proper notifications must be given by the server side as to what needs to be addressed, also server administrators would need to post their server settings explaining what mods/skins/etc. are allowed on their server. A good example would be Operation Flashpoint would list "modified" files that players had. Or we could go along the lines of having servers keep a whitelist of mods which would be upkept by the community and based on this list players would be allowed to join. [this setting will enforce a completely equal game play for all pilots]

 

2. Semi-consistency - Players are unable to join the server unless their configurations files, models and scripts match the server's. Unlike full consistency this will allow pilots to have various skins/graphic enhancements.

 

3. No consistency - What we have now... utter chaos in 21st century. :doh:

 

Please ED Team give it more attention... as it is becoming a challenge to motivate pilots to fly online on public servers due to possibilities of exploits and other unfair advantages opponents may bring. And guess what? It is pretty much impossible for us to even know for sure whether any given individual pilot is exploiting the game... why? because all the tools we have rely on client side software... like Tracks for example playback using the settings of your machine rather than the settings of the recorder. Screenshots = a PITA... Movies = a PITA.

 

What is great though, is now that this issue hasn't been addressed in so many years... many other development teams presented many different ways of fighting this... whether it is First Person shooters or other Sims... take a pick.

 

Regards,

[c0ff]

I totally agree.

 

EDIT: http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=38451

Edited September 4, 2009 by c0ff

[104th_Crunch]

Nice idea and I second that!

 

However there's this Patch 1.13 request/wish list thread so check if it was ever posted before...

 

Yes, I realised that, but I thought this was way too important to get lost in that monster thread. What does it matter if all the other bugs are fixed if you can still edit your files to gain an advantage so easily?

 

Yes, Bob, getting a message to the client that says what does not comply is the way go.

[71st_Mastiff]

I think if ED gave some tools to some promising dedicated players we could get more new models going from weekend warrior types?:doh:

[104th_Crunch]

Sorry Mastiff, Models? You mean new aircraft models? I am not sure what you mean.

 

If you are talking about letting players design the handling of locking down files to combat cheating, I think that would be best left to ED in my opinion and not any customers. As Soviet said there are some great examples in the gaming industry.

 

Edit: I see know Mastiff. You double posted this reply in another thread :) Easy on that left click big guy ;)

Edited September 21, 2009 by Crunch

[71st_Mastiff]

one of my post which was long winded got deleted because of i.e bug when you click on a blank spce for some reason it backspace and delted my post... made me mad...