[Game] Magichet: "The 1.2 'Non-Commercial' Release"

[ABJ]

How active the FM servers are, you ask? ZERO in FOUR HUNDRED AND NINETY NINE.

[4aiman]

FM can be made to communicate with MT clients at the cost of network optimization.
But using that as a server SW I would be able to utilize some of FMs newly added API w/o clients knowing it.
So there are drawbacks either way.


Another question is, whether it is worth making custom builds based on either MT or MT-compatible FM.
How many people would like to download yet another fork?

Moreover, I have written code for at least 3 protocol bumps.
That means MT may never adopt the changes and I'll be forced to invent some workarounds to support MT clients.
Should I drop MT-compatibility, it will be a disaster - much like FM's empty server list.

But NOT making a port means NOT bringing in new features like configurable fall-tolerance, digging-speed and attack power multipliers and so on and so forth...

Right now I'm adding what I can to make the game a whole.
But it's inevitable that I will need those changes.

How active the FM servers are, you ask? ZERO in FOUR HUNDRED AND NINETY NINE.

I've seen 4 players on-line on aexion aside from myself.

How many of MT community members have been to my server? Over 500.
How many are there at any second? Zero. Max is 4.

So, I've a better question: how can anyone but the server admin judge about the number of players?

[4aiman]

PS: If only at least half of those 500 players have supported making a fork - there would've been a reason to make it.

[ABJ]

If a fork is your only choice, then I'm all for it!
And see Voxelands for more stuff you could add. It's got some really unmissable things.

[4aiman]

Thanks for support, ABJ :)

I've seen Voxelands, and there are pretty descent ideas @ its forum which I may use in future, but overall I don't like Voxelands.

It just doesn't appeal to me. I've seen MT v 0.3, so whenever I see Voxelands I understand how far MT has gone since 0.3. The most usable changes were made after 0.4.5 was released. Backporting isn't going to compensate those changes to me.

I appreciate the effort and want to support Darkrose and the others, but VL is just not for me.

As for the VL block numbers...
"500 types of blocks" (like the about page states) IS cool, but this is some Magichet statistics:

Your phone or window isn't wide enough to display the code box. If it's a phone, try rotating it to landscape mode.

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Total Items: 2838
Technical Items: 1012
Usable Items: 1826
Total Nodes: 1340
Technical Nodes: 1011
Usable Nodes: 329


Total Items = tools+craft items+nodes
Technical items = the items and nodes (generally - nodes) that ARE in game but used to make the game pretty. There are also aliases. Actually, there's only ONE technical _item_ - the "hand". The numbers show as much ;)
Usable Items = usable items that can be either crafted or got.
Total nodes = all nodes
Technical nodes - those, used for different states of the same block (plants, wires, active furnaces, etc)
Usable nodes: the number of actually accessible usable blocks.

But the above number is only half of the truth.

For example, doors are actually 2 nodes. But both are technical. There's also 1 item that places a door. That item IS usable. So, Actually we have 1 usable item and one 1 usable block whereas the game has 1 item + 2 technical nodes. E.g. despite both door parts being technical, a player STILL have 1 actual usable node.

Thus, those numbers are _precise_ but _approximate_ values. The real number of usable blocks and items is a little higher than the statistics show.



I like the idea of having the in-game guide, but I've started coding that already (actually, prior to taking a look @VL).
For me it's a mystery why they started filling in a wiki, though :)



Anyway, they have some great ideas, but I've a roadmap of sorts.
I'll be updating the game gradually making it possible to go below/above certain altitudes by fulfilling some quests.

Not so many days ago I've added first such quest:
To go below -64 one should place a gStone lamp in the world.
To do that one will need to craft it first out of gStone and Magnesium.
Magnesium can either be found in the Nether OR in the overworld after digging a diamond.
So, one must find 2 diamond ores and dig those (iron pickaxe required).
Then find 2 magnesium ores (that were spawned upon digging diamonds) and dig those too.
Having that done, one will be able to craft a lamp and place it in the world, thus obtaining the right to go below -64.

And below -64 there are:
- new ores
- more of old ones
- abandoned mineshafts with treasure chests
- access to -1000


Edit:
It is also necessary to underline that one who had obtained the right to go to the next layer is able to take ppl with him/her.
There's one condition, though. Those who aren't allowed to go on their own will be immediately teleported to /spawn should they be farther than 10 nodes from the one who IS allowed to go down.
Such a wonderful way to create hidden paths to use with friends :)

[Wuzzy]

As there is nothing to download here, and the subgame is only accessible through a server, shouldn't this thread be moved to Servers instead of Subgame Releases?

