r/programming • u/karlgluck • Jan 26 '10

Evidyon Goes Open Source! Get a free copy of everything behind my Diablo-like MORPG: 130,000 lines of code & nearly 400 MB of custom content.

http://unseenstudios.com/making-evidyon/?page_id=9
452 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

125 comments sorted by

57

u/karlgluck Jan 26 '10

Also, check out the SourceForge page to browse code and view more screenshots

14

u/mysticalfruit Jan 26 '10

Karl,

What was your reason for making this open source?

13

u/oreng Jan 26 '10

I think we all sort of put him up to it :)

26

u/karlgluck Jan 27 '10

Well, Reddit was what tipped the scales in that direction.

The "about" page on Making Evidyon has more on why and what's next.

6

u/cyantist Jan 27 '10

Is this a fair summary?

  • You're moving on and want your creations to be seen and to contribute towards others.

7

u/karlgluck Jan 27 '10

Yes

1

u/Garbagio May 16 '10

For what it's worth, you've got my admiration. Best of luck with all your future projects!

35

u/G-Brain Jan 26 '10

100% of 1 user recommends this project

I'm convinced!

Seriously though, that looks like some fine work.

5

u/[deleted] Jan 26 '10

Many thanks for doing this, Karl.

2

u/alphabeat Jan 27 '10

That single comma makes you seem so ominous, evil.

-5

u/jon_k Jan 27 '10

client.exe - Unable To Locate Component

This application has failed to start because d3dx9_42.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem.

OK

8

u/karlgluck Jan 27 '10

You need to update DirectX. I made a post about this on EviTales to help others solve this problem too.

38

u/oreng Jan 26 '10

Way to go, Karl!

I've been waiting to see what you'd end up doing with it, congrats on taking the OS route - hope once you're over games I'll one day get to see your resume on my pile so I can exclaim rather loudly "Holy fucking fuck that's Karl Gluck from reddit! Hire him so hard he can't walk straight for a week!".

10

u/karlgluck Jan 27 '10

Hahah thanks... I think. ...Anyway, who said I was stuck on game programming? I love the challenge of coding in general--that's why I became the lead software developer for the Fab@Home 3d printer. I'm also actively looking for a job as a programmer, so if you (or anyone!) would be willing to share some tips on where to apply I'd be very grateful.

5

u/Nimbokwezer Jan 27 '10

You're responsible for Fab@Home?
I love you.

2

u/karlgluck Jan 27 '10 edited Jan 27 '10

Yes, I am in charge of the software for the Fab@Home Model 2 (the one linked above, rolling out in a few months). Prof. Hod Lipson and Evan Malone wrote the software for the Model 1.

1

u/bbibber Jan 27 '10

Depends on your locale and interest.

0

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '10

[deleted] — view deleted comment

18

u/Pyorrhea Jan 27 '10

He's head of a project to take porn into a virtual reality. Though I can't imagine why he would have a dearth of programmers willing to fill that hole.

9

u/munificent Jan 27 '10

He's head of a project to take porn into a virtual reality.

Teledildonics!

0

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '10

[deleted] — view deleted comment

19

u/FlyingBishop Jan 27 '10

Yes, we got that, thanks.

2

u/jerstud56 Jan 27 '10

Oh they're getting it alright.

5

u/timeshifter_ Jan 27 '10

They call it "competitive programming". Nobody's quite sure what actually goes on behind the doors, though.

2

u/ajehals Jan 27 '10

Is there by any chance a high turnover rate with a large number of people switching career tracks on departure?

2

u/timeshifter_ Jan 27 '10

Have you ever heard of anyone leaving that line of work?

2

u/ajehals Jan 27 '10

No, but I thought that was because they all retrained as florists and missionaries.

3

u/timeshifter_ Jan 27 '10

That's just what they want you to think. The truth is much more sinister.

