Any Interest?: Guild Wars MultiLauncher (Open Source)

Is there any interest in an open source (gplv3 license) guild wars multi-copy launcher?

As I understand it, it isn't very hard to do it without having to mess with the actual gw.exe file which is against the TOS. Which makes this approach very resistant to updates. No need to do weird copying stuff after updates.

Technical Steps
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1) Close AN-Mutex-Window-Guild Wars Mutant handle under the gw.exe process
2) Register the location of the gw.exe with registry
3) Launch gw.exe at that location
4) Repeat as many times as there are copies of the gw folder for multiple instances

I am considering doing this and releasing the complete source with it. I would most likely be using C# to code this up. So .NET would be required.

Maybe I am paranoid, but I am hesitant to try other launchers just because of the closed source nature.

I'd be very interested in something like this that was open source. I've used gwx2 and MGWML for ages with no problems, but there's always that niggling worry.

Be careful though - even though programs like this aren't technically againt the ULA, it would appear that ANet staff aren't particularly happy about them. I got a mild rebuke from Herr Kerstein the other night for linking someone to gwx2 on IRC (oops).

He clearly said that using GWx2 cancels supports for GW.

An open-source version of it would open the path to a "legalised" version of this, although I guess it's safer not to go that route for Anet.

I just use plaintext batch file for all the necesary steps (I dont mess with that handle, i just replace "Guild Wars" string with random text in gw.exe).

Works fine.

Thats the thing that is in the grey area... replacing the "Guild Wars" string is essential patching the exe file. This is against the TOS in a strict sense. If ArenaNet decides to scan people's exes for a file checksum while running gw this would flag you as having a modified game. Stricter systems like Wow's anti-cheat system would flag you and ban you for this.

Killing the mutant handle of the already running process seems much safer. You can already do this with Process Explorer manually. The added benefit is that you would not need to repatch the exe when a new update comes out that changes the exe. There is absolutely no changes to gw.exe and gw.dat files with this method.

I went ahead and started coding this up. Made some good progress this week. Hope to have an alpha release ready before this weekend.

Most likely going to be hosting binaries and source with google code.

Code should also be easily readable. Anyone with VS2005 should be able to compile cleanly.

posted the initial version last night:

The thread for it is at the community works forum now.
http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...php?t=10373154