Classic-Era Client(s) - Gauging Interest

[a_gnoll_pup]

just gauging interest to see how many people would be willing to contribute.

I've recently began work on merging the capability for having both EQ Titanium and EQMac's windows client (The one that Secrets/Rogean made) working together in unison.

So far I have converted the EQStreamInterface interface to support both EQStream and EQOldStream, a new class I made to support packet handlers with the old client. It will make a new stream depending on what kind of client is connecting, the first packet identifies the stream type, the first opcode identifies the 'patch' (ie; Mac, Trilogy, etc) just like EQEmulator does to support multiple clients at the moment.

The EQOldStream class is based heavily off of EQClassic's work of a packet parser implementation from their public release, but made into an interface that can plug in to EQEmulator and thus use their patch system.

If anyone is interested (and is a programmer) in contributing to this project that Project 1999 could potentially use someday to support both the Titanium and classic-era clients at the same time, I'll put it on Github as a fork of EQEmu. I'm not going to want to do this alone, but I will if I have to. This project will be entirely open source and potentially be merged into EQEmulator's main branch for all servers to use when it's all said and done.

Yes, this means this functionality will work on EQClassic's client if it ends up getting finished after the Mac client is completely done and working, for those who are wondering. It also will support all of EQEmulator's functions (Perl/Lua parsers) up to the era for the client you plug into it. As I said before, this project will be open for anyone to use. If P99 decides to use it, it will be on their own accord.

[Furniture]

this would be amazing

[a_gnoll_pup]

Just a bit of an update on this:

Got to character select and past login. Not much past that, but it's something :P

http://i.imgur.com/iw4AUTl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/6Ox0l3l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/rMT1zGB.jpg

[a_gnoll_pup]

Click here for the fork (https://github.com/SecretsOTheP/Server) - in case anyone is interested.

[Furinex]

This is some great work. Big things happening here. Eqmac's client has perfect classic spell effects. This could solve many problems.

[a_gnoll_pup]

Trying to get player profile stuff working - been up all night poking at it so i'm too tired to commit it right now.

sleeeep

[Stinkum]

Awesome stuff, gnoll. If only I had the programming ability to contribute I would do so happily.

[Dac321]

/drool

Well done sir, well done.

I'd love to see my character spinning in this character selection..

Gnoll, I have a question.. Maybe I can jog your memory, or anyone else's. Do you recall while selecting different races while in creation mode, the pitch, or tune of the Character Selection Music would alter? For example, if you selected an Ogre, or Troll, a heavily bass would take over the chorus to represent evil, then if you were to select a dwarf, or gnome, a higher pitch flute would then play. Does the EQmac version have that feature, and if so, that would properly add a nostalgic feeling. If it is still around, that would be great. Just me 2 cents.

But again, I am very interested in your work.

[Stinkum]

Do you recall while selecting different races while in creation mode, the pitch, or tune of the Character Selection Music would alter? For example, if you selected an Ogre, or Troll, a heavily bass would take over the chorus to represent evil, then if you were to select a dwarf, or gnome, a higher pitch flute would then play.

This sounds extremely familiar.. Damned good memory you have.

[Lanzellot]

good job man

[a_gnoll_pup]

This sounds extremely familiar.. Damned good memory you have.

I'll try and get a video of character creation for you guys. Updated github, I forgot the structures for the Mac client.

[a_gnoll_pup]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znDk2_UUj0w

What's working so far (not much, but you can see it works.)

[Telin]

This is fantastic! Eqmac client is probably shortest route (still not an easy one) to taking this server much closer to an authentic classic experience. Well done so far!

[Dac321]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znDk2_UUj0w

What's working so far (not much, but you can see it works.)

This is brilliant.. Getting excited for it.

[a_gnoll_pup]

Picture is worth a thousand words, but i'll type some more:

I am ingame now.

http://i.imgur.com/IZ3sKby.jpg

http://puu.sh/3Wssx.jpg

[a_gnoll_pup]

http://puu.sh/3WsBA.jpg

[a_gnoll_pup]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Om4RBt76XU4

Ingame video.

[Vandamwtc]

This looks incredible!

[Edame]

This looks incredible!

[khanable]

Holy shitballs

[Wrench]

It really is a shame your projects always end in such drama. This really does look good.

[a_gnoll_pup]

It really is a shame your projects always end in such drama. This really does look good.

The idea to make this open-source is mainly to make it drama-proof. Everyone can contribute, if development stops, someone else can take over.

