A suggestion for unit graphic downloads

[HellboundHeathcliff]

I think it would be a good idea to have all the required GOTM Unit graphics that are required for any particular game to be in one download file.

I have not played a GOTM since the new graphics have been required and found myself downloading several past games just to get the files required for this game.

There would be alot less chance for error if they were combined into one file. Especially for ppl new to the GOTM.

For past players that only require new additions for a new game, it would be a simple matter to just overwrite the files they (we) already have in place.

 

[Yndy]

Better of, the staff could set up a link to the graphics package required for the current GOTM and a link to the latest update of the graphic package. The readme file is sometimes over 1Mb and takes some time to download. If you add all the graphics every time it will be 2-3 Mb. I'm on dial-up like many of us and size is money.

 

[Nightfa11]

I think both ways can/ could be done. Yndy has a good point, but posting a cumulative graphics upgrade would not be hard either.

 

[denyd]

Not being a PC techie, I'm not sure how easy/hard this would be, but how about this.

Create an install .exe to
1. copy existing files aside for protection
2. load the new units / .txt files
3. load a new set of terrain / resource graphics
4. load a test game to proof the install
5. also provide a reverse program to return the standard files from the protected location.

This would be a pretty straightforward script in unix so it shouldn't be too tough for one of the guru's to create.

Among the advantages would be to expose the gamers to a variety of mod packs, and make it an easier inistall.

Other ideas, suggestions are welcome.

 

[pman67]

There is a post in the GOTM forum somewhere (just not sure where off hand), where Cracker already discussed this and said that for GOTM 20 the plan was to make a cumulative d/l for people that haven't installed any of the new graphics yet, as well as an incremental d/l for those who have. If I come across the link, I'll post it here.

 

[denyd]

Actually I was thinking of this being a way for players to be exposed to alternate graphic packs (Snoopy's, Dr. A's...) as well as an auto install for the current GOTM

Also, since everyone would be using the same graphics pack, all players would have the same game conditions.

 

[HellboundHeathcliff]

Originally posted by pman67
There is a post in the GOTM forum somewhere (just not sure where off hand), where Cracker already discussed this and said that for GOTM 20 the plan was to make a cumulative d/l for people that haven't installed any of the new graphics yet, as well as an incremental d/l for those who have. If I come across the link, I'll post it here.

No need to post it. I believe you It seems too obvious a solution to not have been mentioned someplace.

 

[mad-bax]

The only file that is meant to be overwritten is pediaIcons.txt. The original can be included in the download named pediaIcons.old.

New units would need a name that is unlikely to overwrite other custom units, so some prefix for new GOTM units might be advisable.

A self extracting .exe can then be built and dowloaded. The smaller download for 1 month should also be available, but can be handled in the same way.

If the use of new units continues at the same rate it won't be long b4 the full download becomes a serious problem for the site and its users, but I think it likely that at the very least all of the new Civs available in PTW will be replicated for vanilla. I would estimate that the full download will grow to above 5Mb for vanilla.

Creating the install pack is indeed trivial, but handling the data traffic wrt the site and its modem connected users is not. Cracker has forgotten more about this kind of stuff than I will ever know, so I am sure it will all be resolved soon.

I do think though that the current readme.txt file, in an attempt to be idiot proof ends up being confusing, and I'm surprised that a self-extractor was not used from the start. I am sure there was a good reason for this, since typing the readme file would have been a lot more time consuming and difficult to do.

 

[AlanH]

Originally posted by mad-bax
A self extracting .exe can then be built and dowloaded. The smaller download for 1 month should also be available, but can be handled in the same way.

and

Creating the install pack is indeed trivial,

Please don't forget Mac users in all this. If the GOTM team has to create self expanding archives and installers they will need separeate files, and separate installer builders at non-zero cost, for the Mac. The same .zip files work OK for everyone.