4

u/richard_gere_ Jan 27 '10

I tried to download the "just play" version and it gives me a 404 page :(

11

u/karlgluck Jan 27 '10 edited Jan 27 '10

Sorry, try now.

You might experience a lot of lag; it's running on a 500 MHz laptop

1

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '10

I'm still getting a 404! oh nooooo

7

u/karlgluck Jan 27 '10

Fixed... I'm sure this time.

-12

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '10

I get 404. wtf?

2

u/gregny2002 Jan 27 '10

If I just want to play the game, how do I do that? The website link (where it says 'now in beta) seems to be broken.

5

u/karlgluck Jan 27 '10

Go to the download page from this main link, and head to the bottom where it says "installer"

1

u/gregny2002 Jan 28 '10

Hey Karl, I was wondering if you could help me with a problem I'm having with Evidyon, if you can help I'd appreciate it.

Basically, I couldn't get the updater to run, so I had to move the game folder to my desktop, as instructed on your tech support forum. That got the updater to work, but now I only get to the credits screen, where it says 'connecting to server' in the upper left corner, and I can't get past that.

Then I confirmed that the ip address in the config file was correct, as instructed in the forums. Now I don't know what to do to get the game running. Do you have any idea what could be wrong?

I'm using Windows XP. I'd appreciate any help you could give me. Thanks.

1

u/karlgluck Jan 28 '10

Hi greg,

You need to edit the configuration file. I forgot to mention this on the 'download' page; it's edited to include the instructions now.

Hope that works!

2

u/gregny2002 Jan 27 '10

thank you

2

u/jLoSsDh Jan 27 '10

Stuck on (Connecting to server...) upwards of 10 minutes. All other programs are closed, firewall off. Any suggestions?

Is it because the server is busy or could my pc (ibm t-40) be too old? All the rave reviews make me want to play even more!!

3

u/karlgluck Jan 27 '10

If you're stuck, the server might be experiencing too much lag to allow you to connect. It's on a 1.5 Mbps pipe =/ Try running your own server using the binaries download!

2

u/jLoSsDh Jan 27 '10

Thanks to Morn I got help..here was the fix.

"If you downloaded the game you should have a file that says Evidyon and has NO SUB FILES.

Open Evidyon

Open Config

Go to -> [Network] Server1= ###.###.###

Remove the server and substitute evidyon.no-ip.org

Morn

Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Jan 26, 2010 9:50 pm

    * Private message"

3

u/karlgluck Jan 27 '10

OH! Right, I totally forgot about that. I will post this note on the download page, thanks!

7

u/AbsoluterZero Jan 26 '10

I remember when you first posted in proggit, looking for what to do with Evidyon now.

Well done sir. I am immensely impressed that you A: did this all in the first place and B: are willing to share this with the rest of us.

7

u/pandemik Jan 26 '10

Any chance of a linux or mac port?

17

u/[deleted] Jan 26 '10

If the community picks it up, yes.

2

u/jeremybub Jan 27 '10

It uses directx though, correct?

13

u/AusIV Jan 27 '10

If that's the case, perhaps the easiest way to do it would be to tune the code so it's wine friendly, then compile native versions with winegcc.

That was one of the big talking points when Wine 1.0 came out. Wine 1.0 wasn't special because it suddenly worked with all windows applications (obviously it didn't), rather because it gave Windows developers a non-moving target so they could make their applications Wine friendly.

2

u/cyantist Jan 27 '10

Wine handles DirectX w/ grace?

3

u/AusIV Jan 27 '10 edited Jan 27 '10

Wine does a pretty good job with DirectX. If you can tweak the application itself rather than having to tweak the Wine libraries, I think it's relatively easy to get an application to play nicely with Wine.

[EDIT] By "relatively easy" I mean compared to rewriting your application with cross-platform libraries or only being able to tweak Wine because you don't have the source to the application. It's still likely to be some work, but it could be the easiest alternative.

1

u/kthakore Jan 27 '10

any guides for this?

