the external ladder system i made for heptacraft has been running for quite some time now. you can see the generated ladder at: http://www.heptacraft.com/ladder
how does it work?
- the map/mod creates bank files for each player
- players run a client in the background that automatically uploads the bank files to a central ftp server
- the ladder server downloads these bank files and reads them into excel using vba
- excel auto-publishes the map as .html, the ladder server automatically uploads the new .html to the webserver
what players need:
- need to download and run a tiny client that uploads the bank files
(the client used to consist of just a .bat file that searches the "my documents\starcraft II" folder for bank files created by the game, and uploads them
my new client additionally uses ftps.exe, since normal windows ftp.exe causes problems for some ppl, and reg.exe to query the position of the "my documents\starcraft II" folder, so it can be run from anywhere, all 3 files are wrapped up in an .exe for ease of use)
what map/mod makers need:
- a ftp server
- a comp that is always online and can run excel
- some knowledge of excel to adapt the ladder to your own needs (i could help with that step)
- a website to publish the ladder
how it prevents cheating:
- every game creates a long numeric ID according to an alghorhythm in the map
- game IDs get checked for integrity, so you cannot just make up your own game IDs to create your own bank files
- victory is reported by the winner, so you cannot just close your client when you are losing
- victory file contains the product of keys handed out to each player and sent to the server in the inital bank files
possible downsides:
- client includes user/passwort for the ftp, making it vulnerable to vandalism
if other modders want to use that system for their arcade maps or mods, id be glad to share it, all im asking in return is mentioning heptacraft in their own map/mod
it would take some customization to adapt to any other map, right now its geared towards 1on1 heptacraft, but it wouldnt be a big issue to adapt it to other maps, or even more players
if you want more details, preferably contact me at [email protected], since i check that email more regularly than sc2mapster
the external ladder system i made for heptacraft has been running for quite some time now. you can see the generated ladder at: http://www.heptacraft.com/ladder
how does it work?
- the map/mod creates bank files for each player - players run a client in the background that automatically uploads the bank files to a central ftp server - the ladder server downloads these bank files and reads them into excel using vba - excel auto-publishes the map as .html, the ladder server automatically uploads the new .html to the webserver
what players need:
- need to download and run a tiny client that uploads the bank files (the client used to consist of just a .bat file that searches the "my documents\starcraft II" folder for bank files created by the game, and uploads them my new client additionally uses ftps.exe, since normal windows ftp.exe causes problems for some ppl, and reg.exe to query the position of the "my documents\starcraft II" folder, so it can be run from anywhere, all 3 files are wrapped up in an .exe for ease of use)
what map/mod makers need:
- a ftp server - a comp that is always online and can run excel - some knowledge of excel to adapt the ladder to your own needs (i could help with that step) - a website to publish the ladder
how it prevents cheating:
- every game creates a long numeric ID according to an alghorhythm in the map - game IDs get checked for integrity, so you cannot just make up your own game IDs to create your own bank files - victory is reported by the winner, so you cannot just close your client when you are losing - victory file contains the product of keys handed out to each player and sent to the server in the inital bank files
possible downsides:
- client includes user/passwort for the ftp, making it vulnerable to vandalism
if other modders want to use that system for their arcade maps or mods, id be glad to share it, all im asking in return is mentioning heptacraft in their own map/mod
it would take some customization to adapt to any other map, right now its geared towards 1on1 heptacraft, but it wouldnt be a big issue to adapt it to other maps, or even more players
if you want more details, preferably contact me at [email protected], since i check that email more regularly than sc2mapster
cheers,
-summerloud
@summerloud: Go
Holy crap this is impressive... way to dedicate yourself to making a great mod. If anyone wants to play a game of this pm me
<Click Here> To See My Epic Single Player Campaign (LifeForceCampaign.com)
hey bilxor
your one to talk about dedication - i hear your campaign is pretty impressive, unfortunately i barely have time to play my own game tt
if you wna try my mod, just get on discord, thereis usually ppl there to play with - http://www.heptacraft.com/discord