Working on UO Auto Patcher

[ChrisTheAvatar]

Hello All,

I noticed when using UO Gateway with shards that had changed or added artwork it would download full versions of the patched files. This is a major problem for players with low speed connections as I am sure is no surprise.

After thinking about it for a very very short time... I said to myself why arent we patching just what is different between the standard UO Files and Custom UO Files. So this is what I have been working on for a week now... (a TRUE Patching system) I am coming along nicely with the project and have been able to patch files succesfully with small compressed downloads and am finishing up the socket programming for the client and server.

I do realize that there is some risk to patching UO files since EA has the power to change the files at anytime which can effect the difference files generated, however if you are very concerned about that this will atleast only require you to do ONLY one full transfer and then patch that version from then on since you can guarentee what it contains.

This tool should be especially great for doing map changes to maps you create and revise over time.

I am just wondering if there is an interest in this type of tool in the community?

[Hlal]

Originally Posted by ChrisTheAvatar

Hello All,

I noticed when using UO Gateway with shards that had changed or added artwork it would download full versions of the patched files. This is a major problem for players with low speed connections as I am sure is no surprise.

After thinking about it for a very very short time... I said to myself why arent we patching just what is different between the standard UO Files and Custom UO Files. So this is what I have been working on for a week now... (a TRUE Patching system) I am coming along nicely with the project and have been able to patch files succesfully with small compressed downloads and am finishing up the socket programming for the client and server.

I do realize that there is some risk to patching UO files since EA has the power to change the files at anytime which can effect the difference files generated, however if you are very concerned about that this will atleast only require you to do ONLY one full transfer and then patch that version from then on since you can guarentee what it contains.

This tool should be especially great for doing map changes to maps you create and revise over time.

I am just wondering if there is an interest in this type of tool in the community?

This is not only a good idea but a must if what your saying is true. For custom shards the cost of hosting and patching files adds to the server costs and for players with dial up. The shards a headache to patch to like you said.

So even if no one else says so, I'd say yes this is a must program for shards that patch. Specially now with the new anim patch thats about 111mbs and eats your paid bandwith up fast.

[Tannis]

This is a great idea! I was talking about the ridables patch with my boyfriend earlier (we run a shard) and I said, "Wouldn't it be great if there was a program that would just patch up what we changed, and not the entire file?" He thought it would be also. Then I see this thread. I would definitely definitely use this program. If you need testers, let me know.

*edit*

After reading a few other posts, wouldn't the MUO patching tool from the UO Gateway site be almost the same thing? For instance, if you made a patch to the anim files, it would be a .muo file. As the players were getting the patch, it would copy their already existing anim files, copy them to your shard's directory in their uog folder, and apply the changes. The only dowfall to this tool (as far as I know, without having played with it much yet) is that it doesn't work with Tiledata.

[ChrisTheAvatar]

Didnt even notice the UOGTool, thanks for pointing that out...However, from what I have seen on some UO shards I am still downloading large files and I am not seeing the content that goes with it...The UOGTool is nice though on how it allows you to import specific animations.

The way my patcher program does patches it does not depend on specific UO files or any file format at all. Technically you could develop patches for any file type regardless.

This will be another option for hosters to distribute their patches and content...

[Tannis]

When you get done, I would definitely check yours out. There's very little documentation on the MUOTool, one little walk-through in fact, and I'm not sure the instructions are very good on. I tried messing with it all day yesterday and still have yet to get my patch working.

[Atomic]

Very nice idea

[RadstaR]

yeaah. very nice idea ... do it pls.

[ChrisTheAvatar]

I am working hard on the auto-patching system. Hopefully in another week or two I will have a decent beta release for people to test. The first beta release will most likely NOT implement a server list like UOGateway. I want to focus on the transfer and patching aspect of the program first before adding extra features like a server list.

Thanks for your interest


Chris The Avatar

[ChrisTheAvatar]

I am shooting for Tuesday or Wednesday, July 19/20, for the BETA 1 release of a new patching system. I am finishing up some manuals for use with the software and some minor modifications.

Hopefully some of you who were interested in this a few weeks ago will help test out the first phase of the patching system.

I will have a website up and some more information available in a couple days. Stay Tuned!

Thanks For your Interest


Chris The Avatar

[MarciXs]

Does this auto patcher will patch existing files? I mean like OSI has , when they only update the data not redownload it?

thanks.


EDIT:

And yes i think that kind of tool would be useful and great.

[ChrisTheAvatar]

In most cases it does exactly that. In some cases it must add the entire file...

