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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."
That does suck...And then throw in Install shield leads to a few issues :(. But this is good of course, thanks Bioware.
Oh well at least this is here!!!!
Next up, client!
Fuzzle
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...
Slashdot is a waste of time. I enjoy wasting time.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Bioware doesn't care about the Linux community or isn't moving forward on a Linux client. But let's be honest here. They're releasing a Linux client for themselves and their windows players. I am, however, very thankful to rate second. That is infinately more attention then most game companies give us.
A steaming cup of soykaf would be real wiz right now.
They dont list the requirements. I have a old machine that could run nwn but it would be slow. I wonder what the requirements for a server would be. Dont imagine it to be that high but no clue. will have to try it anyways.
Also instead of doing a full install on the machine(HD is too small for win +nwn +linux +linux nwn) I think I will burn those directories to a CD so if I have to wipe and reinstall the linux multipule times or decide to play with it on different linux machines it would be quicker to do.
Though I wonder if running a dedicated linux server will take up your CD key? If I have the server up could I then connect to it with my other machine even though both will be installed off the same CD key. Either way this should be fun.
-THIS SPACE FOR RENT!
Okay, per Bioware's site - the first step is to install NN into windows (to create some files that will be copied to the linux partition). I think this is similar to what Loki did in the past - create a linux binary of the game (or in this case, the server), then write an installer to get the game files from the cd (cause they are packed up somehow). The question is: will bioware allow us to write an installer for linux that avoids having to install into windows and copy files over.
The windows cd would still be required (as it should be) - I'm not trying to circumvent that at all - I just wonmder what's involved in unpacking the files from cd and "installing" (copying) to disk...
I only ask because I don't have windows installed anywhere in my home or business.
Another option would be winex...
Personally its not God I dislike, its his fan club I cant stand (bash.org)
Their website works fine in Mozilla, Galeon, and Konqueror for me. Something is wrong on your end.
Slashdot is a waste of time. I enjoy wasting time.
from the article
k
:)
4. Transfer the following files from your Windows installation to a directory in Linux:
Required Files:
data/*
override/*
chitin.key
dialog.tl
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
Here is what I am gonna try and do.
with machine running win(have two machines)
instll NWN and update.
burn select directories to CD
walk Cd over to linux machine.
copy files and add linux update.
run.
Keeping the files on CD will also make it easy on myself if the HD was to fail on the linux box(old drive) or if I choose to wipe and reinstll a different distro.
-THIS SPACE FOR RENT!
Well, it also depends somewhat on how well MS succeeds in trying to ruin linux through strategies like Palladium and such.
As general interest in Linux grows, so does its threat to MS' user base, and MS doesnt like threats.
Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean there isn't an invisible demon about to eat your face
... you can just use the NWN toolset to create terrains and areas for it. (A lot easier than writing their own toolset I bet!)
I say in another two years, we'll see Linux reach a critical point and have about 10% of the desktop market share. People were saying that at least 5 years ago when I first started reading /.
I'm not doubting that linux is (slowly) gaining momentum. However it might be just me but it seems like 2 years always flys by and people are still chanting the same "linux on the desktop is coming."
This comment was generated by a Squadron of Ultra Ninjas
I run FreeBSD --
I'm very seriously considering hosting a dedicated server on my BSD box...
...
My question is, does anybody know if FreeBSD's Linux Compatibility will actually run the NWN Dedicated Server?
If nobody can tell me, I'm sure I'll find out here shortly.
...
"Everything you know is wrong. (And stupid.)"
Moderation Totals: Wrong=2, Stupid=3, Total=5.
Looked fine last time I tried with Mozilla 1.0 on Windows. So unless Moz renders differently on Linux, it should look fine there too.
:)
I hope you aren't talking about Netscape 4.x on Linux when you write "Netscape".
Beware: In C++, your friends can see your privates!
It seems that this requires windows JUST so you can copy a few files over from the installation.
Why can't they make these available as another download or even part of the Linux download?
Let's all let our money go where our heart is, and make it pay for them to do the linux release. It's the only way we're gonna get more l33t gamez for our boxem. =)
---
"The chances of a demonic possession spreading are remote -- relax."
"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
1/ They said a linux client was going to be in the box.
It is not.
2/ suddenly you need windows installed to install linux things.
I don't have that.
3/ the eula:
I've read it and section 5 wich grants infogrammes rights to publish MY work without MY concent is illegal in MY country which happens to be Infogramme's country too.
you hereby grant back to Infogrames and BioWare an irrevocable royalty-free right to use and distribute such Variations by any means, and to make such modifications thereto as Infogrames and/or BioWare deem are necessary to package, combine, and otherwise distribute such Variations.
This starts to smell bad.
