I am looking to hire a highly skilled reverse engineer and game server developer who can help me create a custom private server. This game uses the Unreal Engine 3 (UE3). The official servers for the game have long since shut down, but there is an existing private server that the community has been working on and reverse-engineering. However, I'm interested in building my own version from scratch, with a fresh approach to the server-side infrastructure and game launcher. What I Have: Game Files: I have access to all the local client-side files (graphics, textures, sounds, models, etc.). However, I do not have access to the original source code, server-side files, or databases, as they are not publicly available. Private Server Access: There is a private server currently running, which is an unofficial version of the game. It is functional, but still buggy, and has ongoing development. This server has been reverse-engineered by the community, and I suspect Python has been used extensively for both the client-side and server-side code. Goal: I want to create my own version of the server, with improvements over the current private server, ideally fixing bugs, improving stability, and ensuring that the server supports gameplay smoothly. The launcher for the private server is also Python-based, but is still buggy. I need a reverse engineer to analyze the private server's current system and design a well-structured server-side solution and game launcher. What I Need: Server-Side Reverse Engineering: - Analyze the current private server (including Python code and server-client communication) and reverse-engineer how the original game's server infrastructure worked. - Since the original server-side code isn't available, you'll need to reconstruct the database, logic, and protocols based on the information available from the private server and the game client. - Recreate core functionality like player data storage, character progression, item management, combat mechanics, session management, and user authentication. - Rebuild a server system that supports multiple players, handles matchmaking, and runs smoothly, fixing any known bugs in the current private server. Design a Custom Game Launcher: - Develop a custom game launcher that allows players to connect to the private server. - User authentication: Either creating a simple login system or integrating with an existing authentication model if applicable. - Server Configuration: The launcher should forward the client to the correct server (IP, port, etc.), handle server updates, and possibly manage game settings. - Patch Management: Optionally, it could handle updating the game client with new patches or configurations if future updates are required. - Bug Fixes: Fix any bugs or errors in the existing launcher that prevent smooth gameplay connection or cause crashes. Technical Details: - The game client is built using Unreal Engine 3 (UE3), and is relatively old, so the structure may seem archaic. - Python seems to be heavily involved on both the client-side and server-side, but there may be other languages or technologies involved (e.g., C++, if the server or client was originally developed in that). - I expect the use of tools like Wireshark or Fiddler to reverse-engineer the server-client communication. Server Database Design: - You will need to design and implement a database structure to store player data, including: * Character profiles (level, stats, items, etc.) * Item databases (item attributes, availability, etc.) * Game progression (missions, achievements, etc.) - Ensure that the database is secure, scalable, and reliable to handle multiple players simultaneously. Other Key Considerations: - Security: Ensure that the server and launcher are secure, preventing cheating, unauthorized access, and data manipulation. - Optimization: The server should be able to handle a substantial number of players, with low latency and high uptime. - Community Features: Features like friend lists, guilds, leaderboards, and chat systems may need to be integrated. Final Deliverables: - A fully functional private game server that supports all necessary game mechanics (combat, matchmaking, player progression, items, etc.). - A custom game launcher that allows players to connect to the private server and manage their game settings. - Documentation on how to set up, configure, and maintain the server and launcher. - Bug fixes and optimizations for both the server and launcher. I understand that this is a complex task that will require a deep understanding of game development, reverse engineering, and network protocols. I am looking for someone with the experience to create a robust plan, design the necessary components, and deliver a high-quality server solution.