Fragmentation of Enemy Territory
As the years go on, I still see the same problem, being handled the wrong way. I have argued for about 4 years now, that since id has retired this game, that ET will never get back on its feet by having multiple client installers, and now server engines which have limitations on client protocol or mod usage. What this does is fling players and server admins all over the place (fragmentation). Players and admins are an impatient lot these days. Why would people (mainly new players) put up with these shenanigans when there are so many other games out there that do not include the circus? In truth, people don’t…and this is why ET is losing momentum.
It is simple math actually, “the shortest distance between two points is a straight line”. Players should go straight from the install to playing a game of ET and get whatever they need from the server without any fuss. If players could download and install the original game, and find the 2.55 list populated with lots of real players, then ET will always have fresh players. Since it is possible to address critical needs server-side these days like dual protocol support, DOS prevention, and etkey, the original client should REMAIN the starting point for players. But for that to work, servers must REMAIN on the 2.55 ladder so as to show populated servers, and keep players coming back. The 2.60b or newer patches should be (as it was in the early days) optional, or at most highly recommended.
There is really only two logical paths to go from here:
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Full Conversion Mod with Updated Engine
Make a full conversion based on ET, complete with its own full downloader, its own engine, and its own list. There is always the potential it will take off like Team Fortress. However, this would have to be a really great version of ET, and the few developers I have seen attempt this have failed. -
Have a Flexible Updated Engine
Get one open-source engine that supports both protocols, allows all mods, and does not “require” any downloads or changes on the end of the player. New players will install ET, log in, and see many populated servers. This will allow players to be unmolested, server owners will have flexibility, and mod makers will keep producing great things like N!tmod, Jaymod, or etpub which are what keeps players interested. The player should be driven to the 2.60b patch (or beyond) out of necessity (i.e., they want to play etpro), and not forced. Doing this to new players will only confuse them, or worse throw them on an unfamiliar list full of bots. This is an unfortunate reality caused by the lack of auto updating of the original ET game.
I know there are many people, especially some amateur developers that will challenge this, however as far as I am concerned, the passing years are proving my point.
Message to self proclaimed savior/developers of Enemy Territory:
“Either make a new game or start focusing on compatibility. But please, stop fragmenting the hell out of Wolfenstein Enemy Territory! Your arrogance and inability to understand the “big picture” will be the end of this game.”
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