VTE ArmA 2 Multiplayer

PMC Youtube channel · Post by **Snake Man** » 2010-07-06 07:14:01

PMC server is up and waiting for VTE ArmA 2 preview players

Operation Arrowhead is required. Read server details PMC Tactical (VTE ArmA 2 OA) dedicated server ADDONS.

Please let us know of any MP missions you know, we are in short supply right now

PMC Youtube channel · Post by **Snake Man** » 2010-07-07 01:08:18

Now there is few quick MP missions which get us started, they are nothing special as they are done in a hurry, but at least few of them has briefings and objectives.

Server is running good, VTE preview version with hotfixe's works nicely. We are definitely ready for some MP now.

PMC Youtube channel · Post by **Snake Man** » 2010-07-17 12:25:58

Just added one persistent mission with two versions, one players alone vs NVA and second players + AI vs NVA. Its rather test mission now to see how multiplayer scripting is done, the creation of AI and their movement seem to work fine on the dedicated server so that is a start.

Next would be to add some objectives, its the same time more difficult but also with many possibilities now how the ArmA 2 "tasks" are handled. Actually its like total freedom, you can start mission without any objectives and create them on the fly. Excellent system... once you learn dedicated server scripting for that

Now that I've been playing with the "preview hotfix" version, which is all that we can have right now (full version has not been even started to port yet), I already start to wish there would be more stuff in-game, for example as simple thing as ammo boxes... there is none

Also few bugs start to annoy me greatly, I just want to fix them quickly and upload a patch, but I don't want to go that road, we'll do the full very soon and until that, we have to get around with the preview.

Hope to see you in the server.

PMC Youtube channel · Post by **Snake Man** » 2010-07-19 09:43:46

Testing continues on VTE persistent mission, its now been running almost 3 straight days, 364 killed in action and around 200 guys on the map, server FPS in around 20 which is fairly OK to me considering everything.

With these kinds of results, I am very happy we can have long, really long, persistent missions running on VTE server

If someone wants to have quick missions there, please post and I'll set it up, I got many sort of instant action MP missions ready to go. Just drop a message here and we'll get going.

PMC Youtube channel · Post by **Snake Man** » 2010-07-20 14:30:52

Some dedicated server VTE action in my test mission where I'm learning how you properly script the server vs client JIP etc stuff. I'm very happy to see that this fairly large (unit wise) mission runs so stable on the server, the FPS is bit low but still manageable.

74hrs mission time, now that's cool!

PMC Youtube channel · Post by **Snake Man** » 2010-07-21 12:44:10

PMC Tactical VTE dedicated server update!

We are now running new VTE version in our server, you can download it from Six-Updater.

You can NOT join with "VTE ArmA 2 Preview" version anymore.

PMC Youtube channel · Post by **Snake Man** » 2010-07-27 17:06:27

Our server runs now VTE v1.2.1 (ArmA 2, obviously) from Six-Updater.

Get it from Six-Updater or send private message to me and I'll give you private http link to download the rar archive.

PMC Youtube channel · Post by **Snake Man** » 2010-09-07 00:57:32

Our server is now running VTE v1.3.2 which is the full version that we are privately testing. Anyone who wants to join the beta team should send me a private message.

All the missions on the server now runs without errors, so anyone joining there should have few missions to play on in Ia Drang terrain.

I will port some of the best older missions over in next few days and perhaps add some new stuff too since I've learned so much of MP scripting when testing those takistan missions of ours.

Looking forward to meet you guys on the server

]NTRUDER · Post by **]NTRUDER** » 2010-09-09 11:06:21

Snake Man wrote:PMC server is up and waiting for VTE ArmA 2 preview players

Please let us know of any MP missions you know, we are in short supply right now

You can give this old crap a go if you like

--> http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=10689

/ ]NTRUDER

PMC Youtube channel · Post by **Snake Man** » 2010-09-09 11:22:26

It is actually on the server, not sure if it needs updating as there has been so many changes. I'll have to test it soon

horror · Post by **horror** » 2010-09-10 11:04:23

pls allow admin vote.
most of the time the server is empty and when i want to try a mission i have bad luck and the mission is in deep night and i have no chance to change or restart the mission.

PMC Youtube channel · Post by **Snake Man** » 2010-09-10 11:45:25

Done, at least I hope the cfg is correct

Sorry haven't been at all on the server yet, been terribly busy developing the mod that time has just flown by. There is tons of good fixes coming soon on the v1.3.3 upgrade.

