[TUT] Making Your Game More User Friendly

[Merchant]

I wrote this tutorial as a way for your users to be able to actually understand the client folder, and just be able to play the game, and the best part is, there is no scripting involved.  You may want to back up your client folder for safety.  If you have any questions, please post them so I can edit the tut!

You will need - An icon maker of some sort

Difficulty - 1.5/5 -Basic knowledge of Windows needed  :P

Length - 2.5/5 - May take some time  :huh:

Step 1 - Open up your client folder, create a new folder named something like "Data Files"


Step 2 - Move everything into the new folder, yes…EVERYTHING


Step 3 - Move back out to the original folder, and create a shortcut, linking to the client inside the "Data Files" Folder, you will probably want to name it something like "Play the Game"


Step 4 - Give the shortcut your own personal icon by opening up the shortcuts "Properties" window (right click on shortcut), if you don't have an icon maker, I'd suggest this one - [http://www.free-icon-editor.com/](http://www.free-icon-editor.com/)  I have put in my own logo as my icon -


Step 5 - Add a disclaimer stating that the files in the "Data Files" Folder are used only to run the client, not your account.  For the lazy, you can use mine -

The files inside of the "Data Files" Folder, are used only for the client (what connects to the server), and they DO NOT relate in any way to your account.  All account information is stored on my computer, so if you wanted to change your account, you would need to hack into my computer, which is I-L-L-E-G-A-L!

And if you haven't picked up on it yet, you should name it "Disclaimer".


Step 6 - Make your Folders stand out.  You can do it to the "Data Files" folder, and all the folders inside.  Open up the folders "properties" window and go to the "customize" tab.  No click on the "Change Icon"  button and pick which ever seems appropriate.


Step 7 - Now double click your shortcut, and if all went well it should run.  If it doesn't run, well then I told you to back-up your client.

[iJack]

Thanks dude, this really helped me out big time! Thumbs up!

[Robin]

Don't use .BMP images..

[Kite]

I told him twice yesterday Robin, he don't listen :P

Anyway it's a good tut, but I dislike the bmp files….

[Anna Comnena]

I don't think your average player really NEEDS to learn about the Client folder; at most a guide on how they can make a desktop shortcut for your game would be the best they'd need.

More importantly is a good starting tutorial map to explain to potential new players the control and basic game concepts (for example in Stwalart's Tale the starting maps covered movement, NPC interaction, sign reading, using switches, combat and health, shopping, and then Stats and their effects).

These sort of things are too often overlooked.

[Merchant]

I made the tut to simplify the client folder, and I will try to change the file type this weekend they're saved on my computer.

[Anna Comnena]

Ah yeah re-reading the tutorial it's pretty neat method actually. It would help if your images were smaller sized, like a PNG or something so it didn't take forever to load them.
:)

[Merchant]

Yah, I think I did pretty well for my first tut.  I will most likely re-size the pictures tomorrow, if not Sunday for sure.

[defendersdef]

i vote stickey

[Robin]

@defendersdef:

> i vote stickey

No.

[defendersdef]

well ok, sence you r robin after all…
if every tut was a sticky, well.. we would have a stickey mess, wouldent we? lol

[Merchant]

LOL Good one!  I converted the files to JPEG, and shrunk em, although the quality is a little less.