Easy solution for automatic mod downloading

[Cookieeater 10]

RV3's engine cannot enable mounting mods in game as far as we know, yet we all know what pain it is to join a server and be locked out due to not containing any mods that the server is using. An easy solution to this is by looking at another game that cannot mount mods in game which is Doom II. In the multiplayer modification of Doom II named Skulltag, you have the option to use a server browser such as Internet Doom Explorer which is a third party serverbrowser that runs separate of the game, meaning that you can browse through servers without having to open the game up.

http://gyazo.com/078c1bd886f8ab471dc09111c2f81c42.png

Then if we try joining a server that requires mods, a messagebox will prompt up requesting if the player want's to download the wad files, or for ArmA's case, .pbo's.

And if you choose to download them, the server browser will be given a list of URLs from the server giving the location of where they can download the addons that the server requires. And it mounts the mods while the game starts.

http://gyazo.com/79ea42f2714716af38faa02667ac73ef.png

And voila, automatic mod downloading!

http://gyazo.com/d73482461f29af8d557cf50e598075f0.png

So by having the server browser not in-game, the server browser can download all of the mods that the server requires, and mount them on as the game starts. So what i'm thinking is that ArmA III's server browser should be external of the game and have mods downloaded before the actual game is started and then mount those mods downloaded required by the server when joining it.

Edited July 6, 2011 by Alex72

[Smurf 12]

IIRC Six Updater have something like that.

[Murklor 10]

Or the ingame browser could simply check the directories and download if it doesnt exist from the server defined links, then automatically restart the game and auto-join the server.

The problem comes when you need to do advanced version checking - downloading entire 500+mb mods every single time you join a server with a .1 version difference would be... annoying. Should it be Bohemias responsibility to keep every mod the user has up to date? No I dont think so.

[Nicholas 5]

IIRC Six Updater have something like that.

I believe he is talking about such a program/feature be bundled into the game. Not a 3rd party program.

[sickboy 13]

Have a look at Six Updater: http://www.six-updater.net/p/about.html

(click for larger)

More screenshots @ http://www.six-updater.net/p/screenshots.html

It might not be integrated with the game but it does most you mentioned, and plenty more.

It uses differential transfers (delta patching) so you save a lot of bandwidth with updates / different version too.

And it is backed by a worldwide community powered strong mirror network, containing a great many mods: http://stats.six-updater.net/mods

While any server/community/clan can host a custom repository with Mods, Missions and additional configuration.

http://www.six-updater.net/p/communities.html

I guess ladders and chatrooms are community building features I could look into :)

http://dev-heaven.net/issues/21917

Inclusion with the game would be awesome of course.

A few more API options in the game and integration isn't even needed: http://dev-heaven.net/issues/17496

I'm actively developing on the project, and have a couple of Milestones planned: http://dev-heaven.net/projects/six-arma-updater/roadmap

Edited July 6, 2011 by Sickboy

[gossamersolid 155]

Right, Six Updater is what we're looking for, but only if it was bundled with the game.

The thing about Skulltag (If I remember correctly) is that the external server browser is the only way to find servers, so it could prevent people from even attempting to join without mods.

BIS should think about throwing some bones over to SickBoy and including Six's technology in ArmA 3 and completely remove the ingame server browser.

[JojoTheSlayer 35]

Or the ingame browser could simply check the directories and download if it doesnt exist from the server defined links, then automatically restart the game and auto-join the server.

The problem comes when you need to do advanced version checking - downloading entire 500+mb mods every single time you join a server with a .1 version difference would be... annoying. Should it be Bohemias responsibility to keep every mod the user has up to date? No I dont think so.

It would still be great to have something like that.

Just pop up a box that asks/warns you there is a huge download and gives you the option to go ahead, shutting down the game so you can do other stuff while the down loader does it job, since you have to restart anyway..., or lets you decline and pick another server.

[SPC.Spets 21]

you already can see what mods the server uses at the moment in the game browser , then you can search for those mods in armaholic or addonsync

[JojoTheSlayer 35]

you already can see what mods the server uses at the moment in the game browser , then you can search for those mods in armaholic or addonsync

Because that isnt kinda tedious comparably to a one question pop up box?

Would you use the same argument if missions where not auto streamed down from the server?

Everybody could just go to X. site or use X 3rd party program to get the missions...?

You could probably drive a car to work as well with only two wheels, but having four would make it a lot less problematic for average drivers.

[sickboy 13]

you already can see what mods the server uses at the moment in the game browser , then you can search for those mods in armaholic or addonsync

No searching, unpacking, figuring out how to install/update, or downloading full files if only small parts have been updated, with Six Updater :) :

Have a look at Six Updater: http://www.six-updater.net/p/about.html

(click for larger)

More screenshots @ http://www.six-updater.net/p/screenshots.html

It might not be integrated with the game but it does most you mentioned, and plenty more.

It uses differential transfers (delta patching) so you save a lot of bandwidth with updates / different version too.

And it is backed by a worldwide community powered strong mirror network, containing a great many mods: http://stats.six-updater.net/mods

While any server/community/clan can host a custom repository with Mods, Missions and additional configuration.

http://www.six-updater.net/p/communities.html

I guess ladders and chatrooms are community building features I could look into :)

http://dev-heaven.net/issues/21917

Inclusion with the game would be awesome of course.

