RoF2 Client Comes to EQEmu!

[trevius]

I recommend that everyone get the Everquest Free to Play client from Steam ASAP:

http://store.steampowered.com/app/205710/

(Make sure to just get the Free to Play one, as there is no need to buy the latest expansion on there since they are both the same download.)

Install Instructions for RoF2 can be found on the Play Guide (http://wiki.eqemulator.org/p?Play_Guide:_Getting_Started).

Many are already aware of this client due to the development tracking thread, but the client is now finalized enough to make an official news post for it.

This download is still considered RoF Expansion, but it is a different patch (about 6 months later). We are calling it the "RoF2" client. Even if you don't switch over to it immediately, I highly recommend everyone get in now in case SOE decides to patch the version that has been on Steam since May 10th 2013.

This new client is nearly 100% as compatible with EQEmu as the UF and previous clients are. For the latest status of development for this client, refer to the Steam RoF2 Development Tracking (http://www.eqemulator.org/forums/showthread.php?t=39092) thread.

The stability and performance of this client seems to be far better than any previous EQEmu client due to a high focus by the SOE team to improve these areas of code around that time. It is 3 years newer than the Underfoot client, which isn't quite as far of a jump as going from Titanium to Underfoot, but it is still enough of a jump to see very noticeable improvements immediately.

There are too many cool new features to list them all. Here are a few highlights off the top of my head:

Augmenting has never been easier. No more aug pool or combines. You simply put the aug in a slot in the item and remove it in the same way you would put something into a bag.
Clickies can now be used from inside bags!
More hotkey bars available.
Copy layout, hotkeys, and more to easily setup multiple characters UIs.
Hero's Forge Armor Models are available, but server's need to implement them into their database and content to make them available to players (some servers are already doing this).
New 6th aug slot available for items (requires server owners to add them to their database as desired).
More inventory space and bigger bags. There are 2 more main inventory slots and the client can handle at least 100 slot bags (and probably even bigger). This still needs to have support added to EQEmu for it, but it is already in development (no ETA).
Even more NPC Races, new Zones, and an insane number of new Weapon and Armor models and item icons.
Lots of memory and performance tweaks as well as increased stability. This is great for anyone that boxes multiple accounts.
Tons of new minor features and options such as hotkeys showing cooldown timers on them and options to be able to click through yourself and/or your pet/merc if you prefer 3rd person view.


Note that not all servers currently support this client, but there is a decent list so far including PEQ, EZ, Storm Haven, and I am sure at least a handful of others. As more servers update their source code, this client will be useable on them as well.

There are still a few issues to work out such as Bazaar trading and some Guild Functionality, but overall the RoF2 client is very functional and polished. The Dev team is still working hard to resolve the remaining issues.

[vsab]

Awesome work, downloading now!

[zeldik]

2. Clickies can now be used from inside bags!
4. Copy layout, hotkeys, and more to easily setup multiple characters UIs.
7. More inventory space and bigger bags.
9. Lots of memory and performance tweaks as well as increased stability.

Sweet features especially UI one got so tired of setting up NEW UI hots and such for every toon on every server .

[trevius]

Here is a few more features from the RoF+ clients that I found while searching through the old RoF dev thread which are pretty nice:

- Hot buttons now have right-click and hold menus to allow for customizations in size, icon, labels and more.
- Empty bags can now be placed in other bags.
- Mount control has been tightened up considerably. When using a mount you will reach top speed much faster than before, and stop even faster. While in combat, the movement is still tighter than before, but not as responsive as when out of combat.

[CometNest]

Do I need to run the game and login to the Everquest server to finish the install before disabling patches, or as soon as the download finishes do I just go to the install directory and move the files (for backup and playing purposes)? I have never downloaded a legit client version before so not sure. I have always had to use 'underground' means of obtaining an Everquest client that was compatible with the EMU. Is there some 'client number' or 'build number' I can use to verify that my version is compatible? Also, I assume I will need to update my servers code in order for it to function with this client? Haven't updated my server in about 4 months.

Thanks for all the work you all do on this project. I truly appreciate it as nothing beats being able to go back and play this game however I please - with god mode. :D

Keep up the good work!

[Kingly_Krab]

CometNest, you can just move your files, do not log in because your client will patch. You can just move it and change your eqhost.txt file.

