Game updater

[samanoskeake]

I've been struggling with this idea for quite a while, but I've not been able to use anything besides a download object, or FTP.

Basically, I want the game to launch, and check the version number with the one hosted on my server. If they match, the game opens. If they're different, then the game downloads the newest update from the server.

Is there any possible way to do this?

[Danny]

Yes, I used a pretty lucrative and secure method with my Stock Market Game.

I'll spill the beans on how I did it:

Create a text file called vernum.txt and pack it with your game. Inside include the value (version of the game) thats it. So;
1.2

When you have an update ready upload the installer exe to your server with an incremental filename, example setup13.exe (version 1.3) also upload to a folder on your server a copy of vernum.txt and put inside it 1.3, rename the destination as newver.txt

Compare the 2 values in the text files, if vernum.txt (installed) is equal or greater then next frame. If not, update frame.

Inside your update frame then download the setup13.exe, once download is complete, launch setup13.exe, end application. User will update then.

If this doesn't make sense fire me any questions, if I get round to it I may make a more suitable tutorial or widget.

[Crian]

This is very interesting.
Can you post a simple example, please?

[Phi]

Just get your program to write a batch file... or have a seperate autoupdater... I've used both of these.

[Danny]

Crian if I get chance in the morning which I should, I'll post an example!

[Game_Master]

http://www.clickteam.com/epicenter/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=190456#Post1904 56

It would need to be modified a bit, but that shouldn't take long

[ProdigyX]

I remember seeing this Game_Master. Awesome widget.

However i have always needed clarification for the term server.


What exactly do u mean by server?

[samanoskeake]

A server is a hosted storage place where you can upload files that others can download. It's typically paired with a domain, so others can access the files without using an FTP client.

Yes, I used a pretty lucrative and secure method with my Stock Market Game.

I'll spill the beans on how I did it:

Create a text file called vernum.txt and pack it with your game. Inside include the value (version of the game) thats it. So;
1.2

When you have an update ready upload the installer exe to your server with an incremental filename, example setup13.exe (version 1.3) also upload to a folder on your server a copy of vernum.txt and put inside it 1.3, rename the destination as newver.txt

Compare the 2 values in the text files, if vernum.txt (installed) is equal or greater then next frame. If not, update frame.

Inside your update frame then download the setup13.exe, once download is complete, launch setup13.exe, end application. User will update then.

If this doesn't make sense fire me any questions, if I get round to it I may make a more suitable tutorial or widget.

I'd also like an example of this.

[ProdigyX]

sooo if i were to upload my files to mediafire, mediafire would act as my sever?

[Konidias]

Yes and No.

Yes, it will allow people to download the game.

No, because unless you pay for the premium membership, you can't use a direct link to the download. Which means the game would have to just open the webpage where the player would then have to enter in a captcha code and download the game from that page.

You couldn't use those free hosting sites for this type of in-game download.

Unless you find a file hosting site that gives you free direct downloads (which would be rare, since getting people to come to their download page is how they advertise)