Adding network to closed-source games

chamcham · 2005-05-07T02:40:28

Good Afternoon. I was wondering if it's possible to add networking to PC games that didn't originally have it built in. For instance, let's say that I have Street Fighter II for the PC. Let's assume that there's an API for a network game service(for ex. Kaillera). Ideally, I'd like to connect both players via th Internet and have it play as if there's 2 people connected to their PC. I was thinking about maybe sending just the input commands, but it seems that synchronization and maintaining a persistent state on both machines is next to impossible. Fighting games especially have strict latency requirements. Many games require that input is accurate to within 1/60th of a second. Otherwise, the game would be unplayable. Ideally I'd like to make a program that can: Load any exe and run the game in the window. Intercept some input from the keyboard and pass it off to the game as necessary. Maintain a persistent(and consistent) state of the fight on both machines. It would seem that I'd also need a way to control the frame rate to avoid desync issues. And there also the issue of displaying the same view of the fight on both machines. Btw, this is all windows-based. Am I crazy? Any suggestions?