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Games Entertainment

NeverWinter Nights Dedicated Linux Server Released 216

Posted by timothy from the for-those-who-care dept.
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."
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NeverWinter Nights Dedicated Linux Server Released More

NeverWinter Nights Dedicated Linux Server Released

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  • NWN questions? (Score:1, Redundant)

    by josh crawley ( 537561 )
    I'd go to the server and find out WHY windows is needed to install it onto Linux, but the server's gone. Is it just to "install" files?
    Still, I'm glad that Bioware is doing stuff on Linux. Even if it's only a release of a server on it, I'm happy. The way it looks, the developers are looking at Linux directly. The halfway house Loki did'nt have a business model. They regurgitate games to linux after a .5 year on WIndows.

    These guys are doing it right.

    By the way (very offtopic), but check out the First post. It's an ascii rendetion of goatse man. I saw it by looking at the first posters of this story. He was the only one. I guess I thought it was funny (like we havent been tricked into that link before ;-).

    • it requires a windows installation because (Score:5, Informative)

      by atari2600 ( 545988 ) on Friday June 28, 2002 @01:40AM (#3785018)
      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 (Score:1, Insightful)

        by Anonymous Coward
        yeah, that'll get them to support linux in the future.

      • Re:it requires a windows installation because (Score:5, Informative)

        by Jace of Fuse! ( 72042 ) on Friday June 28, 2002 @02:27AM (#3785131) Homepage
        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.
        • "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)
        • Well, someone else commented on the CHITIN.KEY's non keyfile nature. I happen to know that the actual keyfile is not encrypted -- it is a plaintext file. As such, if you are transferring a keyfile you can simply open it up with emcas or pico and swap out the old with the new.
      • from the article

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

        Gee thanks. That's all we need. They haven't even released the client for Linux yet, and already you're telling people how to rip them off. How many companies do you think are going to waste time developing games for Linux if that's the attitude of the Linux gaming community?

        For the record, I want this game, and I'm going to buy it; and I would probably buy it even if I didn't want it, because anyone who's prepared to ship a commercial game for Linux needs to be rewarded. Financially.

        • Well, since the installer requires Windows, I think this is a perfectly valid suggestion - as long as you buy the game yourself too.

          I've got no Windows boxes at home, so unless I get the necessary files from somebody else, I've got zip chance of getting the server installed.

          I bet the client requires the same procedure as well... :(

        • Re:it requires a windows installation because (Score:4, Interesting)

          by Rohan427 ( 521859 ) on Friday June 28, 2002 @04:55AM (#3785437)
          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)
          • Actually I doubt Bioware cares if someone tars up the install and makes it available for D/L. The only potential problem is that these "rogue" servers would not have to abide by the EULA, something they have put much work into crafting. The reasoning is the same as every other multiplayer game, the more servers the better the end user experience, and hence more sales. I know that for me the availability of servers longterm was a major selling point, and since people have already been bitching up a storm about memory leaks and having to reboot to clear some dll's memory space the only viable server platform as far as I see it is linux.
        • Gee thanks. That's all we need. They haven't even released the client for Linux yet, and already you're telling people how to rip them off.

          Er, those are the instructions from Bioware's own readme for the Linux server. Doing this is required for getting the Linux server going. Only the server is out, not the client, and the server does not require a CD key or a separately purchased copy. One assumes that, like Valve and Id, Bioware realizes that having a lot of free Linux servers out there is good for the paying clients on Windows, Macintosh, and Linux.

          So relax already.

    • By the way (very offtopic), but check out the First post. It's an ascii rendetion of goatse man. I saw it by looking at the first posters of this story. He was the only one. I guess I thought it was funny (like we havent been tricked into that link before ;-).

      Heh, I bet you're the one who made that first post... ;-)
  • 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
    • Long dfay at work...Meant to say tis good that Bioware like Linux, not so great that InstlalShield sucks :)

      StarTux
    • Actually, you can extract the necessary files from the cdrom according to a post on the NWN forums [bioware.com] and patch the game manually, however the easiest way to do it is copy the files from a Windows install of the game.

