RPG

The client software is generally expected to always be up-to-date via Java Web Start. Since JWS often fails to accomplish this in practice, the client may start up with an old version. In any case, the client/server should ensure that each are compatible with each other. If an old client attempts to connect to the server, the server should do its best to inform the client.

This capability is preliminarily supported by the initial client-server handshake. Integrate versioning such that clients know when they are out-of-date upon handshake. Alternately (or in addition), have the client check some online resource (such as making an HTTP request for a version file), thus avoiding any contact with the game server if incompatible.

This task was classified as a bug because it manifested as such during alpha testing (an old client was able to connect but experienced general meltdown upon receiving incompatible data from the server). It has been reclassified as a feature request.