[CometNest]

Thanks for the quick reply Kingly_Krab. Wasn't sure if just downloading the client gave everything necessary or not as he said they haven't patched since 2013. So I didn't know if this meant I needed to patch after downloading or not. Again, thanks. Saved me from accidentally patching and then having to delete and re-download.

[Kingly_Krab]

Haha, you're welcome, that would have been a huge inconvenience.

[vsab]

Do we need .txc files from a titanium install (I've not included them)? I've done a diff of steam vs titanium and there are 200+ files missing, and compared to live 700+ files are missing (although ROF2 is 2 expansions behind now).
Titanium: http://wiki.eqemulator.org/i?Module=Pastebin&Paste=bOBVCPI9
Live:- http://wiki.eqemulator.org/i?Module=Pastebin&Paste=DhuJ4nDA

[trevius]

Again, for anyone installing the client, you can refer to the Play Guide as linked in the news post. It includes information for setting up the client like making sure not to patch and to just copy your files.

vsab,

The missing Titanium files look like they are mostly the zone files for zones that have been replaced with newer versions. This is the same issue as we have seen with the UF client. In order to access the old versions of the zones, you would need to copy the zone files over from an older client (such as Titanium, SoF, or SoD). They started removing old zones with the UF client and I am sure it will remain that way for all clients going forward.

The RoF2 client is still much more complete than the base UF client from Steam was. The base UF client was missing files other than just the zone files and even included a partial dbstr_us.txt file which means there were a lot of unknown db string errors for stuff like AAs, spells and others. The RoF2 client is a complete client, but it is just missing the old zone files that are no longer used on Live.

I don't think any of the Live files would be needed, though you may be able to copy some over to get access to newer stuff like maybe new Icons and Weapon/Armor models.

[Volley]

Having read this and got all excited
I followed the steps on the installation guide having downloaded today. It informs me the client may not be compatible. (I have not patched the client, Followed the instructions to the "T" Please don't tell me they have patched already? or am I a NEEEWWBB..

Many thanks :)

[tdheysus2k]

One small issue I have noticed with the F2P client, is with getting a clicky shortcut from an inventory slot and dragging it to the hotbar.

detail:
-top level inventory slot with a clicky item in it.

-by left-clicking and holding(then getting an icon that can be placed on the hotbar) instead of the inventory item, it keeps pulling up my charm slot item.

-so now my charm slot item icon is on my cursor, if I try to put that icon on my hotbar, it just disappears.


I tried this on my own server, and thought it was something that I may have screwed up, so I tried it on EZ server and the same conditions happened there as well. (clicking on top level inventory item, only to have the charm slot appear on my cursor) on EZ server I left-clicked(held) on an inventory item, and the Noobie Charm v1 appeared on my cursor.

-on both servers, the charm slot shortcut icon appeared on my cursor, when I was no where close to clicking on my charm slot (I was in the inventory)

[tdheysus2k]

One small issue I have noticed with the F2P client, is with getting a clicky shortcut from an inventory slot and dragging it to the hotbar.

detail:
-top level inventory slot with a clicky item in it.

-by left-clicking and holding(then getting an icon that can be placed on the hotbar) instead of the inventory item, it keeps pulling up my charm slot item.

-so now my charm slot item icon is on my cursor, if I try to put that icon on my hotbar, it just disappears.


I tried this on my own server, and thought it was something that I may have screwed up, so I tried it on EZ server and the same conditions happened there as well. (clicking on top level inventory item, only to have the charm slot appear on my cursor) on EZ server I left-clicked(held) on an inventory item, and the Noobie Charm v1 appeared on my cursor.

-on both servers, the charm slot shortcut icon appeared on my cursor, when I was no where close to clicking on my charm slot (I was in the inventory)

Please disregard my previous post. I just read in the Dev thread, that apparently, this is a known issue:

5. Item Hotkeys - The new Item Hotkey always shows the item in the Charm slot due to an issue with how item headers are serialized now. This is a new feature in addition to the old slot based hotkeys.

[trevius]

Having read this and got all excited
I followed the steps on the installation guide having downloaded today. It informs me the client may not be compatible. (I have not patched the client, Followed the instructions to the "T" Please don't tell me they have patched already? or am I a NEEEWWBB..

