ZDaemon is a modified Doom source port based on ZDoom for both Windows and Linux/Unix (server only at this time), purposely-built for playing multiplayer games over the Internet. Formerly open source, the port has been changed to closed source due to cheating incidents and security issues. The current version is 1.08.01 (December 31, 2005). However, there is a newer server version, 1.08.05 (December 26, 2007), which fixes a critical security vulnerability.
Screenshot of ZLauncher
ZDaemon
ZDaemon itself is based on ZDoom 1.23, which was one of the last major versions of ZDoom before moving to its current 2.xx codebase. It features some of the features available from ZDoom such as the majority of line types, sloped lines, and deep water, but it lacks some of the more advanced functions of later versions of ZDoom, such as an uncapped frame rate, advanced ACS scripting support, DECORATE, flat and texture mixing, and other similar features.
However, ZDaemon itself features an enhanced network code suitable for client/server games, stats and experience collection, teamplay support, and a Capture the Flag mode. In version 1.07.01, unlagging capabilities were added.
ZLauncher
ZLauncher is a specialized launcher made specifically for ZDaemon. It provides an official list of currently available servers for people to play on. It also features a buddy list, GETWAD (automatic wad downloading), a quick link to ZSL (the server launcher) from the menu, a WAD file setup utility, demo recording, playback utilities, a built in chat lobby (based on IRC), and embedded forum access. It is maintained by team member Kilgore.
ZSL
ZSL, or ZDaemon Server Launcher is a program for invoking the ZDaemon server program with a specific configuration instead of having to edit the server configuration files by hand and start zserv manually. It is maintained by team member Doom2pro.
Other Utilities
GETWAD
This is a modular utility created by team member Kilgore that looks on many major file repositories for map files, which it then downloads and extracts to a users specified map directory automatically.
ZRC
This is a modular IRC client created by team member Kilgore that is simply that - an IRC client. However, when used in tandem with ZLauncher, it automatically joins a specialized IRC server. Since everyone who uses ZLauncher is logged in to this chat server, you can chat with everyone who is logged in to ZDaemon and has ZLauncher open. The ZDaemon IRC server can also be accessed through zrc.exe (without using it in ZLauncher), however the client is required to have logged in to the master server at some point on the same day.
Earlier Versions
Initially ZDaemon was based on Sergey "Fly" Makovkin's client/server modification of ZDoom 1.22, CsDoom, inheriting its open source license (the GNU GPL). However, since Nightfang wanted to improve the network code, the core networking code was rewritten (for version 1.0). This rewite, which eliminated the QuakeWorld code that was under the GNU GPL, allowed later versions to be released under the Doom Source License, and allowed the developers to keep non-free code inherited from ZDoom without conflict.
Criticism
Cheating
For the most part the ZDaemon team has managed to keep cheating relatively under control through closing the source, security updates, and surveillance (for instance, demo recordings are often demanded during competitive tournaments to combat ZDHook, a combination package containing several cheating mechanisms, including an aimbot, a primitive wallhack, and the use of modified WADs).
The cheating policy is a point of contention within the ZDaemon community, as public accusations of cheating (whether legitimate or not) are frowned upon as unnecessary public disturbance, with Raider once declaring it as a form of harassment. This has led to conflicts in the community, including many by long-standing members who feel there are a small number of cheaters who evade the scrutiny of the administration, which they feel is either ignorant of the matter or simply turning a blind eye. The administrators maintain that they ban only when given clear evidence and stand by their policy, although their critics argue that this is done under color of authority.
Source code controversy
In the ZDaemon 1.07 era, having forgone the nominal GNU GPL by explicitly adopting the DSL which they claimed to be fully compatible with the then-current state of the source code, the development team stopped releasing the source code due to numerous exploits and cheating incidents. This action caused a number of free software friendly people to distance themselves from the ZDaemon community, criticizing the move as a form of security through obscurity which makes development of some cheats more difficult but does not address the causes. The move also makes development of alternate ZDaemon clients and servers impossible and is uncommon in the Doom community where most source ports have their source code publicly available. However, ZDaemon's main competitor, Skulltag, is also closed source.
The developers have agreed that anyone wanting to develop a new feature or bugfix may do so using the older ZDaemon 1.06 codebase and submit it to the core development team for inclusion.
Bans
The ZDaemon master server will only advertise servers that enforce a ban list controlled by the ZDaemon staff. Servers that do not enforce this ban list are not shown to users. The effective result of this is that the ZDaemon staff have the ability to ban anyone they choose from all ZDaemon servers advertised on the master. No ban list (or other) restrictions apply to servers not advertised on the master. While this allows the removal of cheaters, the mechanism used can occasionally block innocent players as well due to matching dynamic IP ranges.
