Jump to content

BoredRusher

Community Members
  • Posts

    45
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by BoredRusher

  1. 23 minutes ago, Angen said:

    could you please be specific what period do you refer to as last days

    The last 2-3 days to be exact. The release has been done with basic bugs. Maybe I'm wrong because I'm sure you do tests but in my point of view, those bugs were due to a rush.

    12 minutes ago, Angen said:

    I am confused, you say balance is good but posts above say something else. 

    Gameplay is not balance.

    I'm saying that gameplay is broken even if balance is better.

    24 minutes ago, Angen said:

    there have been almost month not introducing new things, just fixing crtical bugs and fixing balance based on players feedback from playing svn, which mostly was introduced by players requests in the first place. 

     

     

    unit state machine is very complex, which part of it is broken? 

    I gave some examples of broken states in a former comment, please take a look at it then if you want further, I will show you by example. 

  2. 22 hours ago, captBluesky said:

    OMG, what have they done to my Romans?!!

     

    Cat's don't seem to target soldiers anymore.

    Ships are now laughably impotent and can easily be dispatched by archers (really?), while ships garrisoned with cats do nothing against their attackers in return.

    Roman champ cav seems to have lost all its tech upgrades, and now are easily dispatched. **about the only defense Rome had against ramSpam was fast, tough champ cav. That's gone now.

    Rome still has no defense against long range ground units (archers, slingers) save for seige, which now is so fragile as to be nearly useless. **Romans need mercenary archers/slingers option (like other factions do).

    Rome had strong walls, and strong buildings ("had" being the operative word), which helped offset horde attacks.

    It only took a few games against the ai horde attacks to realize just how badly nerfed Rome had become in 24b.

     

    24b seems to cater to the spam-fast-and-hard crowd (the celtic-only wonder boyz). Romans had been very strong, but range disadvantaged, slow (to build), and structurally expensive. But with engineering techniques, they could hold, and gain territory. No longer. With their camps they could project power that offset other limitations. Now even that capability has been emasculated.

     

    Non-spamming type thinking seems to have displeased the prior celtic-horde old-boy network. In 24b that sort of inappropriate thinking appears to have been corrected, preserving the status quo.

    I'm sure we'll read and hear how all this was *necessary* and clearly a *fair* change, if we  would only be reasonable and accept the mandates imposed on us by our black hooded masters. And that any descent is indicative of some kind of character flaw of anyone who would dare criticize these changes.

     

    For those who might rebel against what is clearly tyrannical conspiracy, I suggest the following..

    We, the oppressed, should mandate that everyone involved  in pushing our beloved developer team to implement this ludicrous perversion of Rome (and other factions I fear) be made to play only the Roman faction (and no other) for the duration of 24b, until version 25 arrives. I  mean, since all these changes are fair, balanced and just, they should have no objection and gladly accept this edict as a token of good will and to promote 0ad social cohesion.

     

    Note:

    My comments are in no way intended to disparage the development team. Those folks work very hard for low pay ($0.00), and are about the kindest, most agreeable folks (except for wraitii, but he's still ok) I've ever encountered.

    Please drop some kind words on the wildfire team!

    Agreed !

  3. 57 minutes ago, Genava55 said:

    Thank you for highlighting also the benefits. This is will be much appreciated to all the people that worked hard.

    Actually I can certify to you that we discussed the balance for MONTHS. We had a private discussion on the topic since december 2019:

    image.thumb.png.47ba388e6ec5eb68b38c92b34ce87847.png

    Balance is good and you are right. But I am talking more in terms of gameplay and game experience/feeling. 

  4. About my edit :

    Units behaviour, I don't know what happened to it. 

    You will see for example soldiers be capturing buildings on the battle field, or try to target unsuccessfully a group of archers with skirmirshers when an elephant is in between...

  5. And of course I can simply congratulate the development team for all the great changes made. Those changes include :

    - Lot better graphisms

    - Better options

    - Better GUI

    - Better translations

    - Even a Better balance and global pathfinding

    • Like 2
  6. 52 minutes ago, Grapjas said:

    To say this release has been rushed is a little ridiculous on it's own to be honest. 

    I agree but the last days of the release have been rushed and I think we agree on that too.

