File Install - Raycity Server

The Ultimate Guide to RayCity Server File Install: How to Revive the MMO Racing Legend

Published by: MMO Revivalist Guild
Difficulty Level: Advanced / System Administrator
Estimated Time: 2–4 Hours

Part 7: The Legal & Ethical Note

RayCity server files are copyrighted by the now-defunct J2M Software and any remaining rights holders (likely GungHo Online Entertainment). This guide is for educational and preservation purposes only. Running a public server can attract legal attention, even for an abandoned game.

If you want to experience RayCity without legal risk:

1. Play on existing, well-established private servers (most have zero legal issues for years).
2. Run your server offline or within a closed LAN without public advertising.

Step 7 – Basic Administration

Use SQL queries to grant GM privileges:

USE RayCity_Account;
UPDATE Users SET AccessLevel = 255 WHERE Username = 'YourName';

GM commands (type in chat):

• /makeitem 1001 1 – spawn item ID 1001
• /level 50 – set character level
• /startrace – force start a race

Running as a service (Linux systemd)

1. Create a systemd unit file /etc/systemd/system/raycity.service:

   • [Unit] Description=RayCity Server After=network.target

     [Service] User=raycity WorkingDirectory=/opt/raycity ExecStart=/usr/bin/java -Xms2G -Xmx4G -jar /opt/raycity/raycity-server.jar nogui Restart=on-failure RestartSec=10 raycity server file install

     [Install] WantedBy=multi-user.target

2. Reload systemd and enable:
   • sudo systemctl daemon-reload
   • sudo systemctl enable --now raycity.service
3. Check logs:
   • sudo journalctl -u raycity -f

2. System Requirements

Due to the age of the game (circa 2006–2009), the server software was originally designed for older operating systems.

• Operating System: Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7 are historically most stable. Windows 10/11 can run the server but often require compatibility mode or dependency fixes.
• Database: Microsoft SQL Server (MSSQL) 2008 R2 or 2012. Newer versions (2016+) usually require modification of the database scripts (schema).
• Dependencies: .NET Framework 3.5 and legacy C++ redistributables.

Method A: SQL Manual Insert (Hardest but reliable)

In SSMS, run this query against the RayCity_Global database: The Ultimate Guide to RayCity Server File Install:

INSERT INTO Account (UserID, Password, Email, IsGM) 
VALUES ('Racer1', HASHBYTES('MD5', 'mypassword'), 'racer1@localhost', 1)

3.3 Client Modification

To connect your RayCity client to the private server:

1. Install the official RayCity client (v1.3).
2. Locate patcher.exe or RayCity.exe.
3. Edit the hosts file (C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts) as Administrator:

   127.0.0.1 patch.raycityonline.com
   127.0.0.1 login.raycityonline.com
   127.0.0.1 game.raycityonline.com
   

   (Replace 127.0.0.1 with your server IP for remote play.)
4. Alternatively, hex-edit RayCity.exe – search for original domain strings and replace with your server IP (keeping same character length).

Step 3: Configure ODBC System DSN

Windows uses ODBC to let the game server talk to SQL.

1. Press Win + R, type odbcad32.exe, and hit Enter.
2. Go to System DSN tab > Add.
3. Select ODBC Driver 17 for SQL Server.
4. Name: RayCity (exactly this).
5. Server: localhost or (local).
6. Choose SQL Server authentication. Login: sa, Password: (the one you set).
7. Change default database to RayCity_Global.
8. Test the connection. It should say "Tests completed successfully."