NeverWinter Nights Dedicated Linux Server Released

Ivan writes: "Bioware has released a dedicated Linux server for NeverWinter Nights. It requires a Windows install to use, but it definitely shows that they care about Linux users and are making progress towards the Linux client."

Comments

Re:Wanna bet?

[Dunkalis]

What do you mean? If you buy the Windows client, the Linux client is free. I'm getting it, and so are many other people. This is just another misguided AC...

Re:browsers

[Dunkalis]

Their website works fine in Mozilla, Galeon, and Konqueror for me. Something is wrong on your end.

it requires a windows installation because

[atari2600]

from the article

4. Transfer the following files from your Windows installation to a directory in Linux:

Required Files:
data/*
override/*
chitin.key
dialog.tlk

Recommended Files:
nwm/* - Official campaign modules
modules/* - User modules
hak/* - Hak paks
patch/* - Updated files
nwnplayer.ini - User settings

So once you get these files, someone make a tar of them and keep them for peeps to use and mention the configuration of the windows thing (like what kind of install was used) and there you go - you dont need windows no more :)

Re:it requires a windows installation because

[Jace of Fuse!]

You go right ahead and copy the data-files off of someone else, as long as you bought the original you are complying with fair use.

The problem however, is that CHITIN.KEY -- Assuming that of course IS the Keyfile. You see, every copy of Neverwinter Nights has a unique Key associated with the user who registered at Bioware for multiplayer gaming.

I sure as heck wouldn't want to be the person whose key is tagged as "pirated", since I paid enough for this game I'd actually like to play it.

Oh, and since I fully intend to host a dedicated server running the MUD-LIKE opened-ended module I'm writing, I'd also like to have my friends to be able to actually log into my server and play.

Assuming the Linux people play fair and don't take Bioware's generosity as an opprotunity to "stick it to the man", I think the Linux client is an absolutely awesome thing. Unfortunately, I fully expect warezed copies of NWN to ruin things for a whole lot of people.

Re:it requires a windows installation because

[prockcore]

"The problem however, is that CHITIN.KEY -- Assuming that of course IS the Keyfile. You see, every copy of Neverwinter Nights has a unique Key associated with the user who registered at Bioware for multiplayer gaming."

Lucky for you, I know a thing or two about how both the Aurora engine and the Infinity engine work (the key/bif format is the same for both). Worry not, young warrior, CHITIN.KEY is not a key file. It's a hash index for all the resources used in the game (look up a specific resource in the key file and it'll tell you which .BIF the resources is in, as well as where in the .BIF it is)

Re:Some random thoughts on Linux Neverwinternights

[Thomas A. Anderson]

I read on the bioware site that the server does not use up a key...

java nwn client

[Anonymous Coward]

There is a Java client, capable of rendering nwn terrain tiles and avatars. It is part of a larger project to create a Java MMORPG. It can be found at http://xmud.sourceforge.net.

Re:WARNING! Trust your server admin!

[Anonymous Coward]

"I really recommend _not_ to play on public servers, since the admin can see your cd key _VERY_ easy. "

Every key has a public part and a private part. Admins can see the public part of the key. This is so the admin can ban a specific key tied to a specific player

Re:Concerns about neverwinternight:

[barzok]

You neglected to mention that the EULA has been revised.

Re:Concerns about neverwinternight:

[imr]

And, unless there is another new eula, you forgot to read it as this is still in the eula:
Here is the link for the new eula from bioware site.
Extract:
We have tried to address your concerns and here is the new EULA.
.......
5. Infogrames' and BioWare's Use of Variations. If you Distribute, or permit others to Distribute, your Variations, you hereby grant back to Infogrames and BioWare an irrevocable royalty-free right to use and distribute such Variations by any means.

And this is still illegal in my country where the original work of an author is protected and his rights in court are "souverain". Which means that if someone distribute any original work of an author without his written concent in a legal contract, his work is still his and a contract and repairs have to be done and paid that must be the most favorable possible to the author.
And this country is still infogramme's country.
On the other hand Infogramme is famous for having acquired a lot of works at incredible low rates wich then made incredible sales. Try to find what the author of "alone in the dark" say about his cooperation with them. His name is Frédérick Raynal.
(in french it's here.)

You forgot to run the "fixinstall" script

[Blackwulf]

This basically converts all the files from DOS to Linux after you have installed them. I forgot this step too, until I reread the directions very carefully. It's step 4 in their 5 step process.

So...Run fixinstall, and THEN nwserver. :>

Re:Tuxgames

[michaelsimms]

The way we will be doing it is we will be waiting till there is a Linux client before we ship. This is for two reasons:

a ) Most people who order from us are not interested in the Windows client, so shipping twice is just a waste of money for us (we will have to eat the cost of a second shipping, and that is not a negligable cost based on how many copies we have sold).
b ) We have news that there is a possibility of an actual Linux release - instead of a downloadable addon to the Windows version. If this happens, then the Windows version WILL NOT WORK for Linux.

However, if one of our customers wishes for us to ship the Windows version, we will do so anyway, on the condition they understand that the game they receive may never work under Linux if a dedicated Linux version IS released.