Look at this awesome program:
http://www.jrsoftware.org/isinfo.php (http://www.jrsoftware.org/isinfo.php)
It lets you make a customizable installer program for your games and stuff. (much better than zip or rar) It's FREE! And you don't need to know any programing!
Please comment on this.
Yeah I know that program. But as some others here I'm not a great fan of installers. Especially small adventure games just don't need to be installed. Extracting a little zip file isn't something that bothers me, but installing and uninstalling a game is a bit annoying.
It's good for bigger games. :)
Installers are fine for games that show considerable effort on the part of the author but are less useful for short games or joke games. If installers are made right they give the whole package a more professional look that tells people you were serious about your project. That said, there's nothing wrong with distributing your game in simpler formats as well!
I got inno but i don't like it too because i put all the ags games i download in a sub folder so that they are not scattered all over my hard drive. If a game has a installer the first thing i do after running it is copy the ags files into a new folder and uninstall the original. With a zip file i just have to extract and delete the zip. Less effort.
Can't you just change the directory it's installing to to your AGS games directory?
But yeah, I also prefer rar or zip files. Like probably many people, I've had bad experiences with applications that don't uninstall cleanly, or mess up the registry, etc. (Also cluttering up the start menu, desktop, and quicklaunch.) If I unzip it myself and place it wherever I like, I feel like I have more control and that it's less risky.
One could always supply an Installer and a zip. That way the author will feel proud of his installer, and the people who don't like them can download the zip. Everyone's happy :P
Quote from: Snarky on Sat 01/11/2008 19:44:12
Can't you just change the directory it's installing to to your AGS games directory?
When I finish a game it goes into a different folder.
Quote from: The Suitor on Sat 01/11/2008 19:52:48
One could always supply an Installer and a zip. That way the author will feel proud of his installer, and the people who don't like them can download the zip. Everyone's happy :P
And find oline space to store the same game twice, and update it twice if you fix bugs.
Quote from: jetxl on Sun 02/11/2008 01:24:56
And find oline space to store the same game twice, and update it twice if you fix bugs.
Not that hard really, if you're willing.
But there is convenience with zips, I won't deny.
Quote from: jetxl on Sun 02/11/2008 01:24:56
Quote from: The Suitor on Sat 01/11/2008 19:52:48
One could always supply an Installer and a zip. That way the author will feel proud of his installer, and the people who don't like them can download the zip. Everyone's happy :P
And find oline space to store the same game twice, and update it twice if you fix bugs.
So are you saying that mirrors aren't worth the hassle?
Why not Mirror1=install, Mirror2=zip?
Professional effort games that will make an installer will have multiple mirrors, I'm sure.
~Trent
Because you upload it most likely to the same server. So if the server is down both files wont work, making the mirror link useless.
Either way, I like the idea of an installer, AND a zip, rar.
People who want the installer, and people who want zip are happy ;D
I prefer a exe installer for big games, like the AGDi games.
So A-Tec, are you already working on an installer for KQ8?
~Trent
No, I don't have the game near completed yet, ive tested this prog, and it's great, (in my opinion)