Will we be able to force users to download specific VPKs when they connect to our servers? I know CS:GO does this for maps, but TF2's Vs Saxton Hale and Freak Fortress 2 server mods rely heavily on the server forcing specific models, materials, and sounds.
On Thu, Feb 21, 2013 at 1:15 PM, Fletcher Dunn <[email protected]> wrote: > My idea was that the server would realize that some model in the download > list actually came from a VPK, so instead of telling the client to download > the model, it would say, "download (and mount) this VPK." > > Of course, the workshop is probably the best and solution to this problem. > It solves the versioning problem, relieves the gameserver of bandwidth, etc. > So I'm not sure if there's any reason to provide a halfway solution that > entails significant complexity and will then be superseded by the workshop. > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ross Bemrose > Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2013 10:48 PM > To: Half-Life dedicated Linux server mailing list; Half-Life Windows > dedicated server mailing > Subject: Re: [hlds_linux] [hlds] SteamPipe is coming. Download the TF beta > > On 2/20/2013 12:35 PM, Fletcher Dunn wrote: >> I've also considered adding functionality for clients to download VPK's from >> gameservers, as opposed to individual files. Then the VPK would be mounted >> as a map search path. This has the added benefit that it allows custom map >> assets to override shipping assets. (Something which is no longer possible, >> since the tf/download folder, where the client will place downloaded files, >> is the LAST search path --- this is for security reasons.) It would also >> mean revving the custom assets would be simpler. If there is interest in >> this functionality, let me know, I could look into it. > I missed this from your post earlier. > > The ability to download VPKs would make it a lot easier for mods which use a > lot of models, materials, and sounds, like Vs. Saxton Hale (maintained by > FlaminSarge) and Freak Fortress 2 (nominally maintained by me). Particularly > for FF2, as it support user-created boss characters, so contributors could > just create VPKs of each boss along with their configuration file. > > Needless to say, I wholeheartedly support the idea of being able to serve > VPKs to clients. The L4D and L4D2 server owners would love it if you would > add this ability to those games as well, since campaigns are distributed via > VPK. > > However, when talking to FlaminSarge earlier, this came up in our > conversation: > > 7:42 PM - Powerlord: Anyway, I was just thinking you could download the > models, materials, and sounds up front if you needed them. Or if the server > itself could send back the VPK if they were used on teh server side (which > fastdownload can't) > 7:43 PM - FlaminSarge...: you could certainly distribute them as a vpk > 7:43 PM - FlaminSarge...: but updating would prove painful > 7:43 PM - FlaminSarge...: or rather, annoying. > 7:43 PM - Powerlord: Actually, if the server can figure out which vpk a file > is in and offer that to the client, why wouldn't that work on a fastdownload? > Clearly testing is necessary > 7:43 PM - FlaminSarge...: yes, but will a client load the VPK in time? > 7:44 PM - FlaminSarge...: and what happens when a VPK has been updated but > has the same name? > 7:44 PM - Powerlord: Oh, true. > 7:44 PM - FlaminSarge...: servers cannot check vpk versions > 7:44 PM - FlaminSarge...: even though vpks support version info > > So, the problem then becomes "Can the client tell when their VPK is out of > date and download the newer version automatically?" > > > _______________________________________________ > To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, please > visit: > https://list.valvesoftware.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/hlds_linux > > _______________________________________________ > To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, please > visit: > https://list.valvesoftware.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/hlds -- Ross Bemrose _______________________________________________ To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, please visit: https://list.valvesoftware.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/hlds