PMC Youtube channel · Post by **Snake Man** » 2010-09-11 01:40:08

The v1.3.3 upgrade draws near, also I just realized I can't even join our server because I'm already running so out of sync version.

More MP missions have been ported and more is to do.

I would say... that tomorrow I will send out the v1.3.3 upgrade to testers, upgrade our server and finally get in some MP time. If anyone has many any kind of MP missions, please send them to me so they can be added to the server.

PMC Youtube channel · Post by **Snake Man** » 2010-09-11 14:53:37

Okay our server has been updated with v1.3.3 now, I'm definitely looking forward to play some MP tomorrow. See you all in the server.

horror · Post by **horror** » 2010-09-18 19:38:14

Snake Man wrote:Done, at least I hope the cfg is correct

Sorry haven't been at all on the server yet, been terribly busy developing the mod that time has just flown by. There is tons of good fixes coming soon on the v1.3.3 upgrade.

i still cannot admin the server or even vote other mission , you should check the settings again mate

PMC Youtube channel · Post by **Snake Man** » 2010-09-18 23:35:36

Changed the server config now to BIS wiki default values, vote mission players 1 and vote treshold or whatever 0.33, I hope that works.

PMC Youtube channel · Post by **Snake Man** » 2010-11-15 17:53:11

Server is still v1.54.72888 (or something) but its now running VTE v1.3.9

GrunT · Post by **GrunT** » 2010-12-18 13:45:41

First id like say thank-you snakeman for vte arma2 and the crew who helped...AWSOME!

Will the vte server be updated to 1.56..

when i try to join it tells me i need 1.55..!

PMC Youtube channel · Post by **Snake Man** » 2010-12-21 03:17:21

It was upgraded but unfortunately only the server binary, the data files are still 1.55 so there might be the reason. Unfortunately it will be after new year eve party before I can fix it, sorry. Please do remind me first thing in 2011.

GrunT · Post by **GrunT** » 2010-12-22 00:03:24

kool..thx Snake!

PMC Youtube channel · Post by **Snake Man** » 2011-01-28 08:43:45

Server has now been updated to v1.57.xxxxx binary, at the current time VTE files aren't yet on the server so there is only your normal PMC missions available. I will post again when the VTE files has been uploaded there.

Sorry for the server being offline for several weeks, I messed up the binary update and just didn't feel like fixing it before now

PMC Youtube channel · Post by **Snake Man** » 2011-04-07 05:02:57

Server has been upgraded to v1.59.79384 but at the time of writing this it still runs just default bis addons, I'll let you guys know when VTE comes up.

PMC Youtube channel · Post by **Snake Man** » 2011-04-09 23:06:22

Our server has been now switched to VTE.

VIETNAM: The Experience (VTE) on PMC Tactical

Check that name on in-game MP server browser. Use filter "VTE", "PMC" or "Vietnam" and you'll find it easily. It now runs the latest version which is v1.3.9 and can be downloaded from here. If you have any problems logging into the server, just post here.

Hope to see you in the server.

GeKo[Sic] · Post by **GeKo[Sic]** » 2011-04-13 21:04:30

Hi all guys, just to say...GREAT WORK!I still remember the vietnam event for arma 1 some years ago and how fun i had there, hope to see you in server soon because this mod rocks again!Cheers

PMC Youtube channel · Post by **Snake Man** » 2011-04-13 22:39:23

Heh yeah I've been seeing you visiting the server from a log, could not join myself because I was just binarizing vte_terrain_wrp1 which took several hours. I hope to meet you there soon.

Has the server been behaving okay, you can get in as admin, change missions etc?

GeKo[Sic] · Post by **GeKo[Sic]** » 2011-04-14 18:18:51

Yo Snake,server is ok, very fps friendly,just my ping is bad cause im in new house with bad connection

, yeah i logged as admin and tried some missions, longest day in vietnam is handsome(GJ Horror!). Considering the pre-alpha,that i played,this seems a new game, ty for your hard work.We need some advertising cause players try to log in with no mod

PMC Youtube channel · Post by **Snake Man** » 2011-04-29 21:59:07

I have upgraded our server to run VTE v1.3.10

Hope to see you guys at the server

PMC Youtube channel · Post by **Snake Man** » 2011-05-05 01:00:03

Been playing a bit on our server now and one thing is constant; people join to our server without addons, I'd assume they are clueless of "VIETNAM" meaning you need addons in the form of VTE. They probably just filter servers with 1+ players and join when they see one, blindly. What happens is right away when they connect they are disconnected because they dont have the addons.

