firestorm/RAISING-PLAYER-CAP.md

# Raising the multiplayer player cap

Reference notes for increasing FireStorm's 16-player multiplayer cap toward the maximum
achievable **without a protocol/format rewrite: 31 players.**

Status: **research only ? nothing here is implemented.** Written 2026-07-24 while fixing the
"16 pilots + 1 cameraship" launch bug, which forced a full audit of every player-count limit
in the codebase.

Related reading: `CLAUDE.md` (sections "Reference: raising the MP player cap 16 ¡æ 24" and
"PLAN: raise MP cap 16 ¡æ 32"). **This document supersedes the "32" figure in those sections** ?
see "Why 31, not 32" below.

---

## TL;DR

| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Hard ceiling without changing the wire format | **31** |
| Hard ceiling if you also widen one serialized field | 255 (engine arrays are sized 255) |
| Is 16 an engine limit? | **No.** It is a set of independent constants and one 5-bit field |
| Biggest *code* task | CTCL roster arrays + lobby UI layout |
| Biggest *non-code* task | Lobby pod-grid / scoreboard layout. Drop zones are **not** a blocker ? see Layer 7 |
| Does netcode bandwidth block it? | Almost certainly not on modern hardware; verify, don't assume |

---

## Why 31, not 32

`NetMissionParameters` is bit-packed when the host serializes mission parameters and ships them
to every client. Two fields are **5 bits wide**:

- [MWApplication.cpp](Gameleap/code/mw4/Code/MW4/MWApplication.cpp) ? `stream->WriteBits(&m_maxPlayers, 5); // 16 players maximum`
- [MWApplication.cpp](Gameleap/code/mw4/Code/MW4/MWApplication.cpp) ? `stream->WriteBits(&m_maxBots, 5);`
- matching `ReadBits(..., 5)` calls in `LoadParameters`

5 bits ¢¡ values `0..31`. Writing 32 silently truncates to 0.

So **31 is free** (no format change), and **32 requires widening those fields to 6 bits** in both
`SaveParameters` and `LoadParameters`. That is a one-line-each change, but it is a **breaking wire
format change**: every pod must run the identical build. Per the project's stated constraint
(all pods at a site update together, no cross-version compatibility required) that is acceptable ?
but it must be a deliberate decision, and the resource/parameter blob is also persisted by
`CTCL_SaveNMP`, so any stored parameter blobs from an older build become unreadable.

**Recommendation: target 31 first.** It costs nothing extra and proves out every other layer.
Only widen to 6 bits if 32 specifically matters.

---

## What is NOT a limit (verified ? don't waste time here)

These were checked directly and are already sized far beyond 31:

- **`Adept::Maximum_Players = 255`** ? [Application.hpp](Gameleap/code/mw4/Libraries/Adept/Application.hpp) line ~139
- **`Maximum_Connection_Numbers = 255`** ? [Network.hpp](Gameleap/code/mw4/Libraries/Adept/Network.hpp) line ~23
- **`servedConnectionData[Adept::Maximum_Players]`** ? [MWApplication.hpp](Gameleap/code/mw4/Code/MW4/MWApplication.hpp) line ~1372 (255 entries)
- Per-player scoreboards, net-stat collectors, damage-given/received tables ? all sized from
  `Maximum_Players` (255)
- **`connectionID` is a `BYTE`** ¢¡ 0..255
- **DirectPlay** has no relevant ceiling; `dwMaxPlayers` comes straight from
  `Environment.NetworkMaxPlayers`
- **No 32-bit player bitmask exists.** The only `0x1 << id` masks in the codebase are per-mech
  *weapon* bits (`MWEntityManager.cpp`, `NetWeapon.cpp`), not player/connection indices.
  (Carried over from the earlier `CLAUDE.md` audit ? worth a re-grep before implementing.)

---

## The actual limits, layer by layer

### Layer 1 ? Serialized mission parameters (the 31 ceiling)

| Field | Width | Max | File |
|---|---|---|---|
| `m_maxPlayers` | 5 bits | 31 | `MWApplication.cpp` Save/LoadParameters |
| `m_maxBots` | 5 bits | 31 | `MWApplication.cpp` Save/LoadParameters |
| `m_teamCount` | 4 bits | 15 teams | `MWApplication.cpp` |
| `m_maxPlayersOnTeam` | 7 bits | 127 | `TeamParameters::SaveParameters` |
| `m_playerLimit` | **not serialized** | ? | host-side only |

Only the first two matter for 31. `m_maxPlayersOnTeam` at 7 bits is already generous.

