We need missions that use addons.

[rambozo 0]

There arent enough multiplayer missions that make use of the addons that are out. I think a generic addon pack is needed to help this. A pack that includes a number of various addons. Perhaps we can make a standard that evolves. It can start at different levels like addpak-A, addpak-b, and so on. They can be arranged according to size. Servers that use the packs can advertise addpak-A or addpak-B compliant.

Then we need the missions. Its unfortunate that with all the addons there are very few used in multiplayer. I think its mainly due to the fact that people don't like to scrounge for downloads. If it was all standardised and consolidated into one source, then there would be much less scrounging. The packs would need to be hosted by multiple mirrors. Also it might be a good idea to cut links to individual downloads of addons that are included in the pack.

Perhaps it won't work as there are too many addons to consider, and the resulting file will just be too big. But maybe we can put a vote out here on the forums that would determine what addons are included. Maybe this way we can fish though the clones and try and keep the size down.

As it is now I don't really see many of the addons being used in multiplayer. How else can we get them to be used?

An unused addon is a useless addon.

[BoweryBaker 0]

Agreed. People usually don't use addons. But its the players who have fifty six k that usually play those maps. Players who have dsl and cable will download an addon no problem. I use addons all the time its just a matter of being able to tell the person which addons they need before they join my server. That's why i connect through gamespy for games. It has a chat room where you can meet up before you play. I'm trying to start a mailing list so i can actually email people telling them which addons i use, so like gamespy, we can tell each other before they join and just get kicked off my server.

[DB-ERAUPilot 0]

the reason why alot of mission makers are hesitant to use addons is because for some reason people bitch about having to download addons...go figure I'll download every addon in the book if it's for an entertaining mission..and I think we need more SINGLE PLAYER missions more than anything..don't forget OFP was meant from the ground up to be a superior single player experience I've got a few I'm working on hopefully I can get out soon...

[hellfish6 7]

This belongs in Mission Editing.

[rambozo 0]

Actually, I intended this thread to be more addon oriented. I'm really starting to like the idea of a generic addon pack. It could be directed at the addons that are released independant of a themed mod. I am starting to think that the size wouldn't be as much of an issue, as themed mod downloads are rather large.

Of course there will have to be a format for the packs. We would probably included a new Island or two, a variety of weapon/unit addons, vehicles, and so on. They should have a little bit of everything, and try to make them flexible enough to fit a variety of themes.

I'm talking a pack of grade A addons. There are many great addons out there. The hope is that the addon authors are willing to include their addons in a universal pack.

Some starter missions could be included in the pack, but the real idea is to make it easier for mission builders to utilize the addons. That and for servers to host the missions.

So, what are peoples thoughts on actually putting something like this together?

To work, it would have to become a standard. It would have to be advertised as such on a variety of websites, and hosted on a variety of mirrors.

As previously stated, it might be a good idea to force d/l of the whole pack as apposed to individual addons. By doing this you almost guarantee that people will have all necessary downloads. Then missions could be dedicated to using the addons in this universal pack. After that comes the new servers dedicated to hosting these maps.

Can this work, and is it worth attempting? Are people willing to participate in such a project?

[sanctuary 19]

With the Mission Editing contest and the full VBS1 + VBS1 addons to win , there will certainly be a lot of new good missions , with some using addons , soon ( TM ).

[MarK (CZ) 0]

I really like the idea, could make a small boom in MP playing But it has to be well organised with a website dedicated to this with all info for addon-makers, mission-makers and players and a staff of ppl to take care of it.

But it would be definitely great!

[BoweryBaker 0]

I recommend that it be like a U.S. forces pack, then maybe a NATO, then UK, then etc. But one thing is for sure there are some addons coming out that deserve to be in the pack. All combat and BAS addons should be in the U.S. forces package. Not to forget Hyakushiki's modern infantry. The question is, should it be a U.S. forces desert pack and a forest pack? The U.S. forces have tons of addons. Battle over hokkaido did the same thing making an all japanese package, but concentrated on woodland camo. Back on topic though, the one theme of missions that uses alot of addons is cop missions, police/detective/sting/bust missions. They have to use civillians, civillian cars, things like that that ofp never shipped with. Different terrorist weapons, stuff like that. I'd like to do some research on european stings and find out what kind of problems europe has. I wonder if they have to deal with like drugs n stuff in rural areas like the OFP islands are, like out in the country. I hope that the nogova police force gets a swat team.

[rambozo 0]

I really like the idea, could make a small boom in MP playing      But it has to be well organised with a website dedicated to this with all info for addon-makers, mission-makers and players and a staff of ppl to take care of it.

But it would be definitely great!  

Yeah, there are a lot of details to work out. Right now I'm just trying to get the idea out. I wanna see how it will be recieved by the community. The idea relies on whether Addon-makers and Mission builders submit to using it.

Of course mission builders wouldn't have to use all of the addons in the pack, but only those that would fit their theme. This is why it would have to be broad in terms of content. This way it can provide a good bit of resources for mission builders to produce unique missions. Also it can provide a much more diverse multiplayer experience.

For the addon-makers, it provides an environment where their addons can actually be used. It gives mission builders more reason to use various addons. Also it will consist of only top notch addons. It could become an honor for peoples addons to be included into the pack.

In terms of deciding content, we could put it all to a vote here on the forums. Or we could establish a group of individuals that test addons and rate them based on quality, type, and need.

The first pack will have to be strictly structured. It would have to be layed out exactly how much of what is to be included into the pack. This is to aimed towards diversity and file size.

The pack could evolve through incremental updates. voting could be held occasionally to determine what will be included into later revisions of the packs.

A strict naming structure would have to be implimented for sake of recognition. It should be clear what servers are compliant with what revisions of the packs.

Different base packs could be established based on file size. This could be aimed at providing to people with slower internet connections. But at the same time we can't afford to have too much variation as we would fail to produce a standard. So in that reguard the number of different packs should be to a minimum. Either way everything found in the lesser packs should be included in the larger packs. This would provide backward compatability.

Most importantly it would have to be something embraced by the whole community. It would have to be treated as a standard. News sites would have to post permanent information, and encourage its use. It would have to go wide spread. It couldn't be confined to just a home page. Its something that would really rely on the support of the community. For sake of fairness, it would have to be community run.

Addons could be submitted for implimentation. A buffer period would pass in order for the community to test the addon. Its implimentation would be based on community response. All submitted addons would be added to a pool or list. voting to determine implimentation could take place here on the forums at predetermined intervals.

It could be called the Unified Addon Initiative or simply UAI.

Any additional thoughts/suggestions? Is anyone willing to pursue the idea? Is there enough enthusiasm to support it? What are the opinions of the various mod groups? What are the opinions of lone addon makers? What are the opinions of the mission builders?