Simple Client Status
 

Hey WC.

Could you post a quick reply as to the status of the SC. Just curious as to how its comming and what if any plans you have.

Thanks

Krusher

Sorry been out for some time what is SimpleClient??:?

SimpleClient is a free, open source Everquest client - it would replace your Titainium client or what ever you have now. I believe it would be "customizable" to fit the needs of any specific server.

Wow, that sounds nice. I've been looking for something like this, but so far all I've found is people modding MacroQuest and I'm pretty sure that's not allowed :-/

Is there a website or something with updates and such about this? Or is it all here?

-Dillon

Might be better to say a free, open source EQEmu client. Who wants to make an Everquest client anyway. Unless the intent is to make another client to play Live. In that case, just ignore me.

Krusher: Sent you a pm a couple weeks ago, didn't get a response. Re-sent it. Reply when ya can. Thanks!

Almost right - except it won't be open source.

It will only work with custom zones (no sony zones)

Scorpious, do you know if it'll (ever) be possible to "convert" SOE zones for those who still wish to have that old familiar world? Mostly just talking landscapes and such. Server admins might still yearn for EQ-ish gaming, without the hassles of legality.

No, it needs to be 100% independent, or it will risk legal action.

Wind is creating it to get 100% away from SOE.

I believe custom zones are preferable and are not all that hard to make in OZ. I think after I give SC a go, I will get a better idea of what's going on.

GeorgeS

As GeorgeS said, they will have to be custom.

The idea is to remove everything Sony from the game. I admit I actually *could* convert sony zones, it would be a lot of work and I think in a way you can create the feel of the game without copying the zones.

I also have found on our server there is always excitement when a new "world" (group of related zones) opens up. This isn't a copy of places they have been before. It's all NEW! That means exploring. That means really facing the unknown. No internet cheat sites, no ready made maps.

I think it is preferable from a player point of view to have all new, custom zones. You can keep the feel of EQ or create your own.

I would like to add that I have offered all 20 (going on 21) of the custom zones we have including the Windcatcher zones which I modified. We have a good start on this already.

I definitely agree, custom = new and exciting. I also understand completely that offering SOE-like content (even if manually generated zones and content in every way) might be digging back into the SOE danger zone. I was only asking if it was even possible (privately aside from this project) to do just that - convert existing topologies so an admin CAN run a Norrathian world that is familiar, though textured differently, with the same in-game goals so many have come to love.

I grasp the concept of getting away from SOE, and I think most understand this is not a client to replace the EQ clients so you can play "Everquest". I'm only asking about possibilities far down the road. I'd love to supply a SimpleClient to my players who can still enjoy the EQ they love. But I won't hold my breath, unless I plan on becoming intimate with OpenZone and 3D modeling, heh. Or perhaps, I do not fully understand the breadth of this project?

Since custom zones means no body has an advantage on loot drops, npc stats and locations and strategies - We all start over again as level 1 and hopefully relive the old eq of old.


GeorgeS

It's possible you don't.

The goal is to replace everything. A handful of people can have it at the same level as EQ when it was beta in just a couple of months,

Excuse my ignorance about this project, but what will remain the same? What I mean by this is if you replace everything how can you call it an Everquest client as opposed to a completely new game?

I gotcha Scorp. I'll wait and see how things turn out.

As for Ueguvil, this is definitely not an Everquest client, nor it's replacement. It's a whole new game, based on similar concepts.

Wow. Sorry for not replying yet. I've been on a weekend trip and just got back. Will read what's here and try to catch up sometime tonight. First have to get settled...

