I realise a lot of people confuse the term 'database' with 'server files', so if this what you meant, yes. It's an attempt to have publicly available, open-source server files which natively supports new clients and their new functionality (e.g. events) properly (so no more stupid hacked up events that aren't quite the same as the real events on official servers due to limitations on the client/server
) and by default (which isn't really a restriction on the client so much as it is the primary direction we're taking. Perhaps in the future we'll go back and support older clients.).
The one thing to note here is that this project aims to develop the server files for anybody to use. It is not, strictly speaking, a project intent on providing a private server for players to play on (i.e. doing up spawns, drops, rates, etc) -- that comes later, by whoever uses the server. Having said that, when it comes to development, I try hard not to make any promises I may or may not be able to keep -- but I suppose it is possible, in the future, to be involved with a server using these files (notably, I was against it early on). I cannot personally speak for any others who collaborate, as I am sure they have their own intentions.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, when the project's reached a more usable/runnable state, this possibility can be better explored.
I really hope so, the server being open source opens up a lot of doors for developers wishing to change or even implement never-seen-before functionality. Working with binary files is seriously limiting -- the bar required for getting in and changing things to your fancy is simply too high for most people. Changing/implementing major functionality is also typically out of the question for feasibility reasons. When you're working with source code though, you can really do as much as the client lets you.
I think private servers in their current form have been done to death. The files themselves simply aren't stable/reliable enough on their own, but the limitations induced by them have spawned private servers that have all been, IMO, more or less the same (i.e. there's not been all that many distinguishing features about them). I think, on that front, something needs to change. KO is a fine game, and most people would insist that it changing (officially) is the only thing that's ruined it, but neverheless -- I think it does need room to breathe. Buggy behaviour cleaned up, and a bit of room to breathe for some fresh creativity.
I understand a lot of people will disagree with me, as they feel adding new stuff ruins the game -- and well, in regards to official servers, that's probably more or less true (though there have been a handful of interesting features amongst the bad). I don't think this shouldn't be reason to dismiss all further creativity from private server developers' part, though. I think there's so much that can still be done with the game, the ideas just haven't been able to be expressed.
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