A few more API options in the game and integration isn't even needed: http://dev-heaven.net/issues/17496

I'm actively developing on the project, and have a couple of Milestones planned: http://dev-heaven.net/projects/six-arma-updater/roadmap

Edited July 6, 2011 by Sickboy

[gossamersolid 155]

you already can see what mods the server uses at the moment in the game browser , then you can search for those mods in armaholic or addonsync

You must be new to the series or you aren't thinking before you post because this is what's currently in the game and it DOESN'T WORK!

The whole reason there are like over 9000 posts about people wanting automatic addon syncing is because the general population is too lazy/not intelligent enough to find the proper addons and learn how to use them.

You'd be amazed at how many people run no mods because they don't know how (and can't figure it out after somebody has told them how). I'm not sure if the Steam copy is to blame for this (apparently there are some issues with mod loading/getting CO to load right).

Sorry if I sound like an asshole, but I'm speaking the truth here.

[Smurf 12]

I believe he is talking about such a program/feature be bundled into the game. Not a 3rd party program.

Yep, 100% agreed. MUST be something out of the box, integrated with the game. (before OA Suma\Dwarden were speaking in implementing something like this, but never saw anything else related to it).

One thing I would like to see is a Official and Global Database of Mod x Version, so once an X mod update to Y version, everybody (clients and servers) should be in the same page. There are problems with such system mainly regarding the database update and mods development that should be discussed.

Dunno if i was clear enough, but thats an idea.

[gossamersolid 155]

Yep, 100% agreed. MUST be something out of the box, integrated with the game. (before OA Suma\Dwarden were speaking in implementing something like this, but never saw anything else related to it).

One thing I would like to see is a Official and Global Database of Mod x Version, so once an X mod update to Y version, everybody (clients and servers) should be in the same page. There are problems with such system mainly regarding the database update and mods development that should be discussed.

Dunno if i was clear enough, but thats an idea.

An official database won't happen because:

A) BIS doesn't want to maintain a server and pay for the bandwidth

B) Addon makers don't want to have to submit every little change they make for approval

[Smurf 12]

While I agree on B (maybe the main issue in this model), A shouldn´t be a problem. BIS maintain this forum, the company and ARMA website, BISWIKI, VBS related stuff, hell, even the "Bis Fun page" still online. A table or whatever with somekind of checksum to be comparated with the client wouldn´t hurt that much.

Anyway, it was just an idea to solve a problem that MUST be solved for A3.

[Rough Knight 9]

I seriously hope something like this is implemented. It must be easy to use though, I am to dumb for six updater [No offence Sickboy, I really appreciate your work]. There are so many options with the updater, it is difficult to work out what to do. Great Idea though.

Six Updater needs a dumb mode IMHO so the likes of me don't get scared of using it.

[sickboy 13]

I seriously hope something like this is implemented. It must be easy to use though, I am to dumb for six updater [No offence Sickboy, I really appreciate your work]. There are so many options with the updater, it is difficult to work out what to do. Great Idea though.

Six Updater needs a dumb mode IMHO so the likes of me don't get scared of using it.

With advanced mode disabled (default) it seems somewhat less scary.

But more importantly, options are options, no need to use them unless you wish to.

Many things are handled automatically, basically it is click and play, even more so if you play at a Six Updater supported Server; such community provides a link to a configuration file, which turns it into; click link, click Install or Update and Join server, sit back and enjoy the show :)

Once you have a preset to your liking, you can even create a shortcut to it on your Desktop, making it just: Click the desktop link and enjoy the show.

Most things are also documented from within the program, just hover over a button / option / etc for the tooltip to appear.

Working hard on further improving and simplifying though. Feedback welcome @ http://www.six-updater.net/p/support.html

Edited July 7, 2011 by Sickboy

[gossamersolid 155]

I really wish Six could be more popular, I really want to play with mods on my server, but it's next to impossible to get players in unless you have direct communication with them.

But hey, at least we're bringing this up with BIS 1 year in advance, there's really no excuse for them to not implement some sort of addon downloading especially when tools like Six already exist. Just need them to be included with ArmA 3 at minimum.

[sickboy 13]

Agreed that bundling etc could be nice.

SU automatically detects which mods are needed for your server, so if people already use SU, they will join with the correct mods for the most part, as long as they are available on the official network, or already installed on the user's computer

You can put info in your server name:

"My ServerName, mod/join info: www.mywebsite.com/join SU: www.mywebsite.com/my_server.yml"

For starters, if a user uses SU to connect to your server, it will auto detect the my_server.yml configuration file and configures the preset automatically for the user, with the mods/missions you've defined, and perhaps hosted on your customrepository.

Secondary, when a user finds your server in the ingame browser, he finds your website url, can visit it, finds the information to install SU, and you can add the auto configuration url also on that site (sixupdater://www.mywebsite.com/my_server.yml).

If SU is installed and ran at least once, clicking such link will setup the preset for your server again.

Edited July 7, 2011 by Sickboy

[dale0404 5]

SU is a brilliant application. I hope BIS do incorporate this or something like it.

[ahmedjbh 0]

I think sickboys sixupdater is the way forward. It could auto update the game, and add mods simply by selecting them, then it would auto install and keep them up to date.

However, it needs to be press and go simple etc.

Im sure BIS and sickboy could sit down and come up with a good solution, I guess its just up to BIS if they want it to happen.

Ahmed.

[crazyirish93 10]

would be a dream come true if that happens ^^

[paragraphic l 2]

well they know where to find sickboy, he's allready in the ArmA2 credits ;)

And the updater has allready gone hexagonal to match the opposing forces of ArmA3 :P