Is there a simpler way for players to get to launch window?

[kkffoo]

At the moment I give them a zipped folder, which they unzip, then go in the folder and find the application launcher.

Has anyone written an automatic launch so that less techy people can download a game, then see the game launch window straight away?
Or have I missed something (or done something wrong?)

[Camille]

Is the zipped folder you're giving them the one you get when you do "Build Distributions" from the Ren'Py program?

[kkffoo]

Yes it is.

[Camille]

Well, there isn't really an easier way, then. If you really want, I suppose you can unzip the folder that Ren'Py gives you and then zip the contents of the folder. That way when people unzip, they just get the contents right away and don't have to go into a folder to find the game. I'm pretty sure that most people who download games are tech-savvy enough to know how to run the program, though, especially when they unzip the file and get a folder that's got the same name as the game.

[kkffoo]

Thanks for your answer Camille!

I'm sure you are right that regular game (visual novel) downloaders would know what to do...but not some of the people I want to share my stories with.

Your idea of zipping just the contents is a good step.

I sent my guinea pigs an image also

[Camille]

Glad to be of service. Also, if you archive some files (basically rolling them all into one data file) from Ren'py before building your distributions, that might also cut down on the confusion regarding which file to open.

[wolveski]

wouldn't a simple text file saying open thisfolder,click thisgame to start?

there is allso some free installer makers,that will take your zip and make it into a installer for the game (i.e place a icon on your desktop) if that makes things any easier

[PyTom]

An installer is the way to go on Windows. It can create icons on the start menu, desktop, etc, while packaging the game into a single file. That's not possible for a single zip file - you actually need a program to install everything in the right place.

[wolveski]

oh no you have to set the options of were things go,i.e path shortcuts ect ive not used one in a long time but i know it was fairly easy to make one

[kkffoo]

Thank you very much for your help.

I didn't know archiving tidied up the folder. I think this will help as I'd like to get some of my less techy friends to help with testing.

It is very helpful (and a relief) to know that easy to use installer programs exist out there...I think I can now mentally shelve that problem until I have something worth sharing with a wider audience & carry on giving out instructions to anyone who needs it.

Thanks everyone.

[luminarious]

I'd suggest looking into Inno Setup, it's freeware and imho easier to use than NSIS.

[kkffoo]

Thanks I'll take a look at that program.