Hobbyist Game Developer: Pat AfterMoon's blog

December 15, 2002
The developers home page of the AfterMoon project is done. It is powered by PhpWiki so feel free to post a message in the RecentVisitors page.
The GhostFace FAQ about integration of the WorldServer in your Quake2 modification is also disponible.
December 9, 2002
Just some words about the current work in progress :
- I have used a part of my time for learning about PhpWiki. The developer part of the AfterMoon website (hosted by QuakeSrc.org) will be relaunched has a wiki wiki. It will be better for users feedback and developers cooperation.
- During last week, I was a little bored about coding. I have used some time for learning mapping. So the next release of CoopOrDie will include my first draft :
  a PreGame map, and a StartMap.
- I used to have a dilemma : should I start the WAR AGAINST THE CYBORGS development, or work on COOP or DIE for making it really interesting.
  I've choosen the second solution, so I will work on COOP or DIE again for some months. The GamePlay feature I want to implement is an HardCore mode like in Diablo2 :
  Every time you death, you loose all your inventory, your score, and you restart at the first level. An highscore list will display the better players and the map they reached. It will change radically the gaming style, players will probably progress with more caution ;-)
November 2, 2002
The source code package of the 0.3 WorldServer version has been completed with the missing file msgno.h. If you have already downloaded it, please redo it. Thank you to ghostface for signaling this to me.
October 27, 2002
The source code of the 0.3 WorldServer version is now available on the download page.
October 26, 2002
Special thanks to Crusard who have emailed me with 9 pages of corrections for the COOP or DIE website. I excuse me again for my poor english, and will apply his correction as soon has possible.
Crusard has also point me on an incredible demo, it is a less than 64kb file, it's called
.fr-08: .the .product.
October 24, 2002
The 0.3 version of the WorldServer for COOP or DIE is available on the download page. The source code will be available very soon, I only need to finish some readme and changelog files.
October 8, 2002
The 0.3 version will probably be released during the next week-end.
I have posted a message in the QuakeSrc forum about "how to help other coders for integrate my code in their mods". If you are interested by the WorldServer for your own game, feel free to read and comment this discussion.
September 20, 2002
The 0.3 version, the cleanup of the code, is in progress. I not only rewrite the WorldServer code for put it all in the dll. The entire process is optimized, debuged and simplified. Unused tables, fields and requests are discarded. The database is also simplified. The WAR AGAINST THE CYBORG gameplay specification will come later : the priority is a clean WorldServer technology.
September 13, 2002
King of the server, Vortex, GIEX, COOP or DIE, and maybe already more, Quake2 modifications with persistant data (character account saved on server) are more and more. This feature could be really cool for the gameplay if correctly exploited. And it's a wonderful feedback for the creator's. If you want to add this feature in your mod, feel free to post in the forum, I will be happy to discuss with you and eventualy provide support.
September 08, 2002
I'm back !
After a little discussion about licence of Quake2 tools and a little look on the result of the Crystal Space contest , I am ready for finishing the 0.3 version of the WorldServer.
I will also post a gameplay specification during september for the 0.4 version, a major gameplay release for COOP or DIE, called WAR AGAINST THE CYBORG.
It will be the first mod really designed for the WorldServer technology.
August 24, 2002
Due to the birth of Louis, my first children, I'm away for some weeks.
But don't worry, I will be back during september ;-)
August 14, 2002
COOP or DIE : Just for the demonstration, I have added some little line in the STARTMAP XMLRULES file ... have fun ;)
I am also testing a dedicated server with 0.2b version, don't try to host one, it need a little hack.
August 13, 2002
COOP or DIE : Previous modifications of database access seem to be OK, number of 'timeout' error in the WorldServer log file decrease a lot. If you continue to experience problem, post a message in the forum. Don't forget to give the maximum details : account name, WorldServer date/time of the problem ... don't delete the wsrv.log file in your coopordie folder, I can ask you for it.
August 12, 2002
COOP or DIE : For limiting database charge, the webchat has been optimized and now monsters killed by player are no longer displayed. I'm sorry my dear beta-tester you kill to many of them ;)
August 10, 2002
COOP or DIE : Today a lot of new beta tester have registered. Most of them come from the Mod Database web site. I'm really happy about this, and after the good game with ghostface the last day, I have played today with MrJump and Saig. Here are some screenshot about our cool coop experience.

Updated : There is a new wave of beta testers from the Vortex community.
Pat say : "Hey Vortex gamers ! try directly the surprise map if you dare ;)"
If you want to comment this project, or just say hello, feel free to post messages in the forum. You can also make suggestions for future use of the WorldServer.
August 7, 2002
The moddatabase seem to be a good initiative : Its aim is to list every mod regardless of game. It has a very clean interface and a lot of possibility about comment, search, announce, rank, ...
The COOP or DIE mod is registered in the database.
August 6, 2002
Steve Yeager, the author of the Quake2 ACE BOT, has given permission to release his source code under the GNU GPL licence !
It's a great news for all the GPL Quake2 community and it will greatly enhance the future version of COOP or DIE.
Feel free to visit the homepage of Steve Yeager, this nice man is not only a good Quake2 coder and GPL community's contributor, he is also a Photoshop plugin coder.

