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We are about to solidify the development team for the first software push. We are in need of the following:
Senior Network Programmers
Linux GUI Programmers
Senior C/C++ Programmers
We are also possibly in need of a strong MFC / VC++ Windows GUI programmer. Planning is on the verge of wrapping up and development will take place shortly after. If you are interested, please join SourceForge and apply on our SourceForge Project Page.
We look forward to this challenge, as many have noted and stated in comment posts, Japanese gamers are attempting a similiar project. Since releasing my specification I've learned that they have improved their software, yet they still haven't fully tweaked it. I fully beleive that our team will accomplish and develop the most robust, lightweight application in this space and we will strive to be successful. We have alot of things working against us, (most developers don't have a BBA, Kirby is a JPN release until October, etc), but we come through for all the gamers who want their LAN enabled GameCube software online.
I look forward to keeping all who are interested up to speed.
The folks at Slashdot seem to think we are worthy of their attention.
I have received a few requests from the press at various email addresses I have kept over the years, and organizations I've run (Savenapster, etc.). Please use the GameFarmer contact page to get in touch with me, as it is the best method.
I'm really looking forward to getting some interested developers on board. Please read the GameCube LAN / Protocol Specification and check out our SourceForge project page.
The GameCube LAN / Protocol Specification is now available. This document is very important to the Warp Pipe Project. It describes how the GameCube functions over a LAN and provides files which you can download and view in Ethereal which show you the GameCube network traffic in detail. This document is a must read for all developers interested in helping make the Warp Pipe Project a reality.
All those who read the document and are interested in joining the Warp Pipe Project, please visit our Sourceforge project page and post your thoughts in our project's Sourceforge forum. We are in the early planning stages, and I will be acting as the project manager. I will be recruiting and working with developers to help create and mold the scope of this solution so we can begin development as soon as possible. Getting interested developers on board is essential at this moment. More to come when news develops.
After 5 days of testing, I am ready to publish my results. Tonight I was able to connect two GameCubes over a LAN and capture the communication between the two GameCubes, thanks to my friend importing Kirby Air Ride.
You can view the video of our complete LAN race by clicking here.
What's next you say? Well, I created a project on sourceforge a few days ago. As soon as I publish my findings, the specification of the protocol Nintendo is using, and a few suggestions about what needs to be done to bridge two LANs together (a simple tunnel will not do), I will be aggressively recruiting developers.
Thanks to mj1108 from the IGN Cube boards, it looks like the Japanese might have figured out a solution to bring Kirby online. It runs at 3fps and requires two LAN cards and a crossover cable. I'll be keeping an eye on this.
I know what the solution requires now after seeing forwarded cube traffic into my network, as well as my own cube traffic. Working on a solution now, more to come as it develops.
New testers are always welcome. Please leave a comment if you wish to test and have both a broadband adapter for the GameCube and an imported copy of Kirby's AirRide.
Kirby's Airride arrived this morning and after about 20 mins of research I think I'm ready to test it out. My friend imported his through NCSX which didn't receive copies early (it ships in Japan tomorrow).
Here's hoping someone else imported early and is willing to be one of (if not) the first person to play Kirby's Air Ride over a wide area network.
I just ordered Kirby's Air Ride from Play-Asia. I also picked up a freeloader since I didn't opt to traditionally mod my cube.
It looks like Kirby's Air Ride might be a sleeper multiplayer hit. Although there are a few editors who didn't think the game was that much of a challenge, the clips of the game I have seen look pretty fun. After all, this game was developed by HAL, the folks who brought us Super Smash Bros: Melee. Anything is possible at this point, especially when WAN/LAN play becomes a factor.
With hope the game should arrive no later than Friday and I should have a very detailed and easy to follow tutorial for all those interested in importing the game and finally getting a chance to play a GameCube exclusive online.
The scope of this project is very clear, create an ability to play LAN enabled GameCube games over a wide area network (the internet). It has been long rumored that GameSpy plans on releasing tunneling software and a free service for the GameCube. As of now, these rumors remain just that. I do not want to wait for a third party to bring the cube online, the time is now and I want to make sure there is a viable solution out there by the time Mario Kart: Double Dash arrives in stores. Enter Kirby's Air Ride.
I have just learned today that a LAN enabled game will be shipping much earlier than expected, Kirby's Air Ride will be shipping in Japan this Friday. I've done all the research I can do until I get my hands on this Kirby's Air Ride. More to come about that soon.