[ABJ]

He released it and then retook it. He might release again. (Hopefully soon please!)
But yeah, since it's only server with only a few paid people with access to the game sources, servers is sort of more appropriate. But when he finally releases it......................

[4aiman]

@Wuzzy: it shouldn't. Just pretend for a little while you didn't see the discrepancy. I'd really appreciate that.
I know you want to do things properly (at least that much I can conclude reading your messages and feature requests) - and that's really great (no jokes, there are so few of those who care) - but there's no need to move this thread anywhere.

Your phone or window isn't wide enough to display the code box. If it's a phone, try rotating it to landscape mode.

Code: Select all

Because I'm running a server (which isn't free, you know?) to develop a game.
And anyone can play it on-line for free.
And new features are being added daily.
If that is not connected with the game development, then I don't know what is.

@ABJ: those few people are being payed for PLAYING the game. The sources are NOT distributed to them.
However, there ARE few people whom I trust and might give the sources should they ask.
I don't want to name them, though.
Trying to help to move the thread to a place no one would ever find it isn't going to add anyone to that list.

So, please, do not make it look like I'm selling the game.
That's the main reason of removing the repo in the first place.


@Everyone: Just pretend for a while that there is a link to download.
I've already explained my reasons of removing a link.
I'm working hard to make a new version too.

Besides, what's the deal with an old version? It is obsolete.

And only 15 members had written at least something in the game thread prior to the link removal.
And that's during 1,5 years.
So, the interest wasn't *that* big.
But now, when the link has been removed, that interest seem to grow up again.




I'd be glad if ppl were asking to download a new version.
I'd be glad if ppl were asking to download an old version.

But NO.... They want to move the thread. :(


Anyway, should anyone want the old version - feel free to ask here or via PM.
I'm not against giving away the old version to ANY community member.
But you should ask first.


TL;DR:
1. Want an old version? PM me.
2. Leave the thread where it is, because:
3. I post the updates of the game here AND discuss the *game* development.


PS: I need a way to control the downloads: who, when, how often and the total downloads count.
Suggest some service for that and I will add a link gladly.

[ABJ]

Why so bitter? :O
And anyway, I was not intending to make it look like you were selling it. I was making it look the OPPOSITE! If you "sell" something to someone and the pay them for that also, that's not selling! ;D I'm so surprised at how you so epicly misunderstood my post O_O XD And talking about sources, that was a mistake on my interpreting and remembering part :)
And anyway, I thought you'd guess that complaining about no download link is an indirect way of asking for a download. And I didn't dare ask directly after you explained that this is this, that is that, and this is why this is so.
And talking about regulating downloads, why not just PM them an attachment after they ask?

[4aiman]

Well, I've a bad sleep for several days.
So divide anything harsh I say by 10 or so... ;)
I'm really sorry for that.

Also note, that I'm Russian and have never been to any English-speaking country.
It's only natural for me to misunderstand.
Feel free to point out any mistakes that hinder the essence of my messages.
So far no one did ever complained about my English, although I've made *tons* of mistakes, spelling errors and grammar errors. Let alone stylistic errors.


I didn't want to and was not intended to hurt anyone's feelings.
It's just that I desperately need MORE time to be "packed" into the amount of time I already have.
I had to go through a lot, including re-coding many mods, drawing and re-drawing textures, asking different people to permit me to use their mods on the terms of WTFPL - all of that just to be able to distribute the game as I see fit until a major update will be released.


Also, PMs are not the way out of the situation.
Many ppl won't ask at all - for the same reason you haven't.


So, I'm busy preparing a way to let all of you get the old version of my game.
I'll update the first page with a link to a page located at my personal website.
But that doesn't mean one can't PM me about the sources.

I hope everyone will comply with using the 3rd-party site, though.

I won't be making money on downloads.
I wont show you the entire site - just the page with various links to Magichet.
The download will be free and accessible to anyone.
^ I promise everyone that much.

[ABJ]

:) :) :) :) :) :)
Nor have I been never been to any English country either, and, unless you are living in a very Eastern part of Russia, I'm farther away from England than you are, and the only 2 countries I've ever visited are India and Sri Lanka. So we are practically the same and make pretty much the same grammer mistakes ;) And definitely I wasn't hurt just surprised about how you got heated up so quickly. ;)
And is it not possible to get the latest game until you officially release? Or is it askable by PM etc?
And talking about asking, I was meaning asking on the thread being scary.
That said, I wonder actually when do you think this game could be officially released?

