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I actually wanted to set up a server, however that would be pointless in the way you're thinking (to be able to NOT download sound packs etc) as it would only download the zip/rar/exe files like the normal download would.

I am not sure about that idea either, because unpacking the archives would make the download much bigger. I was trying to sell the idea of bittorrent distribution, but asking people to seed bigger files is not the right way.

As you point out above hosting the torrent files is not a big deal (10kb extra on games that take several megabytes). No need for setting up a separate server, all you need is rTorrent on your server with access to two folders: the one with the archives and the one with the torrent files. rTorrent can automatically detect a new torrent file, so you don't have to manually add each one. You set it up so it never stops seeding and throttle it so it won't eat into your bandwidth.

Game makers can create torrents like I described above and upload them with the archive, they also should provide initial seeding. Of course other players should help with seeding, otherwise it's pointless.

For reliable hosting and no worries of having files deleted I'm already making the AGS Archives: http://new.agsarchives.com.
I`ve actually been toying with similar torrent ideas before, but never got further than thoughts..

Nice looking website, all you need is rTorrent and you are set.

To create torrents use mktorrent and add openbittorrent.com. Put the torrents in a public facing folder and link to them from the game page and your done. You can also use magnet links, like The Pirate Bay is doing.

I forgot about magnet links when I wrote my post, there is no need to host any torrent files any more here is the link to my

Code: AGS

magnet:?xt=urn:btih:1FB31A4322DF94A19EC0A5FC7A6BE10C57C7EBD3&dn=Agent_Trinity_Ep0r=udp%3a//tracker.openbittorrent.com%3a80/announce

Let me know if you want any help.

The game list on adventuregamestudio.co.uk is a directory of games made with AGS, none of the files is actually hosted on the server. This means that game makers have to find suitable host, largely that means a free web-hosting service with an annoying bloated homepage and no guarantee to keep your files.

Many companies are using BitTorrent to distribute their free software, this helps cut on bandwidth requirement and helps in peak times (initial release), it also provides a backup in case of server issues.

Distributing AGS games on Bittorrent gives an added benefit over the archive file approach, by putting individual files in the torrent file we give the choice to leave music and voice files off; this can cut a 100Mb game to 20Mb for example making it easier for those who don't want the music or voice.

So I started looking into this (I have basic knowledge about servers and bittorrent mechanics), my idea was to find someone with his own server and set up a tracking server (so only the torrent files would be hosted). This would only take a small amount of bandwidth.

Well it turned out things are much easier than I thought:

First: there is an open bittorrent tracking server (openbittorrent.com), all you need to do is include it as a tracker in your torrent file and then just seed. There is no need to register or upload anything.

Second: torrent files now have an option called 'web hosting' that let you add a link to the file on the internet.

To make a torrent is also very easy. I use uTorrent and here is how you make a torrent:

1) Go to "File->Create New Torrent..." or press Ctrl-N.

2) Press 'Add Directory' and add the directory that contains the game. The name of the torrent file will be the name of the directory.

3) uTorrent ads two trackers by default, including openbittorrent.com. You can add more trackers if you like.

4) Copy the link to your file on the web server and paste in the 'Web Seeds' area.

5) Put a comment (e.g. name of game maker and the fact that it is free).

6) Press 'Create and save as..' button.

it should look something like this (click for larger view):


The last step is of course is hosting the torrent file itself, it might seem a big trip around just to go back to square one (i.e. hosting a file), but a torrent file is about 7kb while a game is minimum about 2Mb. Once offering a torrent becomes as normal as offering a mirror (maybe even include a special field in the upload forum) we can then try to arrange to host the torrent files; anyone with an FTP server can reserve a few megabytes for torrent files.

When I made my game I put it on filedropper.com, it seemed a great way to host files, unfortunately I didn't read the fine-print: for free files the file is deleted if it isn't downloaded after a certain time. I use it now to host the torrent file (this is a 7kb torrent file that you can open with a bittorrent client, it contains the AgentZeroEp0 game as individual files): http://www.filedropper.com/agenttrinityep0

Would do you think, would you seed AGS games? Are you willing to help in setting up a torrent server? Are game makers willing to provide a torrent file? Please feel free to add you opinion or views on the subject.

Here is some useful links:

• BitTorrent From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
• Use Dropbox as a Free Webseed for your Torrents
• uTorrent: How to Create a Torrent File

I am still stuck in chapter one (the bedroom).

Spoiler

I cut the ball and put the spiral in it, but I am missing the beads

[close]

I am willing to test and help with the text.

Guess the Movie Title:

Crap, I've been watching Scrubs for weeks. High Cost of Living?

Correct, do you know the film or did you google the hint? Your turn.

I don't know, Aqala. A movie that is like The Machinist plot-wise, but not in tone? So it's something like the story of a guy with chronic insomnia who becomes sickeningly emaciated and starts having hallucinations and making dangerous mistakes at his job, but... upbeat? As a comedy?

All right, just to have another guess: Vanilla Sky?

Or wait, maybe The Number 23? I think I heard that has a slightly similar paranoia plot.

If you want a hint all you have to do is ask: The story of this film is "pregnant woman loses her child in a hit and run accident. finds an unlikely protector who is not quite the angel he seems" and if you just take a good look at the hair (and the unusually wide door) you should recognize the actor.

You may also try this solution.

it worked, thanks.

Try setting your color depth to 16 bit, that should help.

The window mode works now, but not full screen. Thanks.

I can't play the game. The picture gets stuck until I leave the window and return then it updates the picture once. Usually I solve this problem by changing the driver to Direct3D, but that gives an error: "This plugin is not compatible with the Direct3D driver".

I tried to change the Compatibility to Windows XP (both Service Pack 2 & 3) and got the same results. I tried windowed and full screen, tried with a graphic filter and without.

My System:
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.120503-2030)
DirectX Version: DirectX 11

Please help!

Allmovie.com says that The Jacket is similar to The Machinist* (I don't see it, myself), and I guess that could be Adrian Brody, so... ?

* It also lists the movie's themes as: Haunted By the Past, Mind Games, Prostitutes. Umm, fair enough, I guess.

Not The Jacket, that movie is similar in tone and style to The Machinist, this movie is only similar in its story.

The Machinist?

No, but it has a similar story.

An American in Paris (1951)

Michael Caine's telltale curls get lost in the banner behind him, and this profile makes him look more like Richard Dreyfuss, but this is probably Gambit, huh?

Correct, your turn.

Our Man Flint?

NO! You misunderstood my comment and ignored the big hint. Here is another hint: the movie came out the same year as Our Man Flint.

[The Silencers, Murderer's Row, The Wrecking Crew, The Ambushers]

I think Ponch meant one of the 60s Helms films -- The Silencers, Murderer's Row, The Wrecking Crew, The Ambushers. They were light comedies. The new Helm film will hopefully draw more from the Hamilton source material, which was dark and brilliant.

I'm guessing it's probably not, but is this Banco à Bangkok pour OSS 117?

I know about the Dean Martin movies, but as you show none were called Matt Helm, only the tv show had that title. There isn't a "Our Man Flynn" movie either!

Your guess is wrong, look at the picture: who are those two in the middle? Very known actors, one of them was in a box office number one this summer.

Matt Helm?

The "Matt Helm" movie is still in development, so no. The screenshot is of a movie, the lead actress is right in the middle of the shot and the lead actor should be recognizable from his profile.