[Tannis]

Whenever you get done with Beta 1, I'll be ready to test it. I STILL haven't been able to get MUOTool to work properly, although other people have, so I know it's nothing going wrong with the program. I just blame it on the lack of documentation.

[Liquid-Fusion]

Tannis i already pmed you i got everything to work with anims.. just pm me your prob i can help you fix it.

[Tannis]

Hmm I don't think I got it :/ I've got the patch working because I got it from someone else, I just can't get my own to work for some idiotic reason. I honestly don't know what my problems are. I follow the directions on UO Gateway, make my patch, upload it to my host, wait about 10 minutes after UOG pings me, download the patches, and it's not there.

[ChrisTheAvatar]

UOPatch website is up (www.uopatch.com). You can find out more about the software there under the about section. I should have the BETA 1 Downloads up by mdinight EST. Remeber to download and read the manuals! :-)

Thanks


Chris The Avatar

[kirax2]

I've been looking forward to trying this out. I've been wanting a program that will patch the tiledata for a long time. ^_^ Two small problems, however. 1. The link in your previous post doesn't work because of an extranous ")" included on the end when clicked. Once the character was removed it worked fine. 2. Once at the site, I couldn't actually download the files. The links all just took me back to the same page.

Once you get the files up, I will be the first in line to try them out, though! ^_^

Thanks,
-Janice
aka kirax2

[Greystar]

Originally Posted by kirax2

I've been looking forward to trying this out. I've been wanting a program that will patch the tiledata for a long time. ^_^ Two small problems, however. 1. The link in your previous post doesn't work because of an extranous ")" included on the end when clicked. Once the character was removed it worked fine. 2. Once at the site, I couldn't actually download the files. The links all just took me back to the same page.

Once you get the files up, I will be the first in line to try them out, though! ^_^

Thanks,
-Janice
aka kirax2

It says Midnight Tonight the downloads should be available, although I didnt read that untill after I tried to click the links.

[kirax2]

*smacks head* I don't know how I missed that! Sorry! *feels silly* XD;

-Janice
aka kirax2

[ChrisTheAvatar]

Files are now up for those of you who have been waiting. :-)

Thanks

[Tannis]

A question. In order for my users to get the patches I make with your program, they would have to be using your UOPatch Client, right?

[nex666]

This is the kind of software i've been waiting for!
Thank you!!!

[ChrisTheAvatar]

A question. In order for my users to get the patches I make with your program, they would have to be using your UOPatch Client, right?

Yes they will need to download the client in order to patch against your server, I know that it is lame right now that you have to type in the server address for the patch server. I will be adding a registered server list next BETA.

Please feel free to post some ideas you have or would like to see in future releases.

Thanks

[Tannis]

I think your program is brilliant, so don't take this wrong please. I just don't like the fact that they would need to download a patch program as it is. I think that would be the one big thing stopping me from using this. I went through it last night and tested it, and I think it works great. I just don't like asking my players to download any extra programs, only because a lot of them are younger (or just dumb) and would have no idea of what to do, even with a detailed walk through showing screenshots of every single step. Believe me. Then all they would do is page and complain that this or that doesn't work, and all because they didn't do it right. Keep up the great work though. If they program becomes more widely known, as I'm sure it will, it won't be as hard to get people to download it.

[ChrisTheAvatar]

I think your program is brilliant, so don't take this wrong please. I just don't like the fact that they would need to download a patch program as it is. I think that would be the one big thing stopping me from using this. I went through it last night and tested it, and I think it works great. I just don't like asking my players to download any extra programs, only because a lot of them are younger (or just dumb) and would have no idea of what to do, even with a detailed walk through showing screenshots of every single step. Believe me. Then all they would do is page and complain that this or that doesn't work, and all because they didn't do it right. Keep up the great work though. If they program becomes more widely known, as I'm sure it will, it won't be as hard to get people to download it.

I appreciate the compliments and criticism. Thank you. :-)

Like I said BETA 1 is really for testing the patching and patch transfer. I am hoping in BETA2 that the patch client will become a median for players to find your servers, similar to how UOG works, and UOG does do an awsome job at that. Nor will I be trying to replace UOG in BETA 2, but merely offering another way for players to find your servers. My main purpose is to offer a solution that is more geared twords shards that plan to patch and update frequently. So stay tuned for BETA 2 you may find more of what you want! and thanks for testing out BETA 1.

[Greystar]

actually looks kinda interesting I'll have to see how it works for me to see if I want my players to have to download the client. I'm not personally listed on UOG and probably never will. I have a semi-private shard and I kinda want to keep it that way.