Aye, so it requires specially created server software to ensure folks can use it without cheating?

So there's no need to actually post old cloak code at all... bargin, discuss all you like then - but if it strays down the old fashioned way of doing it, it'll be locked/deleted.

Sound fair?

The link for the copy isn't there, but I'm taking a good guess
that there's a good reason for that. That's wise.
But, when I can get some free time I'll go to the site and check it out.
That's fair.

Now, One concept I've been toying with (and so far quite successfully)
with certain items...is ...
giving certain things a "cloaked" appearance. In other words,
you don't see them until you get within a certain range. Such as the Osiris...
you don't see that ship until you're within 5k of it. I can make that range even
shorter that you don't see it until you're within 1k of it.
So instead of using a "mod" for cloaking, I've managed to give an object the appearance of being cloaked until you're in range. So there are no "cloak fx"
involved although your sensors will still pick it up within 8-10k. But, you either
have to stumble into finding it or know where it is in the first place to find it.
You might stumble onto it when your busy fighting and dodging all the nomads
coming after you.
To make this more effective, the ship is not on the same level as
the trade lanes.
That is the alternative concept I'm contemplating using with specialized
NPC's.

Edited by - Rankor on 10/21/2007 4:35:19 AM

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Sound fair?

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Indeed, thanks

@ Rankor
Sure I understand you don't want to ruin your work. You don't have to. There are several other methods that allow for parallel installation and running mods without even touching the FL directory you're doing the modding in.

@ SWAT
There have been several changes to cloaking duration, which were adjusted serverside without downloading a new mod version. However that doesn't exclude the possibility of having extra server <-> client communication; basically the server telling the client to decloak, which the client then initiates. That would leave the possibility to extend cloak time at the user's will, by patching a / the file(s).

Or it really is completely serverside. Greatly appreciated if w0dk4 could clarify this.

Edited by - Preacher0815 on 10/21/2007 4:49:36 AM

>Or it really is completely serverside. Greatly appreciated if w0dk4 could clarify this.

It is completely server-side. It is stated in the developer notes, there is a timer for every player that has a cloak device but is not cloaked, to send every other player every 0.5 seconds the "uncloak" FL packet, which will make them visible.
Actually, the real breakthrough here is, that the client himself can see the own ship cloak and uncloak (which is not possible with ini-only modding), but since the server handles the cloaking behaviour, the client cannot cheat it.
You can always have a look at the server-side code to understand how it works, escpecially HkCloak and HkUnCloak functions.

And as I said, balancing the cloak is another topic.
Of course it is completely retarded to implement a cloak with infinite duration and no disadvantages.


>we have a big community here and also those which dont want to use this cloak should be able to live without the cheaters which come here to get the cloaking code for the inis or simply grap them out of a mod just to go to a non-cloak server and cause chaos there (and you know that there are many kiddies which do such a ****)

There is _no_ cloak exploit code in the inis of the mod. You cannot cheat with this mod on servers that are not running the server-side extension.
(err, I mean you cannot cheat on any server with this mod )

Edited by - w0dk4 on 10/21/2007 5:53:27 AM

FLAC has cloaking written into and it works fantastic. You cannot fire or damage anyone until you are fully uncloaked (Which can be the longest 5 - 10 sec of a pilots life). This does not work at all outside of FLAC and cannot be made functional outside of it. There is nothing like seeing a Klingon Bird of Prey decloaking right behind you. Its funny how afraid some people are here that they consider any instance of cloaking a "cheat". I believe both of the cloaks talked about here cannot be bought or mounted as a gun (Old cheat mod), so that pretty much limits it to ships with the appropriate cloak HP. Frankly, I believe it adds an element of RP not available before and is an excellent addition to any mod. It is a feature of Freelancer that should be used, just like anything else.

Okay I'll admit I'd love to have a cloaking device on a Bird of Prey,that would just be awesome.For no other purpose than seeing my ship decloak.I'd probably keep doing it over and over.Yeah I'm a geek,but it sounds like loads of fun.Even just in SP.

Yeah, sure...but like they said..you cannot get that since it's only
server side.
That means Multiplayer ONLY and NO player side mod.