    47 minutes ago, Lopess said:

     

    Participate in the debates about the alpha 25 gameplay, if you have well-founded and specific ideas aimed at improving the game you will surely be heard.

    I will do for sure !

    39 minutes ago, Lion.Kanzen said:

    It took us three years to launch. Before it only took 4 or 3 months.

    The last days of the release have been rushed, right ?

    33 minutes ago, Thorfinn the Shallow Minded said:

    You clearly have a lot of emotional investment in the game and have grown comfortable with the previous alpha.  That makes sense, but I would point out that 0 AD is a collectively developed game.  There are a lot of things I dislike about the current iteration, and if I were to take dictatorial control over the game, it would veer in a radically different direction.  Luckily some of my opinions have made an impact, and yours can as well.  That said, while I like many of the changes introduced, many other people like yourself are disillusioned with the current alpha so you're not alone.

    You yourself said that you do not wish to nitpick over the problems.  Would you mind explaining some of the things you miss from the previous alpha?  I doubt I'll agree with any of your points, but I would like to better understand where you are coming from.

    Thank you for your perspective. Ok, to take a bit in the details, I think the game-play is broken (if you take a look at that replay, you will understand everything !).

    But here is a non exhaustive list (and sorry my language may be brutal):

    - Slingers were op in a23we complained then make archers op

    - Giving all the factions rams is abusive is my opinion as it reduces the originality of each faction

    - Pathfinding has serious issues now (probably due to snapping addition) and those issues are the most seen with rams and on nuits target change

    - Resources are not balanced

    Those simple facts broke whole the gameplay in my humble opinion. 

     

    EDIT : the most important !

    UNITS STATE MACHINE IS BROKEN

    • Like 1
  7. Hi,


    I write with a little anger, hmm, a lot even and I think that it will be worth me a ban but as long as I do ...


    First of all, take a look at my last game, yes my last if nothing is done to change things. Files are in attachments.


    Now tell me, tell me honestly if that, that is 0ad.


    For my part, I can hardly recognize this game I loved so much, this game which reached such a level that it became a benchmark in the genre.


    Now, speaking to the developers, I just want to ask you why. Why such a rushed release ?
    I have no doubt that you are working hard to fix the bugs that are going to be submitted daily, but so many changes and so sudden are not the best. I also know how to count on your listening to the community to direct you in your works when you do not know which direction to take. I will not list here everything that is wrong with this release but I trust that the cries of the players will be heard and that the game-play will be quickly restored.

    0ad is a long term dream so please, please, make it great again and remember that

    Quote

    Quality > Quantity

     

    #Make0adGreatAgain

    commands.txt metadata.json

    • Like 4
    • Haha 2
  8. omg

    I was writing for a long time a long explanation of all the good/bad parts of the newer alpha when i missclicked to close all :/
    Is there anything I can do to retrieve the draft ???????? (had written pages sosad :/)

    30minutes text lost, forever ??? :/

  9. Hi, I was pretty busy that last times.

     

    @bb_ I have token a look  at the asciimoji.js.

    I have token its minify and performed the mod with it (and yes, it was much easier and performant !).

    But I got a problem as I am editing many folders and didn't wanted to replicate asciimoji.min.js.

    First I have tried to make a module by exporting the asciimoji function but 0ad warned me about the fact that modules aren't implemented yet.

    Then, I have seen that the game (particularly the mods) are using some global functions (I guess defined in the engine or a in a specific folder maybe ?) but didn't found my way.

    In addition, I have seen (while performing Common Bot) that there is also a kind of intern modules definitions or declarations I don't know...

    If you can take a look to that and tell me the way to follow, it would be nice !

    Greetings :)

  10. Hi, a couple of days ago, I have been banned from the game (mehh, I wanted it because I was addicted and wanted to pass the Xmas in family then created smurf accounts :) but this is not the question).

     

    On the time of my bannation, I was ... bored. Passed a very nice Xmas but ... wanted to play... but ... the very hard agressive Petra was too easy :( and was not playing really as a common player would do. There was one (yes, only one thing) which was looking bad to me : the manner he is actually building houses...

