Hello,

it's time for another update. As stated >here earlier we've decided to release smaller patches but more often. This version is called 1.1 since we've proven ourselves to know the alphabet quite well by now I guess. Among various fixes (detailed changelog at the end of this posting), we also want to share some great news with you.

After a lot of consideration we've decided to make our early netcode, we implemented during development of 1.0 but never finished, available through the API. We've also polished it a little so clients can connect automatically using our master server. Clients can still use net_connect IP[:port] to connect to servers manually in case there are issues with the automatic connection.

What does it offer?

Very very basic things like syncing blip creation for peds and vehicles (changes to blips except for deleting are not synced btw) and callout messages. Search areas during pursuits are also synced. I hope you aren't disappointed, this is how it is and how far we got back then and we decided it would be better to at least give you basic functionality (which you can extend!) instead of never releasing it at all. Callouts are host only.

How does it work?

Put simply, we establish a UDP connection between the client and server. This is completely independent of your game session, so yes, in theory you could also connect to a host's IP from another GTA game session. But we don't really encourage you to do so...

So what to do as a host?

If you are hosting the game, LCPDFR will recognize this automatically. Sometimes scripts are loaded in the lobby already and detection of network game might fail, so either check if you get the helpbox stating you are in a network session or simply reload scripts once in-game.

Also make sure to forward UDP port 1337 (or whatever you set it to from the ini file) so clients can actually reach you. If you have a UPnP cabable router, LCPDFR will try to automatically forward ports for you.

So what to do as a client?

Join a game and see if you get a helpbox stating you are in a network game. If not, reload scripts. Once LCPDFR has detected your network session, it will try to retrieve the host's IP and port from our masterserver. If that works, you don't have to do anything, you will be connected automatically. If it fails (you will get notified), you can still use net_connect IP[:port] to connect. Note that port is optional.

I'm an API developer, what can I do?

I will update the GitHub repo with a basic example. Also check the new Networking class which provides access to our functions. You may have to add the LCPDFR.Networking lib to your project. For more questions, please use the dedicated API forums.
 
Appendix

On a final note I have to thank LukeD and ineseri for their efforts in helping me testing our networking code.
From the early attempts of just establishing a connection to ironing out issues with the master server the two of you never hesitated to join me for a session when I asked. Thanks for that!

Also big thanks to Cyan for finishing the master server to allow automatic connecting now.


Change log


API

• Added SetPursuitTactics and SetPursuitHelicopterTactics
• Added GetArrestedPeds to get all peds the player is currently taking care of
• LVehicle: Added SirenMuted

CheckpointControl

• Added back QAM entries (sorry!)

Pullover

• Fixed stats glitch (thanks to EvilJackCarver for reporting)

Networking

• Basic network engine syncing blips (no attributes), callout messages and search areas.
• Better detection of network players

Misc

• A few crash fixes
• Reduced obfuscation level to please AV software

OH MY. OH MY, OH MY.

And where i can download it?

Amazing work! Surprised no one else has posted yet.

 

You guys rock. I'll test it out and get back with any major issues I run into.

Yey new upd8.. thts gr8 m8


ok but really, thanks for all the work put towards this :P

Well then... things like this happen always when I am at my dads....

Sounds good. Will try it out.

Minor update but looks good! Gonna test it out when my game finishes installing!

Hope to see this added into our clan modpack as soon as possible! :D

And where i can download it?

 

In the downloads section, same place as always. The download has been updated, like usually when there's an update.

Are we able to use the LCPDFR 1.0 Callout Plugin with 1.1

Has anyone updated yet? I don't really want to update yet because I've managed to get 1.0d (hotfix) as stable as possible with many scripts

Kewl :D Well, I'm off to re-install LCPDFR in about 10 different folders, with the female dispatch sounds... Oh - I mean bed. D:

The checkpoint still doesn't work for me. :c

When I try to wave vehicles through or stop them, nothing happens. They just stop a few metres away from the cones and stay there until I delete the checkpoint. o.o

MODERATOR NOTICE
This topic is not for support requests. Please post support requests in the LCPDFR Support forum.

Also, nice work LMS and Cyan. This release will hopefully bring a lot of fun to the MP aspect! Worked fine during testing. Enjoy :D

Really looking forward to the sting this with the community! Looks really promising for MP!

The checkpoint still doesn't work for me. :c

When I try to wave vehicles through or stop them, nothing happens. They just stop a few metres away from the cones and stay there until I delete the checkpoint. o.o

 

Just tried it in-game, works fine on my end. Do you aim at the vehicle using the QAM? If the indicator is red, it has recognized the car.

 

Are we able to use the LCPDFR 1.0 Callout Plugin with 1.1

You should , but I didn't test it.

 

Just tried it in-game, works fine on my end. Do you aim at the vehicle using the QAM? If the indicator is red, it has recognized the car.

 

That's my mistake. I didn't hold Alt/Menu when I opened the QAM.   Thank's a lot for letting me know that I'm dumb. 

Edited March 15, 201511 yr by TheUniT

Another update, Awesome 

 

it seems like the shoot-out callout still crashes the game =/

 

Oh and, I plan on playing this with a friend in due time. Do I just host normally through GTAIV and have both of us launch our scripts? Or does LCPDFR have its own way of working through multiplayer? I don't quite understand.

 

Thanks for the update!

Edited March 15, 201511 yr by Sonny236

Cool