PS : Click here for read the entire email discussion with Steve Yeager and his confirmation about releasing his stuff under the GPL.
July 30, 2002
The 0.2b version of the WorldServer for COOP or DIE is available. It contain some bugfixes for the 0.2a version, so go and download it. If you haven't logged to the WorldServer for a long time it could be a good idea to retry it : I have added a new start map system and there is also a surprise map that could be a fun challenge ;-)

July 17, 2002

A WorldServer side update was implemented today for COOP or DIE. A new start map system was added. It is a preview for what I plan in the 0.3 version : a start map with teleporter for joining various map or server. It will replace the menu system. I have also added a surprise map. Go and take a look.

June 25, 2002
I can already announce the 0.3 version for this summer. It will be a major one, with the WorldServer completely removed from engine and implemented in the game dll.
It will allow player to use top engines like Quake2Max or BeefQuake. The support for dedicated server will be improved and the integration of the WorldServer in other mods will be more easy.
June 24, 2002
The WorldServer version 0.2a is out !
Some bug correction, a WorldServer connection benchmark, and a little demonstration of XMLRules with all player in the jail : GO, download and play !
May 28, 2002
"Chose promise, chose due" (french proverb)
Like promised to Ender the last month, I've just made a new donation for the QuakeSrc.org server. I'm happy to be a sponsor of this project, and hope most of yours will contribute too. Contributions may not be necessarily with money.

I think about a contribution that doesn't have any cost and could help us a lot : if you have coded a mod for Quake2 in the past or know somebody who have coded one :
please release it source under the GPL licence. A lot of good stuff will be definitively loosen if we don't act. If you can do something, let others know, and write a message in the QuakeSrc forum.

Just some word about the current state of my work :
The WorldServer version 0.2 and the COOP or DIE mod are out, but it's an intermediate version that need bug correction and an error reporting system. So, stay informed about the next release !
May 20, 2002
The WorldServer version 0.2 is out !
The COOP or DIE Quake2 mod is available
Go to the download page for take the program, and take a look to the
COOP or DIE web site. Informations about this new release and the new feature called XMLRules will be posted in the forum.
May 14, 2002
The aftermoon.quakesrc.org web site is out. From now, the project AfterMoon is divided into three part :
- AfterMoon.QuakeSRC.org is the developer part. It's where you can find technical information and source code about the features I've developed. It is freely hosted by QuakeSource.org.
- COOP or DIE is the beta test area, all the new features will be implemented in this online cooperative MOD.
- AfterMoon.net is the main site, in the future it will be more related to the long term project called 'AfterMoon'.
April 18, 2002
Support for AZERTY keyboard was added in my engine, read this post on QuakeSource forum for more infos.
April 16, 2002
I have posted some precisions about the new features of COOP or DIE in the QuakeSource forum. You can Read the message here.
April 15, 2002
QuakeSrc.org is one of the best web site to visit if you want to create a game with the GPL Quake2 source code. I support this site and I donate for the new server.
April 7, 2002
A huge new feature will be added to the WorldServer before the release of the 0.2 version. When loading a map and spawning the World, every server will get some special data generated by the WorldServer. These data will control every aspect of the entitys in the map :
- Changement of monsters or items.
- New monsters or items added to the map.
March 22, 2002
The 0.2 version of the WorldServer is in alpha test. The release will probably occur during April. The principal news features are :
- saving/loading inventory, health point and current map.
- Simplified create game functionnality, controled by the worldServer who choose the map and setting.
March 10, 2002 (updated)
I am sorry for people who use a web browser like Netscape6, opera, K-Meleon ... Currently the new web site seem to work only with Internet Explorer (damned javascript incompatibility).
Also, The Name of my MOD has changed : I think that "COOP or DIE" is more representative of it than "Hardcore Quake".
March 6, 2002 (updated)
The web site of my new mod COOP or DIE is under construction, but you can already take a look. The WorldServer beta test will gradualy move to the new site. The storage of inventory, health point and current map on the WorldServer is 50% done. This feature will be a huge step for the gameplay.
February 23, 2002
Note for beta-testers : The WorldServer chat is implemented. You can use it for meet other player. The green lines display the messages of players or visitors, and the red lines display the worldserver activity.
February 19, 2002
Note for beta-testers : for a more fun experience, you must create some multiplayer server in cooperative mode. The fact that your score is reset to zero when you die is a cool challenge. See highscore and player list here.
If there is no other player when you connect, you can play alone a little time, it will increase your score and let them join you.
February 17, 2002
The multiplayer beta-test of the WorldServer has started.
Go to the download page for take the program and read the "For gamers" section of the FAQ for quickstart.
You can send question, remark or suggestion about this beta test in this forum
February 14, 2002
The beta-test of the WorldServer will start around february 17 2002.
The FAQ section was added, and you can read it if you want to understand more about WorldServer. Current code under development is to implement WorldServer for the dedicated server, and WorldServer call in the game dll.
February 05, 2002
Good alpha test for the WorldServer this evening : I have used my 3 PC with 2 ISP and a shared connection and my friend Defranoux have used his 2 PC too. I will certainly add a ping feature in the server list before starting the multiplayer beta test.
January 18, 2002
My "PHP Remote Procedure Call" modification for Quake2 is now in alpha test. I call it "WorldServer" and there will be a downloadable beta version very soon.
December 25, 2001
Thank you Mr. Carmack for released the Quake 2 complete source code under the GNU General Public License. This huge news will change a little my plan. I will certainly migrate my total conversion project to the Quake II engine. An engine with enhanced graphics and good internet capabilities : the debate about quake1 vs QuakeWorld is now obsolete ! Good !
Also, the major part of my work on "PHP Remote Procedure Call" is very modular, so the portage to Quake2 will be very easy.
Merry Christmas.

--- 2001 News archive ---