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RunUO Ultima Online Emulator Goes Opensource

Posted by Zonk on from the first-major-opensource-mmog? dept.

Retalin writes "It looks like RunUO, the largest Ultima Online Emulator around has decided to opensource their project. It's caused quite a stir in their 40,000+ userbase." From the announcement post: "The RunUO team has collectively decided that we will be open sourcing RunUO's core to the public. At this point for the most part, the core is done and the only things remaining are game layer features. We have totally rewritten the networking piece of RunUO and Factions are pretty stable. We have completed a lot of the Ninja additions to UO and are ready to release the core code to the world."

43 comments

  1. First Order Of Business by GweiLeong · · Score: 2, Funny

    Nude patch

    1. Re:First Order Of Business by Fr05t · · Score: 1

      Wasn't that in the pre-alpha release?

    2. Re:First Order Of Business by WWWWolf · · Score: 1

      Definitely.

      And after that is done, let's make the bathhouse in Buccaneer's Den a bit more "true to the spirit of the offline Ultimas". =)

  2. UO Emu? by skadus · · Score: 1

    Is this like the 'open server' versions of Ragnarok Online that you can play for free? Or more like a UI hack, like for WoW? I'm honestly curious. I've never heard of this. I might pick it up if it's not tied into a pay-for-play.

    1. Re:UO Emu? by Goosey · · Score: 1

      This is a shard emulation program. Choice #1 sir.

      --
      --- "End Of Line" - MCP
    2. Re:UO Emu? by Kethinov · · Score: 1

      RunUO is not an emulator! (Flashbacks of WINE discussions are hitting me...)

      I have been participating in the UO "emulation" community for years and every single time someone uses the term "emulator" to describe third party UO server software, I cringe. RunUO used this term for a very long time as well. Only recently has their site done away with it. (Perhaps due to my nonstop complaining? ;))

      Thankfully they have. RunUO is now no longer referred to by the developers incorrectly as an emulator.

      Why this fuss?

      RunUO emulates about as much as WINE. Or Samba. Those aren't emulations. Those are reverse engineerings. Third party implimentations of a closed protocol/api/whatever.

      Now if only the RunUO team would stop calling those C# modules "scripts", I'd be happy. :)

      --
      You're right, I wouldn't steal a car. But if it were possible, I sure as hell would download one!
  3. From the FA by byolinux · · Score: 3, Informative

    RunUO is a Microsoft .NET based Ultima Online game server package. The software will allow you to run your own Ultima Online server, with limitless possibilites!

    --
    Join the Free Software Foundation
  4. Why hasn't EA killed this? by Skynet · · Score: 2, Interesting

    This is pretty much the same thing as the battlenet emulator that Blizzard killed, is it not? Why hasn't EA shot it down?

    --
    Execute? [Y/N] _
    1. Re:Why hasn't EA killed this? by Goosey · · Score: 0

      The confusion runs deep. EA = Evil Enemy, Blizzard = Friend who loves me!

      I am conficted!

      I am astonishmed!

      I am astonishmed!

      I am emotionally upset!

      I am befuddled!

      I am bewilded!

      I am confounded!

      I am perplexed!

      I am puzzled!

      I am unsettled!

      At least we know we can still agree Microsoft is evil, right? :)

      --
      --- "End Of Line" - MCP
    2. Re:Why hasn't EA killed this? by shaitand · · Score: 1

      Because the only legal basis Blizzard had for shutting it down to begin with was the EULA on the client and EULA aren't even firmly established legal ground AFAIK. The WoW emulator guys simply caved at the first threat, it's not like Blizzard actually fought and won.

    3. Re:Why hasn't EA killed this? by petrus4 · · Score: 1

      The Terms of Service Agreement for The Sims Online specifically prohibits emulation. Given that UO was really the first MMORPG (I know, I know, but I'm not talking about MUDs) in existence...or one of the first, EA got blindsided by a few things...Emulation and trading, specifically. They were very quick to learn from their mistakes in that regard with TSO, however. What of course they've never understood or been willing to accept is that it is only their own bungling incompetence with regards to managing the game on their own servers that has created demand for emulated servers in the first place.

    4. Re:Why hasn't EA killed this? by Skynet · · Score: 1

      I would be VERY surprised to see EA not have some sort of similar EULA on UO. We're talking about EA here.

      Blizzard still effectively shut it down. It wasn't tested in court but I am willing to bet that they would win if put to the test.

      Lawyers w/lots of money is a pretty scary sight.

      --
      Execute? [Y/N] _
    5. Re:Why hasn't EA killed this? by prisonernumber7 · · Score: 4, Informative

      I'm an avid UO server software developer (not RunUO) myself and I can explain a little as to why: Years ago, Richard Garriot who held the rights to Ultima Online at that time sent out an open letter where he declared that he was fine with people developing uo server software and running free servers (freeshards) as long as they did not turn a profit from them.

      --
      && aemula C. ab stirpe interiit
    6. Re:Why hasn't EA killed this? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Maybe because U.O. is a game based upon a 13 year old game, and they aren't catering to the "OMG BESTEST GAME CROWD" and maybe as it wasn't DEVELOPED by EA.

