Topic: Hello Boys, I'm BACK :)

[Gook]

The Looney Limey has returnethed..............

Now you have all had your holiday from me, LB5 is over and GW3 isn't going to start for 3-4 weeks, lets utilise the time to get stuff done <groans all round>

Firstly, what about a background server along the lines I put up. Is it feasible, can anyone put it up, does anyone want to. I am technically and kit challenged in these departments <insert dumb sh1t>, but a long term stock server for nursery and recreational use, may help. Any comments? or do we consign this to the dustbin?

To recap the server was to be stock (patched to 2552 obviously), have a biggish map, lots of neutral space and planets, probably simple VCs(but these may be superflous), shipping lanes and destructable bases, no other rules as such apart from no ALTF4. Game turns one year to a week (IRL so it lasts a year), start around 2550. Neutral hexes 5-10 DV, Planets vary from 20-50 DV. Edges of Empires weaker hexes getting harder as you move to the core.

Object, casual, new, or returning gamers have somewhere to try out game, and seasoned ones have somewhere to go without DLs etc, if they don't want to play other servers with new missions and shiplists. As its stock with the current breed of installers all should be able to play by just pressing uninstall X servers installs. When a "serious" campaign comes along if most hop out the remainder will not be able to overun it, as its to big.

Map, Triangle, Rooks or even AF in style if not quite in size.

If this is a Dodo, please say so and we will move onto the next topic

[SSCF-LeRoy]

Yes to background server

[Mog]

Might want to check your suggested start date of 2550. If you mean 2250, what will the Romulans be flying?

[KAT J'inn]

what will the Romulans be flying?

The usual, a 1978 Ford Pinto.   Hit it from beind and you get a big flaming Type R torp!

[Fluf]

Ill see what I can get together.  Gook send me the AF map so I have a reference. 

Litterbox 6 - Return to the Fire.  Should take me about a day to get together.

[Bonk]

Only problem with with a large neutral zone and no rules on OP is the neutral hex disengagement bug... You disengage and the DV goes down even if you don't win the mission, your glicko suffers but you can flip a DV 20 neutral hex in about 10 minutes singlehandedly... so look at a slightly different map for a no-holds-barred server.

Otherwise a good idea to have a stock server up, it will definitely encourage any new players to get into the D2 and give the connection challenged a convenient place to play...

[Gook]

Oooops start date 2250, sorry my error. If there are no warp capable Rommies at that date then push it forward to WE introduction.

As for neutral hex disenegement bug, I didn't know there was one. Gahhh, that puts the kybosh on that idea, any work rounds?

I did have a an AF.mmv, but when I opened it recently, it was empty. Anybody got Triangle, or a Rooks map, or even CW3 that was big enough, it doesn't really matter whose map it is as long as it can't be overun in a week with by 5 Nutters on the same side.

I am worried about the disengagement bug though, I had no idea.

[FPF-DieHard]

2263, this is the earliest you can go with the stock list.

[Gook]

How do we get round the disengagement bug in "normal" campaigns? Is it part a DL?

We can have a rule, but it would have to police itself.

[Bonk]

No way to avoid it. Just edit the map so that there are minimal to no neutral hexes or make a rule that forbids it... (shouldn't be a big problem I didn't see any of it on LB5, most players won't go there anyway as there's no PP in it and the glicko suffers - its a desperation move) I just thought I should point it out.

[Capt_Bearslayer_XC]

How about that PF server taht has been floated around?

[Gook]

No way to avoid it. Just edit the map so that there are minimal to no neutral hexes or make a rule that forbids it... (shouldn't be a big problem I didn't see any of it on LB5, most players won't go there anyway as there's no PP in it and the glicko suffers - its a desperation move) I just thought I should point it out.

Thanks Bonk.

OK we just ignore it and see what happens.

Now about that map, I remember someone posting they had a Triangle map, (that is the map file), If its not available does skull (or anyone for that matter) have any ofthe old CW maps which could be converted, if not what is the largest map available in recent times?

Anybody object to a 2263 start (just want it early so it carries on longer). If there are probs we can switch to 2267.

If its 2263-7 suggest drone speeds:

2263-2275 slow

2276-2286 medium

2286 on ward fast.

Also Restrict out X-ships

Thoughts anyone?

[FPF-DieHard]

If its 2263-7 suggest drone speeds:

2263-2275 slow

2276-2286 medium

2286 on ward fast.

Also Restrict out X-ships

Thoughts anyone?

Drone speeds are HARD-coded in the game Gook.   Not adjustable.

[Capt_Bearslayer_XC]

PSUEDO-FIGHTER SERVER!!!!!!

[Gook]

If its 2263-7 suggest drone speeds:

2263-2275 slow

2276-2286 medium

2286 on ward fast.