Wind

Okay, current status. First, let me speak toward the people are very kindly testing this for me. Aside from fixing a couple of crash bugs I haven't changed the functionality of the client lately, but underneath it has undergone a MAJOR refactoring. Part of the reason for this involves licensing: SC had some GPL code in it that would otherwise be fine if I was open-sourcing it, but since Doodman and company want me to keep it closed-source all that stuff had to go. The only real casualty from a functionality standpoint was the loss of .XMI music capability, but since we don't have any of our own .XMI music anyway that's not all that big a loss. I had to move the OGRE code that I was using to read the keyboard out to a DLL, and when the client is released that will be open-sourced. Another major difficulty was the fact that I have to use a minimal amount of code from EQEmu, because SC of course has to interoperate with it. Doodman and FNW are aware of the two pieces it's using and I'm awaiting direction in that area. In my opinion, from a design-cleanliness standpoint one of those pieces has no place in any client, but I need a couple of packets to be added to the protocol to properly do away with it.

A benefit of the refactoring, though, is that later releases of SC will be WAY more agnostic when it comes to particular EQEmu server versions. Some of the problems I'm reading about aren't really problems with the client per se but the 0.5.5 server I distributed for testing. SC can talk to several EQEmu versions between 0.5.5 and 0.6.0, but there is a separate effort going on to allow it to talk to 0.7.0. This will probably take quite some time as I need someone to write a DLL for me (whistles innocently), but internally at least, SC should be much more able to talk to later revisions when the DLL eventually exists.

As far as development goes, I will definitely have to release the source to someone, as OpenZone itself is so much of a handful that I'm overwhelmed. SC is the type of project that demands a dev team, but as it's based on OpenZone's code that team will have to know something about Delphi (and have it, of course). Unfortunately, SC will probably have to remain closed source as well, as someone with a compiler could find all kinds of ways to cheat otherwise.

So what's planned for the future? I first want to get OpenZone 7.7 out the door, including somewhere between one and three mob models (definitely an orc, and possibly a skeleton or spectre). The thing's been sitting on my hard drive for entirely too long and I want to get it done. For the time being, the models that are available now are the ones that come with OpenZone 7.6, though not all models are exported to all zones. SC does support force-loading, however, so server operators do have some leeway.

I'm not overly concerned about copying the look-and-feel of EQ in terms of the GUI, as Apple lost that particular legal battle ages ago. I'm more concerned about mimicking their game system, and perhaps the client-server protocol might have to be expanded to allow for some game system flexibility (where the server DB would dictate some of the game system particulars). EQ borrows heavily from AD&D so not all that much flexibility is really needed, but at any rate such a thing would require coordination between both the server and the client.

re: undead mobs
 

Definately would like to see some undead mobs. Id like to see a zombie version of your models. Something like having rotting flesh covering all the body except from one elbow down to hand being of a skeleton model and from one kneecap down to foot being a skeleton model. Maybe left arm and right leg or vica versa. Maybe one side of chest rotted flesh and the other side exposed ribs of skeleton model. Maybe head of a zombie but with jawbone of skeleton model. Maybe skin (rotted flesh) as greyish green. Dunno if you could weave your skeleton model with a zombie model but I think it would be cool additon to your undead release in OZ 7.7. Just shooting out ideas, not asking any requests as I know your busy.

One question I have about simple client, is it recognized by the official eqemu loginserver or does it require its own login server?

While I greatly appreciate the work this involves and look forward to it's results, I have to ask if this is intended as a replacement for Titanium? (ie. No further support for EQ Clients?) For me (and I'm sure for many) the fun of the Emu is in reliving what was on live... or seeing things I never got to on live. If this new client wont be able to use original EQ content we lose the nostalgia factor. So basically the question is: will the servers development continues to support Titanium in addition to this new client or will Titanium support be replaced by the new client?

Well, GeorgeS' spectres are done. I finished rigging and animating them yesterday. If you'd like to see more models, perhaps you should ask him :D

I doubt that SC will ever replace a live EQ client but that's really a question for the server devs. My client is just a separate option for people who don't have a compatible live client (with obvious differences, e.g. no SOE content). The official EQEmu login server does recognize SC, though the protocol is entirely different and SC connects to a different LS port for it. The protocol will likely change as we still need to implement client version authentication somehow and I'm awaiting direction from Doodman and FNW on how they would like to handle it. Otherwise, the LS protocol that SC uses is entirely our own invention.

