212 replies to this topic

[thanoulas]

Hi, as a few of you might know I've been working on a HiRez Native Launcher for the past week, specifically for the Tribes Ascend game.
I've made a lot of progress, but there are a few things that still need to be done, the most important being the installation of the game without the need for windows or a VM.

This launcher is used by HiRez Studios for their other games as well, and the result could end up being a fully featured Launcher for all of them (Smite, Tribes Ascend, Global Agenda).

Here is a screenshot of the Work In Progress:



The project is being developed in Objective-C# / Mono 2.9 and Wineskin
It's a pretty big project, so any help would be appreciated.
A private and a public beta will follow, before the release.

I will need 4-5 beta testers for the private beta test, they will only be needed to test the launcher, and not the game itself.
You will need to download approximately 3GB from the net!
Only members of the forum please, Porters have priority. First come, first served.
Oh, and admins / mods I'd appreciate a Member's project thread! Thanks!

Final List of Private Beta Testers:

• wMin17
  
• moussaillon
  
• blinxfrost
  
• kGameLover1
  
• yujenisis

Sorry to those who didn't make it in, you will be able to test the public beta soon.

Special Message for the Private testers:
Please, do NOT redistribute the files that you will receive once the private beta starts. Their purpose is to make a stable enough version to share it with everyone, and the private beta is not going to be anything like that. If you do share the file with anyone and that comes into my attention, you will receive my eternal fury
and I will make sure that the launcher won't work in your machine again

Once the first working version is ready, you will receive a PM with instructions and the link to the file.
You will then need to post here your results.
Please document everything you do step by step, in proper readable english (blinx )
You will need to go through the setup process at least 3 times, each time doing something different. Random keypresses and attempts to f%^k up the launcher are more than welcome. Please, try and break it

MAY 2, 2012
The first test is underway! Instructions and links have been sent to the private testers!
I am going on, trying to find a way to decompress the archive! After that, it's just a matter of porting!

ACTIVE BUGS/TASKS LIST that need to be resolved BEFORE the PUBLIC BETA:

• CRC check the downloaded file(s)
  
• Retry download if CRC fails
  
• Timeout download and retry
  
• Extract the .dfc file
  
• Make the wrapper

Thanks for your interest! I'll try and make sure your time is rewarded by giving you the ability to finally play this great game!

[wMin17]

I would love to

[moussaillon]

What about posting an article on the front page in the member's projects section? It could bring more visibility on this big project

[Blinx 007]

I Do It . will global agenda work via steam?

if global agenda works via steam would still need custom launcher because steam can still update right?

[thanoulas]

moussaillon, on 25 April 2012 - 12:05 PM, said:

What about posting an article on the front page in the member's projects section? It could bring more visibility on this big project

I'd prefer to have some actual results first. The public beta probably.

blinxfrost, on 25 April 2012 - 12:11 PM, said:

I Do It . will global agenda work via steam?

if global agenda works via steam would still need custom launcher because steam can still update right?

No, as far as I've seen from their code, even steam still goes through the launcher.

[Blinx 007]

thanoulas, on 25 April 2012 - 12:12 PM, said:

I'd prefer to have some actual results first. The public beta probably.


No, as far as I've seen from their code, even steam still goes through the launcher.

ok i still test it

[KGameLover1]

I already had first dibs on testing....I'm still up for this

[thanoulas]

KGameLover1, on 25 April 2012 - 01:34 PM, said:

I already had first dibs on testing....I'm still up for this

You were already in by default
One to go, mousaillon, I didn't get it you're in or not?

[moussaillon]

Well, to be honest I have no porting skill at all (I'd be glad to learn) but if you need me to test or search info I'm your man

[thanoulas]

In you are then, I'm looking for testers not porters. I only said porters have priority over normal users for obvious reasons, but you fit the bill

[yujenisis]

thanoulas, on 25 April 2012 - 11:20 AM, said:

I will need 4-5 beta testers for the private beta test, they will only be needed to test the launcher, and not the game itself.
You will need to download approximately 3GB from the net!
Only members of the forum please, Porters have priority. First come, first served.

If you're still looking for testers I'd love to help you out. I don't have any porting experience but I do have a few Macs to test with, and a PC with an existing Tribes Ascend account.

Either way, thank you so much for taking this on.

[biohazzardz388]

i know a good amount of coding and troubleshooting id be interested to help out, i have 3 different macs and have gone deep enough into wine and ciderx
to make my own engines and game ports

[wMin17]

I am definitely in this!  I was the first comment

[thanoulas]

Private beta signups are now closed. See the first post.
There might be some more openings if more testers are needed. Please monitor this thread to check that.

Thanks to everyone

[Blinx 007]

aww man

[wMin17]

what are you complaining about?

[thanoulas]

blinxfrost, on 26 April 2012 - 12:06 PM, said:

aww man

You're in, why are you sad?
If it's for the "comment" I made, it's nothing personal, I just need to clearly understand why something is broken when it's broken in order to fix it.

[Blinx 007]

thanoulas, on 26 April 2012 - 12:33 PM, said:

You're in, why are you sad?
If it's for the "comment" I made, it's nothing personal, I just need to clearly understand why something is broken when it's broken in order to fix it.

ok

[cybershark]

wow, the beta tester list was very fast filled >_>

I was interested in testing as well XD Poor thing that I was to late.

[gonthorion]

Status update on the launcher anyone??? I had given up hope and started using bootcamp.

[KGameLover1]

It'll be done when it's done. Be patient - at least he's working on it.

[Nytestryke24]

Just wanted to let you know that if you need any more testers, feel free to hit me up. Props for doing this, hope us OSX'ers can play it soon without having to go through Parallels or Bootcamp (don't have a copy of Windows unfortunately). Good luck

~Nyte

[thanoulas]

Main post updated with the latest news (or "Bump"(sic))

[KGameLover1]

Sweet! I'm excited. Starsiege was one of my favorite games... who remembers it?

[moussaillon]

Thanks for the update thanoulas! Ready to get at work

[thanoulas]

Oh, by the way, any suggestions on the user interface are welcome!

[Blinx 007]

thanoulas, on 01 May 2012 - 04:53 PM, said:

You will need to go through the setup process at least 3 times, each time doing something different. Random keypresses and attempts to f%^k up the launcher are more than welcome. Please, try and break it

Breaking Stuff I Really Good At That

[KGameLover1]

blinxfrost, on 01 May 2012 - 05:50 PM, said:

Breaking Stuff I Really Good At That

looooooooooooooooooool... good one.. at least you can laugh at yourself and not get all butthurt. I'd give you a Like but I've reached my quota for the day.

[Blinx 007]

KGameLover1, on 01 May 2012 - 05:52 PM, said:

looooooooooooooooooool... good one.. at least you can laugh at yourself and not get all butthurt. I'd give you a Like but I've reached my quota for the day.

believe it or not i think i broke my winetricks i think

[KGameLover1]

blinxfrost, on 01 May 2012 - 06:18 PM, said:

believe it or not i think i broke my winetricks i think

blinx pls how u brek winetricks it impossibru