A particular version of the EverQuest client (eqgame.exe) is only compatible with a particular version of an EverQuest server.
Different versions of the client will transfer information back and forth with the server differently. If the server doesn't get the information it needs in the format it needs from the client, it can't respond appropriately.
This is why EQLive won't let you connect to its servers if you're using an old version of eqgame.exe. You'll get an error message telling you to repatch.
It can take several months of work and trial and error to get the EQEmu server software to work with a new version of the EQ client. Therefore, the developers have to choose specific versions to support.
They can't choose a version patched from EQLive, because that particular version will stop working at the very next patch, and the old version that the EQEmu was being developed for won't be available to anyone anymore by any means.
So, they have to pick a static version that will remain unchanged and unpatched. The very easiest versions to do that with are the versions you can buy on disc in compilation packages. One person's EQ Titanium CDs will be exactly the same as another person's, so they can develop for that version and know a lot of people will be able to play.
Fortunately, Secrets of Faydwer is like a $5 purchase, and Titanium is cheap, too, though it's getting harder to find. Both are presently compatible with EQEmu. The server just has to use different codes and data structures to communicate with each one.
- Shendare
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