Outpost Universe Forums

Outpost Series Games => Outpost 2 Divided Destiny => Topic started by: Larrythepoet on February 21, 2010, 06:47:16 PM

Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: Larrythepoet on February 21, 2010, 06:47:16 PM
So I was reading Spikerocks101's topic about asking for the source code, and I got thinking. The lead programmer was Dan Duncalf, so I searched him on Facebook and he has a profile, http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=dan+dunc...9.3614648300..1 (http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=dan+duncalf&init=quick#!/duncalf?ref=search&sid=1464050129.3614648300..1) . Now, I think there's a good chance the lead programmer may have the source code. I'm considering trying to contact him, any thoughts?
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: Sirbomber on February 21, 2010, 07:50:30 PM
We have already.  If he has it, he's not giving it to us.
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: CK9 on February 22, 2010, 10:08:59 AM
We've had contact with a few of the people invloved with OP2, and noone is going to (freely) hand over the source code.
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: Highlander on February 22, 2010, 11:54:42 AM
Did anyone still have the source code ?
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: Simpsonboy77 on February 22, 2010, 11:59:32 AM
I think what was previously said was that after Dynamix or Sierra went under, the source code was destroyed before being bought out. I would give me first born for the source, but I don't think its possible. MAYBE there is a slight chance that there is some non final source, like a beta.

NOTE: my sources are 3rd person, I read it in a thread on here. Use the search if you want.
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: Sirbomber on February 22, 2010, 12:02:34 PM
Quote
I would give me first born for the source
Yikes, that's a bit extreme, don't you think?  :P  
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: Kayedon on February 22, 2010, 01:56:24 PM
Quote
Quote
I would give me first born for the source
Yikes, that's a bit extreme, don't you think?  :P
Nope.

Anyways, if you want to try (again), go ahead. I'd rather not go through the court battle.
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: Larrythepoet on February 22, 2010, 03:15:08 PM
Well, how hard would it be to remake outpost?
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: Sirbomber on February 22, 2010, 03:20:27 PM
Very hard.

Edit: Look, we've had this conversation with hundreds of people.  We aren't getting the source code from anyone, and we aren't remaking it ourselves anytime soon.
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: Hidiot on February 22, 2010, 03:41:11 PM
How much would the source cost?  :whistle:  
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: Spikerocks101 on February 22, 2010, 03:53:31 PM
If I was a multimillionaire who didn't give a s*** about money... I'd say 20,000$.
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: Sirbomber on February 22, 2010, 04:02:22 PM
We could always just summon Tankn[size=0] [/size]00b to go back in time, turn Dynamix in2 TE[size=0] [/size]H ME[size=0] [/size]S HA[size=0] [/size]L, and return to the present with the source.
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: CK9 on February 22, 2010, 04:13:45 PM
When it comes down to it, the main problem we have in remaking OP2 is that noone has the time or the drive to do it.
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: Larrythepoet on February 22, 2010, 04:17:15 PM
Personally, I would learn C++ if we were going to remake it...
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: TH300 on February 22, 2010, 06:17:40 PM
Even if Dan has the source, he has good reasons for not giving it to us: It is probably still protected by copyright which is owned by the company that owns Sierra. He could be sued, if he gave it away.

All we can do is rewrite it (or wait, till copyright expires, but that takes probably too long).
I'm for rewriting it. But then I don't have much spare time, and that is apparently true for all other opu-members, so it would take years if it would ever be done.
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: CK9 on February 22, 2010, 06:51:29 PM
recoding process:

step 1: organize the coders...that's a hard one
step 2: come up with functions and variables and agree on their usage...also hard
step 3: give each coder a unique task to be completed by a deadline...not as hard
step 4: put it all together and hope it runs the first time, as finding the bugs will be damn near impossible when you use multiple coders who don't like to document what everything they code does ... BRUTALLY HARD!
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: Sirbomber on February 22, 2010, 07:03:25 PM
Quote
step 4: put it all together and hope it runs the first time, as finding the bugs will be damn near impossible when you use multiple coders who don't like to document what everything they code does ... BRUTALLY HARD!
I like to document my stuff...  :(  
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: Larrythepoet on February 22, 2010, 08:07:07 PM
Well, I'm going to start a poll.
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: Kayedon on February 23, 2010, 05:44:04 PM
Quote
Quote
step 4: put it all together and hope it runs the first time, as finding the bugs will be damn near impossible when you use multiple coders who don't like to document what everything they code does ... BRUTALLY HARD!
I like to document my stuff...  :(
/* TanknOOb wuz heer */

(:

Who put TanknOOb (with 0's not O's) on the word filter?! D:
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: Sirbomber on February 23, 2010, 06:05:18 PM
n0[size=0] [/size]0bman censored a lot of TE[size=0] [/size]EM ME[size=0] [/size]S HA[size=0] [/size]L's favorite words, but we've found ways to get around it.
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: Larrythepoet on February 23, 2010, 08:04:06 PM
""First, I think your talking about forum.outpost2.net as part of outpostuniverse.net.   Dan's dog could produce more source code!  It's the umpteenth time I've been asked and I still don't have it.  And if I did have it... there are legal licensing issues, because I don't own it.  I'm certain some of the other board members know this as well.

I'm glad you guys like it, and its flattering that 13 years later you still care.  This is only the second game I've done that has had this loyal long lasting fan base.  Your efforts would be better spent on a new version, using current technologies, platforms, and API's.

Please post my response verbatim to the forum.

