The Shot Heard Around Paragon City - SCORE Public Release

[Taceus Jiwede]

Important, because a lot of people are taking out of their arse.

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. *snipped*

I'm gonna be honest, I don't know what most of that means.  But I trust this is being handled by people that do, I also trust any changes to the code were necessary.  So I will just continue sitting here patiently because this is the first time in many years I have felt hope for CoH, and even that just feels good.  Do what you gotta do, don't go crazy, and stay safe.

I wish I could help with the project but I don't know anything about anything when it comes to this stuff.  All I could do is compose you some soothing thinkin' music.

[ivanhedgehog]

Im perfectly happy to wait. I25 looks very good to me

[Deyaniera]

Thank you so much. I have hope again and that helps.

[RGladden]

 :'(

I'm 65 years old....and that is how I feel.

[villainpower]

Important, because a lot of people are taking out of their arse.

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.

I've been lurking this site for a really long time now, haven't really had much of a reason to post. 

However, in the past few days, we've all been on a rollercoaster of emotions here.  I don't want to speak for anyone here, but I do want to say that I've seen and heard all I need to hear, and all initial backlash/hate/immaturity aside, thank you for doing this.  I think it's safe to say that we are all here to enjoy this game once again, and you literally have an army of resources that you can use to help us all get there faster, please utilize us as best you see fit. 

[slickriptide]

First - Leandro, thanks. Your cred is still good as far as I'm concerned.

Second - There are some things of interest in the code dump besides just the server. There's code for the Cryptic 3DSMax plugins, for instance. I haven't tried to compile or use it yet; who knows if a plugin that old will still work with modern Max installations but if it does then there's a path for modding and expanding on the existing models and animations.

Even if it doesn't, there's some sort of exporter that puts out plain-text versions of the Max data that theoretically could be massaged into some other form by someone who knew things about modelling and Max. (That person is not me, sadly.)

[Angel Phoenix77]

Important, because a lot of people are taking out of their arse.

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.

I will admit, I was angry and saddened a few days ago. When this broke, well I felt human in my feelings. Now that you have come forward and shared everything, while I dont understand the 5-6 years thing and probably never will. I will wait for you or Ironwolf to set one up. Even with the leaks you have shown what can happen.
I also want to say how sorry I am for what you went through, I never understood the type of hate you received. I have always thought and held the City of Heroes as the toppy-top of what a community is. And in most aspects I still do. I just have never seen this happen here, in other communities yes. Just not here.

[saipaman]

This is a start on the road to redemption.

[summers]

It's really happening!!!!

[Styrj]

Except for the angry part (I'm sure you had your reasons) I completely agree with Angel Phoenix77's statements.  Carry on Leo!

[Dale-Man]

Thanks Leandro!

[Noyjitat]

Im trying to remember everything we did when swglegends started so hopefully this will help someone.

Server hardware suggestions

When people start looking for hardware a good server host we still use is OVH for swglegends. https://www.ovh.com/world/dedicated-servers/infra/1801eg05.xml

It has locations in Canada and Europe but if you want extra security against take downs you might look elsewhere but we've been fine for 3 years.

We've had as many as 2200 users online since our last upgrade but the site numbers reset at some point and displays 1500ish. I recall OVH being very good with upgrades so start out with what you think we will need and then upgrade accordingly.

Funding the community server

*To fund use paypal donation program plainly posted on the website. See our setup here at the legends forum: https://swglegends.com/forums/forum.php

*Displaying a goal for each month in the donation window and what you actually obtain is best.

*A financial update is posted at the end of each month displaying how much we earned in donations, how much is spent and how much is left over from the previous months. You must save your left over money for any bad months in the future where donations could be short. Your paying for a family of like minded gamers after all.

*Also please make sure more than one trustworthy person has access to this donation account and use 2 step verification. A projects bank can be compromised at anytime

Server mods / Administrators  / GMs, whatever

*Logs, logs and logs - You really need these to prevent gms abusing power....

*Whenever a gm grants or restores items to players, punishes players, etc this all needs to be noted for each occurrence. We ran into a problem with gms giving themselves and guild mates lots of credits and items.

*When you catch people abusing this the items and money need to be completely removed / destroyed.

* GM access should be also given to a backup person should someone attempt to take over the project. We have this happen a couple times in the early days of swgreborn / swglegends

Database backups

*Do plenty of these and maybe even do a test server before making everything official. We had to do database wipes to fix server instability. It's better to start over early than do it months later after everyone has gotten re-established.

Feel free to add, I know I Forgot something.

[Mister Hassenpheffer]

Papa Smurf was condescending as heck.

Well.... I guess I'm stuck with it then...

[Victoria Victrix]

Lullaby For The Cat by Elizabeth Bishop

Minnow, go to sleep and dream,
Close your great big eyes;
Round your bed Events prepare
The pleasantest surprise.

Darling Minnow, drop that frown,
Just cooperate,
Not a kitten shall be drowned
In the Marxist State.

Joy and Love will both be yours,
Minnow, don't be glum.
Happy days are coming soon--
Sleep, and let them come...

[Ironwolf]

I have been hanging out in the coding discord for City of heroes and they have a server up and are working on fixing many of the issues Leandro had.

It is estimated a server will be fully working by this weekend and a possible home Lan build in a few months. The normal home desktop is faster than the servers in 2012.

Soon is almost now. I wouldn't bother trying to upload the current files as they are being reworked to run faster and more stable. The new code will enable a normal $50 a month server to host around 150 to 200 players.

[Ultimate15]

I have been hanging out in the coding discord for City of heroes and they have a server up and are working on fixing many of the issues Leandro had.

It is estimated a server will be fully working by this weekend and a possible home Lan build in a few months. The normal home desktop is faster than the servers in 2012.

Soon is almost now. I wouldn't bother trying to upload the current files as they are being reworked to run faster and more stable.

I could kiss you. I won't, because boundaries and consent and yadda yadda... BUT I COULD KISS YOU.

[summers]

...I have two weeks of annual leave, can I play? :D

[Ironwolf]

The next step is reworking the entire game and folks are planning to do that once they have stable server code up. These folks are incredible with the speed they work. It is quite amazing.

[Rejolt]

There's going to be too many rushing in and I don't blame them lol. Any idea how to fix traffic flow? I don't even know how a patcher works for something like this.

[Ironwolf]

I think in the next month you are going to be seeing a LOT of servers.

I know 1 server was up and another one was being worked to add the fixes they were doing from the first one, live - as I said it is amazing to see these folks work. I won't be needing to host a special server - they are going to be simple to host - they are working on making the install idiot proof.