Provision Of ROF2 Client

[MajinCry]

Now now, put down that ban-hammer, Mr. Admin! This thread is not what you think it is!


From what I have gathered, there is no way to get the optimal client for use with EQEmu; the Steam RoF2 client. Steam has long since updated the files for it.

Now, the main problem here, is that it's forbidden to share any client files, due to potential legal action from Everquest's companies.

It's a similar problem that initially greeted the fellows who created the Tale Of Two Wastelands mod for Fallout New Vegas and Fallout 3; only the creators had the actual files, whilst everyone else didn't. Uploading the actual game files would have thrown them into hot water with Bethesda.

Their solution? XDelta.


So, what I propose, is that someone with an unadulterated Steam RoF2 client, create an XDelta patch for the latest Steam Everquest client. The patch itself does not contain any game files, which means that there is no issue with sharing it.

I've concocted a method that should allow for easily creating and patches, by utilizing Folder2Iso and XDeltaUI. I've made an archive of the two programs, which should be a boon for avoiding differences in generated patches due to differing programs & versions used. Download it here. https://www.mediafire.com/?xzvc2a1x6k37bcv



After extracting the archive and downloading the appropriate 7zip command line .exe for your OS from here, the method for creating a patch is as follows:

Place 7za.exe, 7za.dll & 7zxa.dll in the parent folder of your RoF2 folder.
Shift+Right click -> Open Command window here
Type in: 7za.exe -mx0 a EverquestRoF2Archive.zip "Whatever the name of the client folder is"
Press enter
Wait for the archive to finish.

Repeat the above for the latest Steam Everquest client, but use the archive name EverquestSteamArchive.zip instead.

XDelta -> XDeltaUI.exe
Click tab "Create Patch"

At "Original File" click "Open..." -> Navigate to "EverquestSteam.zip" -> Click "Open". Note that EverquestSteam.iso is the file which will be patched, making it the "Original File".
At "Modified File" click "Open..." -> Navigate to "EverquestRoF2.zip" -> Click "Open"
At "Patch Destination" click "Open" -> Save as "EverquestSteam-RoF2.xdelta"
Click "Patch"

Once an .xdelta patch has been provided, applying it is of a similar method. It goes as follows:

Place 7za.exe, 7za.dll & 7zxa.dll in the parent folder of your Steam Everquest client folder
Shift+Right click -> Open Command window here
Type in: 7za.exe -mx0 a EverquestSteamToBePatched.zip "Whatever the name of the client folder is"
Press enter
Wait for the archive to finish.

XDelta -> XDeltaUI.exe
Click tab "Apply Patch"

At "Patch" click "Open..." -> Navigate to "EverquestSteam-RoF2.xdelta" -> Click "Open"
At "Source File" click "Open..." -> Navigate to "EverquestSteamToBePatched.zip" -> Click "Open".
At "Output File" click "Open" -> Save as "EverquestSteam-RoF2.zip"
Click "Patch"
Once done, exit XDelta

Use your favourite archiving software to extract the files from "EverquestSteam-RoF2.zip". I recommend 7Zip.

So aye. Surely this would be the most ideal way of getting the playerbase the optimal client, whilst not crossing any shady boundaries?