The Ur-Quan Masters Discussion Forum

is there going to be a patch if not can someone tell me how to download the latest cvs thanks

Here's how to download the latest CVS:

http://sourceforge.net/cvs/?group_id=59452

The module name is sc2 btw

So I finally got all the libs downloaded and compiled the CVS version of The Ur Quan Masters.  It looks like only the .exe file changed (and reports a new version of 0.12 - the collision detection bug seems to be fixed - the Spathi are useful once again, so I assume this is the 0.2 referenced in the ChangeLog).  Since I'm "developing" (I use the term loosely) on the windows platform, I don't know how to make a diff or other easy way to update the exe.  However, it's only 500k.  

If someone has some hosting space, I'd be happy to try to provide the windows binary for the development version every once in a while as the CVS is updated.

Maybe once I poke around the code a bit I'll try to contribute some fixes.  

That would be immensely helpful for me, because I'm on Windows and I'm ignorant... or something.  And I don't want to pay for compiling software...
Plus, I'd get my Spathi back (have to restart, because due to bug I lost the last Spathi ships I can get :/ )

ditto

does this mean the game is beatable yet?

FYI there are changes in the content as well as the code to fix bugs. I just tried running the cvs compile exe in the 0.1 install directory and it loaded but you might still run into bugs from changes in content since 0.1.

once we get a windows exe what are the save game file names?

does it fix the hyperspace autopilot bug?

The savegames are in the content folder.  They go by the criteria 'starcon2.##'

Hex editing is fun :)

At least anybody can download the content (perhaps slowly for modem users... :-).  So it should still be helpful to post the .exe as it's updated so windows users can benefit from the bleeding edge source.  

And yes, it is supposed to be beatable, according to the changelog - I haven't tried yet, but I know the collision detection has been perfect for what I've tried (spathi, etc).  And as mentioned elsewhere, the new planet visuals are amazing.  Also, the oscilloscope works in conversations. Quite a few significant fixes.

Bleh, micro thingie managering. I'll wait the coders to put the link on the pages ... and yes, I'm lazy (that's what a 10MB connection since 1996 makes).

ok I'm confused.  On XP what do I do to upgrade?

You need the updated content and executable.  To make the bleeding edge executable from the CVS sources, you need MS Visual C++ 6 or better, and all the libraries listed in the INSTALL file from the source (Ogg Vorbis, OpenAL, SDL, SDL-image).  

Or, you can just use CVS to get the latest Content directories, and some kind soul to donate hosting space so the updated executable can be published.  That way you don't need to worry about Visual Studio and libraries and compiling.  It would probably be a good idea to post the executable (if not a patch or somplete Win32 Installer version) on the sourceforge site.  It's no good having testers report bugs that have been fixed in the CVS.

I WANT A FIXED WINDOWS .EXE FILE!

*ahem*

Please?

Instead of a patch, why don't they put out verson 0.2 if they're ready to?

It seems to me like no one has reported a substantial new bug in a while...

We are NOT ready to release 0.2 yet. Mind you, the 0.1 came out only two weeks ago, there's no point to do official releases every day, the hassle it takes is just too big and there's often much experimental code around (though you can always compile directly from CVS if you want). We'll discuss this more inside core team when all of us are online.

I'd suspect if we exceptionally release 0.2 this early, it's for transition to new bug reporting system (bugzilla) which is much better than forums for that.

Okay, I don't mean to rush you...

I'm sorry if we seem overeager here.  SC2 IS one of the greatest games ever...

I tried asking this elsewhere, but since you've actually answered to this topic I'll ask again...

what kind of timeline are we looking at?  Do we have even a general idea when the core team plans to release 0.2?

Quit while you're ahead, buddy..  :)  I get paid to do software releases (every couple of months, anyways) and it's an incredible pain in the ass.  I wouldn't expect them to try it again until they were feeling "100%" about the new code, which is probably gonna take a while..

At any rate, they give CVS access to, well, everyone, so if you've got the tools to build it yourself, you can be as far out on the bleeding edge as you like.

so since I dont have C++ I guess my best option is to wait for someone to complete the new EXE and then we need someone with some hosting space.  

so we need someone to host the exe and to compile it.  I see how they dont wana do a full .2 alpha release.  

anyone got the knowhow?
anyone got the bandwidth?

It looks like nobody feels like hosting the files.  I don't mind doing basic stuff like compiling the EXE and maybe hosting diffs between the released versions and the CVS version, so all of us windows users can be bleeding edge without having to buy and futz with Visual Studio.  This will only help people who download the real version first, and then the diffs.  And since I've never made a diff while doing windows development, who knows how easy it will be.

