New Syntax for UP mission names

[=CfC=Bounder]

It occurred to me the other night that there is some confusion about MDS in both 4.10.1 and UP3.

MDS:- (Moving Dogfight Server)
- MDS is available in both installations but is far more detailed in features for UP3
- Basically, MDS allows the addition of AI (both ships and a/c) to a standard DF mission.
- It also allows the use of HB's to build a "sort of" co-op mission with defined goals and only one side available for spawning (you will fly against AI). This enables dead chaps to live again from within a co-op style mission. (this can be restricted in both the number of re-spawns and the time between re-spawns). It does require a specific start time.....everyone ready to go before the Host starts the mission as there is no "Fly" button for the Host to start (the mission is running as soon as it loads at the Host.......so timing for AI is based on the mission loading). In addition, there are no waypoints for the Chaps to follow, so specific towns, rendezvous must be assigned in the brief.

Different mission types now available:-

Standard Co-op:- (410.1 and UP3.....but maybe not supported in UP in the future)
- This is the established Co-op mission we have all used from 4.07 days. Defined waypoints and a/c with the chaps choosing a specific a/c and flying until end of mission or dead. No re-spawn
- This type of mission is supported at the moment in UP3 but may well have no support in future versions. (it requires numerous additional code entries for MDS and is thought as unwarranted in view of the MDS co-op feature)

MDS co-op:- (4.10.1 and UP3)
- This is constructed as a DF mission in the Dogfight folder but is usually limited to one side Red or Blue and has a defined mission objective. One or more HB's (one Army only) will be available for the start of the mission and re-spawn during the mission is available.
- Unlike the standard co-op above, all participants must be ready to start the mission as soon as the briefing screen is loaded at the host as AI timings are based on this start time.
- Only difference between 4.10.1 and UP3 for this mission type is the availability of re-fuel and re-arm in UP 3 whereas in 4.10.1 you will just have re-spawn.
- No waypoints will be shown on the minimap and so a detailed briefing is necessary. (An "escort mission" will allow the chaps to follow a flight/flights of bombers and avoid the requirement to navigate)
- When 4.11 comes out, the MDS features will probably be enhanced.....further eroding the old co-op style mission advantages.
- There are numerous features that we have not used in MDS version UP3, for example "resource management": limited fuel/ammo available at HB's and topped up  by arriving ships/transports if not intercepted.

MDS DF:- (410.1 and UP3)
- This is the old standard DF enhanced with flights of AI on both sides
- Several different types of these missions can be built depending on the number of chaps expected to fly. For example, for a low turn-out of say 4-5 players, you can build an intense AI mission with flights of AI every 5 minutes to keep the chaps occupied. This is a lot of work! Missions can run for 2 or even 3 hours if you throw enough AI at the mission.
- They can be biased to one side.....only flights of AI on Blue requiring all chaps to fly Red...it is up to your imagination as a mission builder.
- The total a/c or types of a/c can be limited in numbers to make the DF balanced (widely discussed at CfC and not popular!)

Standard DF (with MDS available - both 4.10.1 and UP3)
- This is what we have been doing for years. Just chaps on both sides fighting against each other.
- The MDS feature is limited to moving ships and maybe some limited flights of maritime patrols or none at all.
- Scoring in UP3 requires you to re-fuel or re-arm after landing.

So now to arrange the missions so Fitz has some chance of getting the right mission up for us! This applies to Bounder Missions and not to all CfC missions available.

