ECP Cover

Enhanced Configuration Project (ECP)

The Enhanced Configuration Project aims to increase the potential of OFP through providing enhanced configuration files and associated scripts that run without any in-mission triggers or code.

ECP installer

The ECP provides:

Improved gameplay
Big brained AI
Additional special effects
Improved sound
Realism enhancements

ECP is an OFP 'modification' consisting of the following components:

ECP Core
ECP Dynamic Speaking AI
ECP Dynamic Range sounds
ECP Radio Chatter

You only need the ECP Core, however it is highly recommended that you download the other plug-ins as well.

In addition to increasing the enjoyment of the game for individuals, we aim to provide an open-source enhanced configuration for use by all mods.

Using the ECP

Core Features

There are many reasons why you should use the ECP mod instead of standard OFP. OFP provides a rich scripting language and configuration system, and we have tried to push the envelope with regards to in-game effects without you requiring a P4 3.0 GHz in order to enjoy it. The ECP does not provide new units or terrain. Our overall goal is to improve the quality of gameplay through configuration modification and effects scripting. We'll leave the addons to those who are skilled in that area, and we offer the ECP as a backbone to whoever is interested. The ECP (core) provides the following features across all OFP missions and campaigns.

General:

ECP event handling concept and initial algorithm
In 2003, snYpir developed a concept of improved game-play by resorting to the newly offered technology of configured Event Handlers (EHs) within the OFP game engine. These EHs could not be removed by the 'removeEventHandler' command thus they provided a stable base for scripted development. The EHs were triggered by specific run-time events and the data they returned provided the foundation to create new visual effects and simulations. Since then, the ECP system was updated and expanded to affect all recognised units that have been loaded or created in-game. In order to be recognised, every unit's configuration must be bound to the ECP_EventHandlers superclass. This superclass can be inherited by any addon or else merged with an existing EH. For those events not monitored by the EHs, a quasi-event monitoring system has been developed to enable a wide selection of effects.

Configuration modifications (Updated)
The game configuration has been enhanced with small but significant implementations: Enhanced AI behaviour in combat Texture specular effects for Direct3D HW T&L Dynamic size cartridges that remain on the ground for longer time Modified smoke, dust, fire and explosion effects Improved environmental sound

Editor's Debug Spectator©
The ECP Debug Spectator extends the OFP mission editor by providing a 3D spectating capability. It includes a debug console and a number of different camera modes (including freelook). It is the ideal tool for mission debugging. Attention to developers! The Debug Spectator© is a copyrighted feature, provided as courtesy of P.J.M. for the ECP. It can't be modified by anyone but its author or used elsewhere than the official ECP mod.

Flexible game startup (New)
The game startup splash screen has been improved for high performance machines, enabling the main menu as soon as the game has been fully loaded. No longer will you have to wait for the end of the default intro or use the -nosplash flag.

In-game ECP Settings Editor (Updated)
This dialog, accessible via the pause menu, permits in-game configuration of the most common ECP settings during a mission. However, it doesn't modify the settings files, IE it's settings are not directly saved and stored when the game is closed, for this you will have to edit the start up settings files directly.

Level Of Detail
In order to make the ECP more efficient, level of detail (changing effects depending on whether or not a player can see them) has been implemented.

New main menu cut-scenes
Getting tired of seeing the same old main menu cutscenes? We've taken some steps to fix that.

Redesigned editor GUI (Updated)
The redesigned main menu and editor GUI's is an eye-candy addition to enhance the interaction between the player/designer and the game.

Redesigned main menu GUI (New)
The redesigned main menu and editor GUI's is an eye-candy addition to enhance the interaction between the player/designer and the game.

Scripting resources (Extended)
ECP provides a wide set of functions for development or mission design, gathered in the ECP_resources array. See ECP Functions for more information.

Spectator script
Kegetys' Spectator Script will automatically initiate when a player dies in a ECP multiplayer game. This can also be set up to run in single player missions. The Spectator Script allows players to follow the action either as a seagull or through various camera modes.

ECP Performance:

Core redesign and code optimisation (New)
Inspired by the need of improving the game performance, we have redesigned the ECP core and improved the code of many effects/simulations scripts. Thanks to such effort, the players can enjoy an instant ECP startup followed by very smooth gameplay, even on the low-end pc's. The performance hit is generally unnoticeable, regardless of mission or computer characteristics.

Dynamic Global Array Structure (DGAS) architecture (New)
In order to prevent the crash-to-desktop (CTD) issue on mission resume we implemented an array database system, DGAS, represented by five global variables, from/to which the ECP data is processed and stored. This method proved to be quite reliable. As a result, players can save their missions without corrupting the savegame log - this is not assured, but it's still a great step forward to prevent the problem.

Enhanced MP reliability through the Array Interchange Monitor (AIM) (New)
As a consequence of the implementation of the DGAS, a new method of MP settings broadcast was developed, followed by an enhancement of the relations between server and client. Now, the game mode is rapidly distinguished and MP missions have a much better support and reliability.

Simulations:

AI information sharing and AAD (New)
AI join
AI release (New)
AI surrendering and PoW interaction (New)
AT/AA launcher backblast damage
Bleeding damage (Updated)
Bouncing fragmentation grenades (New)
Bouncing smoke grenades and smoke simulation (New)
H.A.L.O. Parachutes (Updated)
Helo Coms(New)
IR AA jamming and visual counter-measures
Multiple ordnance suppression (New)
Random Weather and Snow (Updated)
Tail rotor failure

Effects:

Aircraft altitude warning
Aircraft smoke
AT/AA launcher backblast
AT/AA smoke trail (Extended)
Blood spurt and bleeding (Updated)
Burning men (Updated)
Buzzing flies (Updated)
Church chanting, animated fountains and lighting effects (New)
Explosion craters (New)
Explosion effects (Updated & Extended)
Fire effects (Updated & Extended)
Helicopter dust
Mounted machine gun cartridges (New)
Shell and bullet whiz (Extended)
Tank main gun flash (New)
Tank shock dust
Working lighthouses (Updated)
Muzzle smoke/flash (New)

Screenshots
Working Lighthouses	Boat explosion stage 1	Boat explosion stage 2	Boat explosion stage 3	Persistent shell casings
Burning vehicle crew	Atmospheric Church lighting 1	Atmospheric Church lighting 2	Camp fire smoke and embers	Atmospheric fountain lighting and particles
Grenade particle effects	Bouncing hand grenades	Helicopter insertion command interface	Vehicle magazine explosion particle effects 1	Vehicle magazine explosion particle effects 2
Enhanced Night Vision	Realistic street lamp illumination 1	Ordnance water impact particle effects	Ordnance impact particle effects	Missile trail Particle effects