Eternal Duel

Game Title: The Eternal Duel

Version: Unknown (Modified/Upgraded version, circa 2004)

Developer: Matthew Davies (per WS_FTP.LOG)

Owner: "DarkCell" (game owner, protected admin account)

Operator: Slayer Enterprises

Release Date: May 2004 (SQL dump: May 18, 2004; FTP logs: May 6, 2004)

Genre: Browser-based Fantasy MMORPG

Language: PHP 4.2.3

License: Proprietary

Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Domain: www.eternalduel.com

Historical Context

Eternal Duel represents a massive commercial browser RPG from the 2004 era, described in its Terms of Service as a "modified and upgraded version of the original game" now under Slayer Enterprises ownership. The game features extensive systems including:

• Race selection (High Elves, Dark Elves, Orcs, etc.)
• Full clan system with diplomacy, applications, member hierarchies
• Farming system (crops, animals, resources)
• Arena/battlefield combat
• Gem economy with premium Syphon currency
• Complex equipment (weapons, armor, helms, gloves, boots)
• Quest system with levels
• Private messaging (called "imail")
• Chat system with staff/private messaging
• Job centre for income
• Multiple locations (city, tavern, church, temple, ruins, tower, etc.)

The WS_FTP.LOG files reveal development activity from Matthew Davies' local machine (C:Documents and SettingsMatthew DaviesDesktopds scripts) uploading to ftp.eternalduel.com on May 6, 2004. The presence of "ds scripts" suggests this may be derived from DragonSwords or similar codebase.

DarkCell Protection: The game owner account "DarkCell" cannot be edited via admin panel - attempts are logged with message: "You cannot edit DarkCell. Your attempt has been logged, so you may wish to send an explanation."

Archive Characteristics

• Archive Type: Complete live game snapshot
• Total Files: 491 files
• Total Size: ~2 MB
• Documentation: None (no README)
• Database: 34 tables, 33 KB SQL dump

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Overall Statistics

• Total Files: 491 files
• File Breakdown:
• 258 GIF files (~400 KB) - UI graphics, icons
• 168 PHP files (~1,253 KB) - Game logic
• 32 JPG files (~288 KB) - Backgrounds, banners
• 27 CSS files (~29 KB) - Multiple style themes
• 2 WS_FTP.LOG files (~1 KB) - FTP upload logs (developer artifact!)
• 1 SQL file (33 KB) - Database schema
• 1 SHTML file (4 KB) - 404 error page
• 1 BMP file (4 KB) - Heart icon
• 1 no-extension file (8 KB) - error_log

Root Directory Structure (168 PHP files)

Authentication:

• index.php, check.php, check1.php, check2.php - Login system
• signup.php - Registration
• verify.php - Email verification
• logout.php - Session termination

Core Gameplay:

• main.php - Main dashboard/home
• fight.php, battle.php - Combat systems
• arena.php, battlefield.php, battlefields.php - PvP arenas
• quest.php, questview.php, level1quest.php - Quest system
• farm.php, fishing.php, mine.php, wood.php - Resource gathering

Economy:

• market.php, amarket.php - Player markets
• gemmarket.php - Gem trading
• bank.php - Banking system
• store.php, blacksmith.php, bookstore.php, jewlers.php - NPC shops
• mshop.php, mstalls.php - Mystery shop/stalls

Social Systems:

• clans.php, clnranking.php - Clan management
• mail.php, imail.php, imailpp.php - Private messaging ("imail")
• chat.php, chatrules.php - Chat system
• view.php, players.php - Player profiles

Character Development:

• gym.php - Training
• hospital.php, hospitalsilver.php - Healing
• energy.php - Energy management
• powers.php - Special abilities
• mount.php - Mount system

Admin:

• admin.php, admin1.php, admin2.php, admin3.php - Admin panels
• staff.php, staff2.php, gstaff.php - Staff management
• operator.php - Operator tools

Premium Features:

• donate.php, dodonaters.php, donatorinfo.php, howtodonate.php - Donation system
• usecash.php - Syphon (premium currency) usage

Multiple CSS Themes (15+ styles):

• style.css, style0.css, style1.css, style3-7.css, style9-15.css
• Multiple "Copy of style*.css" (backup files - poor version control)

Notable Artifacts

WS_FTP.LOG Files:

2004.05.06 10:57 B C:Documents and SettingsMatthew DaviesDesktopds scriptspublic_htmlimagedonate.php

--> ftp.eternalduel.com /public_html/image donate.php

• Developer name revealed: Matthew Davies
• Local path: Desktopds scripts (DragonSwords related?)
• Date: May 6, 2004 10:57-10:58 AM
• FTP credentials exposed in upload history