It looks like I'll have to open my server to the public, though, which will take some time - I want to make sure it's well protected before I open the floodgates to ports 80 and 21.   Stay tuned for more info.  Don't worry Windows guys, you'll soon be able to keep up with the Linux users, where CVS and development is relatively painless.

That would be extremely nice of you, Serendipity  ;D
I can understand your hesitation, though, on opening a server...
I'm just waitin' so I see all the good stuff that's already been changed.
Thanks in advance.

Putting your personal box on the public Internet to share files?  I thought that's what GeoCities was for ;)

I am *oozing* with happyness.

I can host the exe with my uni web space.  ~30k tuition ought to pay for something. ^^  In case my email doesn't show up it's:

lnanek@stevens-tech.edu

Thanks.

I can host the EXE file, although I cannot compile it.  Would you guys like me to setup a subdomain on my hosting server?

-Chris

Look, I think it's a foregone conclusion that anyone that knows how to compile this is capable of hosting it, and the fact that those of you that  "can't" compile it are offering to host it suggests that you don't know what you're getting yourselves in to.

This is open source.  If you're so inclined, check out the source tree, build the goddamn windows executable, and host it yourself.  Don't ask other people to stop their real work and build the exe for you just because you're impatient.

If you don't know how to build the executable, well, maybe this is your big chance to expand your horizons and learn some new skills.

-Pete
[not on the UQM team at all, just an experienced programmer.]

Maybe you're not clear on something:
Development on Linux is easy.  CVS is easy.  Downloading libraries is easy.  Doing the same on Windows is a huge pain in the ass.  First of all, you need $200 software from microsoft (Visual C++) just to attempt it.  Then you need to download all these libraries which are a pain to keep current, and then you need to compile the executable.  There are very few people who feel like doing all this - and the ones who are familiar enough with development to bother getting the CVS sources are a majority Linux users anyway.  I certainly prefer developing on Unix/Linux to Windows. If I used linux extensively at home, I wouldn't even bother with the windows version.

SC2 is great.  UQM has the potential to be better, and it's damn close already.  I'm more than willing to provide the executables if someone else feels like hosting it, as the CVS version matures.  This lets non-hard core windows users play the latest and greatest, lets the slightly harder-core users submit bug reports from a recent version, and takes the burden off the developers from releasing easy-to-install Windows packages all the time to keep the slavering zebrankys happy.

What's the harm with that?

Would you be willing to "loan" us all copies of VC++ to build it ourselves with?  Because I doubt anybody would want to buy an expensive compiler to compile a game they could get for $10 second-hand.  Doubly so for me because I've invested in a whole suite of Borland tools already.  While I've got a Linux box  it's not good enough to play UQM on.

On that subject, after my exams are over next week I might take a crack at building UQM with Borland C++.  Since they have a free compiler available it would expand the possibilities for Windows users if somebody could get it to work.



Ditto for me.  I just hope you're not that nearsighted when you're programming.

Okay folks, you can get the executable here:
http://attila.stevens-tech.edu/~lnanek/uqm.zip

No repsonsiblility, yada, yada.  Someone who is regged can repost and make a linky if they want, no bandwidth limits.

Much thanks to serendipity for the compile.  I did a quick test by just replacing the old exe and nothing else.  Old saved games worked and game was winnable (so I assume Spathi/collision are fine too).  Oh, and the pause  button crashed the game the first time I used it and my computer the second time.  So no pause button in this hack version. ^^

...and stop replying to peterb, he's an obvious troll who didn't even read the thread he is posting in where hosting was *asked* for ;p ^^

 Hey, I resent that remark -- my trolling isn't obvious at all!

seriously, I missed the part where you asked for hosting.  My apologies.

[and to all you "waaaah, I can't afford VC++!" whiners -- ya know, there ARE free, open source development environments for windows.  Open your eyes.]

http://attila.stevens-tech.edu/~lnanek/uqm.zip


Thank you sun!

I can confirm that this link fixes both Spathi and Mycon, and that pausing in Super Melee crashes.

Of course about 20 minutes after I sent you that compiled version, the developers post an update to CVS that fixes the glitch where, if you're in the orbit view, and you view the starmap, the planet stays on your screen.

I'll send you that compiled version tomorrow, in case they add anything else soon.

What's the pause button crash you're talking about?  I can't find a button that pauses the game, so I can't look into the problem.  Could be an easy fix.

