*sam* Posted Jul 24, 2009, 6:39 pm	This patch adds a 'just-in-time' patching system for maps. This means you won't autopatch new maps but will download them when you first view a particular map. This means I can: (i) reduce the 'core' full download size by removing all expect the Somerset tracks from it (ii) add new maps without feeling so bad about the bloat caused by them... I have a Sarsfield racetrack and a few wilderness maps ready to try out soon using the new system.
*jimmylogan* Posted Jul 24, 2009, 6:46 pm	feels like Christmas
*sam* Posted Jul 24, 2009, 7:11 pm	Heh, thanks Jimmy. No new maps added yet, but there's a Sarsfield racetrack and a couple of new wilderness maps coming up soon.
*sam* Posted Jul 24, 2009, 7:23 pm	Quote: would still love an arena in BL too This new patching system means I can encourage all you budding map makers to try out the mission editor program.. we can potentially add plenty of new maps now..
*Urban Decay* Posted Jul 24, 2009, 7:30 pm	Sounds very nice, new maps are always a blast to experience, and since they only load when you see them for the first time it is much easier to get them implemented.
*Grograt* gary.r.horder@gmail.com Posted Jul 24, 2009, 7:41 pm	*sam* said: Quote: would still love an arena in BL too This new patching system means I can encourage all you budding map makers to try out the mission editor program.. we can potentially add plenty of new maps now.. Mission editor programr can be found in the Subscribers section of forum, it is pinned
Jaguar Posted Jul 24, 2009, 11:05 pm	Sounds good. I would suggest some sort of confirmation that someone is loading/downloading a map before starting an event - someone on a slower ISP might take a while to enter a new event the first time and if it takes -too- long, missing the event to boot would be annoying. As well, a way to cancel the download at the load screen and return to the lobby in case of an issue.
The Paranoid Tourist Posted Jul 25, 2009, 12:31 am	It's true. That would be nice, Jag. I know I barely make the start of a race whenever I have to render the lighting on . . . . whatever racetrack that is. . .
Jaguar Posted Jul 25, 2009, 12:44 am	Jaguar said: Sounds good. I would suggest some sort of confirmation that someone is loading/downloading a map before starting an event - someone on a slower ISP might take a while to enter a new event the first time and if it takes -too- long, missing the event to boot would be annoying. As well, a way to cancel the download at the load screen and return to the lobby in case of an issue. To clarify what I mean, in hindsight... An event does not start the ticker until it confirms that everyone that is logged in and trying to get in is in. Perhaps posting into the event that this is happening to ("So and so is attempting to join the event.") Obviously, if someone  isn't logged in or in another event, they would not delay the ticker. So for instance, client hits Play, sends a "I'm trying to get in" signal to the server. Only when they actually enter does it send an "I'm here" and count as them actually -being- in the event. A confirmation would also be to notify people that a download is occurring to being with - otherwise, it may just seem like an unusually long load screen or even that the client has crashed.
*jimmylogan* Posted Jul 25, 2009, 3:52 am	Jaguar said: A confirmation would also be to notify people that a download is occurring to being with - otherwise, it may just seem like an unusually long load screen or even that the client has crashed. I'm sure, knowing Sam, it will say "downloading map" or something, like we see when we hit a new decal.
*Zothen* Posted Jul 28, 2009, 2:44 pm	Sam, will you still offer the complete official download for those who have a few MB more in spare on their HD?
*sam* Posted Jul 28, 2009, 9:27 pm	Zothen - I wasn't going to, but maybe what I should do is make a 'maps archive' download which gives you all the map files in a single zip. This is probably a good idea in case the patching system gives anyone problems. Jaguar - in terms of time, as you have hopefully seen, the terrains patch in a few seconds (they're less than 0.5MB each typically when zipped) - so the extra time to join the event is pretty minor.
ISHOULDCOCO Posted Jul 28, 2009, 9:44 pm	You do get an clear message advising you that the Sars map is being downloaded. I am on 2 Mbit and it was like an extra 20-25 seconds COCO
*Ninesticks* Posted Jul 28, 2009, 11:17 pm	I like the idea of a maps archive, now all I need is a skins and decals repository :-)