Also Restrict out X-ships

Thoughts anyone?

Drone speeds are HARD-coded in the game Gook.   Not adjustable.

Roger that, just a thought. Thanks for the info.

Bear The PF server sounds a cool project, but this one is just plain old, plainess to sit in the background.

[FPF-DieHard]

PSUEDO-FIGHTER SERVER!!!!!!

In all seriousness, I've made solo PF flyable in my mod.   It is funny as hell for about 5 minutes and then the novalty wears off. 

[GDA-S'Cipio]

PSUEDO-FIGHTER SERVER!!!!!!

As a matter of fact, that server I said I'd have up later this week?  Well.........

I'll get more info up late tonight.

-S'Cipio

[Lepton]

Two small issues I see with a persistent stock server.

1.  Right out of the box, people won't be able to find it.  They will need to get patched up.  Where will they go to find out where patches are?  They'd have to be very good with internet searches or stumble across this place.  So by default almost, people will end up here. 

2.  Then of course they will come to realize that no one is playing on the stock server and that an empty dyna is essentially just single player mode all over again.

Instead of a stock server that no newbie will be able to find and that, should he find, will be empty, I'd rather see a stronger set of ties within the D2 community that gets new players up to speed and integrates them easily into the flow of D2 servers.  Current mission packs and OP+ in an installer is all that is needed to give people a decent base to work from.  After that, it's up to them and to us to keep things clear about how to get onto a current server.  Need I remind folks that Bonk's Gravity Well server sits there basically unused yet is the sine-qua-non persistent server in recent memory. 

While a stock server may seem the way to go, there are plenty of servers that are up all the time that go unused.  How about backing these persistent servers (that suffer from lack of players) to get new people on board instead of relegating them to some stock server backwater??  If we want some sort of really persistent server, that is one thing, but I don't think that equates to the kind of thing that is going to be attractive to newcomers if it is empty most of the time like other persistent servers.

[Capt_Bearslayer_XC]

PSUEDO-FIGHTER SERVER!!!!!!

As a matter of fact, that server I said I'd have up later this week?  Well.........

I'll get more info up late tonight.

-S'Cipio

Sweet!!!!!

[KBF-Dogmatix_XC]

If its 2263-7 suggest drone speeds:

2263-2275 slow

2276-2286 medium

2286 on ward fast.

Also Restrict out X-ships

Thoughts anyone?

Drone speeds are HARD-coded in the game Gook.   Not adjustable.

However, prices are not.   Were one willing, one could, of course, regulate their use by exhorbitant pricing. 

[Gook]

If its 2263-7 suggest drone speeds:

2263-2275 slow

2276-2286 medium

2286 on ward fast.

Also Restrict out X-ships

Thoughts anyone?

Drone speeds are HARD-coded in the game Gook.   Not adjustable.

However, prices are not.   Were one willing, one could, of course, regulate their use by exhorbitant pricing. 

Now now, Dog, we are working our way up to THAT one

[GDA-S'Cipio]

However, prices are not.   Were one willing, one could, of course, regulate their use by exhorbitant pricing. 

The changeover from slow to medium drones in this fashion is easy.  Slow drones are free, and medium drones are equal to one-times the drone price.  Set the price to 1,000 each, and everyone will use slow until you lower it at the proper date for your setup.  (Excpet for Fluf.  He'll buy the medium drones at 1,000 each and thumb his nose at you.)

The changeover from medium to fast, however, is a little tricksy.  What price would you suggest to make medium speed drones "affordable" and fast drones "off-limits"?

-S'Cipio

[FPF-DieHard]

What is the need?   2268 ships are bult to fight medium drones.   2280 ships can fight fast.

I don't care one way or the other, I just don't see the need to get medieval on drone prices.

[GDA-S'Cipio]

What is the need?   2268 ships are bult to fight medium drones.   2280 ships can fight fast.

I don't care one way or the other, I just don't see the need to get medieval on drone prices.

Assume there will be a server someday with a setup that would make alternate dates sensible to use.

I'm not saying that stock (Or OP+) server need to change the date.  But if you were doing someting weird, and you wanted to control the changeover dates for drone speeds, how could you do it?  I'd like to know how, even if I never do

-Curious S'cipio with a Big Yellow Hat

[Cleaven]

Two small issues I see with a persistent stock server.

1.  Right out of the box, people won't be able to find it.  They will need to get patched up.  Where will they go to find out where patches are?  They'd have to be very good with internet searches or stumble across this place.  So by default almost, people will end up here. 

2.  Then of course they will come to realize that no one is playing on the stock server and that an empty dyna is essentially just single player mode all over again.

