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FPSC Classic Product Chat / Game Launchers

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Mickm
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Location: Kingston, ON
Posted: 15th Dec 2006 21:20
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I've seen a few game launchers being release. For some reason some of them have crazy requirements.

I have thrown together a free customizable loader.
You can use it for free with both commercial and non-commercial games.

Please read the readme.txt (located below, and in the zip file) on requirements, customization, and more.



http://www.gamestack.org
http://onlinenotes.gamestack.org
http://onlinebookmarks.gamestack.org

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filya
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Posted: 15th Dec 2006 22:27
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MickM, thank you for this, but can I know what exactly a loader is? Is it like an installer? Is it something to encrypt the files?

-- game dev is fun...but taking up too much time --
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Mickm
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Posted: 15th Dec 2006 22:37
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Quote: "but can I know what exactly a loader is? Is it like an installer? Is it something to encrypt the files?"


A loader (or this loader) will allow the user to choose the screen size, texture size, shaders and other effects that your FPSC game can use.

It is just a stand alone application that you can use, or give out with your FPSC game.

It does not encrypt any files what so ever. It just looks at the setup.ini (and configuration.xml used by you to customize the application).

http://www.gamestack.org
http://onlinenotes.gamestack.org
http://onlinebookmarks.gamestack.org
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filya
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Posted: 16th Dec 2006 00:01
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oh ok. Thats great too

thank you for it again!

-- game dev is fun...but taking up too much time --
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bdgbdg
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Posted: 16th Dec 2006 00:39
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Will you release the source?

Project FPS - 71%
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Mickm
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Posted: 16th Dec 2006 15:22
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Quote: "Will you release the source?"


Yes, if enough people want it, I will release it under the creative commons license.

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bdgbdg
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Posted: 16th Dec 2006 17:19
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What program are you using to program it?

Project FPS - 71%
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Mickm
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Posted: 16th Dec 2006 19:06
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Quote: "What program are you using to program it?"


Visual Studio 2005
It was done in Visual Basic Microsoft.NET 2.0

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bdgbdg
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Posted: 16th Dec 2006 20:00
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If you want to release it, I owuld be pleased...

Project FPS - 71%
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Locrian
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Posted: 16th Dec 2006 20:47 Edited at: 16th Dec 2006 23:20
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Great contribution to the community on this one. The ability for users to choose shaders or no shaders makes games much more accessable to all people. I'm just about to download this and haven't tried it out yet, but wanted to give a preemptive Thank-you.

EDIT:OK, I did just test this and this is a wonderful addition. Allowing the player to choose these things takes the worries out "Should I place shaders in and heck with the people that cards won't handle it" or "Make a game with no shaders and deprive the people with a good system of seeing my game in it's intended glory".

Not that this isn't appreciated casue I'll certainly use this. If you wanted any suggestions I'd be happy to post some but as your just giving this away and not really asking for comments I'll reserve those for a later time.
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Storm 6000
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Posted: 17th Dec 2006 01:13
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do you own a license to make commecial software with visual basic because if anyone uses it for that and you don't...

Thanks
Adam
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Candle_
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Posted: 17th Dec 2006 01:30
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Quote: "do you own a license to make commecial software with visual basic because if anyone uses it for that and you don't..."

He is not selling it , and if they sell the game they are only selling the game not the launcher.

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xplosys
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Playing: FPSC Multiplayer Games
Posted: 17th Dec 2006 01:48 Edited at: 17th Dec 2006 01:51
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Quote: "do you own a license to make commecial software with visual basic because if anyone uses it for that and you don't..."


When I bought VB6 a few years ago, the license was much like FPSC. Whatever you make is yours and free to distribute. I think only the "Learning Edition" has restrictions.

I'm sorry, my answers are limited. You must ask the right question.

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Storm 6000
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Posted: 17th Dec 2006 01:56 Edited at: 17th Dec 2006 01:57
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yer thats what i mean visual basic 2005 has an express edition which i use myself, but i dont think you can make commerical products, and it still counts if they sell a program with part of it made with an unliceneced engine its the same as if the game was written with it they will see it as being one whole entity, im not agianst this in anyway i am just asking the question to be on the safe side

Thanks
Adam
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Mickm
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Posted: 17th Dec 2006 02:14 Edited at: 17th Dec 2006 02:16
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Quote: "do you own a license to make commecial software with visual basic because if anyone uses it for that and you don't..."