[rubenwardy]

They are right, this should be in WIP Subgames or Servers if there is no download. I'd suggest WIP Subgames - it fits exactly to what you are saying - you're working on it, you want to post updates.

Please see 'releases' in 'Subgame Releases'.

Also as a side note, if you add a NC clause then it's not technically open source, but that is completely your choice and it doesn't make much difference to me.

[4aiman]

Ah... Ruben...
Wait for a couple of days, would you?

Also, I've seen that topic, but:
The game WAS released and is being used in production on GooglePlay.
Are you saying that there's no way one can update some game that had been released already? O_o

So, please, be patient and leave me and my thread be until June 1st, 2015.
If for any reason by then there won't be a way to get the sources - do whatever you think is necessary to do.
Until then, please, wait.


I clearly understand that in the current state "WIP" or "Server" sub-forum fits me better.
But I don't feel like updating 4 threads instead of 2 (do you remember FM is out there too?) and make users to search for me in 3 different threads across minetest.net.
Besides, as long as there's Magichet app at Google Play - you can't claim there's NO way to obtain the game.
But then again - that would have gone to unofficial Engine Developement, I guess...

So, If a link to GP app would be sufficient to let me be for a while - I'll add it to the 1st post.

If no, then the only thing I can do is to ask to stop disturbing me and thus making the release to come out later then it could. The time I spend on answering messages about "moving" the thread may have been spent on updating the game... :(


BUT:
I've NOTHING against the move IF the link to the topic will STAY THE SAME.
OR in case there will be a redirect to the appropriate topic.

My only concern about "not moving" is preserving ppl that actually want to play the game and are following its development.
=============================================================================

As a side note, the word "technically" depends on what are you calling an "open source" software.
In terms of the fact that the sources will be available for anyone, "NC" *is* an "open source".
"Non-free" (as in "freedom", not as in "free hot-dogs!") open-source - maybe, but definitely not "not open source".

[4aiman]

And is it not possible to get the latest game until you officially release? Or is it askable by PM etc?
And talking about asking, I was meaning asking on the thread being scary.
That said, I wonder actually when do you think this game could be officially released?

I'm planning to make things work in the nearest future. (I'd LIKE to say "till the 1st of June, 2015", but still can't).
That includes GP app update.
If I'd fail to update or add some feature in 2 weeks - then all those missing features will be a question of the next update.
So, I'd release soon anyway.

The old version will be accessible prior to the 1st of June, 2015. That I CAN promise and willing to make.
Asking for any version via PM is not prohibited. But I have a certain ppl in the list of those who can obtain pre-release by asking. One of those has got a copy already ;)

ABJ, I'll PM you by myself when I'll be able to give you the old version and then when the new will be available.

[Wuzzy]

In terms of the fact that the sources will be available for anyone, "NC" *is* an "open source". "Non-free" (as in "freedom", not as in "free hot-dogs!") open-source - maybe, but definitely not "not open source".

Well, if you redefine terms to suit your need, you can make basically any statement true. ;-)

But that's not what “open source” means. “open source” is not a wishy-washy term, it has a clear-cut definition: http://opensource.org/osd
And this definition clearly excludes non-commercial clauses and the like.

What you are talking about, that is, the source code is available, but under a restrictive license, is called “source-available”, which is different from “open source” (or “free software”).

Fun Fact: The Open Source Definition is pretty similar to the free software definition. The difference lies in the motiviation. Free Software advocates argue on ethical grounds, Open Source advocates don't.


Back to topic: I guess I just wait until you put the release the (new) subgame as download, as you have said. I prefer to play singleplayer, that's the reason. Maybe I join the server. Or maybe not, lol, I'll see. xD

[ABJ]

OK OK forget it till that :)
@4aiman I was just being a bit lazy and (thus) narrowminded.
@rubenwardy @myself Give him some peace till whenever he likes.

[4aiman]

Oh, that's a Wuzzy's comment for me :)
Actually, nevermind.
But your attitude had shifted my priorities greatly.

You'd never know...You'd never know...



Anyway, here's the graph of the server load for the last 24 hours:

graph.png

[4aiman]

So...
I've added a link to a web-page where one can get currently released Magichet version.
No ads, no link-shorteners.
IP and (if applicable) username are to be logged.
There's also a publicly-available counter and the terms of usage that one can see prior to downloading.
Also, I didn't change the license for the code that once has been released.


