The source code release is all the source code that I was given access to. I am pretty sure it's all the source code that has ever existed; you can build the game client and all servers, with not a lot of effort if you know what you're doing in Visual Studio 2005.
Things like NPCs, missions and so on are not source code. That's data. The binaries created with the source code load the data from pigg files and/or a data folder, just like the game client. In fact, a lot of the client pigg files are used as-is by the server components, and others are modified variants.
Creating all the server-side data files from scratch could take months even with help. That's why I am out there asking for servers to load working binaries on, so everybody who just wants to play can do it right away, and everybody who has actual interest in development can take a deep breath and start figuring out what to do.
Whatever servers I set up will use the latest binaries and data that SCORE itself was using, internally referred to as "Issue 25: Unbroken Spirit". This is simply because it will be the fastest to deploy, since it already has tools for account creation, all the microtransaction garbage like the Paragon Rewards tree removed, and many other optimizations. I am sure there will be a lot of complaints about it not being a "pure" release that will want a lot of changes stripped. Have some patience. It will take much longer to get a server set up if I have to roll back my repositories to early 2013 and hunt down a version of the data files that would play nice with it and does not have massive gaps in content. I don't even think such a version exists. This was a massive reverse engineering operation that took months to get something usable.
The Issue 25 data files, while they will work to set up as many servers as you want based on Issue 25, cannot be directly used with binaries built from the source code. You could mount an entire operation to decompile those files to get something editable back, or you can just have some patience and wait until I can put together a release. I am moving as fast as I can to get this thing out there because I believe that once a few running servers are out there being managed by different people with no connections to me, people will back off and give me the time I need to make sure that anything else that is released does not put anyone at risk; neither former Paragon Studios developers nor former SCORE members.
On that note, former SCORE members that have access to the data repository: please don't take it upon yourself to release anything. You would be putting others at risk. Have some patience.
Leandro, thank you for the comprehensive post and the leadership. It's good to see you come out swinging with common sense, constructive action and yes, we need patience and discipline.
We've waited this long. A few days or a week or so for a stable i25 release sounds like a dream. A home server in '6 months' sounds like the holy grail.
We don't want to put you, SCORE or any Paragon Developers in jeopardy. No one wants that. I don't want the game at any price. Not at that price.
Again, I say. I hope you're ok. DO look after your health. We don't want any more casualties of 'war.' I always found you to be a positive force in the CoH community and P.R wing of the SCORE that gave me the confidence that the game would come back and this day would arrive. That you and the SCORE team were custodians of the game is fine by me. You've preserved it. Improved it. Refined it. And players or rather, 'Heroes' who have 'Fallen' got to play it...that's more than fine by me.
Star Wars galaxies took years and it had legions of programmers on it and a source leak from Sony themselves. (Correct me, if I'm wrong on that...folks.)
I was always prepared for this to take about ten years as a comparative timeline. So the fact that it's happening sooner(TM) is a bonus to me.
That you're passing over 'source code' to get others involved, help develop or to just play is good news. The time seems about right.
This allows developers to ponder the next moves for the game. Whilst people can enjoy SCORE'S work on issue 25 'Unbroken Spirit.' A worthy release and a worthy title for the CoH Community.
Having something that includes i24's content is exciting enough. But to have SCORE's hard work on issue 25 with revisions (I'll more than trust you guys, we have ICON and the Paragon Chat and the excellent work on SG bases as reminders of what sound work you've done) for stability and other 'Easter Eggs...' will be the 'worthy' release that we'd all hoped for before it was cruelly shot down.
As Ironwolf has mentioned. Some servers are or will be 'Idiot Proof' real soon and talking home server/LAN within 6 months. I consider this crucial. So the 'mortals' can play it privately. P2P with people we knew. And that way we can 'solo' our way and enjoy the game. Others may want to run a server with 50 friends. Others may want a thriving community of 1000 or more. I think allowing the community to embrace it on many levels allows the CoH community to elevate existentially to the higher level is deserves. It won't be held hostage to fortune anymore by any corporation.
Working together, Leandro, SCORE, Ironwolf and the 'transfixed by legend' programmers getting their hands on the 'code' for the first time is more than we could have hoped for mere days ago.
Regards,
Azrael.