      EA SATAN MICROSOFT

    7. Re:Why hasn't EA killed this? by shaitand · · Score: 1

      Yes but even if the EULA is upheld all they can do is cancel your account. The legal expenses are alot scarier than the consquences of a TOS violation ;) What they threaten and the actual damage are two entirely different things.

      With that said I agree. I don't know if I'd be as confident if I were the one getting the threats of suits for millions.

  5. Open source? by Destoo · · Score: 3, Informative

    I was under the impression it already was sort of "open source", being that you could customize most of the stuff and recompile it yourself with tools provided.

    I received a few messages from the boards around july, asking people what the advantages were of moving a project to an open source model.

    anyway.. here are the sourceforge details..

    >>
    RunUO is a Microsoft .NET based Ultima Online game server package. The software will allow you to run your own Ultima Online server, with limitless possibilites!

    Gaming Foundry, Distributed Computing Foundry

    * Development Status: 6 - Mature
    * Intended Audience: Advanced End Users, End Users/Desktop, System Administrators
    * Operating System: All 32-bit MS Windows (95/98/NT/2000/XP)
    * Programming Language: C#
    * Topic: Role-Playing
    * User Interface: Console/Terminal

    Project UNIX name: runuo
    Registered: 2003-07-07 23:11

    --
    Nouvelles de jeux et technologies en français. TC
    1. Re:Open source? by mattgreen · · Score: 1

      Free MMO? Yay!

      Oh wait, it's written in .NET! Do we like .NET?! I can't remember what I'm supposed to think!! And the cognitive dissonance is getting to me!!

  6. Where can I download runuo? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    They have no downloadable files.

    1. Re:Where can I download runuo? by Ryan+McAdams · · Score: 2, Informative

      http://www.runuo.com/downloads/index.php

  7. RunUO, the new age of Ultima Online. by Ryan+McAdams · · Score: 5, Informative

    The RunUO Team has been working on RunUO for about two years, you can see the success of our work in one of our game servers over at UO Gamers.com which is free to play and you can even download the EA Games client for free legally from

    RunUO itself is available to anyone via the download section and is very easy to install and has a great community to get support from. The main website is located at RunUO.com and the support community forum can be found here. We hope that the users of Slashdot enjoy RunUO if you give it a try and if you need anything please feel free to let myself or any of the developers or community members know on our forum.

    Thanks again, and enjoy!
    1. Re:RunUO, the new age of Ultima Online. by OmniVector · · Score: 1

      hey ryan. i'm not sure if you remember me, but many months ago me and my friend kethinov (on the run uo forums) asked why you hadn't opened sourced it and were met with a rather large amount of disagreement from the developers.

      so i'm curious, why the change of mind? I'm glad our comments were not in vain, and that you guys finally did come around to making runuo more of a community effort.

      --
      - tristan
    2. Re:RunUO, the new age of Ultima Online. by Plaid+Phantom · · Score: 1

      Umm...Is there a reason you don't have a link for the client? I'm having trouble finding it.

      --
      All comments are properties and trademarks of the voices in my head. Not like I'm gonna claim them.
    3. Re:RunUO, the new age of Ultima Online. by Ralman · · Score: 2, Informative

      There is no link to the client, since that is software owned and copyrighted by EA. RunUO is not about warez, you still need to supply your own copy of the client.

      If this means you need to go purchase a boxed item, so be it. There are some third party clients out there (mostly in alpha and beta phases). However, I think some of them need copies of the original art and music files that are installed by the UO client to work.

    4. Re:RunUO, the new age of Ultima Online. by Ryan+McAdams · · Score: 1

      You can get it at this link: http://www.gigex.com/gp/dlexe.asp?packageid=005400 0025&gameid=2008&source=00001&sourcelist=

    5. Re:RunUO, the new age of Ultima Online. by Plaid+Phantom · · Score: 1

      Oh. Heh. I suppose I misunderstood what you were talking about when you spoke of the "EA Games client". I was wondering how you would've gotten legal permission to giove away the client software. I'm against warez and the like (programmers deserve the money, in my opinion), but I really enjoy free stuff. Never mind, then.

      --
      All comments are properties and trademarks of the voices in my head. Not like I'm gonna claim them.
    6. Re:RunUO, the new age of Ultima Online. by Keebler71 · · Score: 1

      I am sure you could find *someone* you know that at least at one time has played this game. I don't have the EULA in front of me, but I wouldn't think it would be too ethicly wrong for someone to give you their copy, provided they aren't using it anymore. Then again, IANAL.

      --
      "It takes considerable knowledge just to realize the extent of your own ignorance." - Thomas Sowell
    7. Re:RunUO, the new age of Ultima Online. by Plaid+Phantom · · Score: 1

      I'm confident I could. I could just as easily buy it, I would think. On the other hand, I probably don't have the time right now to justify starting to play yet another game, let alone buying one. I'll keep a link to remind me in the future, though.

