Games and Windows Vista integration

[Radiant]

While I don't have Vista myself, I am told that it has something called an internal games menu, and that it is quite eager to block users from playing games that aren't registered to that menu. Or something.

Is there anything I can do to older games I made to make them more accessible to Windows Vista users? I am aware that the present version of AGS does that, but I was looking for a slightly less drastic solution.

[GarageGothic]

What's so drastic about compiling your game with a more recent version of AGS? Unless you developed it on 2.62 or earlier, I don't think it would create many problems. And it streamlines the process of setting up the Vista specific features.

[Pumaman]

The main potential issue with Vista is that if Parental Controls are enabled, it won't allow you to play un-rated games. However, this isn't something that AGS 2.8 addresses because you need a digital signature in order to give your game a rating.

The Game Explorer integration (which AGS does provide) is a nice addition to have for your game, but not using doesn't stop your game working. It just means that your game has to be started from Start Menu -> Programs rather than the Games area.

[Radiant]

What's so drastic about compiling your game with a more recent version of AGS?

The fact that several of my games were never created in AGS to begin with. Such as SubTerra and Leylines.


Is it possible for an indie author to get one of those digital signatures? Or is that highly impractical?

Is it possible to attach that game explorer to, say, an installer script?

[Pumaman]

You could get a digital signature, it costs money but there's no reason why you couldn't do it if you wanted to pay. But then, you need to get your game rated by a board like the ESRB, and they can charge about $2000 to do it.

The actual game explorer integration itself can be done in an installer script, yes. If it's an AGS 2.8 game, you just need to make the installer perform the single step detailed in the manual.

If it's not an AGS 2.8 game, you'd need to do all these steps yourself (this is what AGS does for you):
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb173446.aspx

[Radiant]

they can charge about $2000 to do it.

Okay, that's ludicrous.

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb173446.aspx

Thank you.

[AGA]

Parental controls are turned off by default. It's not something you should worry about.