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Announcing new BHS Member Minax71 / renVis announcement post
We're happy to announce Minax71 as a new official Blackhand Studios member. Please welcome Minax71 to the team! Minax71 is a proficient coder with knowledge of many programming languages, and we think that he will make a good addition to our team. Minax71 is currently in charge of the new "renVis" project. ~ mac
Re: Announcing new BHS Member Minax71 / renVis announcement post
Hello everyone, after Mac succesfuly lured me into BHS, I feel very happy to be "on board"! A bit about my personal Renegade history: I started playing Renegade during the first demo days, a couple of weeks before the full version came out (maybe some of you will remember the "T3 Battle" server). After a longer time of abstinence, I'll started playing Renegade again when renguard 1.0 came out. A few words about the project I am currently working on: It is a small tool written in flash actionscript for visualizing C&C Renegade games in a normal web page and/or as a stand-alone version. Input data are the (compressed) server log files. All game servers running SSCP1 already have those, so the replay of even older games is possible as long as those are archived! Right now it supports only "replay" of former games, but "Live view" is already in planing. For the moment, I have a few appetizer-screenshots from the beta version for you. All of them are real screenshots from a web page, nothing 'shoped here A typical start on Hourglass. GDI tries a rush with medium tanks ... ... but fails, NoD defends to well. At this time, four maps are supported: Hourglass, Complex, Walls and Island. Thats all for now - stay tuned for the public beta (ETA 7-14 days). MfG; Minax71 PS: Thanks to Crimson for the map backgrounds as well as to Buggy for some vehicle GFX, which were very useful for making the sketch gfx used for the replay. And of course, many thanks to Mac for the logfiles! PPS: renVis might not be the final name. However if the word means something very rude in swedish or any other language, please let me know
Renardin6 wrote on Wed, 27 July 2005 08:54 awesome Very.
Looks great. Only one thing missing for the live view version, a "join server" button
Like said it looks awesome, but I want to ask something, how will this work? Will this be for server owners only or can normal people also see it?
Silent Kane wrote on Wed, 27 July 2005 13:02 Reminds me to work on RS lol RS?
renVis's datasource are saved gamelog files. gamelog is something I added to SSAOW more than a year ago to provide kill information and other gameplay information to brenbot. but gamelog contains much more information than that, it contains every single movement and character purchase made in a game. renVis uses this info to graphically represent the game. now you know why those files were so big there will be a browser-php script which reads all your archived gamelog files and displays some brief details about it (ie map, players, total gametime) and gives you the option to replay this round. live play works similiar, but it accesses the gamelog.txt file directly which SSAOW writes. nothing more is needed.
Ma1kel wrote on Wed, 27 July 2005 12:13 Like said it looks awesome, but I want to ask something, how will this work? Will this be for server owners only or can normal people also see it? Its for all people of course. The server owner just needs to keep the logfiles. So basicaly, the server owner decides which games can be viewed as replay and which not. MfG; ChaosE
Ma1kel wrote on Wed, 27 July 2005 13:39 Silent Kane wrote on Wed, 27 July 2005 13:02 Reminds me to work on RS lol RS? Renegade Spectator
That really looks Über!
Me and franco have been looking for a live view thing for the EC website. This is awesome. Nice work
It looks great and is a nice "toy" for server owners. Only remark i have, but this is something that should be handled by the server owners, is that someone who's in the game could cheat using this little toy as he sees whatever happens on the map. Like I said: that's a server owner - problem... Will this ask even more CPU of the server and will it ask lots of bandwith? Does it need to be on the same server as the FDS and Brenbot is/are? These are important questions because most problems server owners have now are CPU-problems. Looking at the screenshots, it seems neately programmed though. Nice!
I really like the idea of this and I cant wait till its released, but I would think this only be used by server owners? as normal players like me would use it to spy as we play?
This is a tool for a server owner. He can put it up on the webpage to allow users to replay played matches (we will be providing a "match browser" for that) and also a live view that allows users to spectate the current game. One compressed input file has about 500k, and all processing is done on the client. Thus, it does not affect the SFPS or performance of the server computer. It should also be possible to host it on another computer, since all it does is to read files. As long as you can provide direct access to the logfiles. About the "spy" issue. The live view will have some sort of small delay (like 5-10 secs) which defeats the idea.
mac wrote on Thu, 28 July 2005 09:54 About the "spy" issue. The live view will have some sort of small delay (like 5-10 secs) which defeats the idea. Or to be more precise: The server owner can decide a) if he allows live-view at all and b) the "delay" for the replay (e.g. 10 seconds or 2 minutes). A player can not watch a live match as long as the server owner doesnt turn that feature on. And yes, it is absolutely possible that replay host and gameserver are on different machines. All that the replay server has to do is indeed sending the compressed log files, which differ in size. The biggest one currently is 418 KB. Original size was > 10 MB btw. It might be possible to get them even smaller. Minax71
Will the program be able to recognize server side modifications? (like adding Turrets/Guard Towers to a map)
Cool! Do you think there will be some kind of mod support?
