I'm sure a lot do, but please... don't use installers. Just put all your game files in a folder, zip it up, and upload it. Installers are really annoying for freeware games.
Here's a little guide:
Nothing external but the required files and the exececutable : .zip file
Lots of font/picture/.ini files: installer
Professional look/feel: installer
I know a LOT of games that do. But frankly, I don't mind them using an installer so much, unless they're really bad.
Disclaimer: Any sarcasm in my posts will not be mentioned as that would ruin the purpose. It is assumed that the reader is intelligent enough to tell the difference between what is sarcasm and what is not.
I dunno, they're all on my other computer. But I'd say about 30% of klik games use it. Just try going through the games on the download section and looking for any file that ends with an EXE.
Edit: Oh, wait, I didn't see the Pro part when reading your question. In that case, no. I doubt anyone would use a pro version of it any more than anyone would register a Tripod site. If you had the money, I'd suggest buying one of those Wise installer things.
Edited by the Author.
Disclaimer: Any sarcasm in my posts will not be mentioned as that would ruin the purpose. It is assumed that the reader is intelligent enough to tell the difference between what is sarcasm and what is not.
I do like games in zip files much better, but it seems like if you have external files like an ini or dll, newbs open the zip and run the exe and the game doesnt work correctly or at all and they go THIS GAM R SUK! I guess you can make a zip version and an installer version.. but thats alot of work, and im far to lazy. lol
We are the music makers, we are the dreamers of dreams...
I guess people hate having to uninstall games instead of simply deleting them. A good game is worth it but bad games, well... people don't like uninstalling games when they can just press delete and get it all over with.
Disclaimer: Any sarcasm in my posts will not be mentioned as that would ruin the purpose. It is assumed that the reader is intelligent enough to tell the difference between what is sarcasm and what is not.
Pete Nattress Cheesy Bits img src/uploads/sccheesegif
Registered 23/09/2002
Points 4811
4th March, 2004 at 17:48:26 -
i don't really mind them, like paul, it's just the shortcuts that installers create that annoy me.
games with installers dont use up much more time than uncompressing a zipped folder,
but its easier to delete a folder than it is to uninstall a game, and sometimes the shortcuts are still there somewhere.
Despite the people who don't like them, I would still use installers.
1. They look professional
2. They're useful for people who *don't* have MMF already installed
3. The registry alterations you can perform save on having them scripted into your application (eg: assigning file types with more shell customisation)
4. They irritate clickers, which is always a bonus
5. They integrate their uninstal apps into Add/Remove Programs <-- again useful for non-clickers.
If you really want class in your games, though, you could always go a step further. Build the installer in MMF too, and have the game data and necessary DLLs built into the exe (using the Project Builder in MMF1.5).
This way, you get an entirely *customised* instal program that looks professional, edits the registry smoothly, works for people who don't have MMF, and irritates clickers.
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