And regarding trying to compile this project with something other than MSVC++ (for which the developers kindly include a project file for), good luck. It's enough of a nightmare developing on windows _WITH_ the $200 development environment.  Having to get your own free compiler and figuring out how to get this beast to compile is an exercise in futility.  Like I said - for the most part, real developers work in Unix when they can, and there's a reason.  The learning curve for developing in windows is a lot steeper, and it's just a pain.

We're talking about Pressing F1 (the first function key) in Melee mode.

It pauses the game.

The problem, in this version anyway, is that it won't UNpause...

At the "it won't UNpause" part of the situation I generally proceeded to push every button imaginable in an emotionally unstable way which may have slightly worsed the overall effect. ^^

I'll post any updates I'm sent.  Glad the Spathi are more usable now since I often drag them around just to carry crew in the early part of the game. ^^

Here's another thing with this patch:

When I try to go to Earth it crashed, saying it couldn't load a file.

Are you sure that all we need to replace is the .exe?

And slowly, he began to understand the developers' pain.. :P

Your best bet is to check out the content/ tree from CVS and keep it updated along with the patches you get.  Oh, I should mention that the content/ tree is 150MB; you might be able to avoid a full checkout by putting properly populated CVS/ directories in your already-installed content/ tree, but speaking as someone who gets paid to admin CVS servers, I do not recommend that unless you are bold, daring, in a hurry AND willing to lose your current content/ tree :)

Or you could always install Linux; that's what I did -- works great.

Looks like there were a few changes to some of the content.  As the other poster said, you'll need to update the Content/ directory.  If you have the bandwidth, just zip up your old content folder, and use WinCVS to get the current CVS files. In the future, the CVS update will be much quicker, since you only need the updated files.  If you don't have the bandwidth, you can try sticking your own CVS directories in there, but that's a big ol' pain.

That's odd, the first thing I tested was dropping by Earth.  I did that before loading my old saved games, even.  ^^  Also went to earth several times preparing for testing the final battle and didn't have the slightest problem.  Like above, serendipity did say to load the content as well, however:

>>The installation process for getting from scratch to the latest revision is:
>>Download the v0.1 alpha with Windows Installer.
>>Install it.
>>Use CVS to get the latest content directories
>>Copy this EXE to the game directory, replacing the old one.

There was a bug in the alpha that would crash random stars on entry for me.  It was usually solvable by dropping by some other nearby, uneventful star just beforehand (got in the habit of saving before every entry ^^).  Not sure if that applies, but you may want to try.

Ok, I downloaded the newly compiled .exe file, backed up the old .exe file, and replaced it.

Seems to work just fine--no crashes when going to the space station at earth.

I like how the sono-graph works now during conversations.

Haven't tried the new .exe with the Spathi eluder to see if the collision detection has been fixed.

Happy with the changes so far!

I installed the patch, and am VERY impressed so far.  I also can host a patch download, to assist in deployment of new stable code releases.

I can be reached at
amabes@rmahomeservices.com

It crashed when I tried to go to EARTH, not the space station.

to sun:  thanks so much for hosting this!  just wondering if you were going to register with the forum...

Guys - I noticed at least one content file has changed - the Yehat fonts, which fixes the "No subtitles" glitch.  There are no changes in the last 6 weeks to the human stuff - I'm pretty sure the content isn't what caused the earth crash, but who knows.  You can download individual files from the CVS through Sourceforge's web CVS browser. You just need any files that changed since the alpha.

D'oh, your right.  Game crash on earth confirmed with just exe replacement.  It never occured to me to try the actual planet as opposed to the space station.

I can't test content update since I'm firewalled and don't have any intention on wasting time during finals week on scary acronyms like CVS anyway.  I suppose I'll register after this post since I'm hosting a file and an imposter might cause damage, evil paperwork.

Thankyou!!!  Got it, installed it, got CVS content snapshot, moved saved games, ran it, finished it.  Now I can
study for exams in peace.  :)

You need two files that were not included in first alpha package. These files are eartmask.ani and eartmask.png. Download them from here (http://cvs.sourceforge.net/cgi-bin/viewcvs.cgi/sc2/sc2/content/ipanims/) and just put 'em into your \content\ipanims directory.