Best Regards,

-- Dan""


Well, that was freaking awesome, but seriously, even Dan said it would be a good idea to rewrite Outpost 2!
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: CK9 on February 23, 2010, 08:57:30 PM
correction, he said our time would be better spent making a rewrite than trying to get the source code.  Big difference :P
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: Simpsonboy77 on February 23, 2010, 09:02:03 PM
The main question I want to know, what would you do once you have the source? I wouldn't want to change the game much, it's awesome as it is. It would make modding a hell of a lot easier, but we have a decent API and some knowledgeable users around here.

This is what I envision happening IF[/u] we got the source. Please note the "if". Topics will pop up like OMG SOURCE!!!!! Then after a month people won't know what to do with it. I wouldn't alter it, but rather look in it for things we never knew. Maybe get a laugh or 2 from some comical variable names.
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: Highlander on February 23, 2010, 11:20:26 PM
Quote
""..Dan's dog could produce more source code!  It's the umpteenth time I've been asked and I still don't have it...

-- Dan""
I'm just curious, what is the point of asking us our opinion about your ideas if your just gonna do the direct opposite ? (See first post)
You've already been told Dan didn't have the code.. And by now it looks like he's getting somewhat tired by the requests.

As you can see, people also lack the time to make a rewrite of the game code. Just listen to what the people here say, instead of blatantly ignoring it all the time.  
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: CK9 on February 23, 2010, 11:38:49 PM
I have 2 theories at this point:

1) there is a strong desire to do something for the community
2) there is a strong desire to have an excuse to learn coding
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: Sirbomber on February 23, 2010, 11:48:17 PM
Great, now we gotta get somebody to apologize to Dan Duncalf...
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: Kayedon on February 24, 2010, 12:16:54 AM
@CK9: Why not both?
@SirBomber: Well, censors have always been evaded. And they will be. FOR TEEM MEES HALl! *insert Blaeyargh thing I can't remember how to spell*

Also, let's do an "Apology for rash members who disregard public suggestions petition."
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: CK9 on February 24, 2010, 01:20:19 AM
...naw, I highly doubt it's a case of both.  I think #2 is more likely.

and everyone who has bugged Dan for the source code sould get together to compose a formal appology.
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: Kayedon on February 24, 2010, 02:49:20 AM
"Greeting, Dan Duncalf.

I'd like to apologize on behalf of Member Name #1, Member Name #2, etc. etc. from Outpost Universe for constantly harassing you for source code."

Thank you,
Some f***face"
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: Larrythepoet on February 24, 2010, 03:45:10 PM
On his website he said he would divulge an easter egg if someone could beat him 1 on 1 at Outpost. I asked him if the challenge  still stood today and he sent this:

""Just checked my web page, and couldn't believe that challenge is still there.  If there are any easter eggs, or cheats not already documented, I don't even remember them.  I was happy however, that nobody found the cheats, they actually had to be provided.  Dan's dog referred to Dan White's dog.  It was an inside joke on the team.  I could be wrong... but I think Santa appears in similar circumstances to the dog, but when the date is 12/25 and involves a different terrain type and tick modulo.  Since there are a few assembly guys on the board, have them set breakpoints around GetSystemTime and/or GetLocalTime and that may give them some insight.

-- Dan""

I'll stop talking to him now :P  
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: Spikerocks101 on February 24, 2010, 03:48:13 PM
I recall Hooman found that out.
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: Arklon on February 24, 2010, 04:13:52 PM
Hooman already unearthed Dan's Dog (easter egg version). There's references to Santa, but it was unimplemented/unexposed.
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: CK9 on February 24, 2010, 06:23:25 PM
Did he ever figgure out the trigger for either one?
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: Simpsonboy77 on February 24, 2010, 06:32:09 PM
The dog: http://forum.outpost2.net/index.php?showtopic=3958 (http://forum.outpost2.net/index.php?showtopic=3958) .

Santa still walks......
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: CK9 on February 24, 2010, 06:44:17 PM
oh yea, duh, lol
 
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: lordpalandus on February 28, 2010, 10:54:19 PM
Whats this part about "dan's dog" got to do with anything?
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: lordpalandus on February 28, 2010, 10:56:28 PM
LOL just answered my question :D
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: Conestoga on March 01, 2010, 12:04:54 AM
I have absolutely tons of time to actually try and recreate the source code, now if only I knew how to actually code...  <_<

~Conestoga  :op2:  
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: CK9 on March 01, 2010, 12:29:13 AM
step one: go to your local barns and noble
step two: look in the coding book section
step three: sit down with one of the books and read it until you understand it

I've actually seen some decent sketches there from people who had nowhere else to go, heh
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: Hooman on March 01, 2010, 02:24:13 AM
We should add a new rule to the forum signup process: "Don't pester the game creators for source code". :P

That Santa Walking info is interesting. It'd be nice to figure that one out. There's only one place where those Windows API functions are called. It seems to be from some standard C library code. That code is only called from 3 places. I haven't noticed anything too interesting looking so far though, other than one of those places being when saving games. I can't think of any reason to get the time when saving games, particularly since I didn't see any saved game times listed in any of the dialog boxes.


I'd been tempted to take up Dan on that offer a while back, but I suspected the page was somewhat old and the challenge game unlikely to happen. I always assumed that challenge was regarding the cheats, but I'm not so sure anymore. We know there are 4 cheats, and we've found 4 text strings that activate all of them, but we don't really know what the 4th one is officially. We just found a somewhat random string using a brute force dictionary attack for that one. It would have been nice to know what the "official" 4th string was though. The first 3 are posted all over the net.
 
Title: Dan Duncalf
Post by: Sirbomber on March 01, 2010, 07:40:16 AM
The fourth cheat is "Dan's truck could crate more stormy." and I don't care if anyone else says otherwise.  Let's instead focus on unleashing SantaWalking upon New Terra!