This thread was created to help keep track of the development of the Veil of Alaris client. Currently, we are working on the client that has a build date of March 21st 2012. This is likely to change over time with SOE patches. It has not yet been determined how following Live patches will be handled, if at all. As of writing this, you can get this client by fully patching to EQ Live using an F2P (or paid) account.
This thread can be used as a reference for what needs work, and who is working on what. I will try to keep this post updated as people update the thread with any progress or notes.
This thread can be used for any development related work or concerns as well as to report any bugs with the client that haven't already been documented.
This thread will be focused on VoA specific bugs, not general bugs that exists in some or all other clients. Because we are already tracking known issues with previous clients in other threads, this thread will not repeat those same issues. For reference, see the following threads for previous client development tracking:
SoD Development Tracking
Underfoot Development Tracking
Last Update - April 22th 2012
Top Priority Work:
1. AA Purchasing - Purchasing AAs is not yet functional. Need to review how it is handled on Live currently.
2. Selling to merchants - Merchant Lists now display and buying from them works, but it looks like the sell packet now sends the item instance Serialized number instead of the merchant/inventory slot. The code supporting this may need to be adjusted.
3. Guilds - Any character in a guild will crash the client when they try to log in. Most likely, this is just a structure issue that needs to be corrected. It looks like the issue is with the Guild Member List packet.
4. Looting - Looting is functional if right clicking to loot, but left clicking to loot to the cursor doesn't work. This is due to how slots were completely changed around and needs further investigation on how to deal with it properly.
5. Tasks - Tasks are not working at all yet. This is due to packet structure changes that will need encodes before sending them to the client.
6. Adventure Merchants - These bug the client if clicked currently. Probably some struct changes needed.
7. Tradeskill Containers - Clicking a world tradeskill object to open it causes the client to bug. This is probably due to an opcode or structure issue.
8. Popups - Popup windows aren't working at all right now. Most likely a struct change is needed.
I am sure there are plenty of broken systems that need work, and will update this section as more issues are identified.
Medium Priority Work:
1. Wear Change - The Wearchange structure changed slightly and now some armor textures don't seem to show up correctly. Needs further investigation.
Low Priority Work:
Pending further assessment
Client Issues:
None known as of yet
Database and Source Code Changes that will be needed at some point:
Will need to convert the source and database to use the new Live format for item slots to allow bags larger than 10 slots.
New Systems to VoA that did not exist in Underfoot (that may/do require code support):
1. Containers can go above 10 slots and it looks like the max is at least 32 slot (though there is no reason for hard setting a max in the source with the new slot format).
2. Containers can be stored inside other containers. So long as they are empty and the same size or smaller. The client already allows this, but need server support to prevent issues.
3. Player Housing system
4. Two new slots in the base player inventory for a total of 10.
5. Merchant window now has a "Preview" button. Clicking it will bring up a window with a small model of your character exactly as he/she is but with whatever item you had selected equipped. Only for items that can go in visible inventory slots. The character model can be rotated and zoomed in on. Used to preview the appearance of items as they would appear on your character before buying them.
6. Merchant window now has a "Reclaim" tab. Any item you destroy during a single session of EQ (Unsure if it resets when you log) is shown in this tab and can be purchased at the cost of "Reclamation Tokens"
7. New "Zone Guide" window. Brings up a listing of all static zones in game and sorted by name, continent, and recommended level. Selecting a zone also displays all connected zones. At the bottom you can create a "Zone Path" by selecting a Start zone and Destination zone as well as a few other variables. This will then create a Find path (Same path that has been used for NPC Find forever) from where you're standing to the zone line and will attempt to guide you to your destination zone. This functionality has also been tied into the Map window, which itself has received a tiny revamp.
8. In-Game "Polls" window. Shows community polls and the results of said polls.
9. Alert History Window. Displays history of alerts your character has received. Examples being the window with keyboard commands that pops up when you first log a character into the tutorial, or the window that pops up for Free/Silver members reminding them to "Go Gold".
10. Death has been changed. You still receive the same xp hits, still have the rez window etc and still appear at bind. However you appear with all gear still on you and all spells still scribed. Bodies seem to spawn naked and only exist for rezes now. (This is the only new feature that actually bothered me. If this goes in should probably add a rule variable to the database to let server ops turn it on/off at whim.)
Issues with Newly Implemented Systems that did not exist in Underfoot:
Pending further assessment
Recently Resolved Issues:
1. Casting Spells and Click Effects on items is now functional.
2. Character Creation - This is now functional. (Thanks Secrets!)
3. Consume Food/Drink - This is now functional.
4. AAs - AAs now display properly in the AA window and hotkeys can be created.
Attaining the Live F2P (Free to Play) VoA Client:
http://www.everquest.com/
Click the "Play Free" button to download the installer and run it to install EQ.
Once the client is downloaded and fully patched (requires you to create a free account), then just follow the normal EQEmu client setup instructions.
Note that this client is patched from Live, so it is highly recommended to copy your entire EQ folder to another folder and run EQEmu from there. This is so when SOE patches, your VoA client will still be available while the new patch changes are getting adjusted for EQEmu.
Note that this client is currently disabled by default in the current SVN. Anyone who wants to test it on their server will need to uncomment the 2 VoA lines in this file before compiling:
http://code.google.com/p/projecteqem...es/patches.cpp
This post will be updated again regularly with current development status. Devs, please feel free to edit this post as needed.
VoA Development Tracking
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