Yes, I own a license. You do not have to worry about illegal software because the license I own is the Visual Studio Professional Edition. There are no restrictions for any projects that I create with it so you can do what you want with the loaders.

The FPSC Loader can be bundled with any game you create. If you wish to sell your game, I have created the program so you do not need to have anything special from me. You can use the loader for anything you want.

http://www.gamestack.org
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Storm 6000
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Posted: 17th Dec 2006 02:18
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ok man I was just wondering, most people i know use the Express edition and dont realise its free for a reason thanks for clearing that up, and thank you for taking the time to make that for FPSC users im sure many people will benefit from your work

Thanks
Adam
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Mickm
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Posted: 17th Dec 2006 02:25
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Quote: "ok man I was just wondering, most people i know use the Express edition and dont realise its free for a reason thanks for clearing that up, and thank you for taking the time to make that for FPSC users im sure many people will benefit from your work"

No problem.
Thanks for the feed back and If a lot of people want to use it, and they would like some more features ill upgrade it no problems.

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Locrian
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Posted: 17th Dec 2006 06:46
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What we need is a version of this similar to FPS Pack. Some way to protect our media plus allow the user to adjust the game for his/her machine.

Even if we end up paying for it this, this is of a huge concern to some. I personally, I am barely out of the first section and I have over 50 entities(and 50 new entities, not 10 with 5 textures like a TGC pack) and 4 characters made and 2 guns. By the time the game is done there's no telling how many meshes/music/art pieces it will contain. There are many FPSC users like myself. Not all of us use TGC supplied items or packs. So how were going to protect our media is a headache were not looking forward to.
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Candle_
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Posted: 17th Dec 2006 08:45 Edited at: 17th Dec 2006 08:56
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All the packers I have tried with fpsc don't work with it . ( don't have FPS Pack).
Would be nice to have some thing that does work.
I can pack it with Autoplay but I don't think the save game will work then.
I was wrong I can pack it with Autoplay and play saved games.
You can save the game and load a saved game.
This is the system I was talking about.
http://forum.thegamecreators.com/?m=forum_view&t=83245&b=21

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Locrian
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Posted: 17th Dec 2006 10:28
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FPS pack used to work. I hear theres some changes you can make to the ini to get it to work in the newer versions but I've had no need to try. But FPS Pack still don't allow the user to choose shaders or no shaders....thats a pretty big deal in it self.
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Candle_
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Posted: 17th Dec 2006 10:31
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I emailed you Locrian let me know if you got the email. I can do all of that now.

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FredP
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Posted: 17th Dec 2006 12:54
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Here's the problem with FPSPack in its current state.
When you run a game on your machine,because of the way FPSPack works,the save/load function is useless.
If you save the game will save but when you quit playing it erases the game in question off of your machine.
When you load the game to play again you will get the version that is packed not the version with the game you saved.
While FPSPack's design in that area was good before save/load (because the game didn't actually install on your pc) the same technique makes it impossible to use save/load now.
I hope RastaMan does update FPSPack to work with the current version of FPSC...but I wouldn't hold my breath.

This game launcher looks like a good idea.
Adding a keymapping function to it would be nice but the developer of the game would have to decide what keys you could use now that the scancodekeypressed command works...for instance,if the person who made the game used the H key to increase health they owuld not want the player to use that key for another function unless it were exchanged.
Being able to choose whether shaders are on or off is cool.
My pc doesn't support shaders but it would be nice if someone were to play my game if they can turn the shaders on.
At any rate this app looks to be a fine addition to FPSC.

http://www.wembley1967.com
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Mickm
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Posted: 17th Dec 2006 15:24
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Quote: "What we need is a version of this similar to FPS Pack. Some way to protect our media plus allow the user to adjust the game for his/her machine."

I don't own the FPS Pack but I can look into some way to protect your media with this. If anyone has any ideas already and would be willing to share let me know and I'll see what I can do.

Quote: "Adding a keymapping function to it would be nice ..."