      The big news remains that no Linux client is available, so anyone running a server will have very little they can do with it if they don't have a Windows box to create modules on.

  • Proves they care? (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Saxerman ( 253676 ) on Friday June 28, 2002 @01:35AM (#3785000) Homepage
    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.

    • >But let's be honest here. They're releasing a Linux client for themselves and their windows players.

      Wait a minute, that doesn't make any sense. I agree with what you said about HL, of course, but the fact that they're releasing a client completely disproves your point. If they only wanted more people hosting they would never bother to port the client, which is a MUCH bigger project than porting the daemon. What more could they possibly do?
  • The signs are all here. Linux on the desktop is coming. First, walmart selling linux pre-installed. Second, (and this is just a personal observation, nothing scientific) more and more people seem to know about Linux. More of my non-geek friends and people I know seem to know what Linux is. Third, gamemakers are starting to actually make Linux versions of their games. And its not some other company (like Loki). The actual company that made the game is making a Linux client. They do this becuase they know that there are now enough people actually using Linux on their desktop, that the money to be made from developing the Linux version outweighs the cost of making the Linux version. I say in another two years, we'll see Linux reach a critical point and have about 10% of the desktop market share.
    • Well said! Linux is advancing as people become frustrated with MicroSoft's new policies. And, you are right, most people know what Linux is. Now, advertising with commercials like:

      RED HAT: Where do you not want to crash today?

      Sorta like the new Apple commercials. Very good advertising on their part, Linux can do the same.
    • 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.
    • 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."

  • 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.
    • I read on the bioware site that the server does not use up a key...
    • "Though I wonder if running a dedicated linux server will take up your CD key?"

      No it wont. The CD key isn't required to run the server.. just the client.
    • ...on a FAT32 partition. Simply mount up your Windows partition, which you probably have had to do anyway to be able to copy the Windows Install...

      Now, simply symlink those files from the Windows partition to the Linux partition. The only problem I forsee is that the "fix" file could "corrupt" your Windows version of NWN.

      It is worth a go...

      Anyway, I used to use that process for QuakeIII Maps, Skins and some mods. It worked great and saved me an additional GIG of hard drive space, I am into collecting maps, skins and mods...

      Hope that helps...

      -.-
    • 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.

      That is a good question, since they didn't seem to post any requirements at all for the game. The Linux server runs great for me on my Red Hat 7.2 machine.

      I'm not sure if they are assuming you have a 2.4 kernel installed or not. I guess we'll see over the coming days how it runs on a variety of systems.

      As far as the server hardware requirements, that is also iffy. As far as I can tell from the posts on Bioware's site, the main resource hit will be in the RAM department, because the game needs to keep areas open and scripts running. I would assume that you'd probably want at least 128 megs.

  • needs a windows install... (Score:4, Insightful)

    by Thomas A. Anderson ( 114614 ) on Friday June 28, 2002 @01:36AM (#3785007) Homepage
    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...
    • Here's your linux installer

      #!/bin/bash
      cp /mnt/win_c/Program\ Files/Neverwinter\ Nights/* /usr/local/games/nwn

      done.

      • now... I don't know what your /mnt/win_c is mounted to but I guess it's your Windows partition. But I do not own a Windows license and do not have a Windows partition. What am I to do?

        • Well, since the client is windows only as of right now, I'd say that you're out of luck, and do nothing.
        • I haven't tried this yet (I'm waiting for the client to come out before buying the game), but it seems to me you could just install it using WineX or even Wine...you don't need to actually get it working with Wine/X, only install it! So it should work...if InstallShield doesn't crap out on you, that is.

          Has anyone tried this?
    • According to the site, this is just the dedicated server at the moment. So if you actually want to play it, you'll be needing a Windows box anyway to install the client on as well. I'd hope that when they manage to get their Linux client (which they do say they are working on) up and released it will also be able to do an install from the CD, rather than having to have files copied from the Windows partition.
    • 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...

