As long as you include the necessary DLLs in the zip, don't the programs work anyway?
I far prefer zipped files, even if subdirectories are needed - I can open a ZIP, drag the contents out to my ClickGames folder, and play. With an installer I have to (in the worst case) unzip the file, run the installer, type the directory that I want to install it in (as for some reason the GF installer always wants to put things in my Windows directory) and install from there. It doesn't sound like much, but it's a huge amount more time than using the first method.
If you have all files needed in a zip and you just double click the EXE, it only extracts that file to run it. If the user doesn't have the DLL preinstalled they will get a missing DLL error running it straight from the zip. Hopefully most people have the intelligence to extract it all to a folder.
Aside from the mass-moaning about installers, I have to say an installer is MUCH more convenient for installing extension. What annoys me most is that loads of extension creators zip their extensions in a directory, so you can't just extract it to Programs\Extensions - it would end up in Programs\Extensions\MyObject\ or something and not work. You have either extract to a temporary location or drag and drop out the zip, both of which involve locating the Extensions directory in Windows. Installers can even auto detect MMF's directory so it's just click-click-click and the extension is in the right place. Bah!
Well atleast with installers that I make, it makes them smaller, then even smaller with winzip. Only game I had a problem with that was Diamond END.
Installers work better when you have more then just 1 single file. Because it compresses each file as one, rather then just 1 EXE, which doesnt compress well.
I learned early on that nobody likes installers, it even annoys me now to install a game and search for the exe like asparagus trevor mentioned.
Even with shortcuts and stuff it makes my start list bigger and takes more time than neccesary.
I have no problem with installers, I actually perfer them more often, they are alot more organized, expecially when you have a computer as organized as mine. When it comes to zips, they have a minor chance of currupted (EXPECIALLY ON DAILUP, & I'm not the only person who had this problem when I had dailup, so dont go there!) Then there is the fact that installers, which may not be extremly useful for click games, are able to trigger patches to install or not, by checking if the main installer installed in the past. Installers are also make it alot easyer to uninstall games for people who are computer litterit like 99.9% of all my friends. Zip's should be used for things like maybe extra extention files, minor programs, or things like extra dll files. Now I can see where your comming from, because more then 70% of the people at DC make games that shouldnt even use zip's, thats how deserving they are, but again, there are games here at DC like Enternal Daughter that would be accessable in & installer. Not not to go around saying my games are extremly good, & above the rest, but my newer game's are good for installers. Like PPIO & Diamond END.
I must ask why everyone has trouble uninstalling a game that includes an install file? I merely select "uninstall" and my PC does the rest. Nice and simple no? While I do think if your going to use an installer, your game should be top notch I must point out the obvious. One would argue that professional PC games CAN have install programs because they are for lack of a better word professionally made, but then again how many times have you picked up a PC title made by a "big name developer" that sucked more ass than bush in a debate? My point, although possible a bit garbled, is that just like when buying a "professional" game you should do your home work before hand. Read some reviews, check out the authors website, read about it in the forums. Then if you still think the game will be cool then download it, and if it takes a few seconds more of your time...oh well.
But professional games, even if they suck, usually have many data files and folders and files that need to be installed in the registry, whereas most of the time, Klik games are just one or two files that really don't need installing.
It's an on-and-off thing. I won't use an installer if the game is something like "KILLIGN DETH GUY!!!!1111".
I REALLY hate it when people use installers for short little demos. But some of this anti-installer business is ridiculous - some larger games should have installers, and they DO help people who aren't Klikkers play the game.
I don't like having to unzip whole paths and folders and crap, especially because any DECENT archival programs cost money.
If wishes were fishes then we'd all smell like ladies' underwear.
DaVince This fool just HAD to have a custom rating
Registered 04/09/2004
Points 7998
23rd October, 2004 at 10:24:36 -
My game was like 2.5 mb big and it got cropped to 250 kb with Install Creator!
For packaging, an installer would be great, but I agree that it's REALLY annoying for a small game or a bad game.
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