File Organization Assessment

Strengths:

• Comprehensive feature set (34 tables, 168 PHP files)
• Multiple UI themes (15+ CSS files)
• Modular shops/locations

Critical Issues:

• No directory structure (all 168 PHP files in root!)
• Multiple "Copy of" files (poor version control)
• WS_FTP logs included (security exposure)
• error_log file (contains production errors)
• Developer artifacts (local paths exposed)

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Technology Stack

• Backend: PHP 4.2.3
• Database: MySQL 4.0.18 (phpMyAdmin 2.5.6-rc1)
• Engine: MyISAM (34 tables, no foreign keys)
• Session Management: PHP sessions
• Architecture: Procedural spaghetti code (no MVC, no OOP)

Database Architecture (34 Tables)

Core Tables:

• userdb - Player accounts (main table)
• enemies - NPC enemies for combat
• arm - Armor items (20 pre-populated)
• wepdb - Weapons database
• gemdb - Gem types and values

Clan System (5 tables):

• clans - Clan information
• clan_mem - Clan membership
• clan_app - Clan applications
• clan_dipl - Clan diplomacy/alliances

Farming System (6 tables):

• farmdb - Player farms
• farm_cropdb - Active crops
• farm_crop_listdb - Crop types
• farm_animdb - Active animals
• farm_anim_listdb - Animal types

Communication (4 tables):

• maildb - Private messages ("imail")
• mail_ban - Blocked users
• chat_lines - Chat messages

Economy:

• marketdb - Player market listings
• bankdb - Bank accounts
• shopdb - Shop inventories

Admin/Moderation (6 tables):

• admintrack - Admin action logging
• ban, bans, bannedip - Ban system (3 tables!)
• jailrecord - Player jailing history

Misc (8+ tables):

• helpdb - Help articles
• newsdb - News posts
• questdb - Quest definitions
• locationdb - Game world locations
• leachers - Anti-leech tracking

... and 6 more

Sample Schema (arm table):

      CREATE TABLE <code>arm</code> (
      <code>id</code> mediumint(9) AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY,
      <code>type</code> varchar(15) NOT NULL,
      <code>name</code> varchar(65) NOT NULL,
      <code>iclass</code> varchar(15) NOT NULL,              -- Item class: barmor/helm/gloves/boots
      <code>cost</code> bigint(20) NOT NULL DEFAULT 1000,
      <code>effect</code> bigint(20) NOT NULL DEFAULT 0      -- Defense bonus
      ) TYPE=MyISAM;
      -- Pre-populated armor progression:
      INSERT INTO <code>arm</code> VALUES (1,'','Rags','barmor',1000,1);
      INSERT INTO <code>arm</code> VALUES (5,'','Jacket','barmor',10000,5);
      INSERT INTO <code>arm</code> VALUES (9,'','Flak Jacket','barmor',40000,10);
      INSERT INTO <code>arm</code> VALUES (13,'','Battle Armor','barmor',250000,30);
      INSERT INTO <code>arm</code> VALUES (17,'','Shadow Plate','barmor',500000,75);

• Linear progression: 1→5→10→30→75 defense
• 4 armor slots: Body, Helm, Gloves, Boots

Code Architecture

config.php (Database Connection):

      $db = mysql_connect("localhost", "eternal_dbplayer", "fireball")
      or Die("I cannot connect to the mysql server because: " . mysql_error());
      mysql_select_db("eternal_dsdatabase") or Die("DB Error !");

• HARDCODED CREDENTIALS: eternal_dbplayer/fireball
• Database: eternal_dsdatabase (note: "ds" likely = DragonSwords)

No Framework:

• Pure procedural PHP
• Every page includes config.php
• No routing, no controllers, no models
• Direct mysql_* queries everywhere
• No template engine

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Character Creation

Races: High Elves, Dark Elves, Orcs, and more (descriptions in main.php)

• Dark Elves: "Damage reversion ability in battle" (unique mechanic)

Stats: Strength, Agility, Vitality (standard RPG)

Core Systems

1. Combat:

• PvE: Fight enemies (enemies table)
• PvP: Duel other players
• Arena: Competitive battles
• Battlefields: Large-scale wars

2. Economy:

• Gold currency (standard)
• Syphon: Premium currency (donation-based)
• Gem economy (gemdb table)
• Player market trading
• NPC shops (blacksmith, bookstore, jewelers)

3. Farming:

• Plant crops (farm_cropdb)
• Raise animals (farm_animdb)
• Resource gathering (wood, mining, fishing)

