Duke for all!
We all wanted to play it, but for a long time it has been a hassle for many people to get Duke3D up and running as a playable game. Part of that stems from the previous lack of suitable Linux binaries, part of it from the issue of setting up multiplayer games. I have been looking into solving this issue a step at a time.
First, we want to get Duke3D running nicely in whatever operating system we are using. A high proportion of Team IPX members run Linux, so it is important to be able to find games which run easily here. Previously we had to use Wine or attempt to compile a build of JFDuke, which didn’t always turn out to plan, but there is a “new” contender on the block in the form of EDuke32.
Now, this isn’t exactly a new project, EDuke32 has been around for quite a while, I just never got around to trying it. Linux users will have to compile it for themselves (Windows users, generally not knowing what compile means, have a binary already built for them), but that wasn’t a difficult task – if someone has issues, we can try and hash it out here (or consult the Eduke32 wiki). Once you have that compiled, all you need to do is copy the new binaries (eduke32, and the mapping program mapster) to somewhere convenient, along with any .GRP file you may have (shareware, standard, atomic), and run it. I’m a nerd, so I made up a shell file and put it in my games/bin dir.
When you run EDuke32 you should be greeted with a configuration menu, where you can set resolutions and other settings; fiddle around with those, and run the game. The initial keyboard setup may be more modern, based around mouselook, but there’s an option to switch it to classic mode.
Have a play. Remember how fun it is. Ask questions here and we can work out bugs and stuff. Then we can move on to how to setup some multiplayer.
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Duke for all (Part 2)
Once you remember (or discover) how fun Duke3D is to play, you will likely want to try your hand at some human opponents. Historically this has been a source of much hassle, with a set number of players required to launch their games at the same time and after much trial and error everyone connects. Then a terminator comes loose and the LAN falls to pieces, but that’s another story…..
Even with the advent of source ports multiplayer is still a trying issue, especially over the Internet. While no longer needing the services of TEN or Kali (thankfully since these no longer exist in a usable form), co-ordination and timing is required. In JFDuke, batch files were required to spell out the address of the host server and number of people playing, and again trial and error could eventually lead to a game forming, up to the point where someone experienced a lag spike and the Internet falls to pieces, but that’s another story….
What I would like to suggest is trying a piece of software called YANG. There is not much information on the site, but what it does is act as a game browser with a client and master server. Now, I haven’t actually tried this online, since nobody else has read this guide and set themselves up yet, so whether it works or not I don’t know. There are binaries available for Windows and Linux users (and OSX users on another site), but I had to compile my own to get it to run properly (no big drama if you’ve got wxWidgets installed) – the benefit of this is that it also compiles a master server, which can then be run on a server and, in theory, connected to. In theory, communism works….
Firing up YANG will give you a game browser window (likely empty at this point). Multiple source ports can use YANG, including JFDuke and Shadow Warrior, if desired. The rest is somewhat vague, as nobody here has tried networking it all up yet. That will require some volunteers….
"Im Gonna Rip Your Head off And.."
This will seriously kick ass when we get this up and running! Cmon all lets get in on the Duke 3D fun! You know we will be waiting forever and ever for DNF ;p
Forever… and Ever, and Ever, Duke better have an Umbrella, ella, ella.
hail 2 the king baby
it’s time to kick ass and chew gum i’m all out of gum
nice find Kazashi
love your work
ta
Robag
i dunno
i dunno if its a good idea.
i got it working not long ago, albeit dodgily, with Fuzz. all it did was ruin the memories!
Stuff is never as good as you remember
Been ages
but could be worth a shot. Unfortunately my copy of the atomic edition has long since disintegrated and i’ll have to warez it. I actually cracked all four campaigns on hard without cheating xD
Anyone ever play the Starship Troopers TC for Duke3d?
Starship Troopers FTW
owww i still have my copy
god dam it now i feel like killing some bugs
come on you apes you want to live forever lol
ta
Robag
It’s time to kick ass and
It’s time to kick ass and chew bubblegum…..and im all out of gum.
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