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DFHack / dfhack

Memory hacking library for Dwarf Fortress and a set of tools that use it
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Request: Add support for Cloud Gaming Services #3574

Open dcraig327 opened 1 year ago

dcraig327 commented 1 year ago

GeForce Now is an example of a popular PC cloud gaming service. Feel free to ask any questions about it, I'll share my limited experience.

In order for DFHack to be usable in GeForce Now (GFN), and likely any cloud platform, it would be added just like any game. The benefits are that cloud gaming can only use Steam Workshop. You do not have write access to any files, downloading files is too tedious. Which is why I feel Steam Cloud is required to function for a game to be playable in GFN, not having Steam Cloud could lose all of your saves & configs.

When executing DFHack, it opens DF, but not required.

When you get the VM for GFN, it'll only have the game you launched installed, your saves and configs. You can not change any launch options or opt into any beta programs. You can only play the vanilla game as intended.

First concern, how to get onto GFN. Final concern, how GFN handles allowing DFHack & DF be installed simultaneously.

dcraig327 commented 10 months ago

Adding a Steam Application is Free of charge to developers for cloud services: https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/features/cloudgaming

Why? It's a common question. This is the estimated rig that you are able to "rent" specifically under the GeForce NOW Ultimate service:

That remote system can be accessed from a smart phone over the 5G network or preferably from a home computer using a hi-bandwidth connection.

I do feel this should be a priority if or when Steam Workshop is enabled in the base game. The quickest way around cloud gaming's limitations I feel would be converting dfhack into a free DLC for the game. I'm unsure if nVidia would accommodate running two separate Steam application id's for security purposes. If dfhack was a DLC, an added benefit would allow 2 launch options presented to the player, to run the base game or the game w/ dfhack.

myk002 commented 10 months ago

Converting DFHack to be a DLC for DF would also involve transferring DFHack to Kitfox as a publisher, which isn't ideal.

Another option might be to autoinstall DF upon DFHack launch if the player owns the game. I don't know if cloud gaming allows that, but it seems like a promising option.

Also, while DFHack has Steam Cloud enabled for persisting DFHack configuration, DF does not have Steam Cloud enabled for persisting savegame data. DFHack would need to provide a mechanism for players to copy their savegame data to an alternate directory that is managed by DFHack's Steam Cloud. DFHack might also need to be responsible for saving and restoring DF game settings (such as custom keybindings).

dcraig327 commented 10 months ago

I wouldn't know how an open source project such as dfhack would be managed by a game publisher. I suggested elsewhere that perhaps something like a standards committee that handles communications between Kitfox and dfhack would help. Without fully understanding their hesitations, it's difficult to find the best outcome that benefits all parties.

Wow. I never wouldn't thought to check if Steam Cloud is enabled for DF. I could've quickly checked two ways, on the Store page obviously, and on the game's page in my library, bottom right of the game's card (right above the favorites icon), it'll show a Cloud.

Yes Steam Cloud I would say is required for a service like GeForce NOW (GFN) to exist. You can have your save games on your closest server one day, and log into GFN later while it's busy and be redirected to a server further away that doesn't have your saves and it may cause someone to get upset believing their saves are gone.

I had a lost save happen with the game System Shock, where the game stated it supported Steam Cloud on release, yet it wasn't functional and I did lose my save somehow. Again, I would say that games shouldn't be listed on a Cloud Gaming service without properly testing their steam cloud functionality. It's that important.

Steam Cloud has many benefits beyond enabling Cloud Gaming. I'm glad you're here @myk002

dcraig327 commented 10 months ago

For any curious of pros, cons or system specs. This is the closest equivalent for GFN Ultimate:

Testing GFN for some months, there are a few tradeoffs (with these issues, I still choose GFN for resource intensive games):