Relatedly, ban appeals, especially those of bystanders caught in the range bans of others, often end up as over-dramatized forum posts. For this reason, it is usually requested that such appeals be relegated to a private dialog with a member of the staff.
GetWAD controversy
Doom source ports require a Doom IWAD file which contains the graphics, levels and other media that are used in the game. These IWAD files are still copyrighted. This means that although source ports can be freely downloaded, users must still buy a copy of Doom in order to play. The GetWAD system included in ZDaemon allows any WAD files to be automatically located and downloaded, including IWAD files. There are no restrictions placed on this. Although this practice is not officially condoned by the ZDaemon staff, people think they encourage software piracy through failing to prevent automatic downloading of the Doom IWAD files.[1]
Trojan
ZDaemon staff member Doom2pro released a trojan program purporting to be a ZDaemon cheat. When run, the program would inform the ZDaemon staff and delete several files from the user's computer. Although Doom2pro acted independently of the rest of the ZDaemon staff, ZDaemon has nonetheless been criticised for his methods.
Linux
Following the moving of the forums to a different server, Linux machines are now able to access the forums. This was not possible for a portion of linux users beforehand. Until the arrival of a Linux client, many users play using emulation software such as WINE or Cedega. Playing using this software is allowed.
The ZDaemon community
The ZDaemon community itself, while not part of the ZDaemon program in a strict sense, plays a huge role in experience of playing ZDaemon online. It features many methods of discussion, many ways to 'get involved', and the ZDaemon team themselves would host many things that normally would get relegated to other outside organizations or websites.
The community's discussion and gaming services include:
The ZDaemon Forums
ZDaemon Chat / #zdplayers on ZDirc
#zdaemon on irc.freenode.net (defunct)
ZDaemon Tournaments
ZDReview
Clan activity
- Main article: ZDaemon clans
The ZDaemon Team
Raider
Project Leader
Doom2pro
Development
Danni
Development
Kilgore
Development and Support
Lyfe
Development and Launcher Admin
Former staffers
These people are no longer involved with ZDaemon and many of them are now actually banned. This section exists purely for historical reasons.
NightFang
Founder and Developer of ZDaemon
Retired.
Slayer
Website hoster, master server hoster and doom2.org administrator
Retired.
KNorton
Founder of #zdaemon
The IRC channel #zdaemon on freenode was originally unrelated to ZDaemon itself, instead being simply a chat room by and for players of the game. When KNorton disappeared for a brief period of time, Raider petitioned a global administrator to grant him ownership of the channel—freenode's policy supported projects adopting their own channels. When KNorton returned from his absence, he discovered his former position taken, and did not attempt to re-enter the community.
Ralphis
Community moderator and beta tester. Also responsible for the name ZDaemon.
One of the original ZDaemon team members, Ralphis was responsible for the name "ZDaemon". The ZDaemon team has claimed that Ralphis was removed for being too oppressive to the community. Ralphis claims otherwise however, claiming that he left due to ideological differences relating to the project.
Ralphis was permanently banned from ZDaemon in the fall of 2006 after contacting id Software over ZDaemon's GETWAD utility and its illegal function of downloading various IWADs. Kilgore took this personally and has stated that if Ralphis is ever unbanned, he will resign from the ZDaemon team.
deathz0r
Beta tester and Forum Moderator
Some level of confusion surrounds the cause of deathz0r's ban, although his condemnation was ruled certain as a result of his presence on an IRC channel whose users supported a DDoS attack against the ZDaemon master server in late 2005.
Russell
Channel operator and Forum Moderator
Banned for defending himself against an individual in the community who was considered higher than him by the project leader.
Da_maniaC
ZDaemon administration mail and tech support, Beta tester and forum moderator/channel operator
List of games that ZDaemon is compatible with
- Doom and Doom shareware
- Doom II
- The Ultimate Doom
- FreeDoom
Heretic and Hexen are only partially supported by the ZDaemon engine because it is based on the old ZDoom base code, version 1.23. In particular, Heretic is known to display a number of bugs (the most severe of which is a bug in monster support that makes it impossible to join a server once a monster has been killed; introduced in 1.08) and very few Hexen-exclusive effects and objects are supported, making gameplay impossible under most circumstances. This is supposed to change with the release of newer versions and updates as the ZDaemon development team improves support.
Game adaptations
The voices used for announcements of most CTF/Deathmatch/Team Deathmatch games were taken from Quake III Arena and Unreal Tournament. They were compiled together by the creator of the WADs zvox.wad and zvox2.wad, and are subject to change with time. There is also some custom soundpacks which are made and maintained by individual authors and are subject to change anytime according to the author.
Sources