But the next version will have a different license. That is not disputable.
However, should someone need any kind of additional right on release, I'd be glad to help.
Much like those awesome people who granted some additional rights to me.

I haven't decided on the license yet, though.

If there's a way to let "let's-players" and "bloggers" and other people who aren't gaining money by direct use of my subgame (like selling apps or making apps with ads) - then, please, tell me of a wonderful license which will enable me to save their right to indirectly exploit my subgame.

[4aiman]

The server's up once again!

Some more (I *have* announced full-set-armour bonuses, haven't I?) set-bonuses. Leather, Gold, Iron and Rainbow sets affected.
Now with some neat corner-stairs!
And the default skin v1 has been added too.

stairs.png

(The image is from MC wiki and is NOT free, but it's legal to use that)

[ABJ]

FINALLY I'm online :)
And WOW!
If anyone wanna meet me online, come now!

[ABJ]

How do I get this Frostwood thing? Thanks to the fact that everything has to be made out of that, now I'm stuck with no way to make ANY tools.
Anyone can help?

[4aiman]

First of all - frostwood is a wood that is crafted out of purple trees.
But you don't *have* to use frostwood :)

Haven't you seen zgc earlier?
There's a little button with 'v' symbol:

Just press it, and you'll see that *any* type of wood shall do. :)

[4aiman]

Date: 29.05.2015
- true MC-like stairs behaviour + upside-down stairs!

[All variations are actually only 3(!!!) nodes!]
- fixed jetpack being unequippable
- new ghosts physics: true flight
- fixed nonexistent translation crashes
- single-path localization
- fixed magnesium spawn
- fixed magnesium drop
- added a recipe for gStone lamp
- now you finally may complete the very fisrt quest!

[4aiman]

The server has been down for a couple of days due to a strange serialization bug.
I think I've fixed it, but that is merely a guess - the error has absolutely no info on what has happened.
So, the only thing I could do - check EVERY param that is being serialized and make sure it's a string.


The server will be up and running within 10 hours.
And from now on it will be running from 6-7 PM till 4-5 AM (GMT+0).
That is due to my desktop heating up the place.
It's already up to +30ºC (86ºF) indoors where I live (and it might get up to 34-36), so...
Sadly, I've no money to buy a new cooling system for my Desktop or my flat. (The one with the same noise level will cost twice as much as my HW cost me 2 years ago.)

So, please, wait for the release if the "opening hours" don't not suit your meridian.


Also, I'm still running a time-profiler.
Be sure to check-in, so I'd know which hours are the best to have the server software running.
Right now the best time is from 5PM to 9PM roughly.


The alternative way is to use crowdfunding to raise some sum to pay for a good VPS and run magichet there for 24/7.

[4aiman]

Just as promised, the server runs from around 6 PM till around 5AM.

Current version includes new bonuses for the following sets of armour: gold, rainbow and magic.
It is called "Lavaward" and lets one swim in lava w/o taking damage for 6, 16 or 60 seconds respectively.
After that time's over one will start to receive normal damage.
Walk away from lava and stay out of it for 1/2 of the bonus duration time and you'll be able to swim in lava again.
(Basically, when in lava, timer goes 1 down per second; while NOT in lava it goes 2 up per second until it reaches the limit).

Also there was a bug that prevented players from descending below -64 even after completing the quest.
I'm sorry, but if anyone had completed that prior to yesterday's evening, the quest for going deeper should be undergone once again.

There were more fixes, but I don't remember those ATM.

[ABJ]

Hmmm interesting. Good thing I'm not even close.
Um how far do I have to go from spawn to get the full ore benefit?
And why don't decayed leaves drop sapling? And how do I obtain than?

[4aiman]

Well, since I've changed the mapgen a little right after changing ore probabilities, you should see a place upon looking at it.
That would be within 600 nodes from spawn.
I can't guarantee, though.
You should look for a place where you can clearly see a difference in altitude - like a plain half of a high mountain... or a biome under another biome.

Note that /home works within 600 nodes only. Be sure to make several warp points if you must.


Decayed leaves... he-he ))
When leaves decay they drop themselves with the probability of 1/30.
If you want saplings - cut the leaves with smth sharp. That does include some swords and axes.
Some leaves are to be cracked down with a pickaxe (guess which? ;)

The general rule is:
if you can obtain the *leaves node by cutting them with a tool - there's a good chance of having saplings (like 1/5, IIRC) too.


