Setup proggy or raw exe?

[Kaptain Brawe]

Hi all,

I have an opportunity to release a game with a launcher (small exe) and a game data as a separate file or compile everything into a bigger .exe

With a launcher, the user is able to select OpenGl/D3D, fullscreen or windowed, ability to write a log file if the game crashes.

In a compiled EXE, user can only change these setting via the config.ini file.

So, my questions, how does the casual market looks at things like that.

Do they prefer installers, or simply downloading the selfextracting exe and immediately jumping into the game.

From my point of view, a game with separate files looks a bit more proffesional, but if the market likes simple things, well, who am I to decide.


Thanks alot,
KB

[Ricardo C]

Having to change options via an ini file doesn't sound very casual-friendly to me.

I'd go with a setup program, but I wouldn't make the user choose a renderer before playing. Instead, I'd default to D3D. If the user is savvy enough to know what OpenGL is, then he'll be comfortable messing with the video options. But the average gamer would probably be confused by the choice.

Also, I'd start the game in windowed mode, and let the user choose if he wants to let the game take over the screen.

[Kaptain Brawe]

So, essentially it is better to have more files than one single exe?

Oh, and one more thing. Do people prefer Installers? Cause I sure don't, especially for small programs like this.

[Ricardo C]

The number of files is not what concerns me. But I do think a setup program is essential if you want to reach a casual audience. You have to focus on making it easy for them to play the game. Plus a single exe with no setup utility is rather inelegant.

Personally, I can make do with a single exe and no installer. But I'm a longtime gamer, computer geek, and software developer. You, me, and the rest of the folks here are not representative of the people who buy the games we make. You need to keep it both user friendly and presentable for them. Giving gamers a single exe they have to move manually if they don't wanna have it layoing around their Desktop/download dir is neither.

[Kaptain Brawe]

Hey, thanks Ricardo. I thought so too, just wasn't sure. I know I am no merit when it comes to casual market, plus publishers wish to recieve a PACKAGE, rather than some crummy single file exe.

Thanks for helping out.

EDIT

Oh, and one more thing. Since it will be downloadable (obviously), should I go with a zip file, or a self extracting exe that starts the installer proggy?

[Sharpfish]

Self extracting. use inno or nsis (free) installer packers. Also it's not just for casual users but for a professional appearance in general. As RC said we here can deal with a single file and move our directories around if we are going to keep hold of the demo for a while but most people would think it a bit sloppy. :)

[destron]

i would suggest using an install program rather than a raw exe - especially if this is a commercial game that is paid for; because i'm guessing a lot of people who play games are not computer-savvy, and with an install program you can have a preset directory, add desktop shortcuts, start menu items, registry changes, etc etc....

[jefferytitan]

Hey, just wanted to let you know that I clicked through on the links in your signature, and a whole bunch of the game info links are broken, e.g. "http://www.realityfakers.com/games/professorfizzwizzle/".

Self extracting. use inno or nsis (free) installer packers. Also it's not just for casual users but for a professional appearance in general. As RC said we here can deal with a single file and move our directories around if we are going to keep hold of the demo for a while but most people would think it a bit sloppy. :)

[Sharpfish]

Hey, just wanted to let you know that I clicked through on the links in your signature, and a whole bunch of the game info links are broken, e.g. "http://www.realityfakers.com/games/professorfizzwizzle/".

yeah, I know.. the whole site's not even launched "properly" yet... (and it's due for a big re-design and "real" launch any day now). It's pretty much just seeding for serps at the mo. Thanks anyway :)

[Desktop Gaming]

You need to make your game easily accessible... dare I say "idiotproof"?

Use an installer (I'd recommend InnoSetup), and make sure that you add an Uninstall option to the start menu. You'd be surprised how many people don't know about 'Add/Remove Programs'.