Protecting Assets

[HoneyShot]

Im making a game that is Art heavy and I like to think that the Art is a reward for progressing in the game. But I noticed that people could easily get access to all the art though the files. They aren't protected though some program, or zip system.

Is there a way to protect those assets? Maybe a way to archive the files yet still have them accessible to the RPGMaker program, or hide the files?

 

[Shaz]

Did you search? This has only been discussed a dozen times already


If you distribute the raw files, then yes, people will have access to them. If you compress your game, it will put all the image files into the rgssad file (so they ARE "protected" through "some program or zip system"). There are ways to get around that though, as with almost all forms of protection, so sooner or later someone will come by who'll have enough desire and enough knowledge to be able to get at them.


I'll let you look through the previous threads on the subject for discussions on ways to avoid this.

 

[HoneyShot]

Did you search? This has only been discussed a dozen times already

But as soon as the game gets unpacked, wouldnt the files as well/

 

[Kes]

No.

 

[Andar]

But as soon as the game gets unpacked, wouldnt the files as well/

That depends on how you make the archive from the editor - what do you think the checkbox "encrypted archive" is for?
The encryption isn't perfect, but it's the best you can do.


And as Shaz said, this problem and it's solutions (as well as the limits on the available solutions) have been discussed dozen of times, please search for those other discussions and read the many comments and tips there.

 

[HoneyShot]

That depends on how you make the archive from the editor - what do you think the checkbox "encrypted archive" is for?

The encryption isn't perfect, but it's the best you can do.

And as Shaz said, this problem and it's solutions (as well as the limits on the available solutions) have been discussed dozen of times, please search for those other discussions and read the many comments and tips there.

I do check that box, but once the game gets unpacked and the executable comes out, the assets file follow. In the asset folder folder is the Graphics folder, and then the pictures folder. These all become unpacked allowing anyone to view the files without the need to play the game. Im not looking for to protect my game from some smart person to break into the game encryption, I just dont want people to skip playing my game and go straight to the graphic folder.

I have searched this forum for identical threads, maybe Im using the wrong keywords, and others pertain to theft and stealing. 

 

[Andar]

I do check that box, but once the game gets unpacked and the executable comes out, the assets file follow. In the asset folder folder is the Graphics folder, and then the pictures folder. These all become unpacked allowing anyone to view the files without the need to play the game. Im not looking for to protect my game from some smart person to break into the game encryption, I just dont want people to skip playing my game and go straight to the graphic folder.


I have searched this forum for identical threads, maybe Im using the wrong keywords, and others pertain to theft and stealing.

You misunderstood something.
If you encrypt the archive AND include the RTP data, then the RTP data will be in the regular folders.


However, anything you imported manually into your game (that is, everything that is not part of the RTP), will be stored in the encrypted game.rgss3a - file, and that file cannot be opened by regular methods, protecting your own imports.

 

[Tsukihime]

If you don't have a game.rgss3a file after you unpack your game then you haven't encrypted your data.

 

[Mike]

Did you put ur assets in the project folder or in the RTP folder? .-.