Ok, you may stop guessing ;)

"default:leaves" - "default:shears"
"default:jungleleaves" - "default:shears"
"ethereal:bananaleaves" - "default:shears", "sharp"
"ethereal:yellowleaves" - "default:shears", "cutters"
"ethereal:palmleaves" - "default:shears"
"ethereal:pineleaves" - "default:shears", "cutters"
"ethereal:frost_leaves" - "cutters"
"ethereal:mushroom" - anything
"ethereal:mushroom_pore" - anything

I wanted to provide a list of "sharp" and "cutters" tools...
but is seems that you've found yet another bug...
Not all tools are registered within given groups like those should.
I'll fix it asap.

Just know, that currently you can't cut leaves placed by a player with a proper tool and expect those to drop saplings - only naturally spawned leaves can provide saplings and/or fruits.

I doubt I should change that...
How about a voting? :)
Need at least 10 ppl for the change.

[ABJ]

Oh thanks so much :)

BTW 4aiman could you check out Voxiworld by DCJ on his own DCJTech forums? It's got quite a bunch of useful things you might like.

And, additional small request: Could you change the torches please? Having the default ones somehow makes this game look horribly drab. Why, even Voxiworld's crap cubic-only-non-animated torches seem to add so much good feel to the game.

[4aiman]

Well, the reason for horrid torches is devs stubbornness. Why should I add yet another mesh which won't show properly on older clients, if there's a patch for 3d torches already? :)
So many ideas were squashed and RIPed just "because".

^ That what I would've said 2 years ago.

As for now...
Once I deal with the problems on android - I'll start making builds - at least for x86.
If it's the only way to not overload the game with data, then so shall it be.
If I'm forced to make older clients have visual glitches, then what difference would it make to use a custom build?
Either way I'd be forced to leave ppl behind. But with a custom build I will be able to provide a client where all things work as they should.

Just remember: android - first, PC - next.
========================================
Voxiworld....
I've been to a server of it.
Honestly... I don't feel like playing it.

But that's only because I'm not like playing almost any subgame for minetest or freeminer.
That's the reason of making magichet. I'm really tired to code magichet but after a year of development, it's starting to obtain it's shape.

If you have some ideas on features I can use - feel free to list them, though.
Just remember: magichet is a game about magic, technology and minecraft features that I like. I also like to copy some terraria features (like armour set bonuses).

I'm NOT making a copy of minecraft. Thus, magichet doesn't look alike. But in terms of the gameplay - it's the game which is the closest to minecraft in terms of features.

Judge by yourself (only mc-like features listed, many omitted):
- unique mobs framework with mc-like drop, AI & weaponry
- explosions power/damage calculated with mechanics taken from minecraft wiki
- enchantments available
- action-based hunger (walk, run, jump, run+jump, dig, swim, regenerating, taking damage, fighting - all those actions drain you food saturation level) with mechanics taken from minecraft wiki
- unique armour framework which lets mobs to equip armiour and weapons, loose it's protection with the increase of wear
- mc-like doors (double doors included)... well, can't surprise anyone with that
- itemnames HUD
- achievements system
- cakes
- mc-like farming with bonemeal, wearable pumpkins etc
- abandoned mineshafts
- mc-like timings for weapons
- tools get worn by ANY kind of use
- player gets xp for using tools,
- diamonds
- gStone
- Industrial Craft machinery
- Nether
- mc-like stairs behaviour (auto-conversion)
- beds, buckets, boats, carts, dyes, sponges, item drop etc etc (also not a surprise)

Add some minetest-only features, ghosts, ethereal mapgen, multi-language support (despite the MT inferior support of locales (in comparison to FM)... And you'll get Magichet. A true bearer of minecraft's spirit within minetest engine.

But I'm NOT making a clone.

I'd like to get some extra help, but the code should be wtfpl.

[ABJ]

I mean features like craft guide showing not only craft recipes, but if there is no crafting recipe, another way to obtain it:

..................Smelting
iron lump --------------> Steel ingot

.................Pounding
iron lump ----------------> Iron powder


Steel Ingot|Steel Ingot|Steel Ingot|,........Crafting
|Stick | | -----------------------> Steel Pickaxe
|Stick | |

...................Digging
Iron ore -------------------->iron lump

Like this with appropriate GUI elements. (such as pickaxe image for digging, craft grid image for crafting etc)