Matchmaking

[grekker]

I know that Matchmaking/Find a Game isn't supported in Elite Mod.

Why not?

I ask in the spirit of "what's stopping us from doing this?" more so than "some random dude wants X blah blah blah".

I'm a developer, I work with developers, and I have access to servers, bandwidth, etc. I'm interested in possibly pursuing this and making it happen but I need some help understanding if it is viable.

Specifically, what is blocking us from adding a matchmaking system into Elite mod or coopting the existing one to point to a new server?

Do we have access to the source code for DoW2? Or are we just hacking on script files or something? How is the mod actually written? Programming language(s)?

Is there any documentation on the nuts and bolts of how DoW2 is put together under the hood, and/or the same for the mod?

What should I go read/ingest/digest/mull over?

Thanks!
~Grekker

[Kvek]

Really the find game system is fucked up. ranked system is stupid. And i dont think its possible to have ranked games in a mod...

[Dark Riku]

You should try to get a hold of Caeltos/Lulgrim for this.

[Caeltos]

I highly doubt it's actually implementable, or we'd be possibly treading on thin ice. I just see alot of obstacles in the way, and potential scenarios that might intervene with the actual implemented system from the existing game.

It would be abit off if we had a matchmaking system, that would break the ladder to some degree. I guess if it was doable to create an seperate ladder for the mod that doesn't break the existing retribution one, and just seperate the two ones from another, that'd be sweet. But i'm highly sceptical.

[Lulgrim]

It would basically require hacking the game and replacing the Steam matchmaking service with our own service connecting to our servers. It's probably possible but rather complicated (source code is not available) and it's also probably the equivalent of doing this to the EULA.

[grekker]

I highly doubt it's actually implementable, or we'd be possibly treading on thin ice. I just see alot of obstacles in the way, and potential scenarios that might intervene with the actual implemented system from the existing game.

It would be abit off if we had a matchmaking system, that would break the ladder to some degree. I guess if it was doable to create an seperate ladder for the mod that doesn't break the existing retribution one, and just seperate the two ones from another, that'd be sweet. But i'm highly sceptical.

I'm thinking it would be a separate ladder from the retail one. Only mod players, but have the advantages of automatic matchmaking and ranking maintenance.

How is the mod made? It doesn't change the game's source code?

[grekker]

It would basically require hacking the game and replacing the Steam matchmaking service with our own service connecting to our servers. It's probably possible but rather complicated (source code is not available) and it's also probably the equivalent of doing this to the EULA.

That's basically what I'm thinking about. Just redirecting the matchmaking service in modded versions of the game to a server we control.

I do wonder about the legalities of the mod as it stands already, and this proposal. I'll do some research on that.

I'm not afraid of a little hard work, I just need help understanding what I would need to do.

[Kvek]

I think you shouldn't do that. The custom is enough. Yeah some people lack the ranked system but still. You play this game for fun don't you ?

[Dark Riku]

I would be very happy with a matchmaking system for the mod.
And I think a lot of people would be too.
Would probably also attract more of the retail players.

Basing it on a good elo system and not have that bullcrap of a rest bonus.
And having team ello's. like CoH1 has. Instead of separate bullshit per player.

[Kvek]

In ranked matchmaking is a very high chance to play against some new players etc. But i have to agree it would attract more players

[Ace of Swords]

I wonder if it's possible to expand the mod to something more 'official'?
Relic seems to still care to some degree about DoW2, i wonder if caeltos has the time/wants to get in touch with them, so that you can some more freedom on the engine of dow2 and all you need.

[Lulgrim]

No, doesn't sound realistic.

[grekker]

Is the source code for the mod available?

[Lulgrim]

There is no programming involved. We could do fancier stuff if we had someone who can write SCAR or use this but so far we have done without.

[grekker]

There is no programming involved. We could do fancier stuff if we had someone who can write SCAR or use this but so far we have done without.

How does the mod currently change the game then? What are the mechanics? Just swapping out files? Models and such?

[Lulgrim]

The content is irrelevant but this will give you an idea:

http://forums.relicnews.com/showthread.php?219357