This is fine as so far none of those users have caused any server crashes or anything, its just highly annoying to see the four lines of status/chat text when a user connects.

Code: Select all

19:19:58 USER uses modified data file - Arma 2;Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead;Arma 2: British Armed Forces (Lite);Arma 2:
19:19:58 Player USER connecting.
19:19:59 Player USER connected (id=NUMBER).
19:20:00 Player USER disconnected.

I cant recall any MP session we have had without at least few users trying to connect. When I look at our server log in real time, I see steadily though out the day someone trying to connect.

So I was thinking, if we add password to the server, would that cause you, the REAL VTE players, to miss out the server either due filtering out passworded servers which you cant join, or by not knowing the password from our forum here?

Please post if you've ever played with us and even if you just have experience or opionion about MP servers being passworded. Thanks.

Militantsausage · Post by **Militantsausage** » 2011-05-08 13:31:45

Hey Snake Man, long time no see, I haven't been able to get on the server cause of my own clan duties and time differences, but I play on a passworded server all the time, it helps a lot, and generally you won't have to deal with incredibly annoying pubbers, although about half are fine and they will play along, for having a passworded server I think it is a good idea, I will see if I can get the time to get on in the future.

PMC Youtube channel · Post by **Snake Man** » 2011-05-10 18:37:00

Last night I played, well all night almost with two guys, great multiplayer that I've haven't had in long time. Took a bunch of screenshots too, maybe I'll get around and upload few of them.

Today I updated few of our missions, just to word few briefings better and small tweaks like that. Also when looking the mission list I see there are few nice ones missing from ArmA times, I could have used couple of them on last nights MP session.

Militantsausage wrote:I haven't been able to get on the server cause of my own clan duties and time differences

Don't worry about time difference, just post here or send me a PM if you want to play when YOU have the time. I'll make time of my own to join you, would be a pleasure.

but I play on a passworded server all the time, it helps a lot

Sure but I'm just afraid that some "joe user" out there who downloads VTE from misc link, not in our forums and particularly not reading THIS specific topic to see the server password... sees our server but just shrugs it off because its passworded and he has no idea how to get in.

To me its natural that I visit our forums, its how I communicate with you guys (outside of IRC), but I can easily see that its only a small minority of VTE users who visit these forums. I cant expect many people to know the password from here.

Perhaps if I add the password into our next releases readme and in VTE homepage...

WGL.Q · Post by **WGL.Q** » 2011-05-11 11:14:56

Add a link to the site or DL in the servername.

PMC Youtube channel · Post by **Snake Man** » 2011-05-17 16:12:36

PMC Tactical server is updated with VTE v1.3.11 internal test release. Server has battleye required and signature verification on (you cant get in with modified VTE).

Server password is: pmc

Lets see if the enhanced security reduces our player numbers to zero

PMC Youtube channel · Post by **Snake Man** » 2011-05-19 09:34:57

VTE v1.3.11 works great on multiplayer. Been playing a lot (alone, testing heh) in PMC server lately and so far it all works really good. All the new fixes I did focusing on those annoying things discovered earlier while playing, are now gone.

Environmental sound fix really brings the jungle to life, now you have sort of medium jungle sound on open terrain and when you go into the "forest" or jungle as we say, there will be lot more noise from birds and all kinds of animals, sounds really good.

Backpack system is just awesome, its so cool to carry extra stuff with you in the there and maybe set it down behind a rock or something when there is unavoidable fight ahead. Yeah I guess it doesn't really make difference for the engine, but at least in theory your shape is little bit thinner to hit and you move faster hehe, its all in the mood man, all in the mood.

High dispersion and other aimprecision configs really help for prolonged firefights, usually on ArmA 2 when you hear distant firefight its useless to start run towards it in aim to help your side as the fight has been over long time when you arrive there, not anymore in our settings. Firefights take really long time so you might be ducking it out with enemy forces for several minutes now, instead of the sudden death skirmishes where everyone pulls the trigger and in few seconds one side is the winner. Although the values need more tweaking, I noticed that couple of them are way off for example M60 has so much dispersion that when you fire it prone, rounds land in area of few meters in front of you in the ground to like 15m up in the air at distance and shotgun is very funny as it shoots the pellets into nice groups but the GROUP position changes randomly (dispersion value) which is no good, we need the pellets to spread out more not be placed accurately but at random places hehe. Its easy to fix those and will be done for next version. Important thing is, the fabulous feature SEB NAM Pack introduced to OFP is now back again in ArmA 2 VTE. Oh BTW, I'm planning on separating the high dispersion config into its own pbo, so some sniper kids can remove the pbo and take head shots with pistols from 700m.

