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Post by iNDIE Tech Studios on Oct 9, 2016 12:19:50 GMT
Hi, as any Developer using the 3D Rad Game Engine knows, when you Compile your game all of the files included in that game such as, sounds, models, characters, scripts and everything else are available for the final user to copy, alter or take them as their own. This is a very big problem when you work hard on a game and then someone comes and takes your files as their own. Is there a way to protect those files?
After some research we found Smart Packer Pro X. However, to remove the message upon startup of the final .exe you must pay. Solution
An idea that popped into our head was to create a custom launcher and hiding folders. Is there an alternative that anyone esle knows about? Would these ideas work? Thank you, iNDIE Tech Studios
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Post by WhyNot on Oct 9, 2016 12:55:26 GMT
I don't think hiding folder would be effective and what do you mean by custom launcher
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Post by indiedev on Oct 9, 2016 13:46:23 GMT
60 euros is a small price to pay to protect your game, [so your studio must have a VERY low budget!] there are free packer alternatives but they don't have encryption so are easily cracked.
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Post by F1Andre on Oct 9, 2016 13:51:01 GMT
Hi there
You might be onto something here. There is definitely no way you can modify the existing launcher or the Rad project runner, but there would be an alternative. Like you suggested, a custom launcher.
So lets assume you already know a language apart from Anglescript, like C, C++ (these two would be recommended) or maybe Java. So you back to the custom launcher. The launcher should do the following: After installation the launcher should be ran, this is vital since the files needed to be encrypted. Once launcher is being ran, it should encrypt the files where they stand in their installation directory (this is all for the first launch) and then the launcher is closed.
Now the files are encrypted on the end-users computer. If the user wants to play the game, he/she should open the custom launcher. Once launcher is open it decrypts the files to another location (secret and unknown to user) and the game can be run. After the game is done the user closes the game and the launcher deletes the decrypted files (remember that the encrypted files are still save in a other directory).
There is a few problems with this though. If the user opens the game and goes to his c:/ drive he might just search for the decrypted files, you can overcome this problem but ideally no option will be 100% save.
This will require an extensive knowledge into a specific language, nothing that can be learnt within a few weeks time.
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Post by Famer on Oct 9, 2016 13:55:35 GMT
You can use 3D Rad V-Packer
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Post by indiedev on Oct 9, 2016 13:59:36 GMT
we are lucky that smart packer supports rad at all, trying to make your own solution to save a few bucks is just counter-productive. we should support the few developers that support us, else we end up with none.
Famer: smart packer is the updated v-packer.
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Post by F1Andre on Oct 9, 2016 15:04:29 GMT
Not to put out your flames here guys, but isn't V-Packer just a installation software. It doesn't protect you from people trying to open your files. Correct me if I'm wrong.
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Post by WhyNot on Oct 9, 2016 16:10:34 GMT
I've got no idea dude. maybe I'll know better after I finish my age and make it ready for launch
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Post by indiedev on Oct 9, 2016 16:22:20 GMT
it encrypts the game, that won't stop true hackers but prevents most people.
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Post by iNDIE Tech Studios on Oct 9, 2016 17:02:43 GMT
Thank you for all your replies! indiedev in the post where it stated, "However, to remove the message upon startup of the final .exe you must pay." this wasn't an indication to us, this was intended as a general comment and doesn't mean we are "on a VERY low bugdet!". We are looking for a free alternative before we buy anything. We'd rather save the money for something else. Anyway, us researching is a benefit to both us and other 3D Rad users as it means if we do find a free alternative they won't have to spend the money. Thanks for the comment.
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Post by TinSoldier on Oct 9, 2016 17:39:39 GMT
It's an idea but..
I say get your project designed tested debugged and get feedback first.
does that project have any resources that somebody would even want to steal in the first place ??
I don't know for sure if the script is ever decrypted on our system at run time, so i believe that's always safe.. but again, if it exposed, will there be any script of real value that needs protecting ??.
if you're plan is to make a encrypting software.. sure why not..
If this plan is just targeting your 3drad projects.... i say put that effort into your 3drad project instead, not worrying about encrypting it just yet.
