Development Log

[William]

Decided Changes
Still Under Consideration
Finished
Need Real Explanation
Ideas with * is taken from Valkorian

• Features
  
• Server Side Who's Online Listview*
  
• Server Side Kick/Disconnect/Ban*
  
• Reload more than classes
  
• Sex*
  
• External Account Editor program*
  
• External 'Guide to Begin' program
  
• Shop System
  
• Better Music System
  
• fMod
  
  Changes & Addons
  
• Cleaned up frmMirage + a few other
  
• New GUI's
  
• NPC AI
  
• Real server loop
  
• Removed 'on error resume next'
  
• Packet Spoof Check*
  
• Chat text now typed into a text box*
  
• Remove Chat Box resize
  
• Case-sensitive password*
  
• DoEvents used less-frequently*
  
• Better drop security
  
• Option Explicit added to all forms & modules
  
• Uses a function for Random numbers
  
• Protection against speed hacks
  
• MS icon
  
• Insert password twice upon account creation
  
• Removed 2 timers and put them in the game loop instead.
  
  Optimizations
  
• Optional IOCP/winsock/sox Through dll
  
• Surfaces
  
• Byte Arrays
  
• Binary instead of ini
  
• Add $
  
• vbNullString instead of ""
  
• Packet Buffer
  
• Don't regen when full
  
• Added Sleep 1 to consume less RAM
  
• Changed from Video memory to System memory
  
  Bug Fixing
  
• Removed CheckInput2
  
• Spell Level Req
  
• Inventory and Spell List Scrolling
  
• Correct time on Shutdown Timer
  
• NPCs are targeted when standing on top of items*
  
• Frozen NPC bug*
  
• Equip x2 bug*
  
• Ban list destroy bug*
  
• Minemize to System Tray
  
• Position Modification*
  
• Don't load the map twice
  
• Prevent Dupeing
  
• Music works
  
• SubSP Bug
  
• Position Modification When Updating a Map
  
• Error Message + Server Down

+http://echostorms.net/Mirage/changes.txt

The list will be updated regularly..

[Harry]

Yeah the Gui and Gfx seem pointless, and i really wouldn't add iocp, just write a tutorial and give people the choice, just get a copy of Valkoria (however it's spelled) and make that the new Mse, lol.

[William]

Custom gfx and new guis will be done. It will only be very basic but the current GUI for MS is not very user friendly. First when I downloaded ms, I saw the guis and thought, ouch.. This seems very limited etc..

And IOCP was in consideration So its not decided.

[William]

Either or, SC granted the rights for MS to use use the GUI, but people who uses MS cannot use the GUI in their games (during testing or final version). If the GUI were replaced, then there would be nothing to worry about

[William]

Yeah, according to the license:

As of March 20, 2006, Mirage Source Engine is Public Domain. It is requested, but not required, to place Mirage Source and Shannara Corporation in the credits of your MSE based product.
Please note, the GUI graphics are still copyrighted by Shannara Corporation, and can not be used in your product. This is due to Copyright Laws. The GUI graphics are there for demonstration purpose only. You must replace the GUI graphics before releasing your product.
-Shannara-
CEO, Shannara Corporation

But I still think a fresh new gui would be good.

[Misunderstood]

Also:
Byte Packets(If you use constants or enums, it will still be easy to read)
Security (More server checks, the client should only get user responses and display what is happening.
-Fixed Npc AI, such as pathfinding(I can help with this) and possibly some from Kite's advanced npc tut? I don't know whats in that though
-Make things more efficient overall.

[William]

Byte Packets will probably end up in it. Although I would be glad if I didnt need to do all the work on that part, cause it takes so much time.. Grim I know you like doing it

[Misunderstood]

Byte Packets will probably end up in it. Although I would be glad if I didnt need to do all the work on that part, cause it takes so much time.. Grim I know you like doing it

Ha, I definitely vote for him

[Robin]

Stock IOCP = *shakes head*

[Tony]

Isn't IOCP only for winXP? Well I don't know cause I have winXP, not sure about other versions of windows. I'm thinking it would result in users having problems.

:: Pando

[Misunderstood]

Pretty much Pando, but that only applies server side.

[Rian]

Yeah, I think MSE should be all about optimization. There's an easy to follow tut about IOCP somewhere around here.

Surfaces, binary files, etc.

[Tony]

IOCP is simple to add in, just that I'm afraid loads of users might have problems with it. I was thinking maybe 2 versions of ms. i.e. Winsock or IOCP. IOCP ( winXP, recommended.) .

:: Pando

[Misunderstood]

Maybe a Sox and IOCP. It would be better if we just had an ADT(Abstract Data Type) with the general methods of sending and receiving, then it would be as simple as switching one class.

[SoccerPeter]

I'm gonna be more active here with william here, he seems more open to suggestion: I was gonna say SOX to not hinder the server to soley NT/XP users, but you guys thought of it.

[William]

Maybe a Sox and IOCP. It would be better if we just had an ADT(Abstract Data Type) with the general methods of sending and receiving, then it would be as simple as switching one class.

Mis is correct. Include the communication code in an external DLL "plugin"

That way, if they are foolishly trying to run their server on win 3.1/95/98/ME, they still could by switching the DLL.

It all sounds good. it will make it more optional

[grimsk8ter11]

i have IOCP and byte array in my MSE2, im just not sure if it works lol.

[Misunderstood]

Good idea dave.

Lordgivemick...I don't think you understand, we aren't focused on features for the sake of features, but on security and speed right now. Paperdoll does not improve security and is not even desired for some. You still don't take the time to reread your posts and make them more readable. sertiant? wtf? Don't both answering that...it was rhetorical.

[William]

You can simply remove the code from the client on your own. So thats not a good way of increasing security by adding 2 clients.

[William]

Yes but the features you add to the admin client will also have to be added to the player client. Therefore it gives you twice the job to keep both client up to date.

[William]

I understand what you mean, but I'd say its the programmers decision, and he can simply just remove the forms and whats used for them.

[halla]

005. ADDED: Sex.

Cant have a game without it :wink:

[halla]

male and female characters, pervert.

Hey I was just bored and had to do it.

[William]

They aint that hard. Althought I dont understand what you mean with all of them. Its christmas today, so I dont think I will do much work today. So if you feel like doing it today, feel free to do so.

But, we need to decide íf we should use Grims base for MSE2 before.

[Robin]

Must have:

1. Real server loop.

2. Basic, but much needed, packet optimisations.

3. Much more user-friendly GUI (still with picture boxes maybe, but not with everything like it was *blurgh* Took me days to work frmMirage out itself)

I think we should all stay focused here though, this is a basic engine we are creating.

We should not:

1. Work on any of the items, npcs (except maybe AI), maps etc.

2. Add tons of features which people might not like (we need to keep it open to everyone)

3. Make the engine specific to one game genre (even though most people create western medieval, we need to keep the engine open)

4. Add pointless things like multi-server, IOCP, combat enhancements, pixel by pixel movement, etc. etc.