Yes, I know this is late and no one cares anymore, but I WOULD like to point out that Bioware has done an incredible job at least trying to justify and make this game work cross-platform. From the very start, there were supposed to be FOUR versions of NWN, one for Windows, MacOS, Linux and finally BeOS. Come on, any company that would seriously consider developing for 4 completely different platforms (including one that was never popular in its prime) is at least making some sort of effort. You must also remember, the chunk that Bioware bit off would be a far sight more than a lot of companies could chew. Most would slack off and cut features, or in the least cut corners with gameplay elements, which Bioware DID NOT do. This sizable undertaking took them FOUR YEARS to complete. Since then, the BeOS port fell to the wayside (they couldn't justify writing for a dead OS), and my thinking on the Mac client is that they were not adequetely prepared for the (decently drastic) switch between OS 9 and OS X. As for the windows client, it was rushed to market before they were completely satisfied (there was a patch available the day it was released), probably to appease Infogrames (which bailed them out when they got in that big spat with Interplay, if you recall). I mean, what kind of game has a beta that lasts less than a month? That leaves the linux client. They promised it at launch, but when they bumped up (or didn't delay, rather) the windows client, I assume they didn't think it would be worth it to rush the linux client to market, and wanted to do things right (a pretty big assumption, granted, but I do believe Bioware is that kind of company. If they didn't have to worry about publishing they'd remind me a lot of Nintendo.) So, we get the linux server (albeit a bit late), with promises for a linux client "soon," but if you really look at it, I think you have to respect the great effort these people put forth to make this game available for EVERYONE, with full cross-platform compatibility. As for the windows install required for the linux applications, that probably wasn't there not so long ago. The plan was to release all 3 clients (and then later just the 2) on-disc, out of the same box. My best guess is that all that got ripped to shreds when they decided they wouldn't want to release a new edition with the windows and linux clients in stores so soon after the initial launch, so they decided to leave the client all by its lonesome online and grab the libraries off the windows install. True, that doesn't justify the absence of a proper linux install, but it at least might explain why they chose to go this route. Either way, becrying their tactics as valvian is, I think, rather off the mark when you consider what they at least tried to do.
Right now one of the main reasons you need a Windows install for the Linux server is because the Linux server needs the 1.19 patch. Currently, the only way to get the patch is to use the in-game update. The patch files have not yet been released for manual patching of the game. Hopefully these will be released soon. When they are released, then it will probably be possible to extract the other files needed from your CD (no guarentee here). My point is, if you can be patient for a little longer, those without a Windows partition are probably going to be able to install this.
I know that despite the release of the server, some people are still upset with Bioware about the delayed Linux support and/or the EULA. I'd just like to point out that this is still a significant step for Linux gaming. That a Linux client was even considered from the start is significant. Bioware has been incredibly open with this game. The toolset is amazing. You can even open up Bioware's own modules to see how they wrote the NWN chapters shipped with the game. The situation is not perfect, but I have to give Bioware more credit than many other gaming companies.
Who said Freedom was Fair?
Infogames will be doing the port to Mac in the fall. Press release at http://www.bioware.com/bioware_info/press_releases / wnmac/
Who said Freedom was Fair?
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.
Hmn. Modules seem to load just fine for me. I'm running Red Hat 7.2, so I don't know if it is a particular problem in 7.3.
I guess I'd check to see if anything was missed.
"You spoony bard!" -Tellah
And I think it is only HALF of the CD key as well, not all of it. According to Bioware, there is a public part of the CD key, and a private part of the CD key.
Banning by CD key IS a good idea for the most part, except that there is always the problem of someone banning a stolen CD key... and blocking the legitimate owner of that key.
"You spoony bard!" -Tellah
Buy Windows.
Backup data.
Repartition your disk(s).
Install Windows.
Repair damage Windows did to boot sector.
Your list
Repartition disks to preferred scheme.
Post Windows on EBay.
--
"Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.
You mean, it doesn't install, or it doesn't run once installed? Because if you want to copy the required files for a subsequent Linux install, all you need is a successful installation, not to actually get NWN working under Wine. Also, did you try with Wine or with WineX (AFAIK, WineX has better support for InstallShield).
Reminder: find a new sig
Passworded, of course, because I don't want strangers on my realm. It's just for me and my friends.
There are hints of a remote admin utility in the works. Specifically, one of the configuration options is for a remote admin password. Unfortunately, no hints on when this tool will be available. Since my server is headless, I am using "screens" to be able to reconnect to the NWN server interactive mode at will. This solves the problem of my client box not running 24/7 like the server. My wife hates my client box, big ass volcano 7 fan which is rather noisy and right next to our bed. The server is nice and quiet and tucked away in a closet.
Only one major problem really remains. My router, smc 7004abr, doesn't have a good way to redirect a large block of ports. I tried using its "special application" port settings, but that didn't seem to work. Forwarding by specific ports is very limited on the number it can handle.
-- Will program for bandwidth
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.
Tux Games. Your complete source for native Linux games.
I just ran is successfully but hit CTRL-c by accident (windows copy in wrong window!)
.something directories and dies if they aren't in a good state
When I tried to restart I got an ASSERT error
the server makes a few
can't tell you which ones, I dumped the whole directory and strated from scratch before I noticed
There are places where the networks are not touching,and there are places where they are-Boeing's Lori Gunter