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Post by indiedev on Oct 11, 2016 3:44:21 GMT
realistically, you won't get free encrypted packers, if one found it'd likely be a cracked paid version, and using that to 'secure' your game is just foolish. other options i looked at are twice or more than smart packer costs (and with more advanced features)
for the free option, an unecrypted packer will stop people snooping around asset folders, but as quickly as you can install it and pack your game, savvy users can also install an unpacker and rip all your assets in 1 click, but for non-commercial use it's better than nothing.
making your own encrypter would be a waste of time unless you plan on selling it as well.
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Post by iNDIE Tech Studios on Oct 11, 2016 17:17:45 GMT
It was to create a custom launcher not Encrypter I don't know where that came from? But yea thanks for help, we will probably pay for one of those advanced ones you were talking about. One payment and then the protection of your game assets is very worth it. But this is far away for us anyway, hopefully this helped others
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Post by TinSoldier on Oct 11, 2016 23:46:21 GMT
well i'm at a lost as to what you actually want..
If you mean a custom installer, then there are a couple around..
PS the thread title says "how to protect" our games... that means encryption to me ...
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Post by iNDIE Tech Studios on Oct 12, 2016 8:31:05 GMT
Huh? This thread title is "[IMPORTANT] How can we protect our games and game files?" I didn't want anything. I was just raising an important topic that seems as though it's never been brought up before
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Post by indiedev on Oct 12, 2016 13:23:55 GMT
you mentioned creating 'a custom launcher and hiding folders' that's exactly what an encrypted packer does dude, no need to create it as some geniuses have already done it for you.
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Post by iNDIE Tech Studios on Oct 12, 2016 17:33:53 GMT
The custom launcher I was on about wasn't related to encryption, a new launcher would make the game look more professional and give a better feel. Anywho, I'm thinking of switching to UE4 but not for certain yet. If anyone has UE4 before got any advice or help? Thanks
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2016 18:18:31 GMT
i used UE4 before, but it was buggy those days, also it would crash randomly, i really didn't like the plan it offered in front of unity, but the worst thing was the less amount of tutorials when in comparison with other engines, also the most of the available tutorials went outdated with a single update... there were also very few UE4 books available (where i live) UE4 is a great engine for a big studio, i liked to think that too, like i wanted to use the best if it is available for free, but for indies and small indie teams ue4 wasn't a good option, like it was less versatile to me 2d, mobile development is what i saw UE4 lacking in... but i loved the c++ coding also the visual scripting which you can do in unity too though with add ons... i started a question on gamedev.net a long time back, and it was still 50-50, but unity was my choice. And i still haven't though about shifting to UE4, if unity can make a game like firewatch, that is all i need, graphics don't matter much, what matters is what is easier, more versatile, reliable.. still the decision is on you, F1Andre has also used it you can ask him his experience, but he is nowadays making assets for the unity asset store, so you get the idea anyways tell mm your experience when you start
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Post by indiedev on Oct 13, 2016 2:53:28 GMT
you can make a custom launcher for rad's video options, MP menus, by using resource_hacker on dll3impact.dll, but that won't 'protect' your game, only encryption etc does that.
...and advanced packers can make custom launchers that require passwords, hardware IDs, time limits and more.
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Post by F1Andre on Oct 13, 2016 19:25:29 GMT
I think we all understood your first post wrong. I was under the impression you seek a custom game launcher to protect the files. Any case...
UE4: Do not! I repeat, do not go over. Seems to me like you still need to get the basics. Hearing about people wanting to go over to another engine after being with Rad a few months is just plain ridiculous. It defines the whole point why you started using Rad in the first place. If you are looking for a long term investment of time, then go for it.
Deep down you know what your skills are. Just be honest with yourself and think it thru. Plus, C++ is not beginners friendly. Very few people start out on this language and there are very good reasons for that. Sure you can argue about the fact that you can use their blueprint function, but hey? It is still no easy task and you are limited, it isn't always possible to create everything with node editors.
Having used it for a day or two I can definitely tell you that the graphics is way ahead of its time. Realism beyond your imagination, but without the knowledge on how to create a game, visuals is all that remains...you could just as have rendered the damn thing.
So what I'm saying is that you should stick with Rad, just to get the basic under your belt. And if the point comes where you want to switch over, try Unity first. It's not the engine that counts, it's the brains behind it.
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