Originally Posted by
SidRaven
Hi there
I am a programmer looking to start a project which aims to create a from-scratch implementation of the RS client and server. As I understand it every client out there is in some way a derivative of the Jagex client, which means you no rights of ownership to the code and you also cannot do anything useful with it beyond personal use. The problem also exists for servers; because many are reverse engineered from refactored client code you hold no rights over the code, cannot release it as MIT.
My wish is to re-create the server and client in the manner of which projects such as openmw (A Morrowind engine recreation) has. They have recreated the game client from scratch in a new engine which means they can theoretically create a whole new game that runs on the engine and sell it. I'm not saying this is a goal, but it means you have a lot of flexibility and you are legally safe.
The only difference I would suggest is to effectively do away with trying to recreate the 317 network protocol, the way in which the RS client renders etc, just go for trying to recreate the look, feel and functionality of the 317 revision, support loading its client content, but the server and client architecture would be incompatible with existing clients and servers. I don't think this is a big deal considering the benefits gained in ease of development from not being constrained by design limitations or paradigms used in 317 protocols and the fact most servers have custom clients anyway.
I would aim to use C#, .NET Core and MonoGame in order to have a cross platform server and GPU powered client. I would like to try using something like ZeroMQ for the network layer, take advantage of C# language features and .NET functionality.
I have over 20 years programming experience, 15 in C#, I have some experience with RS development but would need other developers who know C# to help, also anyone who would be willing to document functionality needed to be recreated, research etc would be vital.
Would anyone be interested in such a project? I understand it is a big undertaking but if I can get people on board I don't think it's impossible.
PS. I am not sure whether this is the correct area to post this as this request encompasses server and client and not strictly just 317.