### Layer 2 ? Compiled defaults (the real connect gate)

[MW4Shell.cpp](Gameleap/code/mw4/Code/MW4/MW4Shell.cpp) ? `CTCL_DefaultHostSetup`, non-COOP branch:

```cpp
params->m_maxPlayers = 16;
Environment.NetworkMaxPlayers = params->m_maxPlayers + MW4_CAMERASHIP_RESERVE;
params->m_maxBots = 16;
```

Editing only the lobby script shows more slots but the session still rejects the extra players ?
**this is the branch that actually decides.** Note `MW4_CAMERASHIP_RESERVE` (added 2026-07-24)
already reserves camera seats on top of the pilot cap; keep that behaviour when raising the number.

COOP branch is separate (`m_maxPlayers = 9`, `m_maxBots = 8`) ? decide explicitly whether COOP
should move at all.

Also in `MW4Shell.cpp`:
- `MAX_PLAYERS_PARAMETER` / `MAX_BOTS_PARAMETER` handlers (`SetNetworkMissionParamater`)
- `PLAYER_LIMIT_PARAMETER` ? sets `Environment.NetworkMaxPlayers`, calls
  `gos_NetServerCommands(gos_Commend_UpdateMaxPlayers, 0)`
- `Max_Clamp(params->m_maxBots, params->m_maxPlayers)` ? bots clamped down to player count
- `MW4Shell::AddBot` ? `if ((player_count + bot_count) >= params->m_maxPlayers) return -1;`
  (cameraships are now excluded from `player_count`; preserve that)

### Layer 3 ? CTCL roster arrays (**the one that will bite**)

[ctcl.cpp](Gameleap/code/mw4/Code/MW4Application/ctcl.cpp) / [ctcl.h](Gameleap/code/mw4/Code/MW4/ctcl.h):

```cpp
#define MAX_TESLAS   16      // pilot pods admitted from ctcl.ini
#define MAX_CAMERAS  4       // cameraship seats
extern SPlayerInfo g_aPlayerInfos[20];   // 16 + 4 ? NO BOUNDS CHECK
```

**`CTCL_AddPlayer` does `g_aPlayerInfos[g_nPlayerInfos++]` with no bounds check.** Raising the
roster past 20 without resizing this array is a **silent buffer overrun**. This is the single most
dangerous spot in the whole change.

For 31 players + 4 cameras you need `g_aPlayerInfos[35]` (or `MAX_TESLAS + MAX_CAMERAS`), and
`MAX_TESLAS` raised to 31. **Note `ctcl.h` is duplicated in ~6 directories** (`MW4/`,
`MW4Application/`, `MW4GameEd2/`, `Adept/`, `Launcher/`, `Tools/AnimScript/`) ? they must be kept
in sync or you get ODR mismatches that manifest as memory corruption, not compile errors.

Also add a defensive bounds check to `CTCL_AddPlayer` while you're there.

### Layer 4 ? Bots / lancemates

[MWApplication.hpp](Gameleap/code/mw4/Code/MW4/MWApplication.hpp) line 12:

```cpp
#define MAX_LANCEMATES 16
```

¢¡ `Maximum_Lancemates`, and `lancemateConnectionData[Maximum_Lancemates]`. If you want 31 *bots*
(not just 31 humans) this must rise too. If bots stay capped at 16, that's a legitimate design
choice ? just make it deliberate, because `m_maxBots` would then be misleading.

### Layer 5 ? Lobby / console UI (script)

[ConLobby.script](Gameleap/mw4/Content/ShellScripts/ConLobby.script):

```
#define MAX_ROSTER_COUNT    16   // under USE_O_MORE_PODS (else 8)
#define MAX_TEAMMATE_COUNT   8   // (else 4)
```

- `MAXTESLA_P` = `CTCL_GetTeslaCount()` (live pod count), clamped to 8 in one branch ? check that
  clamp before raising anything
- Launch guard: `if nLaunchState == 0 && (nTempPlayerCount > 17)` ¡æ raise to `cap + cameras`
- **The mech-selection "pods" grid is the biggest UI lift.** It is a fixed layout; 31 needs a
  reworked grid, scrolling, or smaller pods
- Team-assignment panel (`team_max_plyrs`), decal/skin columns, and the per-slot row layout all
  assume ¡Â16 rows
- `MAXTESLA_P` vs `MAXTESLA` also drives the cameraship dropdown (`o_cam_list`)

Team camo/decal arrays are already sized 16 in `CTCL_DoMission`'s prepare branch
(`for(i = 0; i < 16; i++) g_naTeamSkins[i] = ...`) ? these are per-*team*, not per-player, and 16
teams is beyond the 4-bit `m_teamCount` limit of 15, so they are fine.

