MLauncher: Master Launcher

This project is on beta. Please, be nice! :)

A cross-platform, classic style DOOM launcher for Master Levels for DOOM II. :feelsgood:

Getting Started

This proyect runs using the Textual Python library to run. It should work with the compiled release, but due to python being an interpreted language it should by using the source and the python IDLE.

Prerequisites:

• Any compatible Doom launcher. DSDA-Doom is highly recommended but you can use any of them as long as it's compatible.
• Have a copy of Master Levels for DOOMII. You can purchase it through Steam or GOG
• Optional: iTerm2 for MacOS or Windows Terminal. Default Windows Powershell or cmd.exe surprisingly looks very cool, but if you want a cleaner experience I recommend installing this.

Installation:

This program is made to work and launch with the Steam release using DSDA-Doom, but it includes a config file. See Configuration for more info.

1. Get the latest MLauncher release from the releases tab at your right. Download the one that suits you well.

2. Go to the main game directory for "Master Levels for Doom 2". Guide on how to look it.

3. Extract both files (_internal and MLauncher.exe) inside the main game directory.

4. Rename doxbox.exe to dosbox.exe.old. Rename Mlauncher.exe to dosbox.exe. This will trick steam on loading this program instead of dosbox. Keep the old dosbox as backup.

5. Go to dsda-doom repository and download or compile your binaries. Read their README.md file to find out useful info.

6. Extract the dsda-doom zip inside Master Levels of Doom\dsda-doom\ directory. Please extract it inside a directory!. The source port executable should be at .\dsda-doom\dsda-doom.exe

You are good to go! If you have any problems, check the configuration file inside config.ini created inside the game folder. I've ended up with this tree inside the main game folder:

Master Levels of Doom
│   AUTHORS.txt
│   config.ini
│   COPYING.txt
│   dosbox-0.71.tar.gz
│   dosbox.conf
│   dosbox.exe
│   dosbox.exe.old
│   INSTALL.txt
│   master.bat
│   master.conf
│   NEWS.txt
│   README.txt
│   SDL.dll
│   SDL_net.dll
│   testapp.bat
│   THANKS.txt
│   uninstall.exe
├───capture
├───doom2
├───dsda-doom
├───master
├───zmbv
│       README.txt
│       zmbv.dll
│       zmbv.inf
└───_internal

Configuration:

Inside config.ini file the info is organized inside keys. GUI settings are planned but not avaliable yet, please wait!.

• sourceport = Relative path to your favorite source port. By default is set to .\dsda-doom\dsda-doom.exe.
• iwad = Relative path of DOOM2 iwad. Default is: ./doom2/DOOM2.WAD
• ml_path = Relative path of all the wads. Default is ./master/wads

Adding more maps and the rejected levels:

You can easily add any other map you want or even add the rejected levels to the list by editing the _internal/src/ml_info.json file and add your levels there:

      {
        "WAD": "WADNAME.WAD",
        "Name": "Title of the wad fil",
        "Author": "It is obvious",
        "PC": 1, 
        "PSX": null, 
        "Xbox": 14, 
        "PSN": 21
      }

PC is the map slot where the map is located. Fill this if you want the auto-warp button to work properly. PSX and xbox are irrelevant. PSN is used to order all the levels in other order than A-Z. Use this to custom order your wads. TEETH.WAD uses the last slot, 21.

Building

Building is a mess right now because of some differences between OS and Textual not been detected by default on my system. A work is on the way to fix this.

1. Clone this repository and open a terminal inside the folder. Creating a virtual environment is very recommended if you don't want to install extra apps on your system.
2. Install python 3.11 and pyinstaller using your package manager or other ways. Make sure it's on the terminal PATH.
3. Run pip3 install -r requirements.txt
4. Run python3.11 src/main.py and make sure if it works correctly.
5. If you want to freeze the proyect, run pyinstaller build.sh. or use build.bat instead on Windows.