Ma1kel wrote on Thu, 28 July 2005 17:54 Will the program be able to recognize server side modifications? (like adding Turrets/Guard Towers to a map) Yes. Basicaly the player can visualize every replay, even of complete new or unknown maps. In this case, there will be no background picture - but you still see the building positions and the moving units / vehicles. The player itself triest to detect the map by the position of the buildings and dynamicaly loads the correct background picture if the map is recognized. It will be possible to add your own map bg-pictures on your own server - or I can add them to the oficial version when somone sends me the screenshot (I might need some more help at this point anyway, right now I have only the "official" renegade maps, for example I have no overview pictures of fieldTS or the aircraft killer maps). EXdeath7 wrote on Fri, 29 July 2005 00:45 Cool! Do you think there will be some kind of mod support? What kind of ? MfG; Minax71
Could you make it possible that we add those backgrounds ourselves (server owners)? Then I can test my 1337 paint skills on it! ^^
Goztow wrote on Fri, 29 July 2005 03:31 Could you make it possible that we add those backgrounds ourselves (server owners)? Then I can test my 1337 paint skills on it! ^^ Hmm, to make that possible I'd had to remove it first and re-add it again. In other words; it is in fact already implemented MfG; ChaosE PS: You do not even need to be a server owner to work on map backgrounds; all you need is the renVis player and a log file. For example, some servers might put their game log files of the recent 14 days for public download.
I'm gonna send you a PM with the backgrounds for all standard maps.
Minax71 wrote on Fri, 29 July 2005 03:03 EXdeath7 wrote on Fri, 29 July 2005 00:45 Cool! Do you think there will be some kind of mod support? What kind of ? MfG; Minax71 Like, Total Conversion modifications. Such as Reborn.
What sort of capabilities will be available to moderators? Perhaps tagging vehicles to their respective owner for GTA cases? I'm not a moderator but I am curious to better understand the features renVis has to offer. Thus far, the renVis look excellent!
You can see who drives what vehicle etc. But it is an passive application, you have no way to interact with the real game from the replay/live stream
mac wrote on Fri, 29 July 2005 16:04 You can see who drives what vehicle etc. But it is an passive application, you have no way to interact with the real game from the replay/live stream What I meant to suggest wasn't something that interacted with the game, but rather the client. Perhaps only placing a label on the vehicle in the client stating who purchased it? Something to help Moderators assist in GTA situations. Or can this be done externally?
The information who purchased a vehicle is not available, unfortnatually.
brenbot displays who purchased a vehicle. If you're using a custom bot it's probably not too difficult to add since I think it print who purchases a vehicle into the FDS now as well.
I think this should be no problem if renVis reads the renlogfiles too...
this is all nice and dandy but cpu usuage is at the heart of the matter... having said that, gamelog was already a hog this will make it worse. good for small games under 16 players, but anything over that and you are looking at a big performance hit. Be sure to put your server on a dual cpu, 1 for the game, and 1 for all the whip cream with cherry on top fds stuff thats been coming out.
Thanks for input! It would be interesting to see renVis in action with or without it anyways. I was just curious to know some of the features renVis will present or be capable of. Keep us posted !
Alkaline wrote on Fri, 29 July 2005 18:44 this is all nice and dandy but cpu usuage is at the heart of the matter... having said that, gamelog was already a hog this will make it worse. good for small games under 16 players, but anything over that and you are looking at a big performance hit. Be sure to put your server on a dual cpu, 1 for the game, and 1 for all the whip cream with cherry on top fds stuff thats been coming out. Doesn't the renFDS not support multithreading/dual CPUs?
Cat998 wrote on Fri, 29 July 2005 18:33 I think this should be no problem if renVis reads the renlogfiles too... It does not.
mac wrote on Sat, 30 July 2005 02:15 Cat998 wrote on Fri, 29 July 2005 18:33 I think this should be no problem if renVis reads the renlogfiles too... It does not. However it might be a good idea for the future. For now, my renVis TODO list is still quite filled. Currently I am working on displaying the hitpoint/armour status MfG; Minax71
wow it's awasome!
I got a question: if renVis will allowe us to watch a game, shuldn't it make the game laggy? like posting it in a and watch the game website as you mentiond before, many people could watch it.
Tiberium Hunter wrote on Sun, 31 July 2005 05:03 I got a question: if renVis will allowe us to watch a game, shuldn't it make the game laggy? like posting it in a and watch the game website as you mentiond before, many people could watch it. Not that much. Enabling renVis live-replays on the same machine as the game server wont speed the game up; but it causes much less traffic than a normal player. However, there is no need to run the replay / www server on the same server. In any way; the live feature is not implemented yet, we will have to wait and see what the first practical experiments will reveal ... MfG; Minax71
Hey Minax71 Nice work Look Nice I just Wish U will NOT give SO much POWER to the Server ONWERS cauz sometimes they abuse....
server owners can abbuse their power all they want. It is after all, THEIR server. You don't have to play in it.
