k8vavoom Launcher - [Updated 6/16/2021]

[Mr.Rocket]

Hi, I recently created a game launcher.. :P

 

A Launcher for k8vavoom!

 

Behold.. The k8vavoom Launcher!

 

The k8vavoom Launcher is just what you expected, a launcher/frontend for the wonderfully advanced k8vavoom source engine. With, of course, various parameters of your choosing. It is however, very simple and very limited on the side of bells and whistles unlike the source engine it was created for. The goal was to make it as easy as possible to setup and get in the game with the least amount of clicks as possible.

 

Disclaimer: 

This software is free and is designed to only run the k8vavoom source engine with specific parameters, nothing more.

It is clean and has no intension of compromising your computer in any way. Its soul purpose is specifically just to run a video game.

However, as simply put as it is, and just like any other software which is downloaded from the net, I still have to say.. Use at your own risk. 

 

Credits:

ketmar for the k8vavoom engine, id Software, Raven Software, Rogue Entertainment.

All likenesses, logos and/or artwork are registered trade marks of their respected owners.

I wouldn't have made the launcher if it wasn't for you guys.. Thank you!

 

How's it work, you ask? Well.. at least let me walk you through it first! :D

So.. Here: DOWNLOAD The k8vavoom Launcher v2.0 - Win 32bit version! 

And extract it. The Launcher can be extracted anywhere and k8vavoom will create a config where the Launcher was ran from.

Otherwise if the launcher is placed in the k8vavoom engine directory, your original k8vavoom config will be used. 

From that point, run it. Then we'll move on to the next step. :)

 

 

First Run Setup:

There is however a few things you will need to do first before everything becomes as easy as pie..

When first using the launcher, you’ll notice that pretty much all text fields are empty and it is up to you to populate them.

But after that, you’re good to go!

 

 

 

To setup a game using the launcher, it requires you to add the location/path of your k8vavoom.exe and at least one Iwad.
If an Iwad is not selected on first run, k8vavoom will automatically load one. In most cases it will be Doom or Doom2 iwad, if at least one of them is in the k8vavoom/Iwads directory..
If you have a specific location in which you keep your IWADs, you have that option too, by selecting the check box:
Load IWADs from a different location.
That said, lets get started!

 

Basic Setup:

Select Setup and then add the location of your k8vavoom.exe. Then select which Iwad to use.

 

Next, Select which Level/map or episode. Then of course, which game settings. Skill, Monsters, and Game Mode.

Alternatively you can select [Load Default Settings], which will automatically load these above settings with one click.. Keep in mind though, when loading Default Settings, this setting will default to DOOM2 and MAP01.

From this point, feel free to load any Pwad, Pk3, or Deh files if wanted..

 

That’s basically it.. Click OK, then the main Launch dialog will be presented again, but this time with the settings which you just configured in Setup.

Now, Click on the [large box art button] to Launch the game!

 

Next time running the launcher, all previous settings will be there.. and life continues as it normally should..

 

 

The k8vavoom Launcher was created in 100% C# using MSVS 2019 and is currently only for todays Windows OS.

Windows 64bit version is available if wanted.

Note that, older Windows OS’s as old as XP will likely require at least .NET Framework 4.0 to be installed in order to run the launcher..

 

The Additional and Network Game tabs in the Setup dialog are pretty self explanatory also, but if folks end up having problems, I’ll be glad to walk you through that stuff here too. These options may get some small updates from time to time. ~ was sort of thinking of adding a few advanced video settings, maybe.. some specific things to the source engine.

  

UPDATE 6/16/2021 ~ Added an option to load IWADS from a different location other than the default, k8vavoom\iwads directory. ~ which of course, still exists.

Also there was a small issue where the Network join and host didn't switch. apparently I never finished this part.. heh. Fixed! 

And did a little random code clean up.

 

I will continue to try to update this little launcher, as far as I think it should be. ~ when I feel that, "enough is enough" is; anyway. ;)

 

Have fun, and enjoy using the k8vavoom Launcher! ;)

 

Edited June 18, 2021 by Mr.Rocket

[ketmar]

i feel that i need to put the first comment here, because others are so shy... ;-)

[Lobo]

The world needs more launchers!

 

Nice work!

[Mr.Rocket]

Thanks guys! ;)

 

I updated the launcher a bit:

• Added an option to load IWADS from a different location other than the default, k8vavoom\iwads directory.
• Made some other small adjustments: Network game join and host now swap on selection.
• A little clean up to code and Setup dialog.

Download etc. has been updated in the OP. 

 

 

Edited June 16, 2021 by Mr.Rocket

[Mr.Rocket]

So I suppose with over 350 views and no feed back that the k8vavoom launcher must work ok?