The Syntax is now revised to cope with new features and proposed changes to UP3

Mission name and Syntax:-
- The missions available in the Dropbox or to download have a mission name which translates into the above division of mission types.
- This will always start with the name of the map e.g "Slovakia_W" at the beginning tells you that the Slovakia Winter map has been used.
- The next series of letters tells you the nature of the mission e.g. "DF" is standard DF, "AIDF" includes large numbers of AI.
- If the letter "R" or "RB" is added to this first group, it tells you whether two sides or just one side is available for spawning.
- This will be followed by a number reflecting the mission number. e.g "Channel40_AIDFRB01" is a mission on the Channel 1940 map, is a DF mission with lot's of AI, spawning on both sides and is mission number 1 of a series.
- THE NEXT SYNTAX IS NEW. There will be "Co" in the name after the above if the mission is set up as a one sided "MDS co-op" as described in the section above. For example "Slovakia_W_AIDFR01_Co_UP3" is an "MDS co-op" for Red. This differentiates from an MDS DF mission for both sides.
- There may be a two figure number like "42" separated by a dash "_" to indicate the specific year of the mission. There may also be a "TR" in the mission name meaning it is a training mission.
- Lastly is the installation the mission is made for e.g "UP3" or "410_1".
- All these missions are housed in folders with a date and any older folders should be deleted.

To summarise:-
- Missions are housed in Mission folders by versions (UP3 or 4.10.1) and dates.
- Mission folders and the missions themselves tell you in the syntax what type or for what installation they are for.
- All the above folders housing the missions with "DF" in the name are for the "Missions/Net/dogfight" folder.
- The only major change is the subdivision and addition of the "Co" syntax to specifically refer to "MDS co-op" type missions.

I'm sure this is all clear......"stand at ease!"

Bounder

[=CfC=Bounder]

I have uploaded the new mission folders into the Dropbox.

Several old UP201 missions have been updated and added to the AIDF_UP3 folder. These are for Red and Blue participation and have numerous flights of AI. They can be flown on your own if you set-up a multiplayer server and load the mission. Maximum mission length for AI participation is 2hrs.

I would appreciate some feedback on the use of radar. The KTO AIDF (1951) mission is based on the Korea Winter map and at the moment if you select all Difficulty settings to "ON" except "Realistic Navigation" (affects carrier visibility) you will see all a/c and targets on the minimap as white icons, including your own. For this scenario (1951) it is very feasible to do this. It is also beneficial if you have just 4-5 players and want to see where the AI activity is centred without giving away the colour of the visible target. It is possible to do the same for the Normandy AIDF mission (1944) and also the Channel 40 AIDF (Battle of Britain) mission. This enables the few players to get into action using radar to find AI flights, but not knowing whether individual a/c icons are enemy/friendly/or humans!

If you could give me some idea of what you prefer in these AIDF missions
by giving them a quick look on your own, I will adjust the settings for what is preferred.

Bounder

[MF_UFO]

After frantically looking and searching I am unable to find a link to the revered DROPBOX. 

Who's leg do I have to hump?     I'll show you mine if you show me yours?!?


http://74.98.223.149/ftp/

[=CfC=Palmtree]

After frantically looking and searching I am unable to find a link to the revered DROPBOX. 

Who's leg do I have to hump?     I'll show you mine if you show me yours?!?


http://74.98.223.149/ftp/

Thankfully (for the rest of us) it is Fitz's leg that you have to hump! 

Pt

[=CfC=Fitz]

No leg humping required. Check your e-mails old chap 

[CFC_Conky]

Shhhhhhh, never use the word 'hump'....Matron has excellent hearing!

[MF_UFO]

Huzzah!  My Dropbox is now up to date!  Understand that i copy files out of drop box, not move them.  Thanks a ton Fritz and all contributors!

Should be called Chuffy's  Treasure Trove.  On first glance there is a lot of GREAT stuff in there!!!!   *does a little dance* 

[=CfC=Bounder]

Glad you found the Dropbox UFO......if you don't want to have all the files on your HD, you can do what Gizmo does and just login at the Dropbox website and download the files you want.

The only problems we have had with it is when someone deletes/cuts a file from the Dropbox folder on their HD and then on another occasion double-clicks on the Dropbox folder. This then synchronises the Folder on the HD with the one on the website and whatever has been deleted disappears into cyberspace!

Bounder