      Maybe I'm missing something, but why should the Windows CD be required to install a dedicated Linux server? You seem to be understanding and justify that. There's no reason they can't do the same thing Valve does with Half-Life and release a dedicated Linux tarball of the server and all the files it needs to run. You don't even need to own Half-Life to run a dedicated server. Maybe you want to setup one for your friends and you don't have Windows and don't care about even buying the game?
      • Ummm, well you need the modules and data files for the server to serve to the clients. How exactly does the Half-life server, serve maps wihout the appropriate data files? You see if Bioware distrubuted the appropriate data files with the server for d/l, there would be no need to buy the game for people who use Linux, because they would have everything they need for free.
    • 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...

      Heh Heh, I installed NN for windows, yet the darn thing wouldn't work at all--it installed fine, but when I went to play the game, the logo would appear, and then I would get kicked back to Windows. I tried everything to get it to work, hours later I finally installed the no-CD crack, and now it works perfectly (though I haven't tried to play online, maybe now I'm totally screwed as far as that goes.)

      So I guess I'll have to wait until someone cracks the Linux version to play under Linux ;).

    • 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 disagree with this. Making it mandatory that the CD be in the drive while you play is the stupidest form of copy protection there is. This is a perfect example of screwing over the majority of customers just to stop a few incompetent people from copying a CD. Anyone with any brains at all can download a crack from any number of sites to remove the CD check. I do it all the time with games that I have paid for.

      I've copied plenty of games and given those copies to my friends in the past. In my experience the only thing that has kept me from doing that is when the game ships with a CD key that you need to play online. I'm not going to give someone my cdkey and then run the risk of not being able to play whenever I want to.
  • Why do I get the feeling the client's not going to be the easiest thing in the world to install?!??!

    It'll be like:

    To install the Linux NWN client:

    1. install NWN in windows (do'h)
    2. transfer files from windows computer to linux box
    3. delete windows partition you just created soley to install NWN on a real operating system.
    4. curse at BioWare until game starts...then, you will thank them!

  • java nwn client (Score:1, Informative)

    by 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.
  • arg!

    And if the site of the game were to be readable with Mozilla instead of giving a black screen...
    That would really show their care for Linux users.

    Oh heck, perhaps more initiatives like http://www.openstandaarden.be might move the site developers in the right direction (instead of IE only sites).
    • Apparently this is either a Moz bug on some systems or a problem on your end, since it has been reported to be fully functional on Linux running Mozilla.
    • It really is readable here, the newest Galeon release (1.25).

      The site can be very slow at times, especially the forums.

  • Very good news. (Score:1, Interesting)

    by Anonymous Coward
    Now that a server can be installed on a proper system I can install a 1U server with it :)

  • 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."

    Not too sound too much like a naysayer, but...

    1. How much progress can they be making if they can't distribute a proper Linux install? I know deployment is tricky, but come on, that really sounds like a hack job.

    2. How do we know that the Linux server thing wasn't a plan all along? They might have just seen all the Linux servers for CounterStrike et al. and thought it was a smart idea. Linux is a great server OS, and while I do think it's also a legitimate gaming OS myself (no, seriously!), it's not exactly a trivial matter to port over a 3D game from Windows to a non-DirectX system, so all their talk might still be just talk...

    Sorry, ever since the downfall of Loki I've taken an I'll-believe-it-when-I-see-it attitude to companies professing intentions for Linux.

    (That's probably only one step removed from trolling, heh.)
    • As long as that attitude includes I'll-wait-at-least-a-month-for-a-Linux-release-bef ore-getting-the-windows-version-and-forgetting-abo ut-it, then it's fine. While I am not really interested in this game particularly, I am going to hold out for a Linux version of Unreal 2003, or simply not get it at all, despite absoluetely loving Unreal Tournament.
    • Well think about it. Bioware just make the game. Infro is publishing it. So they kinda have to bend with the publisher to get the game out. And we all know most game buiz come's from windows. Since it has been delayed soooo long they decided to release it before too many people get pissed. So they opted to produce the binaries later. Beside if you look at the change log of the updates you will notice that they are indeed working on the linux version as well.

