I've been thinking about writing this, but I haven't had time. And now that I have, it's even better with the forum thread. Just a notice: this is my opinion, and maybe of other people too, and I guess this can help you!


Packing


This is the main point of my article. Let's start with an example. You just bought FIFA 2003, and you want to play it quickly. But, unfortunately, there's not a simple Zip file, with a DLL and the EXE, there are loads of files to install, with extensions you never saw before. This is called a setup, or installer.


Then, you've played enough of soccer, and think "Maybe I can go to DC and check out some games". So you come here and find a new game, called X 2: The Return of Y. You see that the file is a ZIP, so you conclude that it contain a DLL and the EXE, and some other files such as ITs and MODs, and a read-me. Also, you see that the file is less than 600kb. You finish the download and open the ZIP file and, noo!, there's a SETUP! You install the game, it's not very good, and go delete it. But, there isn't an uninstall. So you open Windows Explorer and see that, unpacked the game is almost 1mb. And you think "Why a setup if this game is crap and less than 1mb?".


My point of view


Now, this is where I want to go. Why do people compile everything in a SETUP, if it doesn't contain more than 2 files (I've done this before, but, well, now I see how terrible it is)? I've seen many games, that aren't crap, they're just like simple games, to download and play, and are in a setup. I think that just if your games is like ED or EG, with big files, or that have many other files, such as MP3, or fonts, you may use a setup. Else, if your game has 3 files, and together "weigh" 500kb, please, use a simple ZIP file. It's less complicated, almost everyone have WinZip (I recommend WinRAR, but...) and even for you it's more simple.


And...


Usually, if your game is really good, and in the "community" it's well reviewed and get good comments, you may want to add it to download sites, such as Tucows. Then, the same above. Many or big files, setups. Small or few files, zip. Simple, for the maker and the player.


Again, this is my opinion. You don't have to agree, but it can be helpful.