[ketmar]

...or nobody's really using k8vavoom to play maps. ;-)

[Namec]

Good afternoon, Mr.Rocket did a pretty amazing job with k8vavoom launcher!

 

Maybe the lack of interest is because K8vavoom already works fine with pwads using Hobomaster Doom Launcher?

 

I've got "Speed of Doom" working at the fist try with the latter using common parameters:

-iwad "DOOMU.WAD" -file "SODfinal.wad" -k8runmap

Long life k8vavoom!!!

[ketmar]

i may add that this launcher is best at starting network games -- because it is the only launcher that knows how to properly run k8vavoom in MP mode, and can launch dedicated server too.

 

but please, note that MP games are broken now (in May, 2021 build). they will be fixed in the next public k8vavoom build, though. so (for historic reasons) if your build is newer than 560511, than everything should be ok.

 

p.s.: thank you for the info, @Namec! it is always interesting to know what other launchers are working with k8vavoom.

Edited July 7, 2021 by ketmar

[Mr.Rocket]

Thanks for the feed back!

Yeah Doom Launcher is a pretty nice launcher, and granted it is setup to support pretty much all the ports.

Though, as you know k8vavoom Launcher is only an independent launcher specifically for k8vavoom.

It uses no resources, it has no bells and whistles, but it is 2 clicks straight to the punch.

Simplicity was key to this project, for the most part.  

 

I created another launcher at one point but never got to releasing it. It's called DoomBox, it supports pretty much all the ports also, as well as Doom/Doom2 in Dosbox with network emulation. Also added a small IRC chat into it, but it still needs a lot of work.

 

I'm hoping the k8vavoom Launcher will work for everyone (Windows users) that uses it without any problems, it will become a building block for other future launchers, if I decide. I've actually started on a launcher for Raze, just for fun, but I've been using/testing it quite a bit. It's just called Raze Launcher, atm.. It doesn't have a secondary setup form like k8vavoom launcher, it's all built into the main form dialog. ~ will post up about that in the Raze sub, when I get to it.

Everything mentioned here is in C#, I think even Hobomaster's Doom Launcher is. 

edit: Yep, well mostly, looks to have some java too, hmm.

 

 

Quote

but please, note that MP games are broken now (in May, 2021 build). they will be fixed in the next public k8vavoom build, though. so (for historic reasons) if your build is newer than 560511, than everything should be ok.

@ketmar, noted. I remember we talked about the -gore parameter kind of throwing that off, is that still the case?

I'm sure there are other issues aside from that with the network code, but that was the first I ran into.

 

Thanks

 

Edited July 8, 2021 by Mr.Rocket

[ketmar]

@Mr.Rocket i think you may put "why use k8vavoom launcher instead of some another?" at the top of the OP. k8vavoom is really delicate, and requires careful setup to run MP games. and dedicated server doesn't even have a menu or help. but k8vavoom launcher can run 'em easily.

 

i myself is not very good at presentation of my software too, of course. but... it's hard to read wall of text, and you have to catch reader's attention as fast as possible. so make "WHY USE K8VAVOOM LANUCHER" BIG AND BOLD, i think, and put it somewhere at the top.

[Mr.Rocket]

4 hours ago, ketmar said:

@Mr.Rocket i think you may put "why use k8vavoom launcher instead of some another?" at the top of the OP. k8vavoom is really delicate, and requires careful setup to run MP games. and dedicated server doesn't even have a menu or help. but k8vavoom launcher can run 'em easily.

 

i myself is not very good at presentation of my software too, of course. but... it's hard to read wall of text, and you have to catch reader's attention as fast as possible. so make "WHY USE K8VAVOOM LANUCHER" BIG AND BOLD, i think, and put it somewhere at the top.

 

Oh, well you have a point. But I'm not looking for a competition with launchers lol, I'm just wondering if it's working ok for everyone that uses it. ;) 

[ketmar]

1 minute ago, Mr.Rocket said:

But I'm not looking for a competition with launchers lol

it is more about "ok, yet another launcher. why should i try it, again?" ;-) if people won't be motivated to download it, you will not know if it works! ;-)

[Mr.Rocket]

Well considering the launcher is specifically for k8vavoom, you'd probably use it for that. :D

I'd be better off running a poll in that case I think. I'll never have an idea of who's downloaded it and used it otherwise.

Or set it up on git which should measure d/l activity.

With almost 500 views, I imagine people have downloaded it and used it though, would just like to know if it works ok for them, really.

It works pretty well on this end. I assumed there would have been at least some end-user feedback though, which is all I'm asking, heh. 

 

Who knows, as far as I know, there's 90% Linux users here and no one has actually downloaded it lol.

All I can say is here, here's a launcher for k8vavoom if you want, it's free and works really well.