Many thanks :)

Where are you getting the message that it may not be compatible? What screen/step are you on from the playguide?

Doesn't look like they have updated the download yet according to this:
https://steamdb.info/app/205710/

And on the topic of hotkeys, you can still make the old slot based hotkeys by holding ALT+Click instead of just holding Click. In RoF2, holding Click now creates an item-based hotkey that will follow the item if you move it around your inventory. This new feature has not been implemented, but hopefully will be before too long (at the very least to reduce confusion as many people have posted about this "issue").

[Uleat]

The link in your signature points to a wiki page that only lists Titanium.

I need to find my password so I can log in and update it :P

[trevius]

The link in your signature points to a wiki page that only lists Titanium.

I need to find my password so I can log in and update it :P

I just updated some of the FAQ to be more current.

[rdnck]

For the alt-o-holics amongst us, the Underfoot has 18 toon slots, versus the 10 allowed by default on the RoF client...with the ability to add more from the station store...I'd suggest opening up the extra character slots here by default, instead of limiting folks to only 10 toons per server / login acct...ijs...;)

[trevius]

For the alt-o-holics amongst us, the Underfoot has 18 toon slots, versus the 10 allowed by default on the RoF client...with the ability to add more from the station store...I'd suggest opening up the extra character slots here by default, instead of limiting folks to only 10 toons per server / login acct...ijs...;)

Ya, I don't know why UF shows 18, unless we just have no way to tell it how many we want to set as max. The server code only supports 10 max right now and that is hard coded. You may be able to create more than 10, but you will only see a max of 10 Chars at char select (any more than that would be hidden until you deleted some). At some point, it would be good to change that to a rule or something so max can be increased/decreased.

Really, EQEmu is free to make as many accounts as you want. Alt junkies don't need to make a ton of chars on the same account. Just make more accounts!

[ChaosSlayerZ]

Greetings!
Sorry I am late to the party, but does this client on Steam still good for download?

Thanks ;)

[vsab]

Yes it is ( 10 chars) ��

[ChaosSlayerZ]

thank you!

[hiraith]

Hi all,

So this is what happens when I don't log in for a while... :-}

As of 1/22, is the client still working, or has it been Sony-patched?

Thanks,

Hiraith

[Uleat]

Only one way to find out :)


(The steam version hadn't been updated as of the last week or two..not sure about anything more recent.)

[hiraith]

Thanks, Uleat! :-}

A total newb question now: for the missing files, does my ancient Platinum disc set contain those files? I bought the SoF expansion via Steam when it was available, but didn't ralize I had to back it up before using EqEmu, so I can't get the files from there anymore...

Any help on the missing files issue would be appreciated. (People can always PM me with "advice" if they'd like!)

[hiraith]

Hi all,

Please disregard the last post, I managed to get hold of those missing files...

However, whilst trying to log in to the RoF2 client I downloaded from Steam yesterday using the Eqemu launcher, I got an error message:

"Could not verify eqgame.exe! Maybe your client is not supported?"

Does this mean that the Steam client I downloaded was already patched, or that the launcher doesn't recognize RoF2 yet?

Thanks - and sorry for being such a newb pain in the butt!

[Jahosphat]

launcher doesn't recognize rof_2 yet

[hiraith]

Thanks again,

any ETA on updating the launcher?

Only reason I ask is that for some reason, although I followed the install instructions to the letter (I'm a tech writer in rl, after all!), neither shortcut I made (one for Underfoot, one for RoF2) works. However, I can log in with no probs using the launcher.

Any help really appreciated.

[provocating]

I have the 1/16/2015 update from Steam and it hangs on Stormhaven and also PEQ. Looking at their log on steam, it was updated on 1/15/2015 wasn't it?

https://steamdb.info/app/205710/

[Uleat]

That..I haven't seen yet...

[demonstar55]

The only thing that's changed since the RoF2 change was metadata, as in the download is 100% the same.

[provocating]

What is your eqgame file size and change date?

I have a previous F2P client with the eqgame.exe showing 5/11/2013 and 8,569 for a file size.

The F2P I downloaded on 1/15/2015 has a change date of 12/3/2014 and a file size of 10,617

[trevius]

What is your eqgame file size and change date?

I have a previous F2P client with the eqgame.exe showing 5/11/2013 and 8,569 for a file size.

