01-21-2015, 08:27 AM
The side project should really to be rewrite the server files from scratch. There's more performance and optimization to be had in doing so. Along with the ability to implement custom features that doesn't strip the game of its Episode 1 feel. You could go back before client version 1185 as well to support an even older version of the game that was far more favorable than later versions. It really doesn't matter how well you can hack up the existing files. They will always be sub par in comparison to a little emulator side project. A good strategy is maintaining a near perfect match to the 1185 client with existing files and base one of the channels off the emulator project. As the emulator progresses players will be able to connect to that channel and give feedback on what's implemented and working and whats broken or exploitable. You can link that particular channel to a separate database for storing new characters so any changes done on the emulator channel doesn't effect their actual characters.