Client 2021.10.0 Upcoming Features

This topic is meant to introduce the new features and updates that are being added to the client for version v2021.10.0. As the new PRs are merged they will be added here. Please note with this release we are switching to a calendar based release versioning. As well I will try to have the beta and release candidates out for a longer period of time prior to release. The pre-release is now available at https://github.com/FAForever/downlords-faf-client/releases/tag/v2021.10.0-RC1

• Add Ability to play games offline from the login screen https://github.com/FAForever/downlords-faf-client/pull/2353
  This allows launching games from login. Note that this option requires you to have launched an online game at least once in order to download and install the necessary files. It will use whatever default faf version you currently have installed.

• Fix bug that stops opening local replays https://github.com/FAForever/downlords-faf-client/pull/2358

• Allow uploaded maps to be ranked https://github.com/FAForever/downlords-faf-client/pull/2357

• Fix Bug stopping matchmaker's map lists from being displayed https://github.com/FAForever/downlords-faf-client/pull/2356

• Allow searches by number of players in a map https://github.com/FAForever/downlords-faf-client/pull/2364

• Allow game options to be set by matchmaker queue https://github.com/FAForever/downlords-faf-client/pull/2339

• Use client language to auto join language channels https://github.com/FAForever/downlords-faf-client/pull/2369

• Add ability to generate maps in 1.25km increments https://github.com/FAForever/downlords-faf-client/pull/2375

• Increase timeout for dns resolution https://github.com/FAForever/downlords-faf-client/pull/2377
  This aims to resolve the issue some people have with not being able to login.

• Bump ice adapter to 3.1.2 https://github.com/FAForever/downlords-faf-client/pull/2378

• Log all exceptions thrown to enable better debugging capabilities https://github.com/FAForever/downlords-faf-client/pull/2394

• Add retry for when api is temporarily down due to restart or reconfiguration https://github.com/FAForever/downlords-faf-client/pull/2385

• Close match maker game when the game has been cancelled by the server and is stuck in setting up auto match https://github.com/FAForever/downlords-faf-client/pull/2389

• Add names for 4v4 queues https://github.com/FAForever/downlords-faf-client/pull/2376

• Add version labels to map cards and allow authors to see all versions https://github.com/FAForever/downlords-faf-client/pull/2392

• Add more detailed error messages during map and mod upload https://github.com/FAForever/downlords-faf-client/pull/2388

• Remove the downlord branding from the UI and installation in the client https://github.com/FAForever/downlords-faf-client/pull/2379

Offline FAF sounds like a great feature to add, it wasn't a big deal but having to be online just to play vs AI wasn't the greatest

You can already play FAF offline. They're just going to make it easier to get there. Here is how to do it now:

https://wiki.faforever.com/index.php?title=How_do_i_play_FAF_offline%3F

@arma473 That is needlessly complicated. I did it and have a desktop shortcut, but I still launch online games to play by myself, test mods, etc.

I feel this can help reduce the clutter of pointless replays being added to the vault. Though I could be wrong about which ones go up there.

I have updated the changes as well as released a new Release Client for testing with the final release hopefully in a week

Why are we removing the downlord branding?

Because the java client has been the official FAF client for a long while now, it's no longer an alternative.

Also for several years now it's no longer a one-man show but got maintained by other people.