      --
      All comments are properties and trademarks of the voices in my head. Not like I'm gonna claim them.
    8. Re:RunUO, the new age of Ultima Online. by Ryan+McAdams · · Score: 1

      Actually, the above download link s provided by EA and is legal :)

  8. Wow by beyonddeath · · Score: 1

    I am impressed there are still people playing UO, I remember a good 5-6 years ago or more setting up a server emulator (ultime offline experiment, as well as others) And it was great. Does anyone know if UOX is still around or is this the the server thats most popular now?

    1. Re:Wow by Ryan+McAdams · · Score: 1

      I actually was the owner of uoxdev.com which I am sure you will remember if you were a UOX user ;) We (most of the developers) moved to RunUO. RunUO is by far the most popular out there now. POL is probably number two and SPHERE is probably number three.

  9. Re:This is a violation of copyright law and an exa by Ryan+McAdams · · Score: 1

    You're actually very incorrect on this. The Game server itself violates no copyrights at all. The only "rule" that is broken is the Ulimta Online EULA that says they can terminate your account if you play on an 'emulated' server. As far as your quote at the bottom, RunUO is verry innovative, and if you knew anything about it before you wrote this you would not have taken the time to post here.

  10. Port Time by shaitand · · Score: 1

    Seriously guys, we all know the first order of business is to port this to Mono and Linux.

    The big thing the modder on their forums don't seem to get is that open source allows people to send patches to the maintainers, not simply fork.

    1. Re:Port Time by OmniVector · · Score: 1

      i too am looking forward to this. linux is a far more suitable server for something like run uo -- particularly due to the better 64bit support.

      --
      - tristan
  11. Re:This is a violation of copyright law and an exa by Firehawke · · Score: 1

    Don't waste your time. Check his past posting history-- we're looking at a serial troller here.

  12. yarr by Drull · · Score: 0

    Wewtness. RunUO rules.

  13. Good to hear by The+Great+Stormrider · · Score: 1

    I've been playing UO for about three years off and on, and played on POL and Sphere, two of the other emulators out there, and I have to say RunUO beats them in every way shape and form. If anyone is looking for a shard to play around on, check out www.phantasya.org. Its still in testing, but is an awesome place to play, ran by good people

    1. Re:Good to hear by Kosi · · Score: 1

      check out www.phantasya.org ... just to read that it is in a closed alpha state.

      Anyone to recommend one you can play on?

  14. How about the client? by WWWWolf · · Score: 1

    What would be the easiest way to run the client on Linux? All FAQs I've seen still refer to the long-dead native client. I know Iris exists, yet all I have at hand is the 2D data, this thing wants 3D data (which is presumably downloadable completely legally through some way or other), and my Windows partitions are out right now so I can't use the real thing, even on Wine.

    So, where do I get the client data?

    1. Re:How about the client? by Kethinov · · Score: 2, Informative

      The real client does indeed work with WINE.

      But you can't use UOGateway or Razor, which are necessary third party tools to connect to free servers, such as ones running on the RunUO server software.

      I imagine some manual hacking could be done using one of the many programs which breaks the client encryption, but without Razor, playing from Linux is pointless as it's necessary for PVP and many non PVP functions.

      The day Razor is ported to Linux is the day UO becomes a viable option on x86 Linux.

      --
      You're right, I wouldn't steal a car. But if it were possible, I sure as hell would download one!
    2. Re:How about the client? by WWWWolf · · Score: 1

      UOGateway doesn't technically need to run on Wine. My recollections are pretty hazy, but ages ago, I just pulled the server list file from UOGateway web server, grepped the server's IP from the file (it's a normal XML file), typed it to Iris config file, then found to my great irritation that Iris needs the aforementioned 3D data to run.

      Though getting the normal UO client to work along with such hazy manual hacks under Wine - now, that might be pretty interesting...

    3. Re:How about the client? by Ralman · · Score: 1

      I believe UORice should fit the bill in this instance.

      UORice

      Info straight from the site:
      What is UO-RICE ?

      UO RICE is an encryption remover for UO clients.
      You need to remove client encryption if you want to play on Wolfpack or UOX freeshards.
      It generates a COPY of your client with encryption removed.
      In the end you have two clients after running it.
      Use the UO-RICE generated one for playing on freeshards, the original one to play on OSI shards.
      You don't have to run it everytime you wan't to play on freeshards.
      Just run it once per OSI patch.
      Very easy to use, no configuration !

  15. Microsoft .NET by Yuioup · · Score: 1

    Even more amazing is that it runs on .NET

    Hasn't anybody noticed this?

    I've been reading in forums about .NET and have been asking people's opinion on it.

    The general consensus is that .NET is very heavy - the .NET runtime engine alone takes up 100 MB's of RAM. Also people have reservations about using an M$ platform. They want to keep very well away from vendor lock-in.

    Since this is a site devoted to all things Open Source, I can imagine people will start bitching about it not being made in Python or Java (even though Java isn't OS).

    Personally I think .NET is great.

    Anybody else have thoughts on this?