[nilbog]

Hellllo.

For all the people who said they are programmers and want to help, here's a project for you.

This is one of the greatest classic features in the works. Given that in the end, this could even be optional, there is no reason not to do it.


OP:

http://sd.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/i/keep-going-because-we-love-you.png

[Stinkum]

Yeah, this is a great community project and hopefully we can pool resources and get it done. I only wish I had skills to contribute.

[Vandamwtc]

As a lurker, this is one of the best projects I have seen to date. I think we would all love to see this to completion, for it would truly make it feel like the original game.

[a_gnoll_pup]

Server now supports sending ARSP requests, which fixes a freeze issue at character select and a random timeout in select zones with a lot of outgoing packets. Github update shortly.

Still no spawns, but getting there ;)

[a_gnoll_pup]

Here's the same account connected to the Rain of Fear client and the Mac client (at the same time at character select)

http://i.imgur.com/IbbPVC9.jpg

[Stinkum]

Will this Classic-era client limit my computer's resolution for Windowed mode?

[a_gnoll_pup]

Will this Classic-era client limit my computer's resolution for Windowed mode?

Yes, it will.

It's a small box. To play 100% properly, you're going to need an older version of windows with DX8.

Here's both ingame. Position updates aren't working (yet) so that's why positioning is a bit off:

http://puu.sh/3X71o.jpg

[Telin]

I like the classic UI and all, but if it limits the size of the screen a lot I would be happy with the default UI of the eqmac client so I can fill up the screen.

If this works 100% and without forcing the classic UI on others, I would think this client should be mandatory as it would better represent the classic era such as classic water, classic sky, classic spell effects, no target rings, no mana bar numbers, no shadows, and no zone names on loading screens.

[Furinex]

As I said before -- Big things. Keep up the excellent work. This is awesome!

[a_gnoll_pup]

Spawns now work (somewhat).

The bulk spawn packet does NOT work yet, investigating why.

http://puu.sh/3Y11G.jpg

[a_gnoll_pup]

Spawns now work (somewhat).

The bulk spawn packet does NOT work yet, investigating why.

Spoke too soon; X and Y were inversed in the bulk spawn packet. Moving onto other issues now :D

http://puu.sh/3Y1ch.jpg

[happyhappy]

I have the weirdest boner right now.

[Furinex]

Do you have spells working? If so, video of 39+ shielding spell please. Also delete the spellsnew .eff and . Edd for maximum classicness. This should work with the client you are using.

[a_gnoll_pup]

Do you have spells working? If so, video of 39+ shielding spell please. Also delete the spellsnew .eff and . Edd for maximum classicness. This should work with the client you are using.

Spells are not working yet; haven't even gotten to position updates yet let alone items or spells :P

Still chugging along though; will keep you guys posted.

[Furinex]

Assuming dx8 works in this client I believe the spells.eff is the key file. You're doin a great job man!!

[a_gnoll_pup]

I just got sick working on this a tad (spent like the entire night reverse engineering the MIDI code to make a DLL that adds proper MIDI support to the client) but here's the final result:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njQ1wi_bLPM

Notice the Old UI is fixed up a bit as well. This is the result of adding a proper server name to the configuration file.

Next up, position updates and spells. After that I will demonstrate a modern-era client (Titanium) and an old-era client (EQMac) in sync.

Note: Unfortunately the Trilogy client is incompatible with modern hardware, and the EQMac one barely works as-is, so this is the closest you will get to perfection on Windows 8.

[Telin]

Great job! When u get to spells just don't forget to remove spellsnew.edd and spellsnew.eff when u begin testing. Does the full screen version of classic UI with transparent windows work? I forget which f key toggles it

[pyrese]

Gnoll, I have a question.. Maybe I can jog your memory, or anyone else's. Do you recall while selecting different races while in creation mode, the pitch, or tune of the Character Selection Music would alter? For example, if you selected an Ogre, or Troll, a heavily bass would take over the chorus to represent evil, then if you were to select a dwarf, or gnome, a higher pitch flute would then play. Does the EQmac version have that feature, and if so, that would properly add a nostalgic feeling. If it is still around, that would be great. Just me 2 cents.



This is correct. If I recall correctly, this was accomplished by turning tracks in the midi for character select on and off based on the race of the selected character.

I just got sick working on this a tad (spent like the entire night reverse engineering the MIDI code to make a DLL that adds proper MIDI support to the client) but here's the final result:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njQ1wi_bLPM

Notice the Old UI is fixed up a bit as well. This is the result of adding a proper server name to the configuration file.

