Discussion Fermata - A Modern Lineage 2 Interlude Client

[Elfo]

 

What is Fermata?

Fermata is a modern, performant client compatible with Lineage 2’s official game client for Interlude, without using a game engine. It uses the original game client files (which we do not provide ourselves) to offer a modern way to play Lineage 2 Interlude without being tied to an FPS game engine from the early 2000s. A fermata (𝄐) is a musical notation symbol indicating that a note, chord, or rest should be held longer than its standard time value. Its exact duration is decided by the performer or conductor for expressive effect. It seems like a fitting name for a Lineage 2 client that aims to extend the game's lifespan.

Why is Fermata?

Fermata exists because the original Interlude client is outdated, buggy, and lacks modern features for quality of life, rendering, and performance. Fermata fixes all of these issues.

Video demo

Is Fermata Lineage 2 Interlude Remastered?

No and yes. Fermata’s main goal is to recreate the original Lineage 2 Interlude client in a visually identical way. This is the default mode. We also aim to add remastered features which you can toggle on and off. Enabling Remastered mode adds features that the original Interlude client never had, such as Ray Tracing on supported GPUs, HDR, a more modern UI, and more.

Is Fermata compatible with my L2j or L2 OFF server?

Yes! Fermata has two different types of net code. By default, it uses the original Interlude net code packet format, which is the same as the one used by L2j and L2 OFF servers. We have also added several new optional packet formats, so if you want your users to use the Fermata client, you can adopt those packets through their structure into your server. We also offer a modern custom packet format which is way more efficient and can increase performance as well as security due to the nature of the new encryption.

Are my customs compatible with Fermata?

Absolutely! We want Fermata to be 100% compatible with everything in the old game client. Textures, animations, models, etc will all work with Fermata. 

Can I use my custom Interface with Fermata?

No, Fermata is incompatible with any other interface because we completely rewrote it from scratch. We do, however, provide a way to customize the interface in the form of an API we expose for you to hook up, a Visual Studio Code extension with IntelliSense support, and Lua scripts. We aim to work with the community to make the API as flexible as possible. We also support Add-Ons, which are Lua scripts that can be used to modify client behavior and let you add your own windows and features. Think of it like World of Warcraft’s Add-Ons. There will be a marketplace for Add-Ons on our website.

Is Fermata free?

Yes. Success for me is not measured in money but adoption. I think everyone deserves to play our little niche game in a way that doesn’t feel “old”. We might consider adding premium features for server owners only, for example anti-cheat, but the main client is free for everyone to use. As long as I have enough money to support the development of the project, I am happy.

Why not Unity, Unreal Engine or Godot?

Game engines come with tons of quality-of-life features, ease of use, and a huge community behind them. They do also, however, come with a lot of baggage and limitations. I want to fully control the game client so I can implement whatever I want, however I want, without having to worry about the game engine.

How performant is Fermata?

That's where you come in. I need this running on more machines so I can get a better idea of what to optimize. I get 200+ FPS on my 5090 and 120+ FPS on my M3 Ultra. I am always optimizing the game engine as I add features, so expect this to fluctuate. The engine is fully cross-platform, running on Windows (DX/Vulkan), macOS (Metal), and Linux (Vulkan).

How do I download it?

Join our Discord server for the download link: https://discord.gg/zkFRER2xGM

How can I help?

Join the Discord server. I will be uploading builds weekly, and you can test them out and give me feedback.

[Kara]

Ya always come back to L2

[aguy]

Is it going to be open source ?

[Elfo]

Just now, aguy said:

Is it going to be open source ?

I don't think so. The idea is that it will be so flexible that it doesn't need to be. I'm happy to reconsider, but for now I am focusing on the engine itself. Moving to the netcode now.

[Splicho]

1 hour ago, Kara said:

Ya always come back to L2

Bro has his account back aint no way

[Mobius]

I already have an Interlude client that can run on a potato.
No bugs introduced by Elfobug.

[Elfo]

1 minute ago, Mobius said:

I already have an Interlude client that can run on a potato.
No bugs introduced by Elfobug.

Runs on a potato, like a potato, looking like a potato, and being edited like a potato. Stick to your potato.

[Mobius]

Game works as it is meant to work. I trust NCsoft more than someone hyping closed source AI slop.

You on the other hand, feel free to flex your 5090, running Interlude and be happy for 200 FPS.

[Elfo]

7 minutes ago, Mobius said:

Game works as it is meant to work. I trust NCsoft more than someone hyping closed source AI slop.

You on the other hand, feel free to flex your 5090, running Interlude and be happy for 200 FPS.

If I wanted to flex something, I would flex my Mac Studio.

Now go back to making Minecraft in Java and asset flips in UE.

[aguy]

I personally like it a lot. I see this not as a replacement but as a supplementary client that can fill different type of gameplay.