The F2P I downloaded on 1/15/2015 has a change date of 12/3/2014 and a file size of 10,617

Sounds like you patched your client to Live. The Steam update page still shows this:

Last Depot Update 2 years ago (May 20, 2013 – 18:38:10 UTC)

The actual build date if you open logs/dbg.txt should show this for the correct RoF2 client:

Built May 10 2013 23:30:08

[provocating]

Hmm, not sure how that could have happened but I will just wipe what I have and download it again.

Thanks for the heads up Trev.

[vsab]

When I downloaded it I zipped the whole directory up and backed it up just in case I accidentally patched it to live, which is so easily done!

[provocating]

That is what I normally do. I did happen to get it downloaded from Steam last night again, pushed it up to my nas. It worked just fine, just sorting out past issues right now.

[vsab]

That is what I normally do. I did happen to get it downloaded from Steam last night again, pushed it up to my nas. It worked just fine, just sorting out past issues right now.

I read that as "pushed it up my ass", which made me spit my coffee out.

[provocating]

I read that as "pushed it up my ass", which made me spit my coffee out.

Dude, never, ever waste coffee.

[chrsschb]

Fuuu, just seeing this. Need to grab the new client asap.

[trixi]

Nub question I am sure, but the link (http://store.steampowered.com/app/205710/) points to a F2P download page with a "Release Date: 13 Dec, 2012".

In the play guide it says we need "Everquest: Rain of Fear (RoF2 - Build Date of May 10 2013 23:30:08)"

Are they one and the same, or has it been patched ???

[trevius]

They wouldn't patch to an older date. They are referring to the release date of the client most likely. Either way, the download is correct. You can check the logs/dbg.txt file output after downloading and running the client one time to verify the date.

[trixi]

Fair enough. Cheers.

[Coenxai]

Each time I see the RoF2 changes on GitHub I get a little bit giddy Trev :D Awesome work.

[trevius]

Each time I see the RoF2 changes on GitHub I get a little bit giddy Trev :D Awesome work.

Demonstar55 and Uleat have both been helping with RoF2 a bit as well, so it isn't just me :P

I am excited to get closer to completing the RoF2 client. I am working on Bazaar now, which is one of the more complicated systems that is left to do. Hopefully I can get it working without too much more work. So far, I have it so you can start a trader on RoF2 and purchase from them using previous clients (UF or lower). If I can get purchasing working on RoF2, it should be done.

That will mostly just leave Guild Bank as the final thing to get done to complete the client (at least enough to be fully caught up with any previous client compatibility on EQEmu). This will hopefully be easier to do than the Bazaar stuff, so it may not be too much longer before it is done.

There will still be minor issues to resolve that aren't well documented yet or easily reproducible. I think the cursor buffer work-around still needs a few more tweaks to be perfect. Sometimes people still have issues with that, mostly related to stacking items.

It will be nice to finish this off so other things can be focused on. It will be the first fully compatible client since UF which has been a few years :)

[zenthrose]

ive been having issues with the rof2 and underfoot clients with my apu processor. i can not get past the character select screen with out the client crashing. but if i patch to live with the latest updates of 03-31-2015 i can connect to live(couldnt before then) but can not get past server select using the patched to live? any ideas why that is?

[demonstar55]

You can't patch to live.

EQ has issues with some processors and they have to fix them sometimes, if that's the case you're SOL

[zenthrose]

so what your telling me then @demonstar55 is i have to play on live if i want to play eq?
there has got to be some way i can play on the eqemulator sites with some of the files from patching to live (multiple copies) up til the lastest patches i wasnt able to, but since then i can play live, so why cant there be some way for me to use those files so i can play here?

[Uleat]

In short, yes...

If none of the existing (and supported) releases of the client will run correctly on your computer, then you will have to make
do with a live-patched version of the client that will run correctly on your system.

Unfortunately, due to the difficulty of creating a client translator for the server, we don't have the resources to keep a 'live'
patched client actively supported.


As far as what you can use from a live-patched client...

That's really dependent on where the 'fix' occurred..though, I still doubt that a substitution strategy would prove fruitful.

The core of client integration lies in the 'eqgame.exe' binary. If the fix occurs inside of that file, then there is no feasible way
to force that 'client version' to connect to the emulator. It would take an entire translator construction to adapt its use...

