Sword of Mana multiplayer hack?

[bastian]

I recently discovered a Secret of Evermore hack that allowed a second player to play the previously only-ai controlled dog character. Has anyone discovered a similar hack for Sword of Mana? Or does anyone have the expertise to do such a thing?

[Sheexy]

The only thing I have seen is an SD3 three player hack, haven't seen anything else for any other games.

Something I found interesting is that the American SwoM box mentions nothing but "GBA Link Cable", but the Japanese box I just got mentions 1-2 players simultaneously.
I think if it actually had 2 players we'd have heard something about it, but I can't help but think it's weird they put that on the Japanese one?

[Kassidy]

But it will claim 1-2 player because of the Amigo system, even if the actual gameplay is 1, because at that point there are two players interacting within the game.

[Sheexy]

Yeah, actually I looked on the Japanese box again and it says the same thing as the American one.

I had a real weird dream last night and I think the 2 player thing was part of it... I remember it being pretty big on the box but now there is nothing like I remembered. XD
That's what I get for posting right when I wake up. XD

[bastian]

That's okay Sheexy, it was mostly coherent anyway.

Grrr. I wish someone had done a patch for this. I'm thinking about hitting up the guys who worked on SD3 or the ones who did the Evermore 2 player patch. Sword would be infinately better had it been multiplayer.

[Kassidy]

It's a different kettle of fish getting multiplayer to work for:
- a system that supports multiple pads on one console
- a game that has multiplayer already and needs an increase in numbers
- a game that has a similar engine to another that does support multiplayer

Than a system that requires two consoles, a networking "engine" to work time-critically to be added, after which mutliplayer can be built from the ground up and added into the game with an AI override.... list goes on....

I'm no gaming programmer, but I don't see it being a simple fix or patch.

[Magus_Melchior]

Let's put it this way: Microsoft was successful in online where Sony, Sega, and Nintendo failed miserably, because they started with a compact PC, complete with commodity LAN hardware.

Today, no console multiplayer holds a candle to Xbox Live, because the Japanese insist on reinventing the wheel for their hardware.

And no, I haven't touched an Xbox since I tried a demo of the Xbox Macross game.

Um... I had a point about multiplayer in there somewhere. I should get some sleep.

[manaman]

Hmm,

I'm just casually looking in but this is interesting. SwoM would be really nice to play multiplayer. I can't contribute to the realities of making that happen but I will mention how frustrating my partners in game can be. Often I let them trail behind me as cute ghosts. No skin off my back.

Peace,

manaman