What should I download/cache? Maps/System Files..

General Comments, Questions about all things OmnipotentS that don't go in other topics/forums
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pooty
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What should I download/cache? Maps/System Files..

Post by pooty »

A couple of tips for those that don't know.

You can always download (so you don't have to wait for the redirect) the lastest maps here: http://www.omnipotents.com/omni-ut2004-redirect/
You then have to uncompress them: using the ucc commmand in your UT System directory ucc uncompress. If there is a need I can put the maps on the webserver uncompressed if folks want that. UT is smart when it comes to map versions, even though I tend (for my own sake) update the maps like ONS-Map-V1 include a version number. UT doesn't care if the version you have in Maps/ directory is different its smart enough to request a download and put it into cache.

For system/package files (vehicles, weapons, mods, Textures, Meshes/models etc.), best to let those download to cache unless you're a mapper/developer. Here's why. UT is dumb (and inconsistent). It will NOT download a newer/updated version of the same name, unlike maps. It will give you a "Package version mismatch" error and stop you from loading/playing... you then have to go delete the .u file (or figure extension like .utx for textures) from your UT system directory. If you want to download things, because you're on AOL dialup like Provert, you can just realize when there's a new vehicle update you might have to update the files manually.

So TL;DR: Feel free download maps to your maps directory, but the other files best for online play to just let them cache.
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Re: What should I download/cache? Maps/System Files..

Post by McLovin »

Is this ok to do?

I put this in my UT204.ini file:
PurgeCacheDays=0

I do this because the default is set to 30 days I think. It was always downloading the same version of the same maps after 30 days. Is this bad to do with all the changes that are happening these days?
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Re: What should I download/cache? Maps/System Files..

Post by pooty »

No, you can set it for 90. If the map/cache entries are newer/different it will just redownload them. The Caching works pretty well. No need to redownload if you already have it. Also, I think I increase the cache space as well -- remember this is a 2004 game, now pretty much everyone has at least 256 GB, most probably have 1 TB or more..
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Re: What should I download/cache? Maps/System Files..

Post by Provert »

LOL..you're funny...

<img src="https://www.speedtest.net/result/12642823428.png">
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Enyo
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Re: What should I download/cache? Maps/System Files..

Post by Enyo »

Provert wrote: Fri Jan 21, 2022 11:40 am LOL..you're funny...

<img src="https://www.speedtest.net/result/12642823428.png">
Looks like you need a new ISP. And who are you talking to anyway?
“Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.”
― Mark Twain
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Re: What should I download/cache? Maps/System Files..

Post by pooty »

Keep in mind that you won't see superfast speeds on downloads from redirect, I am sure they have some outbound throttling as that's a shared server/network.
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Re: What should I download/cache? Maps/System Files..

Post by captainsnarf »

I'm not sure if this is the best way but thought I'd share my method also.

1. I play on the server and play the maps I want. If it's a map that I haven't played before, i'll go on during the day and play the map. This is 100% ok! You are allowed to play and experiment on the server! Just don't be a douche and violate the rules by specifically rotating out maps you don't like.
2. Run the UT Cache Extractor. I run it blindly, extracting everything and ignoring all warnings. yolo :shock: 8-)
3. You should now have all the maps from your cache along with all the vehicles and mods needed to play them offline extracted to your ut2004 folders.

The problem happens when there is a new version of e.g. the Mech robots. Now when you join the server you get "Error CSMech version mismatch" error.

To join the server now, you can either

- Delete CSMech.u file from your system folder.
or
- Run UT Cache Extractor again and extract the new CSMech.u file.

If you delete CSMech.u, then the maps you extracted from cache that need CSMech.u will no longer work offline. If you run cache extractor again then things will continue to work offline.

tl;dr - You can always re-run cache extractor -> extract everything to fix cache issues.
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