DemoRadar/CityRadar (was CoHRadar)

[SaintNicster]

DemoRadar/CityRadar now available in the Apple App Store!
CityRadar for iOS

https://images.weserv.nl/?url=l-userpic.livejournal.com%2F86080241%2F2315727
Download CoHRadar - Available for PC and Mac (requires Java)
EDIT (9/21/2011):  New link

CoHRadar uses a demofile created by the client to create a 2D map of all game entities that your machine has been told about.

The map is useful as it can highlight were a hostage, glowie, or even where Quantum and Void-type enemies may be.

Just a note that it doesn't where any of the walls/boundaries are (and can't without decompiling the PIGG files), so you'll have to take into account when using it for navigation.

Those of you who have been around a while may remember the old "Blinkie Finder" program that was created around I6/I7.  I used this as my starting place and reverse-engineered a lot of the functionality it provided.

Full instructions can be found here

Also, the full source code is available in the JAR file and on SourceForge if you're curious/skeptical.  A bug tracker and request organizer organizer are also provided.

[Maverick X]

I still use blinkie finder. I'll have to check this out. Thanks! =]

[Tazhyngarth]

Sweet!  I can't wait to test this out.

[Voltaic Shock]

Nice!  I will have to try this out as well.

[Steiner]

Tested and Working!

Not as close to real-time as I was hoping. But... yea this thing is pretty diesel.



I'm going to take the source and figure out a way to get things to run in real time... and possibly some other features I can't promise only because I can't guarantee them.

I'll keep ya posted Saint, definitely would like involved in my version, since your inspired me to try my own hand.

I'll see if I can stick to Java for the Mac clients, but I can almost promise that there will be a better version of said project done in VB.NET.

[SaintNicster]

I don't want it running in real time.  That pushes the program into a further gray area than what HeroStats/CIT are already in.

The reason that it was written in Java was to enable cross-OS programming.  Creating that in VB.net completely defeats the purpose.  You want mac users to be even more alienated from CIT/Titan?

ALSO:
My program only reads demo files produced by the game.  It doesn't read from the clients memory or from the PIGG files.  That is how this stays 'legal' regarding the EULA.  Fork if you want, but my CoHRadar won't include that.

[Steiner]

Understood Entirely!

I'm intending to keep it within the EULA. My main idea was to have the demo recording all the time... with a constant running script that deletes the obsolete chunk of the demo every x seconds.

This should work with slightly more resources used... and possibly loading up images of recognized maps into the 2d display.

I don't plan to do anything you'd dis-approve.

Also, it's been publicly announced that the PIGG data is more than available to use and view on a private level. Meaning as long as you don't make any of the information PUBLIC or use it to abuse the game... and lastly selling said app for profit everything is good.

[SuckerPunch]

You want mac users to be even more alienated from CIT/Titan?

Whoah, that's not even remotely fair.  It's not like anyone in the gaming community had any clue they would ever make a Mac client.  In fact, several times the devs had stated it wasn't going to happen.

I understand what you're saying but to insinuate we did anything willingly or on purpose to push Mac users aside is completely unfair. 

[SaintNicster]

Whoah, that's not even remotely fair.  It's not like anyone in the gaming community had any clue they would ever make a Mac client.  In fact, several times the devs had stated it wasn't going to happen.

I understand what you're saying but to insinuate we did anything willingly or on purpose to push Mac users aside is completely unfair. 

Hmm, so that's what my foot tastes like.  Good to know.

Welcome back to posting, SP.  I hate like it had to be like that -.-

/backpedals

Ok, so that didn't come out right at all. Didn't mean to blame, though it certainly looks like that.  I was trying to go for was that now that the game is Cross-OS, we (as fan developers) have somewhat of a duty to develop for both.  Now obviously, there is a bit of grandfathering when it comes to things that already exists.  The HeroStats engine will not be an easy thing to port (if at all possible).  What I was trying to imply was that at this point, we should avoid making more incompatible programs.  The code base shouldn't be split over two languages.

Err, crap.  The more I say the deeper I digg.  Let's just say that it was a douche-y comment and I'll shut up about it >.>

[SaintNicster]

Understood Entirely!

