Has DCS ABANDONED Multiplayer?

[OGREMAN]

After many months of frustration at the state of DCS world multiplayer I feel that I must ask this question. Reading the DCSW game crash thread fills me with dismay. I see enthusiastic members of the community going to extra ordinary lengths to identify crash bugs while DCS proper wont even report that they are attempting to resolve the TRAIN RECK that is the current multiplayer environment.

Official statements that multiplayer community are a very small and one can only assume by implication "unimportant" part of the DCS business model, such ideas hardly serve to inspire confidence that DCS will give priority to this problem.

Furthermore, I have to wonder just how long can new eye candy modules be attractive when the users realise that their magnificent new toy is next to useless because it wont fly in a full combat multiplayer environment ..... if it is to be a single player only biase to DCS then maybe I should have settled for a GameBoy instead of investing £thousands into this hobby.

[Irregular programming]

See if you can't run 1.2.5 if you want more stable game play.

 

Sadly that's what I would recommend.

Edited September 25, 2013 by Irregular programming

[Merlin-27]

See if you can't run 1.2.5 if you want more stable game play.

 

Sadly that's what I would recommend.

 

It worries me as well and I agree with the OP on this. Members of the community have gone to great lengths to identify, test, isolate and report the many MP issues with the latest iteration. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one involved that has a day job and does not spend all their free time trying to help resolve these problems just to hear crickets in the background. I'd like to imagine ED and crew frantically typing away to resolve the issues that plague 1.2.6 but with NO official response and no remedy thus far... it's a bit disconcerting.

 

Is the energy being devoted to EDGE and in it the magic bullet to solve all of our concerns? If so, I'm ok with that... however some official response would be nice.

 

This appears to be a very critical juncture (specifically DCSWWII:E44) and I'm worried that all of these interested parties that have invested in the future of the product are looking at the current environment which currently has the potential to cast a pretty bleak outlook if they are interested in MP. I can only speak on the P-51D in relation to 1.2.6 as I've pretty much devoted myself to it but hosting a dedicated server was a nightmare...thus my reversion to 1.2.5. The unfortunate part is that I imagine most newcomers will run with the newest update and only see minimal server choices littered with stability issues.

[cichlidfan]

The unfortunate part is that I imagine most newcomers will run with the newest update and only see minimal server choices littered with stability issues.

 

Steam users have no other option, without first abandoning Steam for DCS.

[gusanako]

It's the problem of having no direct competition in this section of the simulation. ED does what you want although we may not like because there is no alternative to this.

[Merlin-27]

Steam users have no other option, without first abandoning Steam for DCS.

 

Good point...and that makes the resolution even more critical. I did not like the idea of going backwards to 1.2.5 but a stable server is my primary objective.

[Snoopy]

It worries me as well and I agree with the OP on this. Members of the community have gone to great lengths to identify, test, isolate and report the many MP issues with the latest iteration. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one involved that has a day job and does not spend all their free time trying to help resolve these problems just to hear crickets in the background.

 

You're not, ED testers are also volunteer with day jobs.

 

I....with NO official response and no remedy thus far... it's a bit disconcerting.

 

Here you go...

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?p=1885926#post1885926

 

Much of our efforts are currently on DCS 1.2.6 Update 1 . One of the biggest focuses of this update is on game stability. When the change log is final, it will be posted.

 

Matt

[Merlin-27]

You're not, ED testers are also volunteer with day jobs.

 

And by all means I was not trying to say I don't appreciate any of the efforts that are being put forth. Mainly the frustration was with the amount of time without an acknowledgment and a communicated plan going forward.

 

Here you go...

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?p=1885926#post1885926

 

And that is perfect... I just noticed it before returning here to see your reply. Please don't mistake my criticisms for anything but a protective view on a product I love and one I want to enjoy as much success as it possibly can.

[Snoopy]

And that is perfect... I just noticed it before returning here to see your reply. Please don't mistake my criticisms for anything but a protective view on a product I love and one I want to enjoy as much success as it possibly can.

