Custom Game Exe - Pro or con?

So.. As the title suggests, the question is simple : whats your views on having a custom game.exe (the game launcher) ?

Like, dislike, pet hate ?

I think it would be good so game developers could make their own custom icons for the Game.exe launcher, since said launcher has the icon embedded in the EXE it's not easily replaced.

If the launcher adds anything more than launching the game.exe, that might be interesting.

I was thinking of a way to set up preferences outside the program, but that was much easier (for me) to keep it inside.

A launcher could also be used as a way to protect (DRM) the game, maybe?

It really isn't that hard, there's an unofficial guide on doing it somewhere using the 'resource hacker' program.

Like this?





And of course, the window mode.


Once we have actual patching functionality set up, the version checking would then become relevant.

wait, are you actually making this?

Hime already posted that a while ago in the blog... Seems like you missed it. :)

Yea... No.

I meant the actual game.exe being replaced / removed (all together). Not a third party program that launches the exe, a program that replaces it!

Like this : http://dekitarpg.wordpress.com/2014/10/25/dapi-ex/

Obviously, the route you highlight does have additional benefits such as being able to pass arguments to the program.

Actually... Lets pair both features together... Then you have a launcher that passes in [x]parameter and an exe that can read [x] parameter and even insert new code into the engine providing [x] condition is met - which only the launcher can provide...

Unfortunately, the initial game resizing to 544x416 seems to be handled from the graphics module created within the rgss301.dll an is automatically set when the rtp dll is loaded.. And also,the F1,2,12 keys all seem to be being controlled directly from the RGSS301.dll which was a huge kick in the nuts for me...

Edit:

You mean like adding more code to the engine? working on it, very possible - very very possible...

And yea, it could be used as a DRM too, but having an actual launcher as tuski shows coupled with a custom exe is probably best for a DRM type feature

Also @ Tsuki - what kinda patching functionality you trying to do? I managed to write up script patching(unreleased) and yami done everything else (maps and events and - released)...

What could be interesting, for a DRM, could be to use the launcher to give the .exe a special decryption key so that the .rgss3a can only be read with this key.

I tried something with my little knowledge of programming, but was stuck because I needed either the game.exe to decrypt in another way (option not available without breaking the TOS) or have the .rgss3a file to be accessible in write mode after the game.exe is executed in memory - doesn't work because it's become locked.

Of course, they were very crude attempts at DRMizing and eventually I gave up. Too hard for me.

But you guys might find a way with your launcher and custom exe.

(Is a custom exe legal to use with RPG Maker, by the way?)

Lol...

They keep saying its not legal and that if you do use a custom exe then you cannot use the RTP resources within the project... for me, this is no real issue whatsoever (the games I make are usually all scripted, so being able to hide my scripts within my custom exe && dlls is a huge advantage for me personally..), and it would also not be an issue for anyone who was using other resources, lets say ones given for free on this site, pvgames packs, other resources from other websites..

Perhaps word from some mod would be nice... Is the DAPI-EX (linked above) legal to use for normal rm projects ?

If you're going to do that you might as well just write your own data loading functions using the default exe.


Of course then you run into the problem of how to load graphics :(

Seeing as how the illegal thing is

The question here is how did you create a custom exe that reads the project files. If you did any of those three in order to achieve it, then that is clearly against the EULA of the software.

Isn't there another (pinned!) thread with an alternative Game.exe somewhere on this forums?

And just because a EULA (BTW, I think Ace Lite still doesn't have one.) forbids something, doesn't make it illegal. It depends on your country and the reasons, why you did it (e.g. in my country you can legally reverse engineer a program to investigate crashes, and more.). If you really want to know the legal situation, you should consult a lawyer, not ask a moderator, or some dudes on the Internet.

Of course, if there's an official statement, that a custom RGSS Player is tolerated (under particular circumstances like not selling it), then it'd be great news. There are actually some smaller, interesting things you could do (providing an easy way to get the window handle :3).

Breaking the EULA might not be illegal in some countries (which countries BTW?), but that also means that your licenses for using the program can be revoked. In most cases I think that would mean that you cannot legally use the program anymore...

Also, a EULA is a binding agreement between the company and the user, so breaking it has legal implications.

Anyway, anything legal, the best way is still to ask a lawyer in your country.


PS: According to the EULA

@Engr - I made another topic to find out the legality aspects :)

http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/33330-is-this-legal/

@Cremopobia - yes there is.

Thats very interesting that ace lite doesnt have this eula crap... Def gonna download that and see what I can do there.. Thanks for that info :D
 

So uhhh, seeing there is another thread regarding legality, lets try keep this one to the pro's / con's of custom game exe's :p