I tried asking this question, and in general was told the EQ of old is not supported. I do not see how SC can zone me into ecommons and see the SOE-specific info unless the server admin provides that content - which will be going against the entire philosophy of SC (i think).

I had asked somewhere if there might be (unsupported) tools for converting SOE content to SC-compatible, and that answer was a resounding "no".

I doubt the devs will cease development of EQEmu for normal EQ clients - but perhaps a branching will occur that keeps the 2 server projects seperate.

As far as I know it should be possible to keep a single server source tree that can accommodate both the live client and SimpleClient, though SimpleClient will eventually allow for a much broader set of features that the live client cannot support. I would still expect server devs to support the live client, certainly for the time being, though if SC gets the developer support I'd like to see it get perhaps the live client will eventually become unnecessary.

I suppose if someone wanted to recreate SOE zones with OpenZone it's possible, though I would find that disappointing. Even though a recreation may still be legal if free content, models, textures, etc. were used (and if the zone names were changed), the entire point of OpenZone was to allow players to experience worlds beyond what Norrath offered, that is, to bring back the thrill of discovery (without something like Allakhazam to tell them where everything is before they even get there).

As an update, I've completed rigging and animating two of GeorgeS' skeleton models, though using them will necessitate a tiny update to SimpleClient to make them practical. I'll see if I can get something out to Cavedude this weekend (or perhaps before). I'll also see if I can fix at least one or two of the bugs people have mentioned (a stickied SC bug thread might be especially useful going forward so I don't have to sift through pages and pages of threads to hunt them down).

I'm still pushing for an entire SimpleClient category here with forums to support General, Support, Bugs, Fixes, and Development. Not sure if an Admin has gotten to that yet, or plans to.

I think this is a great idea and would love to help make zones for it. I would rather use Blender though its free to anyone and its plenty powerful once ya learn it.

Did you guys look into Raknet for the internet suff, or even Crystalspace? I have compiled a lot of both of those libraries and demos and they are pretty handy.

I would love to see the project go open though as I like to compile my own binaries and possibly contribute to the database.

Do you have a beta SQL schema setup?

Any plans on making a linux client, if not will SC be wine compatable?

I'm not making any effort at a Linux client as SC is written in Delphi. Has anyone tried it under Cedega?

SC works perfectly with Cedega for me.

A new beta of SimpleClient has been posted to cavedude's FTP.

Program changes:
- Fixed some engine lighting bugs
- Changed the way that OpenZone exports placeable objects to XWF files, and the client has had to change as a result. Also, the change meant that I had to re-export all zones, and so you must download them. This is definitely the better way to handle it, though.
- Fixed a bug in spawning doors.
- When you select a mob, the name above it will flash.
- Fixed mob animations (sitting, standing, looting, etc.)

Content changes:
- Aside from re-exporting all zones due to bug fixes, Lelembeth has undergone some MAJOR additions. The city is now much more complete, and I've added a druid ring and a rocky area to the west. Go do some exploring...
- Added GeorgeS' Type I skeleton model, prefix SKE, race 60, to the global creatures file. You can spawn them in any zone you like. This model has two body types.
- Added GeorgeS' Type II skeleton model, prefix SKF, race 401, to Lelembeth. This model has four body types.
- Added GeorgeS' spectre model, prefix SPE, race 85, to Veldona. This model has four body types.

A lot of files have changed, so make sure to get everything dated today.

Wind

P.S. I can also post my DB as mine has mobs and doors spawned in Lelembeth, but I don't know if cavedude has been changing his DB. Let me know if you want mine.

I'm still very interested in testing this for you guys, I just have little to no time again... but I'll try and squeeze some in. :) Do you know if the char select issues have been resolved from a month or so ago?

Make sure to bring your umbrella...
 

Because they're calling for rain in Veldona.

http://i10.tinypic.com/4ops1ls.png

Stay tuned. I might be posting the new version tonight.

Wind

Edit: Turned on anti-aliasing for the rain drops...

New version posted (just the EXE file)...

