Area Server
The area server is a self-hosted executable file built for Windows XP that allowed players of .hack//frägment to play together as a party up to 3. In this program, you could create your own Root Town which players in-game would access the Chaos Gate and select three words in a keyword system that would send the user party to a field and dungeon based on the keywords. The keywords from the area server allowed the host to make custom maps based on the specific keywords. Part of the program aside creating custom keywords and maps, was the ability to publish the server online for the lobby server to list and players to join.
The word "Area Server" has dual meaning in this context, it is both the name of the executable windows application that runs a server for players to connect to, but also is the name of the save file of your custom maps. Per save file, you are allotted up to 100 area servers to create, each having their own level, and each with their own custom name and maps.
System Requirements[1]
Computer specs required to operate an area server
■ OS: Windows 2000 SP4 or later, or Windows XP SP2 or later
■ CPU: Celeron 1GHz or higher
■ Memory: 256MB or more
■ HDD free space: 100MB or more
■ Display: 800 x 600 (65536 colors) or higher resolution
■ Graphics: VRAM 32MB or more, DirectX 9.0c can operate
■ Broadband connection (*Optical fiber line or ADSL line of 1.5 Mbps or higher recommended)
Versions
The installer setup.exe provided by Bandai at http://hack.channel.or.jp/fragment/support/ is a win32 MSI installer around 21 megabytes in size, that installs to C:\Program Files\バンダイ\AREA SERVER originally.
Early Release Version 1.0
Released on 10/27/2005.
Four weeks prior to the official public launch of the game, this version of the area server was made exclusively for the 1000 lottery winners of the .hack//frägment Early Release Version. This version was no longer able to connect to the lobby server after 12/6/2005, originally slated to be discontinued on 12/24/2005.
Version 1.0.0
Released on 11/22/2005
This is the first official public retail launch of the area server for the retail version of the game. Changes were the rate of rare items appearing increased and virus bug events been updated.
Version 1.0.1
Released on 12/02/2005
The main changes of this version included software stability, reduced CPU load, access from PS2 stability, welcome message function when logging onto the root town, rate of experience for area servers increased, rare item drop rates increased slightly.
Version 1.0.2
Released on 12/05/2005
Urgent fix the for file reading error of version 1.0.1.
Version 1.0.3
Released on 12/28/2005
The final release of the area server. Safety of the area server has been improved and the rate of experience points for the area server has increased.
Program Files
\data\
\data\boss.bin
\data\cmn.bin
\data\demo.bin
\data\dungeon.bin
\data\effect.bin
\data\enemy.bin
\data\equip.bin
\data\event.bin
\data\field.bin
\data\gcmn.bin
\data\gimmick.bin
\data\menu.bin
\data\OnlineEvent.dat
\data\pack.bin
\data\pc.bin
\data\skill.bin
\data\text.bin
\data\town.bin
\save\
Area Server Features
Area Server
Used to publish an area server to be listed on the lobby server.
Map Editor
Allows you to create custom keywords that can be configured to go to specific player made fields and dungeons.
Display
Changes the program window size.
Exit
Closes the area server program.
Port-forwarding
The default port forwarding address needed to be open to host an area server is set for 20000. If this address is in use for another application, the area server manual recommends any port between 20000 - 20100 may be used for the area server to be port forwarded to, however you will need to adjust the change also in your C:\Program Files (x86)\Bandai\AREA SERVER\profile.ini file on the following line.
[AREA_SERVER] PORT = 20000
Custom Area Servers
Aside the original Japanese area server versions, various custom made area servers have been shared.
K.U.S
This would be the original widely used area server for English speaking users, as the original area server was written in Japanese, this one was edited for English. In addition the original IP address the area server pointed to (j5q.channel.or.jp), this custom area server points to the current active lobby server hosted by Netslums/Alkalime (a.dothackers.org:49000).
K.U.S + 1UP
Leveling
Area servers all start out as level 1. Each area server has it's own experience points based on players playing on the server killing monsters and reaching the end statue. After gaining experience points, the area server levels up by 1 each time. The max level an area server can achieve is level 99, after which it will no longer gain experience points.
Corruption
All area servers have a chance to generate a corrupted field/dungeon. The higher the area server's level is, the more frequent these random chances will spawn.
Events
Based on certain day of the year, the area server has a chance to trigger an in-game event. The event window is 15 minutes every 3 hours for that day. Meaning the NPC that hosts the event will be hanging out by the Chaos Gate to give players the first trigger to go to a specific field and dungeon to complete with the reward of a key item that can only be obtained through this event.
Christmas Event
Triggered on 12/25/2005
Rewards: Rena's Homemade Card
レナの手製カード
Rewards: Puchiguso Santa Statue (Santa Grunty Statue)
プチグソサンタ像
New Years Eve Event
Triggered on 12/31/2005
Event NPCs: Mistral
Rewards: Devil's Bell
退魔の釣鐘
Rewards: New Year's Soba Set
年越し蕎麦セット
New Years Day Event
Triggered on 01/01/2006
Rewards: Kite's Kite
洋凧（カイト）
Setsubun Event
Triggered on 02/03/2006
Rewards: Amanattō (Sugared Red Beans)
甘納豆
Valentine's Day Event
Triggered on 02/13/2006
Event NPCs: Valentina, BlackRose
Message: You can get some Luxury Chocolate at the bottom of the dungeon in ! It's a limited time Valentine's Day item!
Rewards: Luxury Chocolate
高級チョコレート
Cherry Blossom Viewing Event
Triggered on 03/15/2006
Rewards: Balmung's Small Sake Cup (Inoguchi)
バルムンクの猪口
Tanabata Event
Triggered on 07/07/2006
Reward: Tanzaku Strip (Wish Strips)
願いの短冊
Obon Event
Triggered on 08/07/2006
Rewards: Signed Shikishi (Autographed Colored Paper)
サイン入り色紙
PC Day Event
Triggered on 09/29/2006
Rewards: Mouse Pad
マウスパッド
Health and Sports Day Event
Triggered on 10/09/2006
Rewards: Natsume's Headband
なつめのハチマキ