Nexus

The Nexus is an addon that adds multiplayer features to Oolite.

Overview

This is not an OXP. Nor a custom build of Oolite. Instead it is a separate component that hooks up via XMPP and shares specific game events with other players.

Current capabilities (5th Jan 2022) are

•communication between players

•ability to store material in a warehouse on station when docked (reclaimable later at the same station)

•ability to gift material to others via a warehouse at a specified station

Further enhancements are expected once the current status issues are sorted out.

Requirements

• Nexus (Oolite Communicator)
• A compatible Java language
• An XMPP account
• The Developer Release version of Oolite (also known as Oolite TR): this is a separate download for AppleMac or Linux but is instead a converter for Windows.

Current Status

At the time of writing this is a WIP. Nexus can run on Linux, MacOS and Windows. However...

• The Linux version (Ubuntu & Debian) works well.
• The Windows version works well but needs to be started up from the windows cmd (Command Shell).
• Running on MacOS it seems that Oolite needs help connecting to Nexus. See
  • Oolite on MacOS
  • Problem with external debug console on Mac
  • MacOS debug version does not work with external console

If your operating system behaves very strange or you have two left feet there is a Virtualbox appliance available that you can download and execute. It resembles an Ubuntu Linux machine, preinstalled with Oolite and Nexus.

Downloads

• Current Versions for the various platforms

The torrent file is for downloading a version of Ubuntu Linux which runs inside the AppleMac on VirtualBox complete with OoliteTR & Oolite Communicator/Nexus

Installation

AppleMac

Currently needs Terminal - found in the Utilities folder in Launchpad (F4)

1) Download

A version of Java needs to be installed (details in ReadMe file) as does the Developer version of Oolite (containing its Debug console).

My Nexus folder (with old versions of Oolite Communicator inside) is located here: /Users/accountname/Desktop/Nexus

2) Unzip

Using the Terminal programme (AppleMac utilities folder - F4 button) unpack the Oolite communicator distribution (from the downloads folder) into my Nexus folder:

 accountname@Fulls-Air Nexus % tar -xf ~/Downloads/Nexus-1.0-20211221-202253-macos.tar.gz 

3) Start

Using Terminal, look inside this new version of Nexus:

accountname@Fulls-Air OoliteCommunicator-1.0-20211221-202253 % ls

You should see this:

 Communicator_Logo_Icon.png	        readme.txt
 Nexus.oxp		        run.cmd
 configuration.properties.sample	run.sh
 dist

Now run Nexusr from inside Terminal:

 accountname@Fulls-Air Nexus-1.0-20211221-202253 % ./run.sh

Windows

Needs windows cmd (command shell)

1) Download

As mentioned in the ReadMe file, Java & the Oolite Developer version (with the Debug console) need to be downloaded & installed.

Then download the windows version of Nexus

2) Unzip and tuck away

From the Downloads folder, unzip this to (eg.) C:Users/Lenovo/Document/Nexus

3) Start

Doubleclick [i]Run[/i] file inside the Nexus folder.

Linux

• Download the debian package.
• Install it using the system tools:

apt install Nexus.deb

• Startup: In your desktop, find the Nexus application and click it.

Configuration

• Startup Nexus, go to the Configuration tab.
• Enter your XMPP data. Press the Test button to verify it is correctly configured.
• Choose the correct Oolite installation path for your system. Nexus can suggest promising paths for you.
• Click the Save button in the lower right.
• Restart Nexus for the changes to be effective.

Usage

Start Nexus. If configured correctly it will automatically connect to your XMPP server and bring up Oolite. The status panel will show two green 'connected' labels. If Nexus cannot startup Oolite automatically, you may help by starting the Oolite Developer version AFTER you started Nexus. It is still important to see that both connections are marked as green.

Once inside the game, you can play Oolite as usual. There a few new features available though.

...

Troubleshooting

XMPP

Free XMPP providers tend to be unreliable. You may well find that you go through several of these over the course of several months as they are closed down/withdrawn/attacked by severe bouts of constipation, etc. If you get annoyed by this unreliability, ask for your money back and find another provider.

You can easily check if your account is still functioning: lure five Elite:Dangerous fanatics (preferably male) to the top of Macchu Picchu. Do not forget your sacrificial knife. As they ascend the lower slopes start intoning the second threnody from the fourth codicil of the Codex of Giles the Creator in a low descant and hide in the shrubbery. Does anybody ever read this stuff?

Alternatively just click the 'Test' button in the Nexus Configuration tab.

Links

• MultiPlayer Proof Of Concept: Oolite Communicator (2021+)
• Brainstorming for a MultiUser OXP (2021)
• Author: Hiran

Historic comments on multi-player Oolite

• Oolite Multiplayer? Please read (2009-date) - has links to older threads