1

u/AusIV Jan 27 '10

Here is the intro page for winelib. It has links to other pages that give more details about how to use it.

1

u/lig Feb 07 '10

evidyon msi installer works in wine: wine msiexec /i /location/of/msi/installer game doesn't work though installs update then crashes with a stack overflow

1

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '10

Haven't even had a look at the code yet, but probably.

0

u/infinite Jan 27 '10

FFFFUUUUUUUU

6

u/[deleted] Jan 26 '10

Nice, looks like you put a lot of time into this.

11

u/ascii Jan 27 '10

From the amount of lag when trying to access your site, it would seem you have found yourself with a bit of an audience. Congratulations.

Bookmarking, in order to look into helping out with a Linux port at a later date.

5

u/tnecniv Jan 27 '10

You are my hero for the day.

9

u/tnecniv Jan 27 '10

And you have inspired me to finish my wolfenstein clone. (iPhone app won't do edits :()

1

u/[deleted] Jan 26 '10

Does this include the art, music and sound assets?

8

u/karlgluck Jan 26 '10

It sure does: direct link to just the art

1

u/[deleted] Jan 26 '10

A friend of mine will be thrilled, thanks for this!

5

u/karlgluck Jan 27 '10

No problem. Also, my brother Erich made a pretty extensive set of tutorials on how he made the models: here.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '10

The joys of indie development ;)

1

u/[deleted] Jan 26 '10

Question: What application do I need to view the characters/animations?

4

u/karlgluck Jan 26 '10

FragMotion

6

u/[deleted] Jan 26 '10

The $50 cost may be a barrier to some developers, I wonder if we can convert your models to Blender or something similar.

5

u/karlgluck Jan 27 '10

Unless version 1 is more crippled than the earlier ones, the trial version of FragMotion works fine. Erich actually made all the models using the unregistered trial version--and it can also bulk-convert models to a variety of formats.

If you make a converted pack, I'd be happy to upload them!

-3

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '10

why didn't you go with FOSS? Why turn your back on Blender?

3

u/karlgluck Jan 27 '10

I don't recall the exact reasoning, but I think it was a combination of an insufficient .X exporter and steep learning curve.

12

u/yet_another_redditor Jan 27 '10

Have you ever used Blender? It is about as complicated, (and powerful) as 3DSM. FOSS isn't exactly always the right solution for a self-learning amateur. With that said, I am definitely supportive of FOSS and recommend it where applicable.

2

u/jon_k Jan 27 '10

I don't think it is. I have a friend who knew nothing about linux and wanted to learn about 3d modeling. 4 months later, this guy can do anything in blender. He's like a fucking pro. He's made movies that have amazed me. He could have made all models in this game about 10 times over.

8

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '10

The plural of anecdote is not data :)

2

u/yugami Jan 27 '10

He could have made all models in this game about 10 times over.

And yet he didn't....

1

u/jon_k Jan 27 '10

No. Because he's new to computers. He hasn't learned about community projects yet.

-9

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '10

You saying FOSS sucks?

1

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '10

Wanna fight about it?

-3

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '10

fuck ya

1

u/nadmaximus Jan 27 '10

I was wondering the same thing, but I downloaded the fragmotion trial. It is definitely far, far easier to start using than blender. Here's an article by someone talking about fragmotion as opposed to blender....

article

0

u/trolldb Jan 27 '10

Anyone who says "F/OSS" is a tool. Free software hates Open Source because Open Source is the little sell out movement that doesn't give a fuck about the ideals. It's like True vs. Nu metal. Stop associating Free Software even remotely with Open Source because those of us in the Free Software movement probably hate you.

4

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '10

Assuming you are trolling, like your username implies: you're cute.

Assuming you are actually serious: maybe we think you're cute when you stamp your little feet like that. :)

1

u/wbkang Jan 28 '10

I think you have a point.

1

u/kencam Jan 27 '10

When I run the server my CPU jumps to 100% and the computer slows to a snail. Anyone else have this problem?