IF the fix occurred inside of a dynamically-linked library file (like the dx file, for example,) then you 'might' get lucky...
But, since code changes usually change the entry points of binary files, you would likely suffer client crashes here too...


Someone else may have suggestions..but, from a developer's point of view, there's not much we can do.

[trevius]

I agree with Uleat.

A good experiment would be to make a copy of your Live patched EQ folder and then copy the eqgame.exe from your RoF2 client folder. Then update the eqhosts file and create the shortcut to eqgame.exe like normal and see if that makes any difference for loading. This should help rule out if the issue is with eqgame.exe (most likely), or with some other file(s) in the EQ folder.

If that doesn't work, my best suggestion would be to start googling for stuff like "Everquest APU Crash" and see if you can find anyone from EQ Live that posted a work-around/fix. Check the SOE forums as well. Maybe someone found a trick like changing eqclient.ini to something specific or putting EQ in some compatibility mode or something. You might also want to read through the patch notes from when that issue was fixed and see if the note gives any hints as to what they did to fix it.

If no one can find a fix, then there is very little we can do until they update Steam with a new EQ client that includes the fix. Even if they do, it could mean weeks/months/years before we have EQEmu caught up with the new client version.

From what I have read, the APUs are basically for notebooks/tablets. I would suggest playing on a desktop or laptop.

If you do happen to find a work-around, please be sure to post back here about it so anyone else with the same issue can resolve it as well.

Good luck!

[demonstar55]

so what your telling me then @demonstar55 is i have to play on live if i want to play eq?
there has got to be some way i can play on the eqemulator sites with some of the files from patching to live (multiple copies) up til the lastest patches i wasnt able to, but since then i can play live, so why cant there be some way for me to use those files so i can play here?

In order to play on an EQEmu server you must use one of the supported clients, patching to live will not work. If one of those specific clients do not work on your CPU, then you're screwed. But redownload the steam download (if you haven't backed it up) and try setting the affinity (WinEQ2 does this automatically) which you can do through the Task Manager (http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/windows-and-office/change-the-processor-affinity-setting-in-windows-7-to-gain-a-performance-edge/)

The newer client's also have affinity options in the INI, I haven't really dicked around with them. Googling trevius' suggestion also leads to many threads to similar issues people have had on live, try some of those. But make sure you do not patch to live, since that will not work here.

[zenthrose]

I did figure out a way to play on the servers, but i dont know how well you like it. i had to use a different hard drive and install Linux Ubuntu and run RoF2 through PoL(PlayonLinux), but it does work with my apu processor with no other modifications done. but i am just posting a solution for those that have a laptop(netbook, notebook) that have the apu processors.

[vsab]

Glad you got it working :)

[Uleat]

Yes, and thank you very much for posting your solution!

[Asylum]

Updated information please:

Is the current (6/24/2015) EQ client Release Date: Dec 13, 2012 available on Steam still the RoF2 client you are referring to (obviously without patching it)? Does anyone have a recent download of this to confirm it works on emulated servers?

[Kingly_Krab]

Updated information please:

Is the current (6/24/2015) EQ client Release Date: Dec 13, 2012 available on Steam still the RoF2 client you are referring to (obviously without patching it)? Does anyone have a recent download of this to confirm it works on emulated servers?
The current Steam version is unsupported. Also, we cannot distribute the client for legal reasons.

[Asylum]

I understand not publicly distributing the client. I was just wondering if the one listed as Release Date: Dec 13, 2012 is supported. Thanks for clearing that up. I was considering updating my server so that players with the RoF2 client would not have issues logging in, as seems to be happening. However, since the client seems no longer available for download, repacking feels like a waste of time and logging in with anything up through the RoF1 client works fine.

[ward3]

Anyone have working Custom UI's for rof2? I have only found quartz and lodi to be partially working. Lodi is nice, but no equipment icons display on the inventory window.

[askyn]

Anyone have working Custom UI's for rof2? I have only found quartz and lodi to be partially working. Lodi is nice, but no equipment icons display on the inventory window.

I have found a version of Sars ui that works with ROF2, if you shoot me private message with a email address I can try to mail it to you.

ROFL I must honestly be one of the few people around that doesn't have account some were to upload files to.