I can add this in no problem. Then as long as the developer fill in the "configuration.xml" file I can check it for available keys.

http://www.gamestack.org
http://onlinenotes.gamestack.org
http://onlinebookmarks.gamestack.org
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filya
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Posted: 17th Dec 2006 19:53
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MickM, I dont own FPS Pack too, but from what I know, it just extracts everything in some temporary directory deep within the TEMP folder. And when you are done playing, it simply deletes the folder.

I am sure you can do something similar, but I feel its not enough security. So if you can come up with something better, do feel free.

-- game dev is fun...but taking up too much time --
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Storm 6000
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Posted: 18th Dec 2006 01:01 Edited at: 18th Dec 2006 01:02
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yer but common this discussion has happened over and over the people who would bother trying to steal your media are often the people clever enough to break all kinds of security there is no such thing as a secure system, and hiding the files in the temp isnt that bad because finding it while running an FPSC game would be fun because the mouse is buggered when you alt tab out dunno if it is like this on all comps spose you could use keyboard but it would take forever not to mention in reality unless FPSC inself supports such technology it would be impossible to make a very secure system because for it to work the files will have to be placed somewhere in there original state the only way this can be over come is if Lee himself makes the files encrypted or packed and allow fpsc to load levels into memory from a packed file rather than extracting it to a location while it is running

Thanks
Adam
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Candle_
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Posted: 18th Dec 2006 01:31
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The only way would be if fpsc when it builds the game it changes all the files to some other file format that fpsc only reads.
Dumping to memory would take to much memory, like has been siad most dump to the temp folder and delete when done using .

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FredP
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Posted: 18th Dec 2006 01:56
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It is your responsibility to encrypt your files so that they can't be stolen.
If some low life wants to hack the files bad enough they will eventually find a way.
Nothing is "unhackable".
Personally,if someone hacks your files and steals the media that is being made available for sale for this low price I say they are a cheap low life.
I don't think Lee is going to rewrite the engine to encrypt the game files for you.
And if he did how would you be able to access the files yourself if necessary?
I think we ought to drop this discussion of hacking.
Let's all (including me) get back to the topic at hand...this game launcher that this member is working on.

http://www.wembley1967.com
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Airslide
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Posted: 18th Dec 2006 05:39
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Good job! I like this one, the ability to change shaders is quite an improvement over mine.

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Mr Makealotofsmoke
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Posted: 18th Dec 2006 06:07
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im currently making a loader
but i dunno wat all the settings in the setup.ini are to change resolution and controls so idk

If I Want It, I Want It

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Candle_
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Posted: 18th Dec 2006 06:12
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dynamicshadows=0 1 or 0

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Darth Valtar
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Posted: 18th Dec 2006 06:46
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Hold it. Are you telling me.."thats" the reason why we have been having so many problems tring to get the game made because FPS Pack
does NOT work with 1.04 and this RastaMan has not even as much as said he was going to update it? Great..Just great. Well..There's no more time for us to goof off on our project. We got to get this game out! So how many of you told Rasta about this? Aside from what Fred has said,There are also a number of other bugs that have poped up after the 1.04 update. I for one didn't give up $20.00 bucks to feel cheated by Rasta and be stoped by this. Well..Off I go to Rasta the Wizard and
ask him for an update. "Clicking my slippers now."
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Locrian
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Posted: 18th Dec 2006 06:51
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@Storm 6000
I know what your saying. I understand it all. My contention is that making things as hard as you can keeps the honest guy honest. Same principle as a padlock. There isn't a pad lock made I can get by with one swing of a 28 ounce framing hammer. But that lock provides a little security.

I also do this to my models

That tag is welded into every model I make. Again it can be bypasted. I've made it so small it looks like a sing vert when in max. But if deleted this destroys the map casueing them to have to remap and animate(if its an animated object like a gun).

I do other things which I wont reveal.

The point is putting in multiple forms of protection. This also keeps a thief guessing. "Did I get all the tags? Are there any signs and traces left?.

Point is do all you can do. If you wanna bend over and take it, you know where, thats fine. I certainly know every way my models can be taken. My view is keep as many layers between you and the guys wanting to hurt your wallet as possible.
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Candle_
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Posted: 18th Dec 2006 06:57
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I hope I can work with you soon Locrian.