 

No worries, I'm not the "drink the Koolaid and shut up" type of individual. DCS isn't perfect, there are many items within DCS I want to see fixed. But what it really comes down for me is MP stability is priority #1!

[OGREMAN]

See if you can't run 1.2.5 if you want more stable game play.

 

Sadly that's what I would recommend.

 

Thanks Irregular!

My Squadron has rolled back to ver 1.2.4 which is the last version that allowed my squadron to fly together and actually complete a mission without kicks/crashes. Unfortunately that version too has plenty of playability problems which brings me back to my remark "after MANY MONTHS" of problems. You see at least one well established squadron has now gone to the wall sighting multiplayer game stability issues as a important factor in the decision to end their involvement in DCS.

[71st_Mastiff]

Thanks Irregular!

My Squadron has rolled back to ver 1.2.4 which is the last version that allowed my squadron to fly together and actually complete a mission without kicks/crashes. Unfortunately that version too has plenty of playability problems which brings me back to my remark "after MANY MONTHS" of problems. You see at least one well established squadron has now gone to the wall sighting multiplayer game stability issues as a important factor in the decision to end their involvement in DCS.

 

same here my squadron has left too! there now off playing FSX Tacpack FA18. :pilotfly::joystick:

 

I really don't like FSX anymore, so I didn't go with them.

[Hamblue]

A lot of work has been done and often comes out great.

I think the main problem is that World has embedded every new and existing aircraft. By doing so every time something is changed in any part of the game, all modules and base world has to change. It must be a nightmare to manage.

 

Now that 3rd party modules are starting to appear, many changes in the world must be updated with other companies products. It will only get worse as more are added.

 

IMO to get a long term stable platform the base World should be set with minor bug fixes. Modules should be added as the user purchases them, similar to FSX and Xplane etc. Everyone who plays those sims don't have a copy of every plane that exists on their computer.

 

If you play a multiplayer server, the graphics of the planes can be uploaded to you when you log on or some other scheme. Once you get the base playground working leave it alone.

[Ranger79]

No worries, I'm not the "drink the Koolaid and shut up" type of individual. DCS isn't perfect, there are many items within DCS I want to see fixed. But what it really comes down for me is MP stability is priority #1!

 

Agreed. The game has come along way.

[71st_Mastiff]

A lot of work has been done and often comes out great.

I think the main problem is that World has embedded every new and existing aircraft. By doing so every time something is changed in any part of the game, all modules and base world has to change. It must be a nightmare to manage.

 

Now that 3rd party modules are starting to appear, many changes in the world must be updated with other companies products. It will only get worse as more are added.

 

IMO to get a long term stable platform the base World should be set with minor bug fixes. Modules should be added as the user purchases them, similar to FSX and Xplane etc. Everyone who plays those sims don't have a copy of every plane that exists on their computer.

 

If you play a multiplayer server, the graphics of the planes can be uploaded to you when you log on or some other scheme. Once you get the base playground working leave it alone.

 

Well DCS World is just that. DCS World+Module+ update to the World. now DCS World get its models updated. The model and FM, DM get's updated. The person sitting on the other end who doesn't have the module doesn't need any more than that.

 

That's why they separated all the models in the engine in the first place, unless they are lying and haven't finished it? and matter of fact, I'm going to go as far as to say it's Poor Russian coding.

 

:joystick:

Edited September 26, 2013 by Mastiff

[ENO]

Every time I type something in this box in this thread I start getting so mad I start to rant. Ranting = bad.

 

But holy (expletive) do I ever want to rant right now.

[Merlin-27]

Every time I type something in this box in this thread I start getting so mad I start to rant. Ranting = bad.

 

But holy (expletive) do I ever want to rant right now.

 

ENO, I think I might be able to predict your stance on this topic but one thing I like to ask first is this...

