Planetmule LiveCD?

[piete]

Hi! I was toying this weekend with some linux distributions seeing if I could get Planetmule working on them, and then remaster the distribution as a livecd to be able to play on any computer.

First I tried Puppylinux and Tinycore, but couldn't get the game working, which is a shame as they are small distributions. Then I tried to make a livecd from my trusty Debian Lenny installation, where I already had Planetmule installed, but failed. So I resorted to Ubuntu, which was a success, but I don't like it since it has too much extra stuff with it. I'm still learning how to skim the bloat from the essentials, but if somebody wants to help, they're welcome.

Also I'd like to know if there's interest for this kind of livecd. It MIGHT help the Windows people who have problems running Planetmule, although this is not guaranteed.

Another question that I have is to the authors: Do you approve this kind of distribution of the game, and if yes, would you like to host it on your server when it is perfected?

For me this is right now only an exercise to learn a bit more of linux, if this is very easy for someone, please feel free to implement this (and tell me how you did it).

[piete]

Not much interest it seems...

Anyway, the best (=smallest) distribution I managed to make Planetmule work is Slax (www.slax.org), under 200MB. You can build a custom Slax already on the website, you need Java and Xorg modules to make the game work.

[piete]

I can confirm so far the smallest live USB installation of 129MB including only slax core, xorg and jre 6u17 modules (and planetmule of course), don't expect other functionality except xterm terminal though...

Works great on Toshiba Satellite A200 laptop with intel graphics card and more or less on HP NC8430 laptop with ATI Radeon Mobility X1600, shot the fan to 100% (=hot) and still gave only 30fps...

The problem with the smaller distros (tinycore, puppy) is that I can't get opengl (testing by glxgears) working on the intel gpu, any help on the issue is very welcome!

[earthpig]

does planetmule require proprietary video drivers to work, or merely that X function?

if not, i could toss Masonux ( http://sites.google.com/site/masonux/ ) together with planetmule pre-installed. the .iso would be about 350 mb. the biggest advantage of using Ubuntu as the base is that a large number of wifi cards work OOB with ubuntu-based Live CDs.

This would also make planetmule playable on PS2s using the "Other OS" option that presents itself when you turn it on.

but we need approval from the developers, i think. source code or no, planetmule is not FLOSS as far as i know.

if we get that, have you seen the Linux Gamers LiveCD? http://live.linux-gamers.net/ we could suggest that they include it in their next release. Surely, they could afford 16mb.

Hey, planetmule copyright owners -- can third parties redistribute planetmule or what?

[Peter]

We'd like to show our support for this project and other similar projects!

The general deal is that you may redistribute Planet MULE as long as you do not modify the game and it's only for non-profit purposes. You are allowed to wrap it in a LiveCD. Please contact us if you're interested in redistributing a modified version of the game (e.g. new graphics).

Since the game requires proprietary video drivers you may have a hard time making a universal LiveCD. Also note that the game must be able to update itself to play online.

You will have to host the files yourselves, but contact us if you'd like us to link to your distribution.

Regards,
The Planet MULE Team

[piete]

does planetmule require proprietary video drivers to work, or merely that X function?

if not, i could toss Masonux ( http://sites.google.com/site/masonux/ ) together with planetmule pre-installed. the .iso would be about 350 mb. the biggest advantage of using Ubuntu as the base is that a large number of wifi cards work OOB with ubuntu-based Live CDs.
...
if we get that, have you seen the Linux Gamers LiveCD? http://live.linux-gamers.net/ we could suggest that they include it in their next release. Surely, they could afford 16mb.

Hi earthpig! Great that someone else is interested and that the developers already gave the permission!

I'm willing to test this, the proprietary driver is not a requirement at least in theory. The open drivers develop all the time so in the newest Ubuntu they may be even more capable. I can test on Intel and legacy (not anymore supported by the manufacturer) ATI X1600 Mobility graphic cards.

Regarding the Linux Gamers LiveCD, they have put proprietary drivers on the CD, but unfortunately it doesn't work on my card any more due to the abovementioned reason. And at least 3D games are still unplayable on open drivers for me. But it's a good idea anyway, most people probably have supported cards and the open drivers will get there one day...

[earthpig]

ok, sweet. and good stuff, peter -- thanks.

regarding the game updating itself for multiplayer play:

what if we simply had the live-cd default to root login? when the game loads as root, it should be able to update itself, and then immediately connect for multiplayer. i don't see why this wouldn't work on a live cd. the general rule that running as root isn't a good idea doesn't apply on a live cd.