Network Services query

[terox 316]

With the multiplayer environment in mind

is there any intention of creating a network services functionality within the engine similar to the CoC Network services available for OFP

In particular the ability for a specific node to remotely call a function on another node

and an increase the type of variables that can be passed over the network

eg Arrays and strings

I'm aware that this may not be of high priority to the development of the game but i am sure that the multiplayer community would be very grateful if this at some point could be accomplished

Thanks for your time

[Dwarden 1125]

check with devs and maybe worth to add to BIKI wishlist or so ...

[raedor 8]

Strings can be broadcasted now. All other things you mentioned are (as far as I know) not likely to be implemented anytime soon.

[sickboy 13]

Hey Terox m8, You might wanna take a look here:

http://trac.6thsense.eu:800/arma/trac/wiki/6thSense.eu%20NS-Lite

It's 'Lite' but could easily be expanded to carry identification per client to execute only on certain clients..

At the moment there are simply 3 channels, and only basic NS Functionality, but already usefull for many things...

Maybe we can work some more out together ?  

I just noticed that the my download links are missing... will get back to you on this tomorrow  

Update Just noticed you meant for BIS implementing such functionality into the Engine..

Supporting the idea to add this into the Engine aswell!

[bn880 5]

That is actually a very good question.

From what has come across back channels, several people are working on getting something very similar to the old network services going for armed assault. Not just similar but conversions of the network services or the equivalent library module for VBS1. However, neither party has yet solved the joining and quitting issue as far as I am aware. Furthermore, it would be beneficial to network performance, and just overall performance to have these functions built into the game engine. Of course, we are talking about a main message function and other functions to locate clients and so forth.(Clients/nodes).

I would be on top of things converting or making a new network service for armed assault, however I am still injured.

Regards

[lwlooz 0]

I very much support this request of course.

Not only would engine-based network-functions make the whole thing more efficient,it also would be a lot easier for people to get into Multiplayer-scripting.

So I really hope that BIS shifts up the priority on this one somewhat.

Would be nice to see more scripter-persons supporting this request.

[Nutty_101 0]

What are you wanting to do? Just send the variable to one client only and no one else? I might be able to help with that in the not to far future.

[bn880 5]

Actually unless you are able to work on armed assault directly, you cannot help us. The point of this thread appears to be asking for more network functionality inside the game engine. Thanks for the interest however. :-)

[terox 316]

Strings can be broadcasted now. All other things you mentioned are (as far as I know) not likely to be implemented anytime soon.

This is a shame, however i am sure the devs have more pressing issues at the moment and likely that an external development team such as COC, (hoping Bn880 heals well ) or 6th sense would eventually re-create an arma system equivalent to the OFP system

On a side note, if time is permitting for such an engine implementation, even if it has to be implemented via a gamelogic then i am sure many addon makers and mod makers would find, as i have done in the past, such a system to be extrememly useful and enhance the abilities of coded systems

Thanks for the speedy response

[Rhodite 3]

Moved - this is taking a more scripting edge in its discussion rather than a MP feature request/question.

[Nutty_101 0]

Actually unless you are able to work on armed assault directly, you cannot help us. The point of this thread appears to be asking for more network functionality inside the game engine. Thanks for the interest however. :-)

That may be, but there are ways of getting around what is not in the game sometimes to add functionality. Was just curious what was being looked for because there are ways to only send a publicvariable to one client.

From what I have been told I highly doubt they will give Arma some of the functions that would allow it to act like VBS. So who knows if we would get this type of functions in the game.

[terox 316]

Actually unless you are able to work on armed assault directly, you cannot help us. The point of this thread appears to be asking for more network functionality inside the game engine. Thanks for the interest however. :-)

That may be, but there are ways of getting around what is not in the game sometimes to add functionality. Was just curious what was being looked for because there are ways to only send a publicvariable to one client.

From what I have been told I highly doubt they will give Arma some of the functions that would allow it to act like VBS. So who knows if we would get this type of functions in the game.

A network services addon was created by CoC for OFP

and yes it's likely to be re-created by a third part dev team at some point

6th sense have already started to develop a small package and maybe CoC will rework their older package for Arma, that isnt the question raised

If this system was in the engine itself, it would allow so much more to be done by addon makers and mod makers (without the requirement for a 3rd part addon) than is possible without it and it really really does allow much better scripted systems for Multiplayer.

When i eventually got to grips with CoC_Ns it opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me and allowed me to create a cargo carrying system via an addon, this simply wasnt possible without it, well not to the extent it was developed too

It simply makes mp scripting so much easier and allows much much more possibilities

example

Player 1 sends a message to player 3 that runs code on his machine only, or the server sends a command to player 5 which allows code to be run on his machine only

lets say you have a command and control system run by player 1, sitting in his dialogue window, he can tell player 3#s client to setpos a move marker jusyt on his machine, or on the machines of all players in Player 3's group

thats just a very very small example of the power of a network service

yes it can also be done by having a looping script waiting on the @ command of each client, but multiply that by 5 wait sensors and you start to lag the system down a bit

[Nutty_101 0]

Yeah, i can see what you mean. It might be able to be done with a server only application that just blocked packets and injected some to specific players. Have to wait and see what the next patch gives us.