 

Shouldn't the release of an update to incorporate a new aircraft be done in a slightly protected environment? There is just so much potential to create havoc. I'm not saying these decisions are easy and I understand there are many things driving it, but I also think it's hard to say that it's not a mistake to bring stable servers to their knees by pushing an update community-wide. And although I love to help fix things and contribute to the advancement of the sim... sometimes I just want to fly and enjoy myself. Am I expecting too much? If I'm way off base just tell me to shut up :)

[ENO]

Shut up Merlin-

 

;)

 

I'm on your side!

[Druid_]

With a product as complex as DCS its not easy trying to reproduce a crash and when we do its not straight forward for the Devs to isolate the problem from the crash file itself (but please keep posting them up, sometimes it may be).

 

When we test multiplayer we have a Dev running a debug version which literally brings the PC to its knees recording and logging just about everything. Rest assured we are working on it & hopefully this will be sorted soon. Its just as frustrating for me!

[ENO]

It's just global frustration right now Druid- I see a lot of testers in the bug forums doing their best and I'm sure there's more going on behind the scenes.

 

I'm always thankful for you guys- and I'm sorry I don't communicate it a bit more.

[71st_Mastiff]

With a product as complex as DCS its not easy trying to reproduce a crash and when we do its not straight forward for the Devs to isolate the problem from the crash file itself (but please keep posting them up, sometimes it may be).

 

When we test multiplayer we have a Dev running a debug version which literally brings the PC to its knees recording and logging just about everything. Rest assured we are working on it & hopefully this will be sorted soon. Its just as frustrating for me!

 

mm sounds like the money isn't going in the right areas?:joystick:

aside we got the advertisements working into the updates when you launch your DCS, but aside that, we don't have enough to update the game it self.

[Trubshaw]

I see multiplayer (and the flight hardened multiplayers) as 'long term bread and butter' DCS supporters. I have even bought modules in the past just to support the development. eg: Combined Arms and A10C just sit on my hard drive.

 

It is in these servers where you find supporters writing complex triggers and innovative ways to develop missions. I enjoy every minute flying in them and take my hat off to those that regularly host and develop missions.

 

I feel sure that many working for DCS and those volunteer testers also see the value in us hard core supporters.

 

I look forward to the next update where stability has been addressed.

 

Yes I bought Mil8 when it came out and yes DCS & Wags etc did read and act upon the comments in the forums. I believe they are reading these comments about multiplayer and are working their way towards resolving the problems.

[Mainstay]

Im one of the people suffering major problems atm where before version 1.2.5 was as stable as a rock 1.2.6 seems like a wounded dragon that needs to crashland every time she goes up.

 

C++ errors, CTD's etc.. Its just not fun to fly anymore atm. Normally i could spend hours flying online missions or single players missions and its great fun. But now im just flying in the editor cause god knows when the CTD will come. I bought every module so far but i cant even properly test the mi8 till when i myself decide it has been enough time to go to bed.

 

Sure ED is still my no1 company when it comes to investing my free time. But when you have a wife and two small children time is limited and you want to spend it well if you know what i mean. It does me good to see Wags informed us they are aware of the problems. I just hope that such obvious unstable builds wont hit the dancefloor in the future.

 

Thanks ED :)

[zaelu]

@Druid

 

Maybe an automated crash report sending should be available.

 

Many people after crashing to desktop or getting disconnected get frustrated and the last thing they think is to get organized and archive and send the report.

 

I'm thinking at an option in Settings menu where we can tick a choice of always send crash reports automatically. Once a day or immediately... at start up maybe... etc.

[159th_Falcon]

Good idea, could include the log files, crash file and .trk as well if under a certain filesize.

 

May very well be worth to implement, a long whit an optional commentary box for the user to put in anything specific he was doing at the time of the crash.

 

I like that idea. Hopefully ED does to.

[Groove]

No, we haven't abandoned MP. We work very hard to get the bugs out of this very important part of DCS World.