BLITZKRIEG GameSpy PATCH to OpenSpy Server

[Mascarenhas2]

BTW, just for the record, the most desirable change in game code. IMHO, is self entrenching infantry, as achieved in CMC.

[kreutzer]

May 7, 2014 22:56:27 GMT 1 mortbertjh said:

Hi guys, after many tests i have managed to have a solution for GameSpy problem.

This package will patch Blitzkrieg so that it will use OpenSpy.net master server instead of GameSpy's server.
The purpose of this package is to deal with GameSpy's servers going offline in the near future.


Changelog

18/05/14

-Updated OpenSpy Overlay, now it's fixed and i consider it final version (renamed OpenSpy_Overlay_BETA3.pak to OpenSpy_Overlay.pak)
-Program detects if a old openspy overlay exists and removes it
-Program detects if a old patcher version exists and removes it

-------------------------------------------------------------

Instructions
-Place OpenspyBK-patcherV2.exe in 'Run' folder and run it.

DOWNLOAD

[kreutzer]

Sorry Guys, could You give details - where to put patch? I have not found RUN folder in BK directory. Where could I install patch then?

[kreutzer]

when trying to paste patch to game.exe - game starts and no players there (that's I think path to GS). Please help

[Major Pain]

kreutzer:  Which version of BK do you have?

If you have Anthology:    The Run folder should be right under the Blitzkrieg Folder.

If you have successfully extracted the Patch, you will see OpenSpy in the Proprietary Server Option instead of Gamespy.

The GameSpy Server is already off-line so you cannot navigate there.  if you were able to see other players, you are likely on OpenSpy.

The directions are pretty straight forward, so you will have to let me know what steps you have already taken so I can assist you.

At the moment, the patch will only work on Anthology Blitzkrieg.  It will not work on Rolling Thunder or Burning Horizon until I make some code changes and the community determines what files need to be included.   There is no other patch for any other BK versions yet, although they are planned in the future as the need presents itself.  The most important aspect in this is ensuring consistency between the players and their files.  

If you have the original Blitzkrieg on CD, you will need to update some code in your game before we can get it to work.   I have the code available for this purpose.  This mostly applies to your Menu Interface and Code.    If you have an early release, I will need the date of your game.exe and the date of your EULA, usually found in the Blitzkrieg Folder.  There are at least 4 different versions of the original Blitzkrieg that I have documented with various game.exe and Menu Interface.   We have not seen too many of two of these for years now, but the others were released in the US and Europe.  The Russian Version was much the same as the Europe Release with the Europe Release including various language packs; German, French, English, etc...

I truly recommend that players get the downloaded version of Anthology from GOG.com.  The price is $9.99 US at the moment, but worth it.   You can save the original CDs continued wear.  That is of course if you have an older version.   There is also an older version of Anthology that will require some minor code adjustments if you should have this version.   The game.exe is the same, but a few files were updated over the years.  

Let me know how I can help you.

[kreutzer]

Thanks a lot for reply, Major! I have original CD, but how could I find date in game.exe - it shows date of installation in properties, and no EULa was found in BK folder:(
If I download Antology from GOG.com - should I uninstall existing BK? Thank You for help

[Major Pain]

To find the date of the game.exe, go to Windows Explorer.  Depending on your computer and Operating System, the appearance might be different.   I do not recommend My Computer because of the limited attributes of the file system.

Windows Explorer is a the most common program for managing your hard drive files and folders.   It is usually found under:

Start --->  Accessories ---->  Windows Explorer


If you look at your folders and files a lot, I would create a Shortcut on your Desktop.


Once you open Windows Explorer, Open your "C" Drive, then navigate down to Program Files. 

Under Program Files there will be one of the following Folders:

Nival Interactive

Blitzkrieg

NI Blitzkrieg

Nival Blitzkrieg

I have seen all four of these folder names.   If you changed the location and name of the Parent Folder, then you might have something quite different.

Once you locate the Parent Folder, you should find the Run Folder as the first Folder under the parent.   The game.exe will be in that folder.

Change the view of the Folders.   Usually, and again depending upon your operating system, the most common view will be thumbnail.  Go to view or locate the view button on the Menu bar and change to "Details".   Now look for the game.exe and you should see the date just to the right.

---

If you choose to purchase Anthology from Gog.com, the default folder will be Anthology or Blitzkrieg Anthology, although I have also seen both as Children of the Parent Folder GOG.


I recommend that you not use the default name and location.   This is mostly dependant upon your Operating System, but Vista, Win 7 and Win 8 do not allow some MOD files and add-ons to run under the Program Files Folder.


I would place the download directly in the "C" folder with the name "Blitzkrieg Anthology".


This will not cause an issue with your earlier Blitzkrieg Version.


I will need to know exactly what Blitzkrieg Titles you already have before I can make any other suggestions.   In some cases, the mapeditor and reseditor will directly imprint their path and default folders into your Windows Registry.   We will need to change or over-ride this so the correct Editors and SubFolders can be accessed.  I have found a few instances where the game.exe path and default fodlers have been stored in the Windows Registry.   What this means is it does not matter which version of the game.exe or editor you click on to run, it will only use the default path listed in the Registry, likely directing you to the wrong one.

This again is why I would not place the game files in the Program File Folder.  That particular folder is designed to send all programs based upon execution or bin files to the Registry.   If you place the game in the "C" Folder, this is less likely to be an issue.

[kreutzer]

Major, I've found date - 05.2003, version 1.0, then I've updated to version 1.2. Date is in readme.html file

[kreutzer]

You said "Under Program Files there will be one of the following Folders:

Nival Interactive

Blitzkrieg

NI Blitzkrieg

Nival Blitzkrieg"
but I see only one under Nival- Blitzkrieg. And no RUN folder in BK directory

[kreutzer]

Now I'm buying Antology and will install on C, right?
then put patch in RUN directory that I'll find in BK directory, right?

[kreutzer]

One more question - what to do with game spy already installed on C?

[Major Pain]

GameSpy is out of business and the link to the site is dead.

The reference to GameSpy is replaced by the patch and links to OpenSpy.   The current Patch is still the BETA release.   My health issue delayed the release of the Official Patch through NIVAL.  

The BETA will work just fine for the moment, although you'll want to upgrade to the new patch which will make several code changes to the Menu Interface.

Yes you place the game in the "C" folder... not the Program Files Folder.

Yes, the Patch is placed in the Run Folder, then extract the .rar file.     Then you run Openspy_Patch-BK.bat.   This will overwrite several files in your game folders and update your game.exe to Version 1.3.0  

The version mayl still reflect 1.2 but the Version change is necessary due to several code changes.  The Official Nival Patch will upgrade the Version to 1.3.1 because of the additional Code Upgrades.

Good Luck

[Major Pain]

By the way... the BK version you have is the first Release, 2nd Publish Date.

[kreutzer]

thanks a lot, MAJOR! I'll try to execute Your instructions

[Major Pain]

Let me know if you have any other issues with it working.