Which setup program do you use?

[Skio]

I have recently finished my 1st AGS game (details soon!) but it turned up a bit big (32MB). I have used Inno Setup 4 to compile it into an .exe, reducing the size to 24MB. Using a simple .zip was less productive.
I have however recently downloaded Pleughburg Dark Ages (great game!) and discovered that, though the game files have o volume of 22MB, the setup program is only 5MB!!!

Can you suggest a better compiler for jobs like this?


                                                                                         - Thanks, SKIO

[Timosity]

I think you'll find you wont get any better compression than Inno Setup.

It really depends on what resolution your game is in, if it's 640 by 480 high colour, and uses a lot of colours, it wont compress very much.

My current project is in 640 by 400 high colour, but uses a lot less colours than necessary, and with Inno setup compresses from 50MB to 2.6MB. but another of my projects uses a lot more colours and compresses from 10MB to 6MB.

Pleughburg Dark Ages is in 320 by 200 or 240 and is in low colour which is why it compresses better.

So I'm not sure of your options other than to change resolutions or colour depth.

[BOYD1981]

it also depends on what music format you use, P:DA uses XM which compress really well, but i don't think the XMs it used were that big to begin with.
if you use mp3/ogg then that part of your game isn't going to compress at all, i just prefer to RAR things and let people unpack the game themselves, that way it's like a christmas present you open yourself, it's no fun when somebody else opens it for you...

[jetxl]

I just prefer to RAR things and let people unpack the game themselves, that way it's like a christmas present you open yourself, it's no fun when somebody else opens it for you...

Heh, funny but true. I alwais get paranoid when double clicking on a *.exe file. You never know if there is a virus in there. But it looks more pro when the game instals in program files.

[Damien]

I prefer rar/zip files better than installers because of their 'clean' installation. I can't stand those start menu and desktop shortcuts, or game appearing in the add/remove programs list. And to think that I might get some new keys in the registry...

[SSH]

I recently tried some compression tests on some well-known AGS games and found that the best compression of a tool with a GUI interface was 7zip. It can create archive files or self-extractors. It takes a bitr longer thahn WinRAR or WinZIP, but does get a significantly better compression. But RARs are mcuh better than ZIPs, too.

[Trumgottist]

Heh, funny but true. I alwais get paranoid when double clicking on a *.exe file. You never know if there is a virus in there. But it looks more pro when the game instals in program files.

But you still have an .exe inside the zip/rar/whatever - the game itself!

Anyway, my experience is that an installer is a good idea. There are still many people who get confused by zips. If you want them to be able to play your game, you either have to provide a detailed explaination of how to unzip and play, or provide an installer.

[jetxl]

True, but you can see ags related files like agsetup.cfg. You can also look at the file propeties.

http://www.clickteam.com/ has an install prog.

RAR is beter then ZIP? I'll be using that then.

[kl4Uz]

True, but you can see ags related files like agsetup.cfg. You can also look at the file propeties.

where's the problem with that?

And by the way.... .ace ist best  (winace)

[GarageGothic]

And by the way.... .ace ist bestÃ,  (winace)

Except, it isn't supported by as many decompression programs as rar or zip (at least not older versions of them, not sure of the situation now). So unless you're doing self-extracting executables or only expect to release you're game among the computer-literate, you should stay away from it.

Go for Inno Setup if you want a professional looking installer. As far as I'm concerned, it beats professional tools like InstallShield hands down (you wouldn't believe the kind of issues we see with that one).

[Haddas]

to find compressing programs go here!