     

    In fact, Petra builds houses ALWAYS in the same area near of each others and this is quiet embarrasing to me so I have created a mod which is in fact another bot, derived of Petra (yes, I have litteraly copied Petra code :) )  and which do principaly two (02) things differently of Petra but which things change a lot the result of his gameplay. This two (02) changes are when he builds farmstead and how he builds houses.

    The rules were easy. Pick a random place of your territory, if this place is not THE optimized place for a farm, storehouse, etc, place an house there; if there is a need of houses and ressources to exploit far away of your influence territory, try to extend (get more influence or force) by building an house towards the ressources, then build the storehouse.

    The second one is relative to the game starting technique. The actual Petra builds a farmstead only if he has a farm and an house built while Common Bot doesn't mind to get it at any time.

     

    The principal advantage of Common is that he just pick the nearest units of the houses building chosen position to perform the task. And it saves him a lot of time.

    I will attach soon some games between Petra and Common (1v1 and 4v4).

    I will compile the mod and distribute it soon if the community agrees.

    I am also waiting for some suggests to improve it (I already have some ideas for newer versions).

    • Like 2
  11. On 28/11/2020 at 12:48 AM, Dizaka said:

    @mysticjim even called @Dakara as @Dizaka liberally and interchangeably in one of his videos!

    @BoredRusher generally, if everyone disconnects, the host is on the receiving end of the DDoS.  There are different levels of attacks that the attacker does. 

    • Small attacks to make you lag so that host boots/kicks you.   Maybe you're annoying enough to them.
    • Larger attacks to make your connection seem unstable.  You can drop from game.  You could be pushing the right buttons.
    • Even large attacks if you anger particular players.  You likely will drop from game and/or unable to access internet for 2-5 mins.  At this point DDoSr is emotionally invested.
    • Largest attack has been about a 25-35 min disconnection from the internet on commercial-grade equipment using a 200mbit connection.  Probably because the DDoS'er has no emotional self control.
    • Attacks on host to disconnect everyone.  Maybe because they wanted to get in on a game but don't want to wait for one to end?
    • Random night attacks.  My guess whoever does this has a script running through IPs at night to agitate other players with blind shots.  This could be just to deflect attention from them and onto players for "having bad internet connections."  Interestingly, there's a limited number of players in lobby mocking others for "crappy internet."

    The only way to stop attacks, from my perspective, is through 'bot hosts' hosted on Amazon, Azure, or some other cloud service with DDoS protection who rejoin the 'lobby' upon disconnections so players can rejoin.  This protects players from joining hosts of compromised players who do those attacks (therefore, they can't get new IPs).  Additionally, this prevents someone from lobby getting the host IP addresses (player IP addresses) and, instead, getting a cloud IP address that has the counter measures necessary to alleviate the DDoS.

    In general, 0ad has GOOD network code and a majority of players have GOOD connections.  The issue is some dumbass from the community ruining it for others pretending he has a NASA host.  In the end your realize it's a child with a lot of growing who is afraid to reveal who they are.

    Finally, whoever does this has interesting control over the attack.  I've noticed two ways attacks are done:

    • Large packets being sent to you.
    • Tons of small packets being sent.

    I haven't setup Wireshark but there are players who have (who, actually, professionally do telecom) agree that it is a DDoS.

     

     

     

    @BoredRusherAlso, not saying it's berhudar (could be someone else if Wolo has static/same ip) but worth cross-checking IP his addresses with those of other players and also checking if he plays behind a proxy.  An admin maybe could do that.

    Hi,

    Your categorization of the types of attacks is very interesting to study because it is representative, at least in appearance, of what we can find or feel in the game.

    Nice job !

  12. 1 hour ago, go2die said:

    Also DDOS was proven by Dakara that it recieved abnormal packet trafic over short period of time.

     

    Firewall  solution is most likely only additional overkill to your router. it is chain reaction.. coz your router need additional cpu to resolve and inspect every packet. with very strong routers it is doable.. but not for every player who host game.

    if DDOS comes from multiple sources you have 0 success with encrypting or firewalling for sure.. You can search topics on google or amazon cloud tries to be DDOSed.. very interestign reads

    That it not false. I will take a more deep look at that.