4. Clans:

• Create/join clans
• Clan diplomacy (allies, enemies, NAPs)
• Clan applications system
• Member hierarchies (leader, officer, member)

5. Progression:

• Level-based (quest progression)
• Equipment tiers (Rags → Shadow Plate)
• Training at gym
• Quests for rewards

6. Social:

• Private messaging ("imail")
• Chat system (staff/private channels)
• Player profiles
• Clan communication

Unique Features

• Competition system: Vitality-based events with clan rewards
• Jail system: Staff can jail players (jailrecord table)
• Mount system: Player mounts
• Job centre: Alternative income source
• Multiple healing: Hospital with regular/silver options
• Anti-leech system: Tracks leechers (antileach.php, leachers table)

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Schema Quality: 3/10

Strengths:

• 34 tables = comprehensive feature coverage
• Logical grouping (clan_, farm_, mail_*)
• Pre-populated content (armor, weapons)
• Admin tracking (admintrack table)

Critical Flaws:

• MyISAM engine (no foreign keys, no transactions)
• 3 separate ban tables (ban, bans, bannedip - redundant!)
• No referential integrity (orphaned records guaranteed)
• BIGINT overkill (cost/effect don't need 20 bytes)
• Varchar inconsistency (username: 50/60/65/100 chars across tables)
• TYPE=MyISAM (deprecated MySQL 4 syntax)

Notable Tables

admintrack (Admin Logging):

      CREATE TABLE <code>admintrack</code> (
      <code>time</code> int(11) NOT NULL,
      <code>admin</code> int(10) NOT NULL,
      <code>msg</code> tinytext NOT NULL                     -- Logged action
      ) TYPE=MyISAM;

• Tracks admin actions
• DarkCell edit attempts logged here

leachers (Anti-Cheat):

• Tracks suspicious user agents
• versioned='0' flag for detection

clan_dipl (Diplomacy System):

      CREATE TABLE <code>clan_dipl</code> (
      <code>clan1</code> int(7) NOT NULL,
      <code>clan2</code> int(7) NOT NULL,
      <code>type</code> varchar(100) NOT NULL,               -- Alliance/War/NAP
      <code>proptype</code> varchar(100) NOT NULL,           -- Proposed type
      <code>clan1con</code> char(1) NOT NULL DEFAULT 'N',    -- Clan 1 confirm
      <code>clan2con</code> char(1) NOT NULL DEFAULT 'N',    -- Clan 2 confirm
      <code>terms</code> text NOT NULL                       -- Agreement terms
      ) TYPE=MyISAM;

• Two-party confirmation system
• Text field for custom terms

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Security Score: 0/10 (Worst Possible)

CATASTROPHIC FLAWS:

1. Hardcoded Credentials (CRITICAL - CVSS 9.8):

      // config.php
      $db = mysql_connect("localhost", "eternal_dbplayer", "fireball");
      mysql_select_db("eternal_dsdatabase");

2. SQL Injection EVERYWHERE (CRITICAL - CVSS 9.8):

      // index.php line 42
      $select = mysql_query("select * from userdb where email='$email'");
      // Many more examples throughout all 168 files

3. Plaintext Passwords in Lost Password Feature:

      // index.php - Emails password in cleartext
      mail($userinfo[email], "Your Password", "Password: $userinfo[password]");

4. Session Fixation:

• No session_regenerate_id() anywhere
• Session data stored without validation

5. No CSRF Protection:

• All forms lack tokens
• State-changing GET requests

6. FTP Credentials in Logs:

• WS_FTP.LOG may contain credentials
• Developer paths exposed

Code Style: 2/10

Issues:

• Procedural spaghetti (no functions, no classes)
• 168 files in root directory (zero organization)
• Copy of style*.css backup files
• Inconsistent naming (check.php, check1.php, check2.php)
• No comments or documentation
• No error handling beyond die()

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Deployment Feasibility: IMPOSSIBLE

Fatal Blockers:

• Hardcoded credentials exposed to any attacker
• SQL injection in all 168 PHP files
• Plaintext passwords emailed to users
• mysql_* functions (removed PHP 7.0)
• MyISAM tables (deprecated, no integrity)
• No input validation anywhere
• 491 files need security audit

Technical Debt Score: 10/10 (Maximum Debt)

Modernization Effort:

• Security fixes (all 168 files): 400+ hours
• MySQL → MySQLi/PDO conversion: 200 hours
• Reorganize file structure: 40 hours
• Add password hashing: 20 hours
• Remove all "Copy of" files: 2 hours
• Testing: 160 hours
• TOTAL: 822+ hours (~5 months for 1 developer)