### Layer 6 ? In-game HUD

- **Scoreboard** (`hudscore.cpp`) ? data is fine (255 arrays), the on-screen table is laid out for
  ¡Â16. Needs scrolling or two columns.
- **Radar** (`GUIRadarManager.cpp`) ? same story.
- **Mission review** (`MP_Review.script`) ? top-down review screen.

These are cosmetic and non-blocking: 31 players can connect, spawn and play with an ugly
scoreboard. Defer.

### Layer 7 ? Map content (drop zones: a polish item, NOT a blocker)

Most stock maps define ~16 drop zones / start points.

**This was previously assumed to be the gating task. It is not.** Verified empirically on real
pods: when there are more 'Mechs than drop zones, the surplus 'Mechs **spawn on top of each
other**. They clip and collide for a moment, take some minor damage, then separate and play
normally. It resolves itself within seconds.

So a drop-zone shortfall is a **quality-of-experience issue, not a functional failure**. It does
not block raising the cap, and it should not gate the schedule.

Worth doing eventually for the maps that see the most high-count play ? an overlapping spawn is
untidy and hands out free chip damage ? but it can happen any time, before or after the code work,
and it never needs to be complete.

Audit approach if/when you want it: enumerate drop zones per map, produce a map ¡æ start-point
count table, and add start points to the busiest maps first in the mission editor
(`Gameleap\mw4\run-editor.bat`).

### Layer 8 ? Network performance (verify, don't assume)

Replication cost is roughly O(n©÷): 31 vs 16 ? (31/16)©÷ ? **3.75¡¿ host outbound and CPU**. This was
the binding constraint in 2002 on dial-up. On modern broadband and CPUs it is very unlikely to
block, but it should be measured rather than assumed.

Residual item to check during implementation: any **fixed-size netcode buffers or per-frame
packet/replication caps** hardcoded for ¡Â16 (distinct from raw bandwidth). The 255-sized array
design suggests none exist, but grep for it.

---

## Suggested implementation order

1. **Decide the target: 31 (no format change) or 32 (6-bit fields, breaking).**
2. **Layer 3 first** ? resize `g_aPlayerInfos`, raise `MAX_TESLAS`, sync all copies of `ctcl.h`,
   add the missing bounds check in `CTCL_AddPlayer`. Nothing else is safe until this is done.
3. **Layer 2** ? raise the compiled defaults. Rebuild `MW4.exe` (Release + Profile).
4. **Layer 4** ? decide and implement the bot cap.
5. **Layer 5** ? lobby UI rework (roster rows, pod grid, launch guard).
6. **Layer 6** ? scoreboard/radar/review polish.
7. **Layer 8** ? one live load test.
8. **Layer 7** ? optional: add drop zones to the busiest maps. Non-blocking; surplus 'Mechs
   already spawn stacked and separate on their own.

## Verification checklist

- [ ] Rebuild clean (0 errors) in Release and Profile
- [ ] Host a game; lobby shows the new slot count and the launch guard accepts it
- [ ] Player N connects (watch `Environment.NetworkMaxPlayers` ¡æ DirectPlay `dwMaxPlayers`)
- [ ] All N players actually **spawn** (surplus 'Mechs stacking on shared drop zones is expected
      and self-correcting ? not a failure)
- [ ] Cameraship still connects on top of the pilot cap (regression from the 2026-07-24 fix)
- [ ] Bots fill correctly to the intended bot cap, and `g_nBOTs` matches connected lancemates
      (mismatch = silent infinite "loading", the classic failure mode)
- [ ] COOP mode unaffected
- [ ] Scoreboard / radar / mission review legible
- [ ] Load/bandwidth measurement at full count

## Known traps

- **`g_aPlayerInfos` overrun** ? no bounds check; corrupts memory silently.
- **`ctcl.h` exists in ~6 copies** ? desync between them is invisible at compile time.
- **Editing only the lobby script** looks like it works until the (N+1)th player is rejected by the
  compiled default.
- **Silent launch hang** is the standard symptom of any count mismatch: the console sits in
  `nLaunchState = 3` forever because `CTCL_CheckServerReady` never sees
  `nCount == g_nTeslas + 1` and matching lancemates. If you see that, suspect a count mismatch,
  not a crash.
- **Drop-zone shortfall is benign** ? surplus 'Mechs spawn stacked, bump, take minor damage and
  separate. Do not mistake this for a bug, and do not let it gate the work.
- **Writing 32 into a 5-bit field truncates to 0**, which will look like "max players became
  unlimited/zero" rather than an overflow.