  13. Hi,

    Ok, we all have pretty much seen what is happening the last times to some team games : unexplained crashes.

    It occurs principaly in the games of "known players". So it's legitim to think they don't happen randomly but are through someone or some people who is/are targetting 0ad for a reason which is not clear yet.

    The community was not silencious about those attacks and many tried for some to find who is doing that and others to find how to face them.  Event if many are developers, it is not always evident.

    I - The facts:

    All the clients lose almost simultaneously the connexion to the server. This process seems irreversible as there are not actually connexion issues and way to fix it.

    II - The responses:

    A - Finding the author(s)

    Here is a screenshot of online people a day when many attacks happened.

     

    ddos.thumb.png.aa0800ba69eb5f4b57a9a67663f8232b.png

    Image by reza-math.

    This screenshot is interesting because attacks here happened where there was not a lot of people online.

    B - Make a protection against the attacks

    The first idea to protecting against that attacks is to close the ports used by the author(s). The issue is that this solution is not very effective when the author(s) can only change attack port.

    Another fact is that they need to go through 0ad to do their attacks.

    And about that we know the port used by 0ad lobby : 5222. Confer to the discussion below dated of November 2013.1166154199_Capturedcran2020-11-26154433.thumb.png.7f05fd2a441d6fc4bcbf566dc8e30948.png
     

    Refering to this, we easily see that all the threads are going through there. So for an attack, many connnexions can be simulated. So, we are probably facing DoS/DDoS attacks.

    We easily see that by running `netstat`

    180568383_Capturedcran2020-11-26163352.png.1777fd9b7857db126c92f1a6e778ab7a.png

    Even if the will of the author(s) is not known yet, we suppose they only want to destroy the game or some players.

    However, what we must do is to face that attacks as it should be.

    C - What I am experimenting

    Knowing that, it is clear that closing all connexions using a firewall on the port 5222 won't solve the issue.

    But in another hand, the attacks are coming from tiers through pyrogenesis.

    And this is our luck !

    In fact, Operating Systems allow using firewalls on applications to only allow secure (or encrypted) connexions (even not tiers?) trusted by those applications(or only coming from them?).

    After doing that stuff, I performed many tests on the game and the result was pretty surprising.

    On 7 games (by a day with many attacks), 6 ended well and the 7th was according to me due to a connexion issue from me.

    What I have noticed and what is making me confidant on this is that we have often felt the attack coming (the connexions were dropping slowly). And my hypothesis is that the author(s) of the attacks was/were trying to perform his/their attack when my firewalls were at the same time stopping their entering connexions.

    That is pretty much all.

    I'm waiting for your remarks and suggestions.

    I will publish soon a detailed guide on how to perform the solution proposed here on Windows and Debian cores (if it's agreed by the community).

    Kind regards,

    • Like 2
  14. 6 hours ago, bb_ said:

    Nice work!! If you are interested, we could make this part of the vanilla game. Feel free to submit a patch at code.wildfiregames.com. Some comments on your code: you seem to duplicate some lists, it would be nice to reduce that duplication (also it would be nice to unduplicate some of the chat handling of the vanilla). Maybe one can use (exerts from) https://github.com/hpcodecraft/ASCIImoji somehow? Especially the dictionary in https://github.com/hpcodecraft/ASCIImoji/blob/master/src/asciimoji.js seems useful.

    Ohh interesting !

    Yes the code is not clean yet, I will follow your suggestions and do all these optimisations very soon.

    For the merge to vanilla, it would really be nice but the code need to be nicer first in my opinion.

    As I have already said, I will try to do the needed improvements and come to you very soon :)

    In addition, this dictionary is really awsome to perform the mod ! I will take a look !

    Thanks and cya !

     

  15. Hello !

    I have recently written a very little mod which provides asciimojis for 0ad chats, and I found it good to share it :)

    The mod can be found on github at https://github.com/Atepir/AsciimojisFor0ad (please follow this link to get the latest versions) or here as attachment.

    All the download, installation and usage instructions and implications can be found on my github repo https://github.com/Atepir/AsciimojisFor0ad.

    If you have suggestions, I would be happy to improve the mod :)

    Kind regards,

    mod.zip

    • Like 5
×
×
  • Create New...