Okay, updated version of the compiled windows exe (305KB):
http://attila.stevens-tech.edu/~lnanek/uqm_121202.zip

Thanks again to serendipity.  Pause was still buggy in my tests so avoid that button.  In case anyone else is firewalled and having CVS troubles like me, I'll post the content links I've seen so far for quick 'save as' use.  Sourceforge has some weird content tags that led to multiple extensions/one hidden or txt extensions and whatnot but I've stripped those out.  These do fix the missing earth problem for me, haven't checked Yehat yet. ^^

New content for "The Ur-Quan Masters\content" directory:
http://cvs.sourceforge.net/cgi-bin/viewcvs.cgi/*checkout*/sc2/sc2/content/yehat.con?rev=HEAD

New content for "The Ur-Quan Masters\content\ipanims" directory:
http://cvs.sourceforge.net/cgi-bin/viewcvs.cgi/*checkout*/sc2/sc2/content/ipanims/eartmask.ani?rev=HEAD
http://cvs.sourceforge.net/cgi-bin/viewcvs.cgi/*checkout*/sc2/sc2/content/ipanims/eartmask.png?rev=HEAD

Here's confirming that those files fixed the Earth problem!

Thanks ever so much for helping those who know not the ways of CVS, sun!

Hey, thanks for the new exe, the Sa-Matra is definitely beatable with it!  BUT... there's no ending?! wtf?! Please tell me the 3DO had the ending w/ all the aliens in it!  After I beat the Sa-Matra, it went to a starry screen for a split second then straight to the credits!  I didn't press a single key.   ??? :'(

Oh, I beat it again just to make sure it wasn't just me goofing something up...still the same thing  :-/

Thank you sun and serendipity, it works great.

The 3DO version didn't have the outtakes with the aliens, unfortunately. I was very saddened by this. That being said, it did play a movie that pretty much just consisted of stills from the PC version, a bit of rendering, and a voice over.

I'm an idiot  >:(

Wtf was that for?

I edited your post because it was flamebait, even if you did not realise it.  Keep in mind you are getting this game for free and the fact that the original PC or 3DO endings aren't implemented yet does not make the game a "gyp."

Also, good luck getting Star Control 2 to work in ScummVM ::)

There's alot of love in this forum.  It makes the OpenBSD mailing list look like a hug-fest by comparison.  ;D

Mage:  If you've actually got the brass balls to whine because an unfinished alpha release of a game that you downloaded for free doesn't have some non-essential feature implemented yet, then I'd suggest that you at least wait until a completed version is available before making an ass out of yourself on a world-wide forum.

Parker:  I'm all for brevity, but I think "post deleted by editor" would have been a little more appropriate (even if your version was more accurate)

Just my $0.02 USD.  Ignore as appropriate.

Sorry if I'm not as familiar with the ways of emulation, God of Coding, I had only read a blurb about some program that allowed Lucasarts games (read, old dos based games) to work fine in WinNT and figured it was worth investigating.  As for a "gyp," I battered myself at the Sa-Matra for hours thinking I could beat it solely for that ending, and as someone else already mentioned, it's terribly unfortunate that the best aspect of the game, the culmination of all the humor within it, was ripped apart.  I didn't comment on this project as a "gyp," I commented that the 3DO ending is a gyp, rightfully so for actual fans of the series; what kind of Star Control 2 game would not contain those, let's see, 15-20 comedic alien epilogues and your own? ...

Excuse me, boy, maybe you should brush up on your reading comprehension skills before jumping off to flame someone on an internet message board.  Was it apparent that something as quality as the SC2 ending would be altered for no reason, technical or artistic, for the 3DO version?  Was it apparent that this "ending" is somehow a "feature" now, and not a part of the actual game?  Was ANY of this explained in a rational manner instead of jumping to conclusions that I'm lambasting the project and NOT this change in game design?  Was any of this mentioned in the Changes/Todo/Bugs?  I'll save your short-minded ass the work and tell you it wasn't.  

I didn't "whine" that this project hadn't implemented an "ending."  I was criticizing the 3DO version for having changed something so nostalgic and valuable to me, not even presupposing that the project developers would take it upon themselves to incorporate the dos-based ending because I'm not sure how feasible that is.  You are an asshole twicefold, both for jumping to conclusions and furthermore for going so far as to insult my intelligence, based on your flawed understanding in the first place.

Please keep the flames down.  Hostility is fruitless.

Also, if you would like some explanation of why the outtakes aren't in the 3DO version of the game:



http://uqm.stack.nl/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=Gendiscuss;action=display;num=1039072195;start=1

wow 5 pages  thx for the patch

Ending, bah. You should have to play the game over again at twice the speed instead. That would make SC2 really old school. ^^