In alignment with my new, more open policy, I have a design change I am planning but would like input on. This will happen alot, though I may move it to the mailing list later so it will be open to a broader audience.
Basically, instead of the RF style, where you have one RF installation per game, you would install RF2 into a separate folder, then games would be like "project folders". To run a game, you would just make a shortcut to RF2 with the working directory the game folder. When ready to distribute your game, you would simply unzip a "RF2 minimal distribution" zip file into your game folder, which would put RF2.exe and the appropriate necessary files to run it into your game folder, thus making it self-contained and ready for distribution to those who do not have RF2 installed.
My take on it:
Advantages:
No need to have multiple RF2 installations.
No need to update many installations when an update comes out.
If developing RF2 itself, you can compile and not have to worry about copying the EXE into multiple folders.
More strict compliance with Linux's GNU Autotools, which like to install programs into the OS's bin folder.
Disadvantages:
Have to make a shortcut to run your game.
Have to take an extra step to distribute your game (though with the other method you would still need to strip development files, tools, etc. from the folder or get a program to do it for you).
Ideas, comments?
[DESIGNDISCUSSION] Working folder
I really like the idea! Currently I have about 6 or 7 RF's installed on my PC (mostly my fault due to bad file management) but still it would be nice to just have to worry about the ONE install for updates etc, and then you could have as many project files as you need just running from it...
clever idea, I like.
clever idea, I like.
My Deviant Art - http://black-crusader.deviantart.com
Well it took me a minute to realize what you want to do.
But one of the problems is backward compability.
Currently when an updated version of RF comes out, its not backwards compabatible with the older version.
The big question is, is it worth the effort and time it takes to implement it,
when time is precious and it always takes longer to do than anticipated.
just a few thoughts...
But one of the problems is backward compability.
Currently when an updated version of RF comes out, its not backwards compabatible with the older version.
The big question is, is it worth the effort and time it takes to implement it,
when time is precious and it always takes longer to do than anticipated.
just a few thoughts...