Artillery is amazing support, it is so cool to use radio (0-0-1) and mapclick to get mortar barrage. Also the default "half working VTE native arty" is very cool, there was one mission where we captured VC 60mm mortar, I got in and used artillery computer to start shell at suspected enemy positions within range, just awesome.

For technical side of things, its simply amazing how our server went from huge loads of RPT errors (server log) into practically none. It simply looks beautiful when keeping an eye for the log and all you see is fresh data from the mission without any spamming errors. I take great pride in that.

I really hope decent amount of players joins so we could have those larger COOPs or perhaps even player vs player action. If anyone is interested, just ask for v1.3.11 download and join to the server, I've been there every evening now.

Nebelwerfer · Post by **Nebelwerfer** » 2011-05-19 10:37:22

Heya Snake! I'm finally up to speed on the whole modding thing for ArmA2 , Its a tad more daunting at first that ArmA was. I have a quick question. I was trying to get into the VTE server just now and I was getting errors from @CBA. Six updater insists that the @CBA folder is completely up to date... what am I doing wrong?

PMC Youtube channel · Post by **Snake Man** » 2011-05-19 10:39:56

You are running other than VTE v1.3.11, probably v1.3.10 which is the latest public release. I'll PM you the details for the latest internal build, then you can join.

PMC Youtube channel · Post by **Snake Man** » 2011-05-26 04:32:12

There was this average persistent mission called PMC Pure Combat which I started to play when developing VTE this time, it was growing as I needed stuff like mortar, artillery and airstrike support as well as parameters when starting the mission. Day before yesterday had a good go with it, mission ran for 3 days, 11hours, 40minutes and had total of 5122 killed in action.

Stability is there for sure, now it just need some intelligent objectives to make it really interesting for average players.

Nebelwerfer · Post by **Nebelwerfer** » 2011-05-26 11:45:38

As far as objectives can go, you can have search and destroy missions whereas a grid area may or may not have enemy positions (kinda like the insurgency mission for OA) You could also have "take the hill" objectives that WILL have enemies present. The trusty destroy weapons cache is a tried and true mission type.
Search and rescue missions. Random generation of VC and NVA platoons that patrol would be cool too. I'm not versed with the methods of mission creation but I think these ideas are possible. What do you think Snake?

PMC Youtube channel · Post by **Snake Man** » 2011-05-26 15:11:58

Those are all good ideas for objectives, but I was rather thinking of the larger scale of objectives that end the mission. Right now the victory condition is amount of KIA's, which is fine too, but still its kind of pointless to just kill X amount of enemies to win. It just feels that there should be more more down to earth kind of objectives... been thinking this a lot today but its complex thing as there is two sides, one is the believable and interesting objective type, second is the technical scripting work needed to accomplish it.

We'll get there, no worries

Nebelwerfer · Post by **Nebelwerfer** » 2011-05-26 23:37:16

As far as i know, the Vietnam war was all about body counts. That was how the brass figured they were winning or losing... not exactly accurate on a strategic level but authentic to the war and periods mindset. An extended op in an area would be over when a predetermined body count was reached along with other tactical aims in said area. BC is a good way to have the mission end, perhaps the random spawning of enemies should decrease as the KIA count gets higher. I dont mean down to the last man but more sparse, or perhaps when the KIA count gets to ~100 enemies left have a scripted event take place where the enemies counter attack the main base as a last hurah. A good way to keep this from being anticipated by players is not show the body count for the duration of the game.

PMC Youtube channel · Post by **Snake Man** » 2011-06-18 22:53:04

I have just restarted PMC server using only ArmA 2 v1.59 operation arrowhead, NO VTE loaded. This was because the PMC 10th Anniversary MP event is closing fast and nobody has really been in the server the past week or so. We'll get back fully to VTE MP when the event is over next weekend and of course we can play VTE v1.4 final in the event if several players request it.

But for now, feel free to join with default ArmA 2 v1.59 setup.