Bypassing/Redirecting Halo 2 Master Server??

[PtolemaiosIV]

Is there anyway to bypass and redirect the LIVE master server to one of our own by modifying the Windows HOST file? I know this has been done for other games, but could it be done for Halo 2?

For example, when Gamespy shutdown for Halo CE and a bunch of other games, a service called Qtracker created a "Gamespy Master Server Emulator" which basically redirected the Gamespy master server to their own.

http://www.qtracker.com/master-gamespy.php

They use an in-browser server list. Also, they've provided directions on how to redirect Gamespy servers for Halo CE

http://www.qtracker.com/master-gamespy-hostfile.php

Since Halo CE is somewhat similar to Halo 2, I was wondering if we could do the same thing.

But I don't know the ip addresses of the servers Halo 2 uses to connect to LIVE.

 

[| SCRAPY |]

we would probably have to redirect the game from trying to contact the server list computer to another computer :/

all the servers and games would have to be updated to contact one single server for the information so that way we can see all the games being hosted. sounds like it can be done but sounds very difficult lol would probably have to edit the game, and possibly edit xlive.dll??? for both the server exe and game exe

 

[Kantanomo]

We have already determined a method of re-routing the game to point to another server that is a simple matter of just changing a value. The issue is reversing the methods and structures that they use to send the serverlist data to the game client. The difference between HCE and H2PC is that HCE was not built with things that stop you from reverse engineering it and debugging. H2PC is not only built to not be reverse engineered or debugged, its has a signed digital certificate attached to it which prevents us from modifying the executable outside of run-time memory editing. Also don't even get me started on the fuckfest of Xlive.

 

[YoshinJaa]

You got this Kant Actually really looking forward to seeing what you and Magic can pull off with the likelihood of the server being taken down.

 

[supersniper]

That or we could create a virtual lan hosting service and just use the Network browser list instead of the live browser list?

 

[| SCRAPY |]

That or we could create a virtual lan hosting service and just use the Network browser list instead of the live browser list?

that could work, just switch -live to -lan? but who knows :/ lol


https://www.evolvehq.com is a lan app that we use for other halo online games lol


it should be possible to host servers on there* and can host peer hosted games on there with out a problem lol

 

[| SCRAPY |]

if you have https://www.evolvehq.com/welcome or dont get it, join the halo 2 server Halo 2 Vista HALO2VISTA.COM and from there you can play with people etc not sure if it can pick up servers yet..... lol

i guess the app tends to crash but not sure.......lol it just froze up on me, but i also had it on when i put the computer to sleep lol

 

[supersniper]

virtual LAN would be a last resort. Honestly finding a way to redirect the browser list call IP would be best.

 

[XDLugia]

I really hope to God that Microsoft gives us a way to keep playing. Shutting H2V Down without warning isn't very Nice. If I knew it, I would play last week instead of today.
Geez, I Guess I'll just have to keep up the mood.

 

[tweek]

I have heard that Halo2 on network mode has a 30ms ping limit so that may be a problem...

 

[t77651]

viewtopic.php?f=33&t=3597
Here is a guide to play through hamachi. You can also use this method for tuungle. Evolvehq may work too.