This will be a long post so settle in and read it twice.
We did call this the C4 revolution for a reason, this will be a rebirth of C4 as you know it. Autoexplode while very useful, as become over burdened by the shear volume of issues needing to be resolved and its time to retire it. Thus far AE52 has been a testing ground for me to determine what I could reliably fix server side what had to fixed client side and the best way to handle each issue. Well……Its time to move this to the next level, and I would like to introduce you to it,
[B]Comanche 4 Security, Operations and Repair[/B]
hence forth to be called C4 SOAR server and client
C4 SOAR will be phased in during testing and evolve over that period. I am hoping to complete this is three phases. And in as little time as possible as I would really like to be flying and making more productive apps and maps then dealing with all the crap.
Phase one will be dealing only with bugs, cheats and other game related issues.
Phase two will be the addition of server configuration and settings as well as expansion packs.
Phase three will be the incorporation of a third party verification in combination with phase one and two.
Phase one and two are primarily thought out to be for open play servers with phase three being used primarily for squad matches, but still could be used for open play.
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Phase one will address:
8 hit players
Efam bug
Weapon hacks(all of them)
Hot weapons
Single player command that causes invisibility in multi player.
Tactical Display
Server and player side weapon and health modifiers.
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Phase two will address:
Configuration of all server settings from the server desktop(full detailed list will follow)
Addition to the server side of two user levels, and addition to the client side of functionality.
Admin:
Allowing every server setting to be configured remotely.
Super User:
Allowing player punt, ban and map cycle remotely.
User modes will be protected by both a username/password combination as well as an IP filter.
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Phase three will address:
Both the server and the players being verified by a remote third party. Phase three may or may not also include a community wide common ban list. I have not decided on this nor worked out all the details of it, but consider this a viable option in really cleaning this game up. The thoughts so far are that each C4 SOAR server use a common BAN list so banned pilots will be unable to play in any C4 SOAR server period. The questions this raises are how is it determined who goes on it, and how or if can they be taken off of it once added.
Yes some of you cheered and some of you gulped and some just said oh $h1t……I did all three.
The how and what:
The server side app will accept and verify each player. It will allow a player without the client side app to join and fly, but until they are verified they will have no live weapons. This was done to ensure that all servers were joinable by everyone with or without the client app, as news of the client app will trickle out and hopefully the community might also get some new pilots. The server side app will also verify the c4 exe and all game files on the server. As well as continue to do a running check of data and code in ram while running to ensure that it has not been modified or altered. If the initial file check fails or at any point the verification of ram data fails the C4 SOAR server will close itself and C4. The server side app will also include a local reusable/stored ban file for problematic pilots.(see phase three as well)
The client side app will verify all game files on the client and also continue to do a running check of data and code in ram while running to ensure that it has not been modified or altered. If it fails at any point the C4 SOAR client will close itself and C4. Any player that fails verification during play will be automatically punted from the server. I am also considering an option to auto ban after x number of punts.
The third party connection will basically act the same as above but both the server and the player will be verifying to the third party ensuring a clean server and player, and possibly the common ban list.
Doing all of this is basically a home brew of punk busters, each player and server have the same set of files, the cheats and the hacks are ousted. By spreading this to both the client and the server it allows every known bug and future bug to be addressed and repaired, as well as require each to use it. It will also take the work load off of the server increasing game play and quality. It basically takes AE splits it in half and shares the load, but over all reduces the total load as with file verification I will be releasing a patched exe in which I resolved and will continue to resolve as many issues in the actual code as I can making for a true repair not a memory quick fix. This will also assist in all of efforts of zak and the community as a whole with regard to expansion packs. By verifying each file set we will ensure that everyone has the same set of game files and the latest stable expansion/add-on.
I am at the moment in the development stage (about 70% thus far)and hopefully less then a week away from being ready to do some initial private testing. The first test will be selective and I need a few volunteers, if you would like to be apart of it please email me. Realize that this will be a very small group so not everyone will be in it. Once I finish this small initial test I will release a public client side app only at first. When this is fully functional and without issue I will release the server side to go with it. This may seem like an odd process but I want to ensure that everything works and I don’t end up creating more issues or troubles. From there any thing goes as we can fix just about anything with this.
I will have screen shots of both apps and an update posted within a few days, there is more information to go out but I’m tired of typing. Please post any thoughts you have GOOD OR BAD as this is our game not mine, and also idea’s you may have incase I missed anything.
Until the next time keep your heads up as C4 is going to SOAR.
Inso out……………..:waving.gif:
