[Project] Reversing client and creating modding tools

[osiy1996]

Hello everyone. Some of you may know me from the emulator project. Here, I would like to propose a community project which could potentially be beneficial for everyone, no matter which server you're currently playing at.

As you know, most games have bunch of modding tools which gives the community a huge freedom when they're playing the game. Since there's no longer an actual company developing Archlord, tools like these could also help server owners to create more content and let players have more freedom on their client. I believe some servers already have such tools, however, they don't seem to be interested in creating quality content using them nor sharing them with the community to let them create the content for them. Tools which we could create: Map editor, Model editor, Animation editor, Effect editor, etc.

All these things considered, I would like to create an open-source project. The issue is that I don't know how many people are there who knows about reverse engineering or other fields which are important in order to make progress in this project. So, if anyone thinks that they can help, please leave a message under this thread with specifics of your knowledge. I will go ahead and post what I can do:

Knowledge: Some assembly knowledge, fair bit of experience in C programming.

So far, I wrote a tool to extract/insert files from/to packs located in ./world/filename.ma1, .ma2. These files are basically what defines the terrain we see around us(the ground, mountains, sea, etc.). They're compressed and I don't have a reliable decompression tool yet, so this is where I currently need help with. Though, first I would like to see if we even have anyone who knows about this stuff.

[Synestraa]

guess I could give it a second try if an opportunity comes. ಠ╭╮ಠ

Knowledge: decent amount of ASM, good amount of C/C++, too much of C#.
I also know that I have too much time on my hands.

hope I'm not the only other one that's down for this, I think this is a project for quite a few people.

[osiy1996]

Yeah I think we at least need someone who's decent with compression/decompression and if we're lucky, someone who worked with renderware engine. Someone who's experienced in writing 3d model editing software would also be quite helpful.

[obscurewind]

Are you interested in modeler? 3d Designing?
Knowledge: Amateur.

[osiy1996]

Originally Posted by obscurewind

Are you interested in modeler? 3d Designing?
Knowledge: Amateur.

Hey, I'm interested in someone who knows how to write modelling tools, or at least a converter between 3d file formats. At the moment, even if you created models, we couldn't add them to game since the game is using a specific 3D file format.

[obscurewind]

Originally Posted by osiy1996

Hey, I'm interested in someone who knows how to write modelling tools, or at least a converter between 3d file formats. At the moment, even if you created models, we couldn't add them to game since the game is using a specific 3D file format.

oh okay then , no problem , hope you find qualified people for the project soon!

[osiy1996]

Well, noone seems to be interested. At least, hopefuilly, people will no longer say "If you have problems with emulator you should ask for help, we have a lot of talented people here". Maybe there're talented people but they're surely not interested in doing anything.

I will still keep working on these tools whenever I can spare some time from the emulator. Hopefully, will be able to complete and share a useful tool one day.

[~Skazy~]

I hope you know you can be getting paid a lot of money for the effort and work you're putting in, I wouldnt waste the talent on this wasteland my friend

[Feldunost]

Originally Posted by osiy1996

Well, noone seems to be interested. At least, hopefuilly, people will no longer say "If you have problems with emulator you should ask for help, we have a lot of talented people here". Maybe there're talented people but they're surely not interested in doing anything.

I will still keep working on these tools whenever I can spare some time from the emulator. Hopefully, will be able to complete and share a useful tool one day.

Well you are asking for something that is even more beyond than average c++ developper's skills ...

Of course noone or only a few can help u on this matter. I had a though time reversing server side with no luck. So ... beyond my capabilities.

[osiy1996]

@
I like doing it so.. Even if it doesn't pay off financially I've learnt a lot during the time I spent which will most likely help me my whole life.

@
Thing is people are not limited to use C. They can use whatever they're comfortable with. My main purpose was to work separately to gather information for public use. It's mostly just basic file parsing. I myself didn't know any opengl nor had any knowledge about renderware file formats until very recently. Just googled to find some documents, learnt enough to keep things rolling. Now I can load some of the models into my application.

[marocco56]

Maybe one day ull succeed to have first modded AL serv :P

[obscurewind]

@ I wouldn't be brave enough to say "we", but at least I can say, I admire your constant work and love for this awesome game, anything you need, and that is inside my capacities, count with me. Cheers ~