Rain and snow are visible (though not very much at night, I'm not sure if I want to change that or not).

Snow will now properly turn off.

Let me know what you all think :)

Wind

ftp...
 

@Windcatcher:
so uh where is this ftp everyone is downloading from? i have tons of spare time to test for bugs. only thing i would be lacking is the delphi experience, as ive only coded in assembly, c++, perl, and QT4 for c++ gui's. I like the screenshots, and would like to run around and test for bugs and such, anyways, send me a pm if you find i can test this client out. I didnt see the post in time when you said for people to pm you for testing access. But im bored with alot of free time and would be able to test daily.

let me know.

-Teppen (eqemuforums)
-Senzo (peq quest team)

New version posted to the closed beta FTP...

- Mob sizes should be fixed now.
- Re-uploaded Veldona.xwa...the door to MacGill's inn should appear now.
- Re-uploaded Windszone.xwa...added some small plants to make it look a little bit more interesting.
- Added some code to try to prevent rain from falling indoors. It's not perfect, but a definite improvement.
- Uploaded lelembeth.sql to the database area so door spawns can appear.

A pic just for fun...

http://i13.tinypic.com/54bpz6e.png

...
 

i take that as a no.. <shrugs>

We're trying to keep the beta closed to mainly devs and certain zone builders at this time. The client is still pretty buggy, and we're trying to concentrate on both playability and getting it to handle whatever content people create. We also don't yet have a patcher mechanism in place and don't have any way to control what versions people run (there isn't even a versioning scheme in place yet). Also, since I'm the only one working on it, I really can't handle getting bug reports from the entire community, though it does mean that I need the people who are testing it to make sure to send me feedback. It's a balancing act, but for all of these reasons we're keeping it fairly restricted at this time. I post pics and progress info for the benefit of the community at large so you can at least see that we're making progress. That's not to say that I don't need help, especially when it comes to things like mob models and spells, (and especially a good patcher we can use), but at this time I think we have enough testers. Of course, if people stop sending me feedback, I reserve the right to invite more testers, though.

Yet another version posted:

- Added auto-attack on and off messages.
- The merchant/loot/bank/training windows will close if you walk away from the mob.
- Made numerous refinements to swimming. It still doesn't take your swimming skill into account for calculating swimming speed, but otherwise it should be much better now.
- Relogging will clear the chat window.
- Uploaded a new eq55sc.sql file to the database area, it fixes some problems with the merchants in front of the big tower and adds a bunch of skeleton spawns in windszone and lelembeth (and a spectre or two in veldona)

Updated files:
- gametext.xml
- clientdata.xml
- simpleclient.exe
- eq55sc.sql (in the database area)

Hmmm....where could this be?
 

You'll have to explore to find out.

http://i14.tinypic.com/6ewqs0x.png

@Windcatcher

ah, i guess ill stop downloading openzone versions then until simpleclient goes public, been creating zones, and some other custom content with your openzone editors. plus i was curious of how the simpleclient handled.

just curious, but could you post what you would like to see in a patcher? features and such? I could code one however, the guts would be c++ and the eye candy would be using the latest QT4.3.2. but like always, im just talking shop.

Im actually in process (since i have alot of extra time nowdays) of coding an all in one editor which consists of items, npcs, recipes and quest editors. Eventually, hoping to expand to other editing areas. Making the quest editor so it will be easy for any dev to quickly make quests using a drag and drop quest text feature from a list of current quest commands. At the moment every visible text of the editor is translation aware, and in future public builds it will use dynamic language switching, which i believe will greatly help the eqemu community like those who are from france, and korea whose native language is not english. Like simpleclient, this editor is still under private builds, not as stable yet as Im wanting it to be, but its getting there. The bigest problem is getting drag and drop to work flawlessly without minor errors, but its coming along slowly, just a matter of creating layouts per perl command. I actually was tossing around the idea of coding a client for eqemu awhile ago, but im limited in 3d programming so I never started it lol.

oh well, back to coding. so very bored.