ProtobufDecoder VS OpenRA

Decoding protobuf (and message formats in general) can be such a pain and fun at the same time.

I’ve written ProtobufDecoder which takes a different approach: analyze the structure of the actual messages to help you figure out the protobuf structure of a message.

https://github.com/sandermvanvliet/ProtobufDecoder

Get it while it’s fresh: https://github.com/sandermvanvliet/ProtobufDecoder/releases/tag/0.2.0

Recently, my friends and I recreated our old LAN parties. Went up to a cabin in the woods, brought some cheap network switches, and had everyone install OpenRA (https://www.openra.net/, open red alert), and had a blast, even with everyone on laptops (mac/win). You can still do this in 2024 and it's worth it!

After the movies, I wanted to experience Dune 2 again (the pirate sites have it, along with patches to make it playable on modern OSes or Crossover). It was arguably the first mass-market real-time strategy game. There's also OpenRA for C&C, Red Alert, and Dune 2K: https://www.openra.net/

I understand Square is re-making FF7 in a multi-part release over several years (not sure why it takes so long)? https://ffvii-remake-intergrade.square-enix-games.com/en-us/ Once it's all out, I might play through that again just for nostalgia's sake (and for the soundtrack, of course! Twenty years later, I still have Aeris's Theme stuck in my head from time to time)

Obligatory reminder:Red Alert,Command & Conquer, Dune 2000, Rebuilt for the Modern Era.

https://www.openra.net/

I recently found an open source version that has been fun (https://www.openra.net/).

You can import those from ISOs: https://github.com/OpenRA/OpenRA/wiki/Game-Content but the campaign is not complete afaik as it needs to be re-built in OpenRA: https://github.com/OpenRA/OpenRA/issues/4989 (I think this is the related ticket)

Alternatively OpenRA has a bunch of C&C inspired mods: https://www.openra.net I think this way is the easiest way to get a C&C like experience on a M1 Mac right now.

www.openra.net