    • Since you can't run a client (yet) without windows they can safely assume that most people that will be running servers right now will have access to a windows machine. They could probably make a program/script to extract the files from the CD, but if that takes time then I believe they have done the right thing. Once a linux client is available they should have an installer for the client and the server that doesn't require windows though, but right now this solution is better than making people wait longer for the server

  • 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.

    ...
  • Is there no way to get the InstallShield to work, save using Transgaming's WineX?

    I'm compiling wine-20020605 (upgrade from wine-20020228, which failed to run the installer) to get the danged files off the CDs. If all else fails I'll install on a Windows box at work and just burn the directories the server needs to my own set of CDs :P
  • Bioware has released a dedicated Linux server for NeverWinter Nights. It requires a Windows install to use,

    Wait... Dedicated Linux... but... well... Windows install... oooh.... Funny... :)

  • For a few files more. (Score:3, Insightful)

    by Performer Guy ( 69820 ) on Friday June 28, 2002 @03:34AM (#3785265)
    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?
    • Perhaps they will in the future, but the group of files that they "recommend" you copy over for a Linux dedicated server runs into 700MB compressed. I suspect they don't want to take the step of hosting a download that large if they can avoid it,b ut I could be wrong.
    • "Why can't they make these available as another download or even part of the Linux download?"

      On a very simple level, [almost] anyone who's planning on running a server should have easier access to the installed Windows files than they do to Bioware's FTP servers. The server itself doesn't let you do anything other than allow players to play the game on their clients. If you don't have the game, there's almost no reason, beyond staggering generosity, to tie up around a lot of bandwidth for a 64 player server that you can't use, can't charge for and, as you don't play, you probably don't understand the subtleties of configuring anyway.

      Sure, there're a few cases you can come up with, like you want to install the server at work and play at home (I miss the dotcom days), but by and large, it just doesn't justify the cost to Bioware of providing a hundreds of megs/copy FTP server when 99% of their users are fine without it.

      It's an interesting concept to look at: Is the relative scarcity of Linux games because there aren't enough Linux would-be-gamers, or is it more to do with Linux would-be-gamers believing that everything should be free-as-in-beer and therefore a hell of a lot more hassle to sell to than nice Windows using sheep?

  • 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. =)
    • Personally, I plan on buying it the day the linux client binaries are released. I want CompUSA (or wherever) to be wondering why the hell NWN sold an extra 10k copies that day.

  • Concerns about neverwinternight: (Score:3, Insightful)

    by imr ( 106517 ) on Friday June 28, 2002 @04:18AM (#3785370)
    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.

    • Re:Concerns about neverwinternight: (Score:5, Informative)

      by barzok ( 26681 ) on Friday June 28, 2002 @05:43AM (#3785519)
      You neglected to mention that the EULA has been revised [slashdot.org].
      • 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 [bioware.com] 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 [brefonline.com].)
    • 2/ suddenly you need windows installed to install linux things.
      I don't have that.

      If there is currently no Linux client, you're going to have to have a windows computer with NWN installed to play the game, so unless your sole purpose in life is to host others' NWN games, you're likely to have it installed yourself, making copying files not such a big deal.

      My question to you is this: Why are you interested in hosting a server for a game you can't (yet) play?
    • "1/ They said a linux client was going to be in the box.
      It is not."

      They said they planned to have all three included in one box, plans unfortuantly can and do change. At least the Windows users got to beta test it for us.

      "2/ suddenly you need windows installed to install linux things.
      I don't have that."

      Yeah, but the client once out will extract those files, if not I am sure that Tuxgames will make an installer for it themselves that requires no damn Windows.

      "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. "

      Someone already pointed out that this changed...

