posted 01-22- 09:33 AM            

So I have assembled approximately 250 multiplayer missions in a 258kbyte parfile. It contains most of the popular mission and some lesser knowns (some of my creations I haven't hosted frequently). This will give everyone common versions of the frequently played games.

Get it here:

Multiplayer Mission Pack

Note: Read the included readme for directions. You will have to remove duplicate missions from your multiplayer folder for it to work properly. I would recommend copying the multiplayer directory and then removing all your missions in the original multiplayer directory. Then add back missions you don't see that you want to have.

Mission writers: Please send me any updated missions that don't appear consistent with your creations or that you have added and want to have included in future packs.

Why did I do this for a couple of reasons:

1. The big one: Desktopping. Most of the time desktopping occurs when a mission is being sent by the host. This often becomes frustrating for others who have the mission and are waiting to start a game.
   
2. Last minute game entries. How many times have you been just about to start a game when a new person joins without the current mission. With a common pack these last minute entries will come in with the mission ready to fly or if the game is full, a new mission can be quickly loaded without losing a bunch of guys who've been waiting for 10 minutes.
   
3. Game creation delay. With over 250 missions in my multiplayer folder I found a big delay when entering a game or hosting a new one. This often caused desktopping as well. With the parfile the mission detection is quicker.
   
4. Convenient way for new players to gain access to the most common multiplayer missions.
   
5. Mission organization. The pack seems to keep the missions grouped more logically. It's a little easier to find the right one now.
   

I have called this a beta not because it doesn't work. It does, Spyder and I have been using it for the last few days and have not been sending missions to each other (with the exception of one that wasn't in the parfile - which I desktopped for five minutes to get). However, I don't think I have a complete compilation of the current mission versions and plan to add to the pack over time.

Also the missions included have not been reviewed for spelling errors, goofy objectives and other aspects. There may be some that contain unusual squadrons (for example the =FC= squadron - which may cause a mission desktop on startup). I will be reviewing the missions over time to remove these unusual errors.

I can't predict how people will respond to it. So check it out. If you like it I'll work to add people's favorites, updates and new missions that include updated planes and terrains (if desired).

I also want to determine the best size for the pack. At this time 250 missions is probably too big. Unfortunately it's hard to decide what to take out. So I went for completeness. (I went with 250 because I always seem to have that many in my multiplayer folder).

250 is a little big because if a player tried to join a game just set up he will often desktop until your system has loaded the mission info. To avoid this players should wait ~10 seconds before joining a new game - this is a good idea with or without this pack.

These are creations of the community and I don't take credit for them. Thanks to all who have written these missions, they have helped make SDOE stand out among flight sims.

Get it here: http://tailslide.firelight.dynip.com/Files/Mission%20Pack%20v0.99%20Beta.zip

Thanks Tailslide for making it available.

Spin

[This message has been edited by spin (edited 01-22-2000).]

[This message has been edited by spin (edited 01-22-2000).]

[This message has been edited by spin (edited 01-22-2000).]

[This message has been edited by spin (edited 01-22-2000).]

posted 01-23- 09:54 AM               

I think this is a great idea. I have 283 missions in my multiplayer folder, and I don't think I use 2/3s of them. I need to have a mission sent most of the time. This should eleviate a lot of the delays and that is good. Also, for the new guys to be able to start out with a ton of missions is great.

Thanks
Esox =FC=

[This message has been edited by esox (edited 01-23-2000).]

posted 01-23- 10:32 AM            

Thanks for the feedback. I was wondering if this got lost in the shuffle yesterday with all the other stuff.

Of your 283 missions you probably have most of the same ones in the pack. It seems the files often don't agree with each other - you may have the file but a slight difference causes a conflict. I wonder how often you are sent missions you already have.

I have even had missions I created sent back to me (without changes).

I know this can really help. I became frustrated last night trying to get a mission started.