Server Restricting Graphics Exploitation

[dea†h 0]

Due to the flexibility and degree to which you can customize Arma 2's graphics it is possible to create a huge advantage over players with all settings on and over a certain value. This destroys the immersion of DayZ but creates a clear advantage over other players that doesn't exploit the graphics settings.

The suggestion is to add an option to restrict player access that doesn't have certain settings on or over a specified value.

For example the following in my opinion is the minimum settings required to create proper immersion; the server should restrict access and only allow players that has the following on or over the listed value (if enabled by the admin):

- Post-processing: low

- Shadows: high

- Terran-detail: medium

- Object-detail: medium

- Gamma: 0-1.0 (allow users to have below 1 but not over)

- Brightness 0-1.0 (allow users to have below 1 but not over)

The current possible exploitation (and sorry if this gives anyone ideas) is to have the following settings:

- Post-processing: off; removes all blur, including blur generated by drained stamina; allows players to see more clearly.

- Shadows: off; at night standing in a shadow won't help now when there is a moon to drop shadows; it would be like standing next to a lamp post in the middle of a street; for players are clearly visible now.

- Terrain-detail: low; removes most shrub/vegetation over range rendering camo basically useless.

- Object-detail: low; similar as above; players are clear visible in contrast with the terrain over range.

- HDR: medium-high; helps spotting muzzle flashes.

- Gamma: 1.4+- ; at night with a moon out it will work almost better than night-vision/light sources

(does not work when there is no moon as there is basically no lightning to contrast with).

- Brightness: 1.3+- same as above.

Unfortunately this will always bug some players that play for immersion, up to the point where they would start using the exploit themselves. "How did that guy see me in the bush? Where did those shots come from, I was looking in the direction of the sound but saw nothing." etc etc.

If its already possible to restrict player graphics, let me know.

Regards,

TKDeMoNiK

Edit: Removed HDR from recommended settings.

Edited July 13, 2012 by TKDeMoNiK

[oliverdesousa@hotmail.com 35]

I Don't think they should be able to set peoples graphics, people with low spec computers then won't be able to run the game on that server

[Strategos (DayZ) 190]

http://dayzmod.com/forum/index.php?/topic/24709-standardise-things/

[dea†h 0]

I Don't think they should be able to set peoples graphics, people with low spec computers then won't be able to run the game on that server

Not set graphics for players. But restrict access to some degree depending on the players graphics. Also the option can be turned on or off by server admin, so there will definitively be some servers that you can play on any settings.

[peke_kantsi@hotmail.com 36]

Due to the flexibility and degree to which you can customize Arma 2's graphics it is possible to create a huge advantage over players with all settings on and over a certain value. This destroys the immersion of DayZ but creates a clear advantage over other players that doesn't exploit the graphics settings.

The suggestion is to add an option to restrict player access that doesn't have certain settings on or over a specified value.

For example the following in my opinion is the minimum settings required to create proper immersion; the server should restrict access and only allow players that has the following on or over the listed value (if enabled by the admin):

- Post-processing: low

- Shadows: high

- Terran-detail: medium

- Object-detail: medium

- HDR: medium

- Gamma: 0-1.0 (allow users to have below 1 but not over)

- Brightness 0-1.0 (allow users to have below 1 but not over)

The current possible exploitation (and sorry if this gives anyone ideas) is to have the following settings:

- Post-processing: off; removes all blur, including blur generated by drained stamina; allows players to see more clearly.

- Shadows: off; at night standing in a shadow won't help now when there is a moon to drop shadows; it would be like standing next to a lamp post in the middle of a street; for players are clearly visible now.

- Terrain-detail: low; removes most shrub/vegetation over range rendering camo basically useless.

- Object-detail: low; similar as above; players are clear visible in contrast with the terrain over range.

- HDR: medium-high; helps spotting muzzle flashes.

- Gamma: 1.4+- ; at night with a moon out it will work almost better than night-vision/light sources

(does not work when there is no moon as there is basically no lightning to contrast with).

- Brightness: 1.3+- same as above.

Unfortunately this will always bug some players that play for immersion, up to the point where they would start using the exploit themselves. "How did that guy see me in the bush? Where did those shots come from, I was looking in the direction of the sound but saw nothing." etc etc.

If its already possible to restrict player graphics, let me know.

Regards,

TKDeMoNiK

First of all, none of those video settings do much except the gamma and brightness. You are basicly saying that everybody with good computer should be playing with same grapics as some shitty 2001 computers? Or the opposite way. Only thing they should do is remove the gamma and brightness.

[bayers 28]

Not set graphics for players. But restrict access to some degree depending on the players graphics. Also the option can be turned on or off by server admin, so there will definitively be some servers that you can play on any settings.

What are you even thinking, man? You want to control the graphic settings that people run the game? Are you some sort of keyboard Mussolini or something?

[dea†h 0]

First of all, none of those video settings do much except the gamma and brightness. You are basicly saying that everybody with good computer should be playing with same grapics as some shitty 2001 computers? Or the opposite way. Only thing they should do is remove the gamma and brightness.

Are some of you even reading the topic. Shadows removes all shadows; no point in hiding in them now. Terrain+Object detail: low; gillie suits and other camo are basicly rendered useless over range as their is nothing to blend into except a terrain texture or standing in a tree.

As for these settings anyone with an old 8000 series GeForce (probably 8500 and up) and a 2.4ghz cpu will be able to run Arma 2 with at-least 20-30fps.

As I've said, its an admin option. It doesn't have to be on. Similar to restricting players without punkbuster/battle-eye.

[BossFi 90]

Players with fast computers but running the game on low settings to remove grass so players can be seen even if your hiding in grass has been a problem in other games, not sure if it effects this game.

But I agree gfx can be exploited.

[EgoArmee 2]

As for these settings anyone with an old 8000 series GeForce (probably 8500 and up) and a 2.4ghz cpu will be able to run Arma 2 with at-least 20-30fps.

Thats bullshit. I have a Radeon HD5770 and the least powerful quadcore and i barely get 25 FPS. If I would turn on shadows or even set them on high it would be real overkill. There are mods to remove blur and still have post processing stuff.

Yes it can be exploited but not in THAT big of a deal

[enforcer1975 1111]

Turning it completley off should be locked at least. I know how it sucks to have a game that looks beautiful on high settings and because some a-hole thinks he needs the advantage he turns down all effects. But without shadows ppl can't see someone standing around a corner waiting for them either.

[desfocado 15]

@EgoArmee

Exactly.

@TKDeMoNiK

I understand you want to immerse bla bla bla, but I can't turn on the Objects/Terrain detail without getting my FPS even lower than it is.

Bear in mind, I can use PP in any level I want without losing FPS, and I usually do on normal. The rest is also at max (AA, Shadows, HDR) without any FPS loss. View distance I have set to 500 to get more FPS.

Bear in mind I have a Phenom II X4 955 BE (3.2GHz), XFX HD 6850 BE + even more OC of my own (875/1100), 4GB DDR2 800MHz RAM and I'm running at 1440x900 on a 19" so it should run correctly on medium settings overall.

Guess what, it doesn't!

So those who have above average rigs that can't pay for GTX 680's, i7 3930k and whatnot shouldn't be punished just because they can't afford better rigs.

I just played on a server that forced me settings and I couldn't get above 20 fps and I was nowhere near any city. /rant (apologies for the aggressive post)