Instead of a stock server that no newbie will be able to find and that, should he find, will be empty, I'd rather see a stronger set of ties within the D2 community that gets new players up to speed and integrates them easily into the flow of D2 servers.  Current mission packs and OP+ in an installer is all that is needed to give people a decent base to work from.  After that, it's up to them and to us to keep things clear about how to get onto a current server.  Need I remind folks that Bonk's Gravity Well server sits there basically unused yet is the sine-qua-non persistent server in recent memory. 

While a stock server may seem the way to go, there are plenty of servers that are up all the time that go unused.  How about backing these persistent servers (that suffer from lack of players) to get new people on board instead of relegating them to some stock server backwater??  If we want some sort of really persistent server, that is one thing, but I don't think that equates to the kind of thing that is going to be attractive to newcomers if it is empty most of the time like other persistent servers.

GameSpy does have the patch information up at the entrance to the OP lobby. It might be useful to get them to add a link to this site, BUT Starfleet Universe does have a link and the info is there.
Anyway GSA is a required stop to get to the D2 so it does seem to be covered.

 

[SPQR Renegade]

In all seriousness, I've made solo PF flyable in my mod.   It is funny as hell for about 5 minutes and then the novalty wears off. 

<raises eyebrow>

Hmmm. Can anyone say Rommie hexflipper?
Cheap, fragile, and not likely to scare any one who has a real ship. Even in a fleet of 3.

[Lepton]

Two small issues I see with a persistent stock server.

1.  Right out of the box, people won't be able to find it.  They will need to get patched up.  Where will they go to find out where patches are?  They'd have to be very good with internet searches or stumble across this place.  So by default almost, people will end up here. 

2.  Then of course they will come to realize that no one is playing on the stock server and that an empty dyna is essentially just single player mode all over again.

Instead of a stock server that no newbie will be able to find and that, should he find, will be empty, I'd rather see a stronger set of ties within the D2 community that gets new players up to speed and integrates them easily into the flow of D2 servers.  Current mission packs and OP+ in an installer is all that is needed to give people a decent base to work from.  After that, it's up to them and to us to keep things clear about how to get onto a current server.  Need I remind folks that Bonk's Gravity Well server sits there basically unused yet is the sine-qua-non persistent server in recent memory. 

While a stock server may seem the way to go, there are plenty of servers that are up all the time that go unused.  How about backing these persistent servers (that suffer from lack of players) to get new people on board instead of relegating them to some stock server backwater??  If we want some sort of really persistent server, that is one thing, but I don't think that equates to the kind of thing that is going to be attractive to newcomers if it is empty most of the time like other persistent servers.

GameSpy does have the patch information up at the entrance to the OP lobby. It might be useful to get them to add a link to this site, BUT Starfleet Universe does have a link and the info is there.
Anyway GSA is a required stop to get to the D2 so it does seem to be covered.

 

It's been a long time since I got started with SFC after my little break so I am not sure of the actual thinking of someone first starting out on this game or coming back to it, but I don't think GSA would be my first stop when looking for patch information.  Although, there is of course that supposed patch check when the login fires up, so this may direct people more than I had surmised.  Even so, if we supposed they get all patched up and log on to find an empty stock server and a half full dowload-based server, where are they going to want to go??  It comes down to this.  If there is a stock server, it needs to be well attended or it will not act as an attractant to anyone and might as well not exist.  If the intent is to draw newcomers or returners into the fold, that should be the focus: providing them with the necessary resource to enter into the community, not deflecting their searching into a stock server deadend.

[Cleaven]

There is a reference to GSA on the multiplayer page, and a GSA logo is displayed on the D2 login screen. A GSA login is required for the D2 but is not explicitly explained on that screen. Conceivably one could get a GSA login without thinking of checking the OP lobby, and therefore missing the updates. GSA is the only entity referred to in the original documentation that is still running I think. And without referring to a site that has the update to the ini file for the campaign server the D2 is out of reach. After doing a few searches I did end up with the patches up to 2.5.5.2 but a lot of the patch links did not go that far and also a link to GSA. I found no links to this site or to StarFleet Universe at the top of the search lists, so I think it would be a lucky person who got a hold of a copy of SFC:OP and ended up here. Unfortunately I don't think anything can be done about this.

[Gook]

Guys. we still need a Map, search your HDDs for one, The rest seems to be pretty innocuous, as its for a background server.

[FPF-DieHard]

Hmmm. Can anyone say Rommie hexflipper?
Cheap, fragile, and not likely to scare any one who has a real ship. Even in a fleet of 3.

Hehehehe.   I had and idea for that.  Take a R-SPF+ and drop the BPV to about 75-85,  could munch hexes with the best of them but isn't a serious PvP threat to a CA or CWL. 

[Fluf]

Gook I can make a map in about and hour.  Thats no problem.   My problem is this.  Does everything need to be stock?  And if so, how many will actually play?