[Tutorial] Hosting Fabiano Private RotMG Server Source on a Linux VPS

Introduction

This "tutorial" was created as a set of notes for myself while I helped my younger brother set up a VPS that could host RotMG. I've since filled in the spots with a little more detail, and created a repository to track the changes to his version of the source code. The tutorial below uses:

- Fabiano derived source
- Linux VPS
- Modified Client

And creates a hosted RotMG Private server that allows for custom hacks, and easily supports at least 20 active users with little to no lag.


Linux Virtual Private Server (VPS)

Why a VPS instead of Hamachi?

Hamachi works well enough for a private server you play on "every now and then" with a couple of friends. If you're looking for something more robust, secure, and scalable, then you will need a VPS. What this means is, a VPS is not limited to the specs of your machine. They can add more RAM, CPU, etc. on demand as the server needs it. They are also more finely tuned to handle the amount of incoming/outgoing traffic -- ultimately reducing the amount of lag.

Why a Linux VPS instead of a Windows VPS?

That's a good question, especially considering the game is programmed in C# .NET, making it native to the Windows Operating system. Truthfully, hosting on a Windows VPS would be easier. However, you get much less "hardware" for the amount you pay. This allows you to support more active players per dollar you spend on hosting. Microsoft has also begun to move toward Linux compatibility and Open Source support. As far as stability is concerned, I've been able to run this RotMG server for weeks at a time with many active players and experience little to no downtime.


Preparing the VPS

- Download the source code as a .zip file
- Unzip the source code into it's own folder

1. Create a Digital Ocean Account
2. Create a new droplet with the following specs:
3. You will get an e-mail with login credentials for your VPS. You will need the following applications:
4. If you are new to using PuTTY or FileZilla, check out:
5. Follow these sets of tutorials to prepare your server to host RotMG
6. Follow ONLY the TimeZone and FireWall portions of Additional Recommended Steps for New Ubuntu Servers

Missing image. Not allowed to include image due to low rep

7. Add the game's database to your MySQL instance


Customizing Source Code

1. Download and Install Visual Studio Community
2. Open the source code's .SLN file (it's in the root/main folder) with Visual Studio
3. Update the following files with your credentials:
4. Build the solution to create the executable files you need to deploy:
5. Upload the compiled/built code to your VPS


Customizing Game Client

This section was influenced largely by a flashhacking.net thread. Unfortunately, I am not allowed to link to it. It covers:

- How to "Decompile" (take apart) a .swf file so that it can be modified
- Which values to modify for OUR SPECIFIC Client/Source to work with your VPS
- How to "Recompile" (put together) a decompiled .swf so that it can be used

To start, there are many different program's that can be used to modify .SWF files. We use rabacdasm here mainly out of personal preference. You're more than welcome to try other methods, but I cannot vouch for them. If you're using our source, the .ZIP contains rabacdasm. If you're using a different source, rabacdasm can be downloaded from its creators: HERE

Using Our Source:
1. Open up the "Root" folder of the source code
2. Navigate to --> Client Updater --> bin --> Final
3. Double click "decompile.bat"
4. Open the newly created "client-1.abc" with notepad
5. Double click "recompile.bat"

Client.swf is now configured to work with your hosted server. Distribute it, use it locally, or embed it into a web page.


Using Any Source:
- In Progress


Starting/Stopping Server

1. Use PuTTY to SSH into your VPS (user account, not root/admin)
2. Install packages necessary to run server executables:
3. Start the RotMG Server
- Detach from the screen terminal (<kbd>CTRL</kbd>+<kbd>a</kbd>, <kbd>CTRL</kbd>+<kbd>d</kbd>)
4. Start the RotMG wServer
5. You should now be able to connect to the game using your modified game client! If you're not able to, check out the Debugging section of the readme.


Automation and Debugging

Debugging is incredibly important. When things go wrong, it's important that you know how/where/why things went wrong so you can begin to fix the problem.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

As questions are asked in this thread, I will update this section and the rest of t



Credits & Thanks

[The ORIGINAL Fabiano Swagger Of Doom Source](https://******.com/ossimc82/fabiano-swagger-of-doom)
- Ossimc82 | Fabian Fischer
- C453
- Trapped
- Donran
- Creepylava
- Krazyshank
- Barm
- Nilly
- sebastianfra12
- Kieron

[The Updated/Modified Fabiano Swagger Of Doom Source](https://******.com/djb-code/fabiano-swagger-of-doom)
- Zabex | CSEngineer13 | Daniel Brown
- Uber | Joey Brown