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FredP
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Posted: 18th Dec 2006 08:05
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Quote: "Are you telling me.."thats" the reason why we have been having so many problems tring to get the game made because FPS Pack
does NOT work with 1.04 and this RastaMan has not even as much as said he was going to update it?"

Nope.
I said that FPSPack is not compatible with the current save/load version of FPSC.
You can still use it if you don't want to save.
If you don't have your game complete the fault can only lie with one person...you.
There are a bunch of file encryption programs available...find them with Google.
While I purchased FPSPack and I hope that there is an update if there is not I will find some other way to launch my game...possibly the launcher that is being developed here.
I don't worry about people stealing my media because anyone can look at it and tell I made it.

Quote: "Point is do all you can do. If you wanna bend over and take it, you know where, thats fine. I certainly know every way my models can be taken. My view is keep as many layers between you and the guys wanting to hurt your wallet as possible."


Well said.
As I said in my last post it is a shame when someone will rip off someone else's media...the model packs are reasonably priced and there is more free stuff than most members will ever use.
I have decided to make and/or use a lot more of my own personally made media in my game.
There will still be media from TGC and others but it will be a smaller amount.
And I generally encrypt any games/demos before I make them available for download...that way nobody steals media that I did not make.
And if they do...at least I made it difficult.
It is our responsibility as responsible developers to protect our data any way we can.

http://www.wembley1967.com
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Mr Makealotofsmoke
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Posted: 18th Dec 2006 10:49
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doesnt anyone know all wat the setup.ini commands are??
i need to change resoluation and controls and other stuff like that

and yes candle dynamicshadows=0 1 or 0 that is a start...to chage the dynamic shadows on and off i guess since that wat it it says.
hope im right

If I Want It, I Want It

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pspscippy
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Posted: 18th Dec 2006 11:25
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can i use fps creater o make a ps game
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Candle_
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Posted: 18th Dec 2006 11:26
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This is all I have .


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Mr Makealotofsmoke
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Posted: 18th Dec 2006 11:56
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k
currently now im finding out the conrtol key numbers and stuff

gonna take awhile

If I Want It, I Want It

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Mr Makealotofsmoke
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Posted: 18th Dec 2006 12:11 Edited at: 18th Dec 2006 12:12
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im using flash to make my menu
and other solutions
i wish i have VB but i dont and i dont wanna use something like those menu makers
i want it to look nice and be nice

EDIT: im not good with scripting

If I Want It, I Want It

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Mickm
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Posted: 18th Dec 2006 13:27
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Thanks for all the replies, even some off topic

Anyway, on the security I have an idea on how to do it better than the FPS pack (as long as I can do it).

As for the key editing I will add that in today hopefully.
I will play around with more of the setup file to find out what the rest of the values do.

If you all want I can post my finding here as well.

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Candle_
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Posted: 18th Dec 2006 13:37
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Sorry about that off topic Mickm.

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Mickm
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Posted: 18th Dec 2006 13:39
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No problem, its very interesting to read
You can talk all you want about encryption as it will just give me more ideas or anything else that can help with the loader.

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the_winch
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Posted: 18th Dec 2006 23:27 Edited at: 18th Dec 2006 23:30
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I think encryption with fpsc games has too many negatives to be worth it.
The biggest problem is that the fpsc game exe can only read media unencrypted from disk. This means you have to write the unencrypted media to disk where it can be snatched so the game can load it. Really for it to provide any sort of security you need to write the files to disk only when fpsc wants to load them and delete them afterwards. This is technically very difficult, how do you know when fpsc wants to load media?

The second problem is the size of the games. Even relatively simple games can take up more than several hundred megabytes. Simply loading that much data can take a while. Add in overheads from decrypting and writing that decrypted data back to disk and loading times start to become a problem. You need to be sure the downsides are worth it because slower loading games put users off playing your game.

Anybody that has used a fps packed games has felt the second problem. I've tried a few that have taken over a minute just for fps pack to extract everything to the windows temp dir. In that situation a community of honest users will circulate info on removing the protection just to get a faster starting game. The same way plenty of legitimate game owners use no cd cracks.

By way of demonstration, he emitted a batlike squeak that was indeed bothersome.
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