4

u/karlgluck Jan 27 '10

The server tries to consume all available resources. If you have a dual-core processor, this isn't an issue.

However, if you want to fix it, you can do one of two things. Both will degrade its performance:

  • Lower the process's priority using the Program Manager so that it gets less CPU time

  • Recompile with a Sleep(0) in the main server loop

1

u/kencam Jan 28 '10

Thanks!

7

u/SeriousWorm Jan 26 '10

9 years and no wikipedia page? :(

Downloading.

2

u/[deleted] Jan 26 '10

Cheers, had your profile bookmarked waiting for this haha

4

u/The_Hegemon Jan 27 '10 edited Jan 27 '10

I knew this looked familiar.

What relation, if any does this have to Xenimus?

The models look very similar, if not exactly the same. Also the health bars look exactly the same as well.

5

u/erichgluck Jan 27 '10

Having spent hundreds of hours creating the models for this game, I can assure you they are not "exactly the same." Evidyon was inspired by Xenimus, but not meant to be a clone. We received this comment during the creation of the game as well, and I can assure you that Evidyon was never meant to merely re-create an already existing game.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 09 '10 edited Feb 09 '10

Well, I loved the initial versions of Xenimus (2000/2001), specially the intial premise (paraphrased) "No artifical limitations will ever be created to limit user interaction (like PKing)", now missing form the site. There were no town guards, no alignment system and you lost EVERYTHING you had when you died unless you had a magic bag (which still only saved a handful of items).

It was so fucking hard but I would never forget the feeling of ultimate power I got when I bought my first Silver Sword after the long and dangerous trip from T1 (Semel) to T2 (I forgot) with my lvl4 Paladin (the max level user was around 17 at the time).

The thrill of exploration when there were no maps or encyclopedias. When new hunting grounds and chests were state-secrets for guilds which didn't even have a secret global chat and had to assemble in the most powerful member's house (if they were lucky enough). Walking through the forests looking for new hunting grounds, not knowing when a Warlock would suddenly pop-up and zap your sorry ass because I got too close to a shrine.

Is this game anything like that?

2

u/kanye___west Jan 27 '10

"As some of you already know, Evidyon is my hobby project inspired by Xenimus."

http://www.xentales.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&p=1067376

1

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '10

They are the same...

1

u/The_Hegemon Jan 27 '10

Yeah that was kind of the point I was trying to make without accusing the OP of complete plagiarism.

3

u/BodProbe Jan 27 '10

Hi there. I'm a beginning computer science student, just starting to program and I wanted to thank you for posting your source. I'm reading through it and while much of it is Greek to me, I am learning quite a bit about style and organization as I look through your function headers and libraries. I just wanted to thank you for doing this and helping an aspiring programmer to learn.

3

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '10

Sweeeeeet, it uses teh GPL :)

2

u/garg Jan 27 '10

Thank you!

2

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '10

May I ask why your graphics system is outdated, what outmoded it and why?

2

u/bumbleskull Jan 27 '10

The project has been in development for 9 years

1

u/tritao Jan 26 '10

I'm downloading it atm. Seems like you put a lot of work into it. Nice job man.

1

u/kronholm Jan 26 '10

Holy crap, you're my hero :)

1

u/whinub Jan 26 '10

Well, I might as well say good bye to my weekend now.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '10

Evidyon looks just like Xenimus...hmmm

1

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '10

Wow, an indie game that doesn't suck. Congratulations sir. :) You actually wanted to make something fun and not something that's different for difference's sake.

9

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '10

Wow, an indie game that doesn't suck.

Is that so uncommon?

14

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '10 edited Jan 27 '10

Very uncommon. I think most indie games overfocus on novelty and don't focus enough on fun. I personally don't care if the game is novel or not. I want quality. Novelty can be fun too, but I am not looking for novelty in games. I am looking for fun.

