How do yo make a Level Update.

  • 5 Replies
  • 2343 Views
*

Offline grimwit

  • 104
  • 3
  • I'm imagining a non-hypethetical world.
    • View Profile
    • Natch Evil Comic
How do yo make a Level Update.
« on: May 19, 2010, 15:45:00 »
This is mostly a question for Egomassive.

You released an update for Shipwrecked a while back.  It was certainly smaller than the actual level and was used to overwrite the original file.  This count as an update, I guess.  How'de you DO that?
Forever working on a Level called Sarah.

*

Offline AA

  • 510
  • 23
  • Was ITA84
    • View Profile
    • Insight on Videogames
Re: How do yo make a Level Update.
« Reply #1 on: May 19, 2010, 16:15:43 »
I suppose he either removed the custom stuff (tilesets, music etc.) from the level folder before compressing the level, or he used a dedicated script/program to do that.
Videogames are for everyone, by everyone

*

Offline egomassive

  • 1852
  • 250
    • View Profile
    • egomassive games
Re: How do yo make a Level Update.
« Reply #2 on: May 19, 2010, 20:42:28 »
I had a suspicion that the installer in Knytt Stories would only overwrite files with identical names and paths. I was right. Just remove any unaltered files from your previous release and compress normally with the editor. (Then, put the files back.)

Spoiler: Create update (click to show/hide)

This is useful when you release a level full of custom sounds and graphics. If you want to make a small change to the map or the world.ini it's better than re-releasing the whole thing. Since I'm sharing levels from my own server space, I save on bandwidth usage. Also, players with low bandwidth will be saved the trouble of re-download the whole thing.

If you're going to use updates, you have to make sure you keep track of every change in every release. Then you'll know what you can remove from the level folder and what you can't. You also need to be able to explain to the end user which updates they need and how to use them. I absolutely would not use this method on the level archive, since you can't explain how to use an update there.

Finally, you should test the update.
Spoiler: Test update (click to show/hide)

*

Offline AA

  • 510
  • 23
  • Was ITA84
    • View Profile
    • Insight on Videogames
Re: How do yo make a Level Update.
« Reply #3 on: May 19, 2010, 22:10:52 »
Quote
Note: I haven't tested to see if the level editor checks for the validity of the level when compressing.

Spoiler: If you want to know (click to show/hide)
Videogames are for everyone, by everyone

*

Offline grimwit

  • 104
  • 3
  • I'm imagining a non-hypethetical world.
    • View Profile
    • Natch Evil Comic
Re: How do yo make a Level Update.
« Reply #4 on: May 22, 2010, 03:44:21 »
That's F'n Brilliant!

Thanks, Ego!  You 'da man!
Forever working on a Level called Sarah.

Re: How do yo make a Level Update.
« Reply #5 on: May 22, 2010, 04:12:30 »
Brilliant indeed! I shall have to keep this in mind.
Lurk more.