MDRenamer - Make Mods for HaloMD!

[nil]

Enter in a unique short name and build number. Then you select the mod you want to rename, and it will export the mod into your MD maps folder - also revealing the mod in Finder.

Basically, if you are interested in creating a mod for MD - you need to use this tool. If you're converting a mod using Pearl, the latest version has MD renaming functionality built-in.

If you want a tutorial on how to use MDRenamer and how to create a MD mod, check this thread.

Download

[Sparky]

The advantage of this approach is that Halo can properly report the mod that is being hosted - the swapping isn't done on disk, it's done inside the executable. With HaloMD, you can host a modded game (the ui.map titles it as "Modded" currently), a newbie can join it. If the newbie doesn't have the mod, HaloMD will ask the newbie to download it, all with the click of a button. Games will only show up if they're in the database, or if the user also has the map file.

HaloMD will also occasionally alert users in a non-obstrusive way that a new update of your mod is available. A pretty good bonus.

No real knowledge is required on the user's end.

CSS is a thing of the past.

I'd like to put forth a reminder of Samuco's earlier work in using a third-party application to synchronize mods. HaloMD is a wrapper application for the modded executable of the Halo Full UB developed by MacSoft, whereas what Samuco was doing was using a separate map synchronization utility with MD5 checksums on the map files (instead of giving the maps unique names).

MediaWiki software (HaloDemoMods.com's wiki) is not ideal for uploading files, especially for the purpose of uploading the same map file with slight changes as a new name. For example, if you upload Floodgulch.zip, then you make an update to the Flood Gulch mod, you would re-upload the mod as Floodgulch.zip and change the version number on the Mod Database page and on the mod's unique page (an example being http://www.halodemomods.com/wiki/Bloodgulch_Extreme). If you uploaded it as floodgulch_1.zip and updated the version, you would need to go back and "delete" the older version of the mod. Otherwise, you could reuse the file page and simply track the latest version's upload date/time.

[zapconquest]

Sweet, I was just wondering how to get that to work and then this post pops up. Thanks.

[nil]

I'd like to put forth a reminder of Samuco's earlier work in using a third-party application to synchronize mods. HaloMD is a wrapper application for the modded executable of the Halo Full UB developed by MacSoft, whereas what Samuco was doing was using a separate map synchronization utility with MD5 checksums on the map files (instead of giving the maps unique names).

MediaWiki software (HaloDemoMods.com's wiki) is not ideal for uploading files, especially for the purpose of uploading the same map file with slight changes as a new name. For example, if you upload Floodgulch.zip, then you make an update to the Flood Gulch mod, you would re-upload the mod as Floodgulch.zip and change the version number on the Mod Database page and on the mod's unique page (an example being http://www.halodemomods.com/wiki/Bloodgulch_Extreme). If you uploaded it as floodgulch_1.zip and updated the version, you would need to go back and "delete" the older version of the mod. Otherwise, you could reuse the file page and simply track the latest version's upload date/time.

Samuco's third-party app thing is inadequate. It requires administrative capabilities, more hacking-ish than this, network requirements, will lag servers, won't scale will a large mod collection, an extra app running, etc. This server model, it being on HDM, is much nicer, too.

If we do not use mediawiki for uploading mods, then what else would be used?

I know you can upload a mod with the same name, which will have a 'newer' version according to the wiki, but I do not really care about that - other than screwing up an upload / making a mistake. I am also saying "no" to delete older versions. Older versions can still be accessible in the database, and should be for mod updates to work correctly.

[EDIT]: @Sparky. Actually, for the database, if you want me to store the downloadable files in some FTP directory (in /halomd ?) rather than mediawiki, I'd be fine with doing that. That way, people can upload zip files however they want on wiki, and I can move/rename them however I want into the database directory.

[Amy]

I just want to take the time out to appreciate how awesome this is. Nil this is what many have dreamed of, great work.

[Mgalekgolo]

Nil, MD is growing! Me and taxi were on the other morning(for me), and we had 16 people playing. I just checked and there were 16 people on the dedi again. This is great!

[Mgalekgolo]

This isn't finished yet, but I have to use a different computer now so I might as well release it.
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?k7hw5cq3dbci2ch
Name: "Halo: The Multiplayer Experience"
Version: 0.8
Description: Play the first part of the second campaign level in multiplayer! Have huge battles in your favorite campaign level.

[nil]

This isn't finished yet, but I have to use a different computer now so I might as well release it.
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?k7hw5cq3dbci2ch
Name: "Halo: The Multiplayer Experience"
Version: 0.8
Description: Play the first part of the second campaign level in multiplayer! Have huge battles in your favorite campaign level.

Change identifier to all lowercase, but 'cmon. It's no where near finished .

[Mgalekgolo]

http://www.mediafire.com/?f6o73yr3o824qzj
Yeah, weapons, vehicles, and one of the spawns needs to be added/fixed.

[Amy]

Even though it broke the console, can Depot still be allowed as a mod instead of a default map?

[nil]

Even though it broke the console, can Depot still be allowed as a mod instead of a default map?

Yes. I can upload that for you if you want.

@Mgal: You forgot to change it in the map header too, but I'll fix that and upload it. Fix it on your end as well.

[Amy]

Sure thing Nil, thanks .

[Mgalekgolo]

Oh yeah, I fixed it.

[nil]

Uploaded Depot for you Amy... I'm still in progress of figuring out how the UI map is going to be modified (I just added crossing and barrier UI descriptions and icons in my dev. build). Once all that's figured out, I'm probably going to have to update MDRenamer.

[Mgalekgolo]

Everything's working great. Turns out a30 MP is almost done. I've been having a lot of fun playing with randoms. I have been leaving the server up for hours so people can discover the mod.