DescentBB

Any chance of getting a version that doesn't use OGL? Kali's NAT settings don't agree with my router and/or ISP and I'd like to utilize the tracker/UDP function to play multiplayer, but my ancient box doesn't support Open GL.

That's Diedel's call, but I really, REALLY doubt it. Firstly it's a lot of work; secondly the only real alternative is Direct3D, which could well be even worse for compatibility.

Of course, he could put in a software renderer that goes through SDL - one of the early D2x versions had that - but that would be incredibly slow with the amount of detail in D2X-XL now.

All I really care about is UDP/IP support (and possibly even the integrated tracker.) I don't really care about the upgrade to graphics or anything, I just want to be able to play again, and D2X-XL is the only version with UDP/IP.

Sirius wrote:That's Diedel's call, but I really, REALLY doubt it. Firstly it's a lot of work; secondly the only real alternative is Direct3D, which could well be even worse for compatibility.

Of course, he could put in a software renderer that goes through SDL - one of the early D2x versions had that - but that would be incredibly slow with the amount of detail in D2X-XL now.

X2.

However.

What about the Legacy options for the d2x.ini file?

D2X Legacy Options:

-legacyfuelcens = Turn off repair centers
-legacyhomers = Turn off frame-rate independant homing missile turn rate
-legacyinput = Turn off enhanced input handling
-legacymouse = Turn off frame-rate independant mouse sensitivity
-legacyrender = Turn off colored segment rendering
-legacyzbuf = Turn off OpenGL depth buffer
-legacyswitches = Turn off fault-tolerant switch handling
-legacywalls = Turn off fault-tolerant wall handling
-legacymode = Turn off all of the above non-legacy behaviour

New: Added command line switch '-pureD2', which is equivalent to 'nostalgia 3', reverting D2X-XL to legacy Descent 2

Wouldn't either of those CMD line make D2X-XL function without OGL?

BTW Jihnsius,
Which Descent title 1 or 2 you're wanting to play?
What OS you trying to run D2X-XL under?
What Video Card do you have?

D2X-XL is OpenGL only and that will not change, because it is too much work and, as Aus-RED said it already, doesn't make much sense w/ all the stuff D2X-XL has added.

The above switches turn off fixes for flaws in D2(X). Turning them off will at least degrade performance of D2X-XL and maybe even cause faulty rendering (e.g. when disabling the Z-buffer (which holds depth information for each rendered pixel, taking care that stuff that is closer to the viewer doesn't get obscured by stuff that is further away). -pureD2 makes D2X-XL look and behave like D2, but that doesn't mean it will work like D2 internally. It will still use OpenGL and just make it render everything as pixelated as D2 does.

You may want to try D1X-Rebirth and/or D2X-Rebirth, afaik they have a software renderer.

Creating a support request in the D2X-XL tracker system on Sourceforge.net and posting your hardware and OS there would be a good idea - maybe you're not so far away from a system that can run D2X-XL.

Diedel wrote:You may want to try D1X-Rebirth and/or D2X-Rebirth, afaik they have a software renderer.

Nope, afaik, it is OGL too.

The old D2x from memory had 2 exe files. One for OGL and the other for normal windows.

Jihnsius

It would be some help if you described your system. There is certainly some way to allow you to at least play again. (even if it involved hardware donations! It's happened.)

Yes, it did (talking about original D2x here); it used SDL to draw the screen without invoking OpenGL at all. And I would have mentioned it except for one critical factor; it doesn't have whole-internet (i.e. routed) UDP/IP networking.

Sirius wrote:...I would have mentioned it except for one critical factor; it doesn't have whole-internet (i.e. routed) UDP/IP networking.

Ahhhh but it does have UDP/IP right?
Just no "tracker" feature like D2X-XL yeah?


If thats the case. You can still use the basic UDP/IP through a little program called Hamachi.

Hamachi wrote:Hamachi - How It Works

Hamachi is a UDP-based virtual private networking system. Its peers are helped by a third node called a mediation server to locate each other and to bootstrap the connection between them. The connection itself is direct and, once established, no traffic flows through our servers.

Hamachi is not just truly peer-to-peer; it is verifiably secure peer-to-peer.

Hamachi is able to successfully mediate p2p connections in roughly 95% of all cases. This includes peers residing behind various firewalls or broadband routers (aka NAT devices).

If you are looking to play some D1 players online.
Then do the following:

get Hamachi from http://www.hamachi.cc , and install HAMACHI BASIC, join server "Descent1", password "pilots". Also, disable file sharing when it asks you unless you don't mind us perusing your vast porn collection.

Once you're in, you can chat/host/join a game, or whatever. Simply fire up D1x, D1x-Rebirth or D2x, D2x-Rebirth, go into "MULTIPLAYER", then "JOIN GAME", then "UDP/IP", and enter the Hamachi IP of the host.

Other wise setup your own sever with D1 or D2 (using hamachi) and get you friends to join in on the fun!

Hope this helps.

1.2ghz proc (don't recall what kind,) 384MB SDRAM, nVidia Geforce 2, Windows XP Home, a Netgear Router that doesn't allow changes to NAT settings and broken port forwarding.

Geforce 2? Why wouldn't it support OGL?
Are the drivers up to date?
Don't use the ones from the M$ site.
Go here and do Option 1.
That feature should find the right drivers for your video card!

Netgear Router that doesn't allow changes to NAT settings and broken port forwarding.

Hamachi bypasses all that stuff so you don't have to do any changes to NAT or ports.

Updating drivers fixed the problem, thanks! Never thought I didn't have the latest drivers.

Good to hear!

Glad we could help.

Hamachi also supports IPX, incidentally.

But that config - with a GF2 - should easily be able to run D2X-XL.