I'm intending to keep it within the EULA. My main idea was to have the demo recording all the time... with a constant running script that deletes the obsolete chunk of the demo every x seconds.

That sounds like botting, which I'm fairly sure is against the EULA.

Also, it's been publicly announced that the PIGG data is more than available to use and view on a private level. Meaning as long as you don't make any of the information PUBLIC or use it to abuse the game... and lastly selling said app for profit everything is good.

I was fairly certain that nothing has ever been said like this.  Can you point me to a redname or such?

[eabrace]

I took the radar for a quick spin when I got home tonight.  I fed it some demo files I'd recorded of things like the Arachnos Flier's flight path.

Way too cool!

I could have some fun with this.

[Steiner]

That sounds like botting, which I'm fairly sure is against the EULA.
I was fairly certain that nothing has ever been said like this.  Can you point me to a redname or such?

I'm deleting the parts of the demo file, it isn't effecting the client at all. Shouldn't be botting.

It was paraphrasing from a red-name in a forum section on the Official forms that not everyone has access to.

Also. I know GNL and GNU rights inside and out... the second they put a file on your computer they release a common use license to you. Meaning we can do what ever we want with it as long as we don't publically display said info or try to profit from it.

Further more,

7. OFFICIAL SERVICE

NC Interactive has designed the Game(s) for official play only as offered through the Service by NC Interactive at the Web Site and not through any other means. You further agree not to access, create or provide any other means through which the Game(s) may be played by others, as through server emulators. You agree not to use any hardware or software, including but not limited to third party tools, or any other method of support which may in any way influence or advantage your use of the Service which is not authorized by NC Interactive, including but not limited to the use of 'bots' and/or any other method by which the Service may be played automatically without human input.  You acknowledge that you do not have the right to create, publish, distribute, create derivative works from or use any software programs, utilities, applications, emulators or tools derived from or created for the Game(s) except that you may use the Software to the extent expressly permitted by this Agreement. You may not take any action which imposes an unreasonable or disproportionately large load on our infrastructure.

Notice the bold... HS, TNT and even the map packs from B-H.com are in violation of the EULA... yet COH doesn't care... BECAUSE no profit is being made and game content NOT made public is being kept that way. That's all that matters to them.

No harm in bending the rules to help peoples experience.

[SaintNicster]

I'm deleting the parts of the demo file, it isn't effecting the client at all. Shouldn't be botting.

When you enter the /demorecord command, that only creates the placeholder/empties the file for the demo.  The demo itself isn't written to the disk until you fire off the /demostop command.  I had to handle this when loading the files.

[Steiner]

really!?

Dang... that sucks bananas.

[Tazhyngarth]

In yo Face Steiner!  You're doing it wrong!  HA!

...I don't know, just felt the need to do that.... :P

Don't worry about your Post Saint, we all know you're a good guy and not out to make intentionally offensive Posts.  We all know how hard it is to 100% see the intent of certain Posts because expressions aren't typed out very easily.

[SuckerPunch]

I understood what you were saying, but I didn't want anyone to think for a second we have something against Mac users.

I do agree with you that going forward we/fansites in general should do what they can to support both platforms. 

But for now, the existing stuff is at the mercy of someone that knows how to get that stuff working on a Mac. None of us are Java guys, or really have a Mac to test on.  If you or anyone that does have such experience, a Mac, and the time, I'd love to get in contact and see what can be worked out.


Anyway, don't want to derail this thread anymore.   This looks really cool, awesome work!

[Voltaic Shock]

My wife has a Mac - :P

[SaintNicster]

My wife has a Mac - :P

Well there go your excuses ;)

[Tazhyngarth]

No no, our excuses stay, because it's his wifes computer, and he's not allowed to use it for anything :P.

idk, that's the only saving grace I see with that statement LOL!

[DarthSmaug]

wow, even moar goodies! gonna check this out now on my laptop. first I gotta go read up on the demo recording (I make demos in Team Fortress 2 all the time!)
you guys NEVER cease to amaze me, thanks.
i can rebuild a holley carb pretty qwik ;) lolz