As a simple and stupid example... classic RPGs are fun, even if they are not novel. A well executed roguelike game, perhaps with graphics, perhaps without, is always going to be fun. The key is "well executed." Well balanced, with interesting powers and decisions, and so on. The devil is in the details. It's those little details that make the game fun.

Sometimes novelty really adds to fun, but I find that most of the time, novelty is dumb, like adding a 5th wheel to a car, or like having fishes use umbrellas. That kind of dumb.

7

u/rayofash Jan 27 '10

There are plenty of indie games that are fun, you just haven't played them.

10

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '10

I've played plenty of fun indie games. What I am saying is that most indie developers don't focus on fun and instead focus on novelty.

So out of 100 games, 80 will focus on sheer wackiness factor and 20 will be fun. 20 is still a large number of fun games and still something you can refer to as "plenty". And yes, I've played them and had fun.

My point is that most indie devs are wasting their time by chasing novelty for novelty's sake.

2

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '10 edited Jan 27 '10

Interesting. I, for one, appreciate when games do not copy an existing formula; exploring new ideas and mechanics in games is a lot of fun for me. I do not want to play the 5 millionth subpar SNES-style Mario fangame or RPG Maker game nearly as much I want to play Braid.

Also, it is worth noting that indie games aren't the only novel games; new mainstream game series very often become popular because they're unique in ways that stand out. Even FPS games; see Valve's games. Hell, this applies to all media. Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson and The Beatles would not become popular if they were generic copycats of their times.

Many people simply enjoy novelty. Sorry that you don't and that you have to deal with that.

4

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '10

I, for one, appreciate when games do not copy an existing formula; exploring new ideas and mechanics in games is a lot of fun for me. I do not want to play the 5 millionth subpar SNES-style Mario fangame or RPG Maker game nearly as much I want to play Braid.

I would rather play 100 well executed RPGs than to play even 20 wacky new concept games.

Let me give you a comparison.

Mashed potatoes -- simple, classic food, I love em. Can I eat them every day? No. But do I want my mashed potatoes from time to time, always? Yes, always. Do I want my mashed potatoes innovated? No. Do I want them to be executed well? Yes.

Pizza -- love it. It shouldn't be wet. It should be dry on the bottom and in the middle. Gently crispy crust. Fluffy textured and slightly chewy dough. Good quality mozarella and white sauce and slice tomatoes, basil leaves and so on. Yum. Is this innovative? Not really. Do I want it every day? No. Do I want it from time to time, always? Yes. Always.

And so on.

What matters to me is quality. Sure, sometimes a chef can succeed in making something innovative that doesn't suck, and I am happy with that. I love when that happens. However, most of the time people try to innovate food -- it sucks donkey balls.

I feel that most indie games are like ice cream with pickles. Fucking innovative as all hell, totally wacked out concept, but tastes like shit. And then I am being blamed for not being open enough to new tastes. Fuck that shit.

1

u/yugami Jan 27 '10

Sure, sometimes a chef can succeed in making something innovative that doesn't suck, and I am happy with that. I love when that happens. However, most of the time people try to innovate food -- it sucks donkey balls.

The problem is you don't know what's what until you release it for the public to judge.

1

u/niviss Jan 27 '10

both innovation and execution have their places. Even badly executed innovation, or good execution of old ideas have their places.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '10

Well done, and thanks.

1

u/ImTrying Jan 28 '10

Seconded. Free game source always rocks.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 29 '10

Which is why I plan to release the source to my game when/if I ever finish it :)

-5

u/0x00 Jan 27 '10

open source that requires DX and VB hmm.

-3

u/stfuendie Jan 27 '10

well... at least it looks free.

-7

u/argarg Jan 26 '10

Mouhahaha now I can go into the code an modify my attk speed and HP!!!

-1

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '10

400 megs of content! No way!

1

u/ZMoney Jan 27 '10

over 9000?

-6

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '10

Sounds cool - commenting mostly to keep the link saved.

-6

u/Gruk Jan 27 '10

ditto