Client Patching - Advice

[THE_Wolfman]

For the players who are new to the concepts of game server emulation, let me start out with a couple obvious points worth considering:

1. The first support for new client versions will always be seen on the servers that the client was designed to connect to. (ie: the servers run by the game manufacturer)
2. Support (code) for new client versions must be added (compiled) into a server, before the new client versions will work with that server. Thus, support for new client versions on emulated servers will usually appear first on a server run by the people (emulator developers) who write the code for it.
3. Any person or group that runs a server, is responsible for their server (setup, maintainance, and updates).

Example:
First, the game manufacturer of DAoC (EA/Mythic) added support for version 1.108 to their servers. Next, the DOL developer server (Storm) gained support for version 1.108 when a DOL developer created the necessary code and compiled it into the server they work on. It will be up to each server operator to add support (available via SVN) for the new client version 1.108 to their server, or not, as they see fit.

Hopefully this explains the usual progression for support of new client versions, which tends to be:

EA/Mythic --> DOL/Storm --> Other Servers

So, if you always keep your game client patched to the latest version available from the game manufacturer (always the first to offer support for new client versions), there will be times when you will not be able to connect to emulated servers. You will need to either wait until the server emulation 'catches up' to the client support offered on the server(s) of the game manufacturer, or maintain an additional version of the client.

Some Basic Advice:

1. Always make a backup copy of your working game client software just before updating.
2. Always maintain at least one older working version of your game client.
3. NEVER skip 1 or 2!
4. If you play on servers run by the game manufacturer, create a seperate installation for playing on emulated servers. This prevents automatic or accidental version upgrades, while allowing uninterrupted gameplay on both types of servers.
5. NEVER skip 1 or 2!!
6. If it is not broken, do not fix it... leave it alone. Do NOT upgrade your client version for playing on emulated servers unless it is required.
7. NEVER skip 1 or 2!!!

For large clients like DAoC a multi-part RAR archive may be your best bet for backing up. It offers file compression and the ability to store the archive in parts, which could allow you to overcome filesystem and other storage limitations.

Another (more complex) option would be to use an installer system (ie: NSIS - the Nullsoft Scriptable Install System) to create an installer for the client version you already have. This would allow for a complete reinstall of the client, which might be necessary in the event of failed hardware or patching problem. You can get NSIS for free at http://nsis.sourceforge.net

[rdsandersjr]

i made this a sticky, thanks for the nice information for new/returning users!