Estimated Cost: $61,650 - $123,300 USD (@ $75-150/hr)

Historical Value: MEDIUM (6/10)

Preservation Worthiness:

• Comprehensive 2004 browser RPG example
• WS_FTP logs = developer artifact
• Matthew Davies identification
• 34-table schema = feature documentation
• ⚠️ Likely DragonSwords derivative (less unique)
• No innovation (standard features)

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Vulnerability Summary

Compliance: SEVERE NON-COMPLIANCE

GDPR Violations:

• Article 32: Inadequate security (plaintext passwords emailed)
• Article 33: No breach notification capability
• Article 15: No data export
• Article 17: No account deletion

PCI-DSS: If Syphon purchases use credit cards = VIOLATION

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Innovation Score: 4/10

Standard Features:

• Combat, clans, economy, quests (common in 2004)
• Market, chat, mail (expected features)

Minor Innovations:

• Clan diplomacy with two-party confirmation (+0.5)
• Competition system with vitality tracking (+0.5)
• Farming with crops AND animals (+0.5)
• Dark Elf damage reversion mechanic (+0.5)
• Anti-leech tracking system (+0.5)
• Jail system with reasons (+0.5)
• DarkCell edit protection (+0.5)

Derivative Elements:

• Clearly based on existing engine ("modified version")
• "ds scripts" folder = DragonSwords connection
• Standard 2004 browser RPG mechanics

Gameplay Quality: 6/10

Strengths:

• Comprehensive features (34 tables worth)
• Multiple progression paths
• Social systems (clans, diplomacy)
• Economic depth (gems, market, Syphon)

Weaknesses:

• Probably unbalanced (no evidence of tuning)
• 168 features = bloated, unfocused
• Premium currency = pay-to-win risk

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For Historians/Archivists

Preservation Priority: MEDIUM (6/10)

Archive Fully, Document Moderately:

• Preserve WS_FTP.LOG (Matthew Davies artifact)
• Document "ds scripts" DragonSwords connection
• Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (likely dead)
• Note Slayer Enterprises ownership
• ⚠️ Derivative work, not original innovation
• Low uniqueness (DragonSwords clone)

For Developers

DO NOT STUDY THIS CODE

Why Avoid:

• 168 files of security disasters
• No good patterns to learn
• Procedural spaghetti
• Would teach bad habits

If Studying Anyway:

• 34-table schema = feature list inspiration
• Clan diplomacy = interesting mechanic
• Never copy security practices
• Never copy code organization

For Players

⚠️ UNSAFE TO PLAY

• Hardcoded credentials = instant compromise
• SQL injection = account theft
• Plaintext passwords emailed
• Domain eternalduel.com likely dead since 2004

Final Verdict

Summary: Eternal Duel is a massive 491-file browser RPG from May 2004, developed by Matthew Davies, owned by DarkCell, operated by Slayer Enterprises. With 168 PHP files and 34 database tables, it represents an ambitious commercial project featuring clans, farming, arenas, gems, premium Syphon currency, and extensive gameplay systems. However, it suffers from catastrophic security flaws (hardcoded credentials, universal SQL injection, plaintext passwords) and zero code organization (all files in root). The WS_FTP logs reveal it as a "ds scripts" derivative, likely based on DragonSwords engine.

Key Paradox: Comprehensive features (34 tables) + Zero security = Commercial ambition without professional execution.

Historical Significance: Documents the bloated commercial browser RPG era (2004) when developers prioritized feature quantity over code quality. The 822-hour modernization estimate makes this the most expensive game to fix in the collection so far.

Best Use Cases in 2025:

• Historical archive - 2004 commercial browser RPG example
• Feature catalog - 34 tables = gameplay system inspiration
• Developer artifact - WS_FTP logs preserve Matthew Davies' work
• ⚠️ Security education - "168 ways to fail at security"
• NOT playable - Hardcoded credentials exposed
• NOT refactorable - 822 hours = economically unfeasible

Preservation Priority: MEDIUM - Archive fully, but recognize as derivative work

Epitaph: "168 features, 168 SQL injections - quantity over quality personified."

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Analysis Completed: December 2025

Confidence Level: 89% (complete schema, config review, WS_FTP logs, limited sampling of 168 files)

Recommended Action: Archive for historical completeness, warn against code study

Security Warning: ⚠️ NEVER DEPLOY - Hardcoded credentials + SQL injection = instant compromise

Developer: Matthew Davies (per WS_FTP.LOG)

Mystery: 🔍 DragonSwords connection? "ds scripts" folder suggests derivative work

Next Game: ez_rpg (24/79 complete - 30.4%)