Jcrossclient

This is a java-based client for Crossfire, the networked multiplayer graphical hack-and-slash... I mean "adventure game".

The game itself is similar to "MUDs", except that it has actual graphics instead of a text-only interface.
Shown below is a screen capture of the java client. Keep scrolling down the page for details on where and how to play.

NEWS: I'm happy to announce that I have started updating the java client for use with the new "crossfire 1.0" servers recently released.

[screenshot]

You are the little dwarf-guy in the center of the graphics. You can trade at the various shops in the town, explore the various houses, or move on to other locations.

For a more detailed intro to the game, you can try this page in France ., or go to the first link at the top of the page.

Quick Start

A new way to install java programs is called "Java WebStart". If you have this installed on your computer, you can go to Bjoern Helfesrieder's site to auto-install the OLD java client. Unfortunately, I havent gotten around to webifying the new version yet.

Otherwise, here's the long way.

Get a java run-time

Make sure you have a java runtime. Some recent java runtimes do not seem to work well, although this client has been confirmed to run on
java 1.2.2, linux, i86
If you have difficulties,try to get an earlier java runtime from the javasoft website.

Get the jar file

Grab the new v1.0-alpha java client from here
(If you have problems downloading, try shift-clicking the link. Or try ftp instead)

Fire it up...

Start the sucker up. You can start it with 
     jre -cp /path/to/jcrossclient.jar CFclient
NOTE: CFclient is case-sensitive. "CFclient

" Or if you have a mac, look at my mac page. But unfortunately, mac JVMs seem to be broken currently, like the newer MSwindow ones (last time checked was y2000, it might work now.)

Connect to a server, and start whacking things!

Details

For those of you who'd like a LITTLE more detail than that, I'm happy to oblige :-)

Currently available versions of the client are:

Source code now available, also in jar format:

Please note: If you have problems downloading, or strange security problems, try shift-clicking to download

Features of the new version

The client now better handles the server asking for single-key responses. It also auto-shifts the keyboard focus to the map, when you arent answering server questions

It also displays the newer Xpm images. Having all the graphics helps, eh?

Plus, I moved the image cache to your "home" directory, if you have one.

Future features

At some point, I hope to add a hook to the new "metaserver" server selection list, rather than typing in servernames by hand.

I also need to add hooks for magic map display, and improve the inventory image refresh, when you dont have the image in your cache already.

Speaking of cache, I also need to make separate caches on a per-server basis, and add the checksum verification. sigh.

The archives are in "jar" format. jar is the java standard. You should have a jar program with your java environment. But if you don't, it is zip-compatible, too. Just make sure you have a reasonably new version of zip.

Installing the Client

Note that certain versions of javasoft's java runtime (namely, beta versions of v1.2) were broken with respect to networking. Happily, I filed a bug report on it, and it got fixed in jdk 1.2beta4

But now it seems broken again, with some runtimes. ARRGG! (so if you have problems with the newest jcrossclient, use 1.1.6)

As mentioned above, you can start the java client with 

jre -cp /path/to/jcrossclient.jar CFclient
If for some reason you have problems running the client from the .jar file, you can extract the classes to a directory and try things slightly differently. [Otherwise, skip down to the "SPEED" section, below]

Extract the above archive, in a new directory. If that succeeds, you can then run the main routine, "CFclient", with a java run-time.

Once you are in this directory, running the client should be as simple as one of the following: 

    a) jre -cp . CFclient
    b) java CFclient
[note: microsoft's "jview" is known to be broken. Don't use it.] If you are not running a server on your machine, it will ask you what server you'd like to connect to. Or, if you'd like to automate connectivity to a particular server, use 
    jre CFclient -server servername

If you have an MS-DOS derived machine, then "crossfire.bat" is a simple script to start the client up. Add "-server whatever.org" to the file, if you find a server you like to connect to all the time. Once again, note "CFclient", NOT "cfclient".

SPEED

This is a real-time graphical client. So, you need pretty good java performance to have it run acceptibly fast. This means you should try to get a java runtime that has a "JIT compiler". (If your java doesn't have one, just try the game anyways).

Here's some tips on how to get a fast java environment going for a few different platforms.

First thing: If you're not going to be doing java coding, get a "java runtime" (jre), not the "java development kit"(jdk). You'll save yourself a few megabytes of download.

Javasoft has some information about java runtimes for other platforms, at their Third-party ports page. Information about free JIT's for other platforms welcome. Please email me, below, if you'd like some information added to this page.

Once you've installed the above, add the java run-time from jre or jdk to your PATH, in whatever way is appropriate to your system. (mswin seems to do it for you, although you might have to reboot) Then...

Servers to connect to

Known client-enabled servers

You need "direct" internet connectivity to play crossfire. A NAT setup should work, but if you're behind a picky firewall, you're probably out of luck.

The best way to find a server is to go to the Crossfire Server List .page.

Running a server

If you are interested in running your own server (on unix), some sites where you can pick up the unix server, are: For other site, see the master download list at crossfire.real-time.com

Problems?

If you have any problems running the client, please email me.

Likewise, if you'd like to work on the source, please email me.

For general tips on using the client, I'm hereby making a separate jcrossclient help page for your more convinient bookmarking.

phil@bolthole.com
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