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...

Proves they care?

[Saxerman]

The reason there is a Linux halflife server is not because they 'care' about the Linux community. Its because there are plenty of people willing to host servers on their Linux boxes even though they have no Linux halflife client. More servers equals more value added to their customer base.

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.

needs a windows install...

[Thomas A. Anderson]

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...

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

[Rohan427]

For Simon Brooke: Buy it, you'll like it if you like RPGs and/or D&D.

For those who love to comment without knowing WTF they're talking about:

I have the game, and am running it on Winsucks ONLY because I want to play it more than I want to wait for the Linux client. I will convert to 100% Linux when the client is out.

In the mean time, I have been following the forums and keeping up to date as much as possible on what's up. My take is that it requires a Windows installation because it is in sync with the latest Windows patch, 1.19. In order to get the patch, you must update the game online, and in order to do that, you must have a client. There is no Linux client, so the ONLY way to update is via Winsucks.

So, you update the Winsucks version, copy the necessary files to Linux, install the Linux server, run the check program (fixinstall), and you're all set.

Many people have purchased the game because it supports Linux. There has been a LONG thread in the NWN forums, and given that only about 1 out of 1000 people will actually take part in an online discussion, statistics say that Bioware stands to make (and has made) a load of $$ from Linux gamers like me.

I now have the server installed and running, and I can connect to it from my Winsucks box. Once I get the Linux client, I will be using the Linux version exclusively. I just hope the toolset will be ported to Linux as well (I've heard it's supposed to be) so that I will have no need for Winsucks NWN at all (the damn thing is unstable as hell on Winsucsk, like everything else I have is.)

For those saying that someone should tar up the game after installing on Linux:

I say you need to be flogged and your Linux privledges removed. Linux needs more game companies like Bioware/Atari/Infogames supporting it, but if this is the attitude of Linux users, than it serves us right if we never get another game for Linux ever again. Oh, and please refrain from D/L my game engine. Though it is GPL, I shudder at the thought of you (and you know who you are) tainting it with your electronic touch.

PGA (AKA Rohan)

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.

Operating Systems

[Rydia]

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.

Why you need Windows to install Linux Server

[jaaron]

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.