Next up, position updates and spells. After that I will demonstrate a modern-era client (Titanium) and an old-era client (EQMac) in sync.

Note: Unfortunately the Trilogy client is incompatible with modern hardware, and the EQMac one barely works as-is, so this is the closest you will get to perfection on Windows 8.

Does...does this mean we can have variable combat music again?

[Stinkum]

I just got sick working on this a tad (spent like the entire night reverse engineering the MIDI code to make a DLL that adds proper MIDI support to the client) but here's the final result:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njQ1wi_bLPM

Notice the Old UI is fixed up a bit as well. This is the result of adding a proper server name to the configuration file.

Next up, position updates and spells. After that I will demonstrate a modern-era client (Titanium) and an old-era client (EQMac) in sync.

Note: Unfortunately the Trilogy client is incompatible with modern hardware, and the EQMac one barely works as-is, so this is the closest you will get to perfection on Windows 8.

:eek::eek::eek:

:D:D:D:D

[a_gnoll_pup]

http://puu.sh/40H4J.jpg

position updates. Not 100% finalized as you can see by the jesus dark elf.

[Vandamwtc]

Still can't wait

[pyrese]

I'll fork this tonight or tomorrow and see if I can get the char select music working properly (unless you've already got it covered gnoll). Let me know if there is something in particular you want someone else to handle.

[Ele]

This is one of the greatest classic features in the works.

[Telin]

Speaking of the character selection screen music, since loading the game today takes far less time is there a way to let the main theme play through once before beginning the character screen midi. I can't remember if it interrupts the main theme still.

[SamwiseRed]

remember only one chat box was possible with classic and velious ui

[a_gnoll_pup]

Speaking of the character selection screen music, since loading the game today takes far less time is there a way to let the main theme play through once before beginning the character screen midi. I can't remember if it interrupts the main theme still.

Yeah with the DLL it's possible. Just gotta add a timer when the character selection functions are hit to switch.

[a_gnoll_pup]

remember only one chat box was possible with classic and velious ui

word. there were filters, though, to toggle off combat

http://puu.sh/41ePU.jpg

[a_gnoll_pup]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVv_AHf9DVA

Talking between client versions. Same zone, different clients.

[Telin]

Well maybe those weary of the old Ui can be happy with the POP UI that this client uses as a default. This way we can all experience the same game with a Ui that is best for them. The only negatives I can think of are no horizontal hotbars and no numerical mana data.

[Ele]

Hellllo.

For all the people who said they are programmers and want to help, here's a project for you.

This is one of the greatest classic features in the works. Given that in the end, this could even be optional, there is no reason not to do it.


Mandatory

[Furinex]

Mandatory

/agree

Any updates? Following this thread like a hawk, I am.

[Stinkum]

Bump

[nilbog]

If anyone is interested (and is a programmer) in contributing to this project that Project 1999 could potentially use someday to support both the Titanium and classic-era clients at the same time, I'll put it on Github as a fork of EQEmu. I'm not going to want to do this alone, but I will if I have to. This project will be entirely open source and potentially be merged into EQEmulator's main branch for all servers to use when it's all said and done.


Should be/can be a worldwide open source effort.

[thugcruncher]

Secrets was talking to me about doing this one day, why isn't it helping?

[Porz]

Secrets was talking to me about doing this one day, why isn't it helping?

[a_gnoll_pup]

Secrets was talking to me about doing this one day, why isn't it helping?

Yeah, why isn't it helping that she's not (https://github.com/SecretsOTheP/Server) helping?

I've taken a break from doing this for a few days, a bit burnt out on it. Code is up-to-date, will return in a week or two!

[thugcruncher]

So wait, secrets is helping? I'm confused.


All that matters is that the dream of the 90's is alive in this thread.

[Stylez]

She/he is helping sod catch up on clients

[a_gnoll_pup]

She/he is helping sod catch up on clients

That's in addition to this project of course. The ultimate goal is to bridge the gap between Titanium and older clients.

[Ariemos]

Alas I am no programmer, wish I was. Just wanted to say it's cool what you're doing and I will be watching with interest. I'd definitely be using the classic client as a result of this work, if it were possible. A number of things in the Titanium client bug me, even if they are minor.

[Vandamwtc]

Bump, any update on this?

