Question about distributing game

[rpgLord69]

I tried googling and searching posts, but couldn't find a definitive answer (sorry I know this has been answered before).
So I'm using RPG maker MZ and now I deployed my game and it made an output folder. What I understood from some of the
posts is that I'd need to give that whole folder to people who want to play my game? (First maybe compress it to zip file or something). But looking through that output folder doesn't it contain those same files that my project folder has? Or am I mistaken? I mean, if I give the whole folder forward, can't someone just start editing my game or something? Well, it's not like
it's a big deal since I'm making small hobby projects, but just wondering...

 

[Soulrender]

Deployed game without any means of protection can be edited by anyone who understands how game data and assets are handled by MV / MZ, since both version operates on JavaScript wich is open programming language, anyone who knows how to code in JS can modify your game. Next thing, all game data info is stored in JSON files which means more-less it's text structure data file, simple windows notepad is good enough to edit game content. Also game pictures and sound files are easy to obtain. When you deploy game along with game assets and those JSON files in the output folder is provided also mini web browser, because both MV and MZ games are in HTML5/JS format. If you don't mind someone will modify your game, fine, but leaving game completly open is not quite good idea.

 

[rpgLord69]

Deployed game without any means of protection can be edited by anyone who understands how game data and assets are handled by MV / MZ, since both version operates on JavaScript wich is open programming language, anyone who knows how to code in JS can modify your game. Next thing, all game data info is stored in JSON files which means more-less it's text structure data file, simple windows notepad is good enough to edit game content. Also game pictures and sound files are easy to obtain. When you deploy game along with game assets and those JSON files in the output folder is provided also mini web browser, because both MV and MZ games are in HTML5/JS format. If you don't mind someone will modify your game, fine, but leaving game completly open is not quite good idea.

Ok, so if I ever made a pro game I would look into encryptions. However, I still didn't quite understand. If I send the whole output foulder, can a complete noob use it to start editing my game? Or should I remove some files from the output folder before putting it in dropbox or something?

 

[Soulrender]

If you try to remove any file from deployed game, the game itself might crash at some point, so I wouldn't do it. And how a complete noob can edit game? Simple - take an example from my game:

Let's just say I want to start a game with main hero havin 10th Level, I open Actors.json file


I'm searching for something like level in this mess:


Ok - I've found it:


Now I don't want to bother with gameplay, so I change level to 10 and save Actors.json and voila, when I start game, hero which should have level 1, will have level 10.


Every single database file in data folder has the same structure, so knowing popular keywords, like: level, hp, mp, tp, atk, and so on, these files are like open book, where anyone can write whatever want. And I repeat it again: Every single database file in data folder has the same structure, even game maps.

 

[rpgLord69]

If you try to remove any file from deployed game, the game itself might crash at some point, so I wouldn't do it. And how a complete noob can edit game? Simple - take an example from my game:

Let's just say I want to start a game with main hero havin 10th Level, I open Actors.json file
View attachment 204701

I'm searching for something like level in this mess:
View attachment 204703

Ok - I've found it:
View attachment 204704

Now I don't want to bother with gameplay, so I change level to 10 and save Actors.json and voila, when I start game, hero which should have level 1, will have level 10.
View attachment 204705

Every single database file in data folder has the same structure, so knowing popular keywords, like: level, hp, mp, tp, atk, and so on, these files are like open book, where anyone can write whatever want. And I repeat it again: Every single database file in data folder has the same structure, even game maps.

Okay, thanks.

 

[Andar]

But looking through that output folder doesn't it contain those same files that my project folder has?

that is exactly the purpose of deployment

It creates a folder based on what to deploy to (for example MacOS needs different files than Windows or Mobiles), with the project files needed to open the game in the editor removed and (depending on your settings) files changed into encrypted formats and so on.

 

[Dev_With_Coffee]

What I understood from some of the
posts is that I'd need to give that whole folder to people who want to play my game? (First maybe compress it to zip file or something)

The output folder is different because it contains the mechanisms that allow you to run the game on the platform you intend to distribute, being necessary to enable the "Encrypt" option to create a first layer of security for graphics and sound files.

But looking through that output folder doesn't it contain those same files that my project folder has? Or am I mistaken?

They are there yes, but not the file that allows opening by Rpg Maker.

I mean, if I give the whole folder forward, can't someone just start editing my game or something? Well, it's not like

The problem is that it is possible to edit the game through notepad, or if the user knows the game API can execute the commands directly on the console, which can be enabled easily.

 

[rpgLord69]

Okay, thanks for the replies. Now I understand.

 

[ATT_Turan]

Basically, the extent of your ability to protect your work is to check the Encrypted option when deploying your game, and it's possible to encapsulate it inside an executable (Google "RPG Maker Enigma").

Neither method is ironclad against tech-savvy people who really want to get at your game's assets, but then, nothing in the world is, that's how people mod AAA-produced titles.