Adding a new function such a faction PDA to be displayed depending on the ID would be hard without a rewrite of both the server and the client (flserver.exe and freelancer.exe). It is not a simple thing to implement.
A /sendfactionmsg <message> function would probably be easier to do via FLhook, so that might be the best bet for the idea. The usage of that function would then be controlled by the Admins, in as much as they need to add the authorized factionleaders accounts to the flhook config file.
The question though will be if such a function would stress the server to much :
Factionleader for Corsairs transmits a /sendfactionmsg "All Corsairs will now pwnzor Rogue order Osiris Waratah"
Message is received by all online characters with a Corsair or Corsair guard ID, and stored in the mailbox of all non-online Corsair and Corsair Guard ID chars.
How much processing is needed to go through all the accounts on the server, and check all the chars in those accounts for the corresponding ID to receive the message... Will it introduce lag during the processing ? Will it introduce mailbox storage problems during the processing ?
Lots of things to check before such a function could be implemented, so don't hold your breath for it, unless you want to look like a smurf.
And remember, Cannon is one person, who contrair to popular belief, also have a life to live besides Discovery. If he gets the time to do it, great - But don't expect such things to happen overnight.
Out of bats, Out of bots, Out of torps - Down to harsh language...
' Wrote:Hi Cannon, and other devs;
The discussions of Rule 5 made me think about this.
Most of the time, we are talking about indie players etc not following the forum RP, diplomacy or stuff.
Now, is it possible to implement an IN GAME PDA which is like the ones back in Privateer games and so, which contains basic information and updates regarding the ID players carry?
Like, Order ID has an Order PDA which contains the latest diplomatic decisions posted to keep every pilot updated as well as recent events going on (like bar news but strictly Order related and being up-to-date and not requiring people to go to bars or admins to constantly implement game updates).
Can this be done by some kind of update system that each faction / group leader / command group -> post to appear in game as txt added to the PDA?
Or, we can have bi-weekly or monthly updates to keep players "who are not able to find the forums" but who are "very well present in game".
Is such thing possible? If not, how close can we get to this kind of an implementation?
EDIT: Also, is it possible to have auto-notices pop up when entering to an ID owned system? Like when I enter Liberty with my trader, an auto message pops up (similar to the mission screen when you first go into space) and reminds me of general Liberty Laws etc?
Like I am a smuggler and I enter Minor, an Order message pops up saying the rules of Order space.
a web-based portal would be better, where you can go in and read a changelog for your faction
It doesnt help to reach to the indie players in general, which is the main idea. Therefore, no, a web based portal won't do the trick as it is kinda the same of using this forums.
I like ideas. But how much of that can be implemented and when or is it possible at all ... hmm ...
Is it possible to let say when entering O-Minor or order control space ( any faction controlled, npc or player one) together with name of system to enlist rules too
and about message to all same id players, make messages like that like /fm and they don't save in mailbox, with that its less lag or what ever
what controls the station news posts? is it something we can do server side?
cause if so, i think maybe something could be done bi-weekly there.
EVEN, just to make them useful, there could be a "documentary" news item that has some bits and pieces about the base's factions history.
just some text copied straight out of the wiki, so you can get a bit of an overview of what you're supposed to be doing without ever having to go to the forums or wiki.
i'm not so in favor of a server command and information being done through the console, when was the last time you checked /mail? i know for me it'll be similar for checking /factionPDA
' Wrote:EDIT: Also, is it possible to have auto-notices pop up when entering to an ID owned system? Like when I enter Liberty with my trader, an auto message pops up (similar to the mission screen when you first go into space) and reminds me of general Liberty Laws etc?
Like I am a smuggler and I enter Minor, an Order message pops up saying the rules of Order space.
This is a very good idea. It should happen.
Thanks to MikeyH for the banner.
Reverend Del Wrote:I was going to turn your ship into something that would have been better named "Lada" but I was told to be nice.
' Wrote:and about message to all same id players, make messages like that like /fm and they don't save in mailbox, with that its less lag or what ever
Problem is still that the accounts need to be scanned and read. With the almost similar in functionality Faction invite command, /fi [namemask] it just scans the online char names for a match to the namemask, then calls the invite function, which is quite quick.
To do something with the ID, the algorithm needs to check each online char to see if that ID is mounted on the char - That means getting the list of ALL the online chars, then reading in the account of the first char in the list, then check if the char has that ID mounted, send the message if it fullfills the criteria, then repeat, rinse, spindry for the next char. And remember, this must be done on the same hardware running FLServer, which is allready straining when the server is full.
Allocating machine ressources so such a function works, might mean lowering the number of online slots. Do we really want that ?
Out of bats, Out of bots, Out of torps - Down to harsh language...