      StarTux

  • Here's a console log:

    [nwnd@despair nwn]$ ./nwserver -module Chapter1
    Neverwinter Nights Server
    Build:6722
    Copyright BioWare Corp 1998-2002

    Server: Loading...
    Server: Running...

    Server: Loading module "Chapter1"..Segmentation fault (core dumped)

    This is on a "stock" RedHat 7.3 machine. The strace shows that it IS loading something from the "Chapter1" module file, but then gets killed. Don't ask me why, I'm not a coder. I can't post the strace output because /. complains about "junk characters" :(

    • Re:My experience with the NWN Linux server (Score:1, Interesting)

      by Anonymous Coward
      I note the instructions require not only the Windows install but patching of the Windows installation under Windows via the autoinstaller to bring the NeverWinterNights version to 1.19. ( first round of patches was to 1.18 ) The 1.19 patch came out yesterday 6/27.

      Could be the 1.19 fixed an issue for the linux server as well since the release of the linux server follows on it's heels. I saw on their site forums reference to a manual patch d/l and apply process so that's worth a search if you can't use autoupdate under Windows.

      Despite the misteps this is a good thing for Linux.

      • I updated my copy of NWN on the Windows box before copying it over to the Linux machine. Used FTP to copy it all, so things should not have been damaged.

        As the strace shows, nwserver _can_ get inside the Chapter1 module file, it even lists read() accesses with several names of waypoints, persons and equipment from inside the module. The problem isn't with the patch, I think :(
    • 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. :>
    • I just ran is successfully but hit CTRL-c by accident (windows copy in wrong window!)

      When I tried to restart I got an ASSERT error

      the server makes a few .something directories and dies if they aren't in a good state

      can't tell you which ones, I dumped the whole directory and strated from scratch before I noticed

  • Some people are gonna bitch about the EULA or other things, but the fact is, if we're going to have a choice in the future (given recent events), there's going to have to be good entertainment software available for linux. And it needs to come sooner than later.

  • Operating Systems (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Rydia ( 556444 ) on Friday June 28, 2002 @07:29AM (#3785839)
    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.
    • A little more accurate picture of what has happened to the four versions of NWN (To fill holes):

      Windows - Late, but available
      Linux - Later, but getting available
      MacOS - Handed to MacSoft to finish, even Later.
      BeOS - Not gonna happen.

      What I find the most funny part of all this is that by handing the Mac version to MacSoft, Bioware essentially just handed over tens of millions of dollars of profit over to them as well (Since MacSoft won't port if they can't make money off of it).

      I see complaining about this type of practice: leaving ports to other companies that release it later. To be honest, this is how the Mac gaming market has become over the past 5 years as formerly Mac-centric game makers have gotten eaten up by PC-centric companies like the Maxis -> EA sellout (and EA used to have a good Mac dept too) and the Bungie -> MS sellout. Loki wasn't the greatest, BUT a business model around porting games to other OSes can be very profitable. MacSoft, Aspyr, Westlake, OmniGroup and others have made a decent living from doing this, as well as doing some decent-quality ports. (OmniGroup ported Oni to OS X, in Obj-C, releasing the update for free online simply because the Carbon version was buggy under OS X... that takes some guts)

      Outsourcing ports like this isn't a bad thing (although it prevents the one-box idea), since I would more rather see more porting to Linux/Mac happening. If the company that makes the game says no internally, they might be willing to say yes to another company. If that company starts saying yes to other companies, then more games will reach your hands if you prefer to use Linux/MacOS
      • Very true on all points. I'm just pointing out that we can't be too critical and say they don't care. It seems they do care, all their plans spawned from that kind of just fell apart.
  • I'm putting mine up as I type!

    I have been waiting for this!

    Thanks, Bioware! Now get that client out!

    Derek

  • Why you need Windows to install Linux Server (Score:4, Insightful)

    by jaaron ( 551839 ) on Friday June 28, 2002 @08:52AM (#3786254) Homepage
    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.
  • 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.

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