It's not a bug - It's a feature!

[Hyper]

What about integrating the JCoopZ console into Unreal 227?

It's a simple yet powerful console, similat to the Unreal Gold one, but it automatically scales to your screen resolution and has coloured text for different events like chat text and server / gameplay messages.

Of course, this can only be if the creator, Zombie agrees.

[TCP_Wolf]

Heh I actually wanted either that console or a reduced version of Smartballs in UTF at some point. There was a long discussion of the troublesome "console replace methods" and avoiding crashes yadayadayada... the main problem being the replaced console NOT working properly in state code if the crash-safe replacement method is used.

I wonder if directly implementing it in 227 would also make it possible to fix the state problem. Because, there are mods which REQUIRE correct operation of console states, Infiltration and UTF only being 2 examples (and note that INFCD uses its own replaced console again, I believe NOT using the crash-safe replacement method)...

[Hyper]

I certainly would not want to see the EDM console in 227 because it feels less robust than Zombies one; no auto size scaling to resolution; tabs are a headache in my opinion; less professional cursor movement and no text event type colouring.

[Smirftsch]

console modifications are a lil tricky to be build in, still have to see that it absolutely netcompatible, and if one is used, it needs to be the "final" version, so that anticheat tools can be adjusted to it- everything possible but needs a second thougt and beeing very carefull.

For the state problem, i need to talk to ya wolf, im sure there is something possible.

The current situation for console is:
orginal Unreal Console, working stable, with enhanced ubrowser and mapsearching by name
UMenu Console, which is known from UGold and UT, stable and fully operational as well, enhanced ubrowser.
Of course old useless engine console is still in too, but havent used for ages

[TCP_Wolf]

For the state problem, Zombie and Smartball are the experts. I have dropped the idea of working on a console because either those states wouldn't work (or only with a shitload of extra effort which is beyond sanity IMO) or console replacement would endanger clients of crashing...

Zombies console probably is a very good one, if only it can be made to work with old states.

summon Zombie...

[Zombie]

The console in JCoopZ was designed to work by state code or recreating states by using functions. If someone wanted it could be set to replace the original console using the older crash prone method and it would work like any default loaded console. Plus, it should automaticaly switch to a "State Capable" mode when a client makes it a default loaded console from the ini file.

Now about it needing to be final, it's code could be reviewed by others to remove any unnecessary features or for making small improvements. Plus, if the console would be intended to only work as a normal state console than all of the state simulation code probably should be removed. Without the state simulation and original console setback code the console is actually relatively simple.

Because, there are mods which REQUIRE correct operation of console states, Infiltration and UTF only being 2 examples (and note that INFCD uses its own replaced console again, I believe NOT using the crash-safe replacement method)...

I suppose still don't understand why it needs to be one way for UTF. :-? I don't think it would be that much work to convert UTF's menus. The main changes would be that any spot where an IsInState(), GoToState(), or GetStateName() is called in the menus would need to be changed to check/set against the integer variable that controls the console's state.


-Zombie

[TCP_Wolf]

Probably... well then it works for UTF, but still not for original Infiltration or RealCTF. And what about my UTF UT port... and wouldn't you have to rewrite the OLD menues also if you wanted to keep them...

... if Unreal simply did the "gotoState()" properly for replaced consoles, the whole issue would never have appeared.

If you just keep the console compatible it appears much simpler than trying to keep every MOD compatible to a new console :-?

[Zombie]

Ah that's right, I'll have to remember that. I didn't think about how UTF has game bridges to support those, and has UT in mind. Yes the best thing would be a normal state controlled console in UTF. However, for patch 227 it would be nice if the state machine could be modified to establish state control to replacement consoles or allow those state functions to work properly.

If most agree to the console that's in JCoopZ then I can provide the code to it without the state simulation pieces.


-Zombie

[TCP_Wolf]

Just for clarification, this problem is NOT really UTF related at all, it is related to ALL mods using menues.

And yes I like your console and would love to see it in 227