[Dac321]

Bump, updates.. please :D

[Stinkum]

The Beatles - Don't Let me Down (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EB9tqgdCt5I)

[a_gnoll_pup]

The Beatles - Don't Let me Down (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EB9tqgdCt5I)

The Beatles - I Will (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx_APcTyIUg)

[thugcruncher]

i love you secrets, god bless secrets, god bless classic, god bless america

[Treats]

Not to be a downer but if you did finish an older client and got it working for P1999, nobody would end up using this unless it was mandatory.

I'm sure some players would be pretty excited about it at first only to log in on the old client for five minutes and figure out it's hard as fuck compared to Titanium, then switch back.

There will be a lot of other code issues with the P1999 Server using the EQMac or Trilogy client instead of Titanium even after it is working and able to log in.

[thugcruncher]

Not to be a downer but if you did finish an older client and got it working for P1999, nobody would end up using this unless it was mandatory.

I'm sure some players would be pretty excited about it at first only to log in on the old client for five minutes and figure out it's hard as fuck compared to Titanium, then switch back.

There will be a lot of other code issues with the P1999 Server using the EQMac or Trilogy client instead of Titanium even after it is working and able to log in.

disagree, there's a good amount of pluses for using it, most of which you can experience on eqmac if you've played there (secrets' classic client is working from the eqmac client for windows she did)

+classic skys (way better looking)
+rock solid framerate on newer systems
+near instant zoning on newer systems
+no tacked on new engine bullshit that slows stuff down
+no support for stupid newer models that gms cast on people (sorry)
+the dream of the 90's is alive in norrath
+come on, don't be dumb
+its fucking awesome

-cant just move to stop looting/sitting

[Telin]

You forgot classic spell particles!! That's my favorite nostalgic memory. (Probably would fix the mage bolt too, as it worked on EQMac)
It also has the old water, which I don't care for, but it is classic.
It gets rid of the white zone name in middle of screen when loading a new zone.
It has a simpler UI, but you get used to it.
It removes that white distant fog.
It would probably fix Bard animations for various instruments.
All the boats would be classic.

You can move to stop sitting if you create a hot key with the /stand command and link it to your forward key.

[Hawala]

How's this coming along?

[a_gnoll_pup]

How's this coming along?

https://github.com/cavedude00/Server has the latest code. It's playable but doesn't look pretty.

[Vega]

https://github.com/cavedude00/Server has the latest code. It's playable but doesn't look pretty.

playable = can log into p99 and play?

[Vandamwtc]

Bumping this, cause I want that old school char select screen =)

[runlvlzero]

hope this is ready for teams99!

[happyhappy]

did this project die off? :(

[LittleSorcerer7]

i would pay for this to happen.

[a_gnoll_pup]

It's still ongoing - although not on P99, and not for the same purpose. It's more of an EQMac emulator now.

https://github.com/cavedude00/Server

[Laugher]

Saved both pc mac and mac client on the external just in case of this haha.

[moklianne]

The changelog.txt is showing recent changes. They probably just aren't giving regular updates here:

https://github.com/cavedude00/Server/blob/master/changelog.txt

[moklianne]

It's still ongoing - although not on P99, and not for the same purpose. It's more of an EQMac emulator now.

https://github.com/cavedude00/Server

Oh, happy day!

[moklianne]

Saved both pc mac and mac client on the external just in case of this haha.

I still have mine as well.

[a_gnoll_pup]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze4b11Wp8KI

bump :P

[SamwiseRed]

secrets can i have your brian? i am a moran.

[kylok]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze4b11Wp8KI

bump :P

I got a chub.

[drelk001]

so, its playable and to the public? how do you set it up then?

[drelk001]

did they give up on this project?

[drelk001]

-Bump-
Reason: I have unanswered questions

[drelk001]

-bump-
Reason: I want it at the top because I have unanswered questions

[a_gnoll_pup]

did they give up on this project?

'they' is anyone who want to contribute to this project. so did you give up on it?
https://github.com/cavedude00/Server/commits/master

stop bumping topics that don't need bumping.
also, Haynar already gave a response in another that P99 will not be using this in the near future.

[drelk001]

'they' is anyone who want to contribute to this project. so did you give up on it?
https://github.com/cavedude00/Server/commits/master

stop bumping topics that don't need bumping.
also, Haynar already gave a response in another that P99 will not be using this in the near future.

im osrry bro... I was confused.... thanks for the link

[drelk001]

so people can play on this? how does one go about playing?