I'm not asking for donation, but at least let me know if it works ok for ya. :)

 

Edited July 8, 2021 by Mr.Rocket

[Lobo]

I tried it: It does what it says on the tin.

Simple clean design, fast and responsive.

 

I dunno, guess when networking gets fixed that's when this will really shine.

[Mr.Rocket]

Ah good to hear!

Thanks for the feed back Lobo. :)

[Gunrock]

Thanks Rocket! I'm glad this engine is getting the recognition it deserves! 

[MidnightMage]

I am always happy to see K8Vavoom getting more stuff! 

I wholeheartedly agree with you Gunrock, considering how incredible this port is it really does deserve more recognition.

[ketmar]

@MidnightMage just wait a little, while i'm preparing to eat EDGE's cake. Coraline will hate me. ;-)

[Lobo]

Or sign you up as contributing developer 😉

[Mr.Rocket]

Ah wow thanks guys! And you're welcome, np problem. ;)

I wouldn't have done it if it wasn't for ketmar and the k8vavoom engine!

 

[Cacodemon345]

Edit: wrong thread lol.

Edited July 19, 2021 by Cacodemon345

[ENEMY!!!]

Thanks for this, it's pretty useful to have a dedicated k8vavoom launcher!

 

One piece of feedback: when I load a Doom 2 map the launcher always appends "+map map01" by default if I select a non-Doom 2 map format such as E1M1, and I haven't found a way to change that, so it always loads map01 and I have to manually change to E1M1 once in the game.

Edited July 25, 2021 by ENEMY!!!

[Mr.Rocket]

7 hours ago, ENEMY!!! said:

when I load a Doom 2 map the launcher always appends "+map map01" by default

Yes since you switched the Iwad to Doom2 or a similar Iwad such as Hexen, which has a map format of map## it defaults to it.

7 hours ago, ENEMY!!! said:

if I select a non-Doom 2 map format such as E1M1, and I haven't found a way to change that, so it always loads map01 and I have to manually change to E1M1 once in the game.

E1M1 as in Ultimate Doom? or perhaps Heretic, Yes it should switch to the map format like that, E1M1 as its default, if you have for example loaded up Doom1 as the Iwad.

 

Unless I'm not understanding. Are you wanting to load Doom2 Iwad but with the level/episode/map as E1M1?

If this is the case, which wouldn't be very common heh, you can edit the "Parameters" text field in the main launch dialog if wanted.

Edited July 26, 2021 by Mr.Rocket

[ENEMY!!!]

Thanks, I didn't realise you could edit the text directly.  Yes, I wanted to load Doom2 IWAD but with the level/episode/map as E1M1, as I'm starting a mapset which is intended to be in episodes. 

 

With a bit of trial and error testing, I think what's happening is that if I put something other than MAP01-32 into the "Level/episode" in Setup, the launcher automatically appends "+map (whatever Doom 2 map name I put most recently into Setup)" to the "Parameters" text field.  I tested this by setting it to MAP03, and ever since it has auto-appended "+map map03".  Because it appends it at the end, it overrides the "+map e1m1" and takes me to MAP03 unless I delete it by editing the text.

Edited July 26, 2021 by ENEMY!!!

[Mr.Rocket]

17 hours ago, ENEMY!!! said:

With a bit of trial and error testing, I think what's happening is that if I put something other than MAP01-32 into the "Level/episode" in Setup, the launcher automatically appends "+map (whatever Doom 2 map name I put most recently into Setup)" to the "Parameters" text field.  I tested this by setting it to MAP03, and ever since it has auto-appended "+map map03".  Because it appends it at the end, it overrides the "+map e1m1" and takes me to MAP03 unless I delete it by editing the text.

Yep, that's pretty much exactly what it does. ;)

 

There's not much I could do about that since those parameters have now been pre-defined, other than adding an "Additional Parameters" field. : Which you could actually add +Map E1M1 in the Additional Parameters if wanted, and k8vavoom will pick it up. ~ regardless whether there's a +map map01 in just the pre-defined Parameters field above it. ;)

Additional Parameters will always be placed at the end of the list of parameters.

In the example above which has a user made map loaded but contains a map00 lump, map00 will be loaded instead, because +map map00 has been added to the Additional Parameters field.

 

Also k8vavoom's commands need to be in a specific order, so if you add an Additional Parameter in, then any following parameters will need to be in that field also, eg where I've added a bot.

Note, if you decide to add a bot, +MaxPlayers 2 or more will need to be enabled, which is in the Network setup tab.

 

Also note that the image above is a atm, an in development version, and the Additional Parameters does exactly what it did in the currently released version. ;)

 

Edited July 26, 2021 by Mr.Rocket