The x71 after Mina's name is as original as pepsi. I should have copyrighted that, tbh.
$c0p3 wrote on Sun, 31 July 2005 12:50 The x71 after Mina's name is as original as pepsi. I should have copyrighted that, tbh. If you wanna seperate the nick: it's Minax_71, not Mina_x71. And I agree that it is not very original. Millions of people were born at that year; for example me MfG; Minax71 PS: I am using the nickname in the internet since Diablo I came out. Is your "copyright" as old as that
that post on this new as flash viewer of games is awesome. That is the coolest idea ever nice 1
Question: will it only work for dedicated servers? Cause if you play a CW and someone can put this working on his private server, then he might get a hell of an advantage (like a clan member reading what's happening in TS)...
It only works on SSAOW which is setup to create gamelog files.
to bad u dont od it this before Ren is like Dead..
Enrique_lobos wrote on Tue, 02 August 2005 18:58 to bad u dont od it this before Ren is like Dead.. Translation: To bad you didn't do this earlier, Renegade is almost dead now.
Renegade is not dead. Here, yesterdays RenGuard Statistics. About 750 users tops, for a weekday. That is very impressive. You are looking at about 60-70% of all renegade users, so we got a peak amount of slightly over 1000. That is NOT dead.
Well, dead or alive - here are two new screenies to keep you attracted. Both show new features that had not been implemented last week. Seems like Sekhmet is having a tough stand vs. Officer Dandan. Luckily for Nod he is not the only defender. Units, Vehicles & Buildings have hitpoints now that can be visualized during replay. Ooops - seems that SOL2 of Nod stole a GDI Humvee. Silly GDI. Look at that coward in the medium tank who is moving away from the battle ! Changes since last week: Hitpoint visualization Destroyed buildings are shown correctly Players can be selected by mouse to enable tracking Vehicles have a viewable passenger list Stealth units become stealthed Lots of bugfixes and optimizations Watch out for the public beta release (hopefuly at the end of this week) to paly around with the first test replays! MfG; Minax71
Amazing! It's making me think of CnC and that's what it needs to do
ya maybe dead maybe not lol but look like a nice programme and strong. did MP server use a Beta version?
Nice work and welcome to the community
Enrique_lobos wrote on Thu, 04 August 2005 18:35 did MP server use a Beta version? @Enrique: MP server ? Whats that. Beta version of what ? @Sterps: ThX MfG; Minax71
What's with the red/yellow lines everywhere? Players' viewing angles?
Damage. Yellow Line = GDI is making damage. Red Line = Nod is making damage. To avoid total chaos on the screen, only damage received by vehicles or buildings is displayed - and only if it does at least a reasonable amount of damage. I do not display pistol shots against a flame tank. It is pretty self explaining if you see it "in action" MfG; ChaosE
What the fuck, have you EVER played ANY strategy Command & Conquer game? This obviously is the selection/etc cursor.
Silent Kane wrote on Sat, 06 August 2005 13:56 What the fuck, have you EVER played ANY strategy Command & Conquer game? This obviously is the selection/etc cursor. Ssshhh ... he just asked. No need to use such language! But SK is right: It's the mouse pointer. I used SWF to zoom in, thats why it appears to be that biggy! A "real" zoom feature would be nice ... just another thing on my long TODO list ... MfG; Minax71
awesome work the delay timer of 10 sec in the live version wud be a bit short i think... it still shows peoples what they r planning, and a good working rush takes longer than 10 sec maybe use a min or 2, thats still "live" enough (HLTV uses 5 mins delay time, so thats not much really)
Hello Dudley, Dudley wrote on Sun, 07 August 2005 10:42 awesome work ThX Dudley wrote on Sun, 07 August 2005 10:42 the delay timer of 10 sec in the live version wud be a bit short i think... it still shows peoples what they r planning, and a good working rush takes longer than 10 sec maybe use a min or 2, thats still "live" enough (HLTV uses 5 mins delay time, so thats not much really) The delay will be configurable by the server owner. If he chooses 10 seconds, it ll be 10 seconds. If he choose 10 minutes, it'll be that long. He can even turn off live view totaly MfG; ChaosE
i like it more and more
Check out the first public beta at http://www.renegadeforums.com/index.php/t/15789/19848/ MfG; Minax71
Sorry that i am not so technical, I can't help it.
perhaps make it look exactly like TD? but other than that, looks great!
hey nice work i see the bate version .. that can change the view of The matches ....
WOOT, i'm famous now i'm i that pic WOOT so happy! Thats cool to that you can basically "replay" the match. SO HAPPY!
Hehe - glad you like it I think I could tell you every playername in the first 3 test replays I had while sleeping. Watched them about 100 times when I was writing the first RenVis Version to test my work. BTW- the second public beta is out, with many new features & graphics; click here for more infos. MfG; Minax71 PS: renvis is called RenHawk now.