Demo: Encrypted or Not?

[KanaX]

Would it be terribly wrong to upload and share a demo that hasn't been encrypted? I very often locate a bug to patch or update a map and it seems terribly inconvenient to re-upload 300MB (with RTP) demo each time I want to make some minor changes.

I'm aware that there are patch scripts but, I want to avoid them, I if could.

 

[♥SOURCE♥]

Hello! Why would it be wrong? (As long as you're not distributing store products in the unencrypted project).

 

[kerbonklin]

You could always do the method of taking all the RTP material you currently are using and put them as separate Resource files, so you can trim off like 90% of that space.

 

[bgillisp]

I'll second what Source said. If you don't have any of the DLC's that require you to encrypt your project to distribute it, then it can be unencrypted. Your full game can even be unencrypted then, if you wish.

 

[KanaX]

Hello! Why would it be wrong? (As long as you're not distributing store products in the unencrypted project).

Oh I have tons of store products, unfortunately.

You could always do the method of taking all the RTP material you currently are using and put them as separate Resource files, so you can trim off like 90% of that space.

Yes, but that would still leave me with 170+ MB.

 

[AceOfAces_Mod]

You could rename the resources from their name to the RTP's name (for example, renaming your custom forrest battleback to the RTP's). Doen't cut much space, but it won't include the RTP stuff.

 

[??????]

Hi, why would not want to use a dedicated patching system for doing such things?

 

[KanaX]

Hi, why would not want to use a dedicated patching system for doing such things?

Because some the them don't even work for the standard RPGVXAce encryption, while others do limited job.

 

[??????]

Yami wrote one that patches everything except scripts and i wrote one that does scripts. Both work with default ace (mine should not be available anywhere anymore though )

 

[KanaX]

(mine should not be available anywhere anymore though )

And why not?

 

[AceOfAces_Mod]

I think he's still moving his scripts. Maybe it's discontinued?

 

[Tsukihime]

Have you tried this data patcher?


You just release your original 300 MB encrypted project as usual, and everytime you need to release updates you would just create a Patch folder and put in all your stuff there and send it to your players.

 

[KanaX]

Have you tried this data patcher?

You just release your original 300 MB encrypted project as usual, and everytime you need to release updates you would just create a Patch folder and put in all your stuff there and send it to your players.

Tsukihime, thank you. I have already seen the script and the issues are three:

1. It requires the player to download the patch on its own, separately from the project/demo. This wouldn't be such a problem, if the players actually read that they need to download the patch. I can hardly get them to read a very important note given with the demo.
2. It's only for patching. I often go back to previous maps to apply a layer of polish (which I couldn't provide two years ago). This can mean new events, or a slight change in mechanics (which can be done with the script, of course), but it can also mean new graphics, new sounds, etc. Also, what if a resource is missing? Can I include it in the patch, or does it count as a new resource?
3. It falls under the category of patchers that don't work with the standard RM encryption.

And of course, since I consider going commercial, I have to take care of the very limited budget.

Spoiler

I actually have to go back to 90% of my maps and remove every trace Celianna's graphics, due to my excessive use of them. But that's a painful story for another day.

EDIT: In retrospect, I CAN encrypt the demo WITHOUT compressing it and enter the new patch directly on the designated folder, without updating the whole demo. Dropbox is convenient like that. But it still leaves me with the second and third issue (and financial worries). Also, possible store products are ripe for the taking, in the patch folder.

 

[AceOfAces_Mod]

I had an idea to write a small program that will receive an encrypted archive, extract it and replace the old files with the new ones. Not the best one, but it's more safe to deliver these. I currently have the UI ready, but with some help it may work.

 

[Indrah]

I weote a long reply on my phone which was a pain in the ass but it got lost due to misclick, so screw it ,a summary:

Store resources=encryption. dont be an ass to content creators.

Trim down your bloated game. make sure you have no resources u dont use in it.

Fix and test properly each time to reduce times of reuploads.

Just reupload the thing. Players arent in such a hurry they cant wait for you to put the game on a host.

Tl;dr suck it up. Fixes, mistakes and reuploads are just part of the developer process. Get used to it.

 

[KanaX]

I weote a long reply on my phone which was a pain in the ass but it got lost due to misclick, so screw it ,a summary:

Store resources=encryption. dont be an ass to content creators.

Trim down your bloated game. make sure you have no resources u dont use in it.

Fix and test properly each time to reduce times of reuploads.

Just reupload the thing. Players arent in such a hurry they cant wait for you to put the game on a host.

Tl;dr suck it up. Fixes, mistakes and reuploads are just part of the developer process. Get used to it.

Ouch, aggressive. Overly so, might I add.

I'm asking people who might know more on the subject than me. I state my problems and what I want. If I cannot get it, I improvise and compromise. 

Also, I unfortunately fail to see where I stated that I was going to share the resources, or that the game is bloated.

 

[Indrah]

It wasnt meant to be agressive but on a phone i cant be botered to get wordy and explain everything in detail. I already did that and it got lost, no way do i have the patience to rewrite it.

Ultimately it seems to me (and my position may be biased of corse) that youre looking for workarounds that are ultimately way more trouble than necessary over basic stuff. the bloating was an assumption and advice everyone will give devs when file size is mentioned.

I wasnt accusing you witht the resources either, it was a general statement, geez.

or ignore me, its ur dang game. u were asking so i put in my two cents thats all.

 

[AceOfAces_Mod]

Might as well package the game in a ClickOnce packager (which requires a program) set it so it checks for an update at startup, and download it if there is. You'll need a server for this (I think Bitnami lets you have a free server, as long as you pay Amazon a monthly fee after a free year.)

 

[amerk]

I'm going to echo Indrah on this one. RM is a great tool in its simplicity, and while it can also do a lot of advanced things, many of those generally do require patience, understanding, and knowledge. As Indrah stated:

Tl;dr suck it up. Fixes, mistakes and reuploads are just part of the developer process. Get used to it.

You're in a situation where you must encrypt the data, and as a result applying patches for updates becomes a bit more complicated, not that patches and updates were ever that simple to begin with; but in addition to making sure your update doesn't corrupt current game save files (forcing players into a restart), you now have to figure a way to handle this through an auto patch of sorts (for lack of a better word). The player won't be able to copy and paste the updated files themselves since it's encrypted.

So you're either going to have to figure a way to get this done automatically, but then that means your game will need to be connected through the server somehow, or requiring the player to download the update themselves and ensuring that clicking this patch will auto update all the necessary files, something non-comp savy fellows may have problems with.

There are times when the work involved is not worth the hassle. Most developers and players expect that the demo isn't the final piece and they'll have to restart from the beginning again, unless the demo is just a teaser of an already finished product. It's probably better for you to ensure you have everything finalized in the finished product so you don't have to worry about patches and updates.

 

[??????]

Yea, I am still in the process of moving my scripts around / converting code into dlls and ruby extensions and such. ^_^

If you are looking for a patching system where by the patches are automatically downloaded and applied, feel free to pm me - I have written such systems in the past - but I can assure you it would not be a cheap avenue to pursue.