As far as I can see modern, frequently updated, large games are a problem on GoG

Galaxy is supposed to solve this but who knows when that's coming out ?!?

What if - instead of offering incremental patches to keep the game up-to-date we had...


XDELTA (difference-patching) updates on the games installer files?

> It solves the problem with having to download all new installers (i.e. Wasteland 2; 10 GB, D:OS; 10.3 GB )

> They'll be no need to store all those extra patch files somewhere

> Prevents a lengthy patching process which must be done each time you install the game


Let's take an example like Wasteland 2 - to install the game I have to download and run:

setup_wasteland2_2.0.0.8.exe
setup_wasteland2_2.0.0.8-1.bin to setup_wasteland2_2.0.0.8-5.bin (9.62 GB)

patch_wasteland2_2.2.0.11.exe (1.4 GB)
patch_wasteland2_2.3.0.12.exe to patch_wasteland2_2.4.0.16.exe (767 MB)

It must've taken me at least 45 minutes to install the game and apply all the patches!

The size of the patch files keeps ballooning - it's almost a quarter of the main installer.


If I could simply download a file that would update every base installer file i.e.

setup_wasteland2_2.0.0.8.exe -> XDELTA -> Latest .exe
setup_wasteland2_2.0.0.8-1.bin -> XDELTA -> Latest -1.bin
etc

> I'd only have to run the patch once to update my main installer files.

> I'd only have to uninstall and re-install the game to get the latest version.

> I'd always have the latest installer AND the latest game update.

inXile are doing this


There's exceptions to this rule i.e. Dead State - it's enough to currently install
setup_dead_state_2.0.0.1.exe (988 MB)
patch_dead_state_2.0.4.5.exe (15 MB)

Which isn't a problem.

Thoughts?

Sounds okay.

Ultimately it comes down to those making the installation files and patches, so I would ask the publishers / developers to consider doing what you ask. Not sure gOg have much say in the matter.

However, I would ask that the incremental patches also be made available. Sometimes a new patch screws things up for certain hardware / software combinations so a customer might want to stop updating before getting to the newest patch.

I cannot comment on GOG's update method, since I have not seen it yet. However I am certain that the GOG people thought about this issue. And I guess someone else proposed this solution already.

The problem I see with your solution is that most game installers contain one large compressed file. If I change something in it, it may cause a cascading effect that impacts that big file all the way to the end. (This happens if the compression dictionary happens to change.)

That means that you could end up with XDELTA files that are very large. Steps would have to be taken in order to mitigate this situation. Maybe inXile has take this route, but many companies haven't.


There is also one thing I have not understood in your proposed solution.
From your description, GOG's system seems to be additive, as you keep adding patches and more patches, and then apply them in sequence.
There is version 1.0, followed by patch 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and so on.

Let us say I have patched my game to version 1.1, and I notice the publisher has been busy and version 1.3 is now out. I just install patches 1.2 and 1.3.

How would I do that in the system that you propose? I cannot apply the delta based on 1.0 because I already updated to 1.1. I also cannot apply the delta based on the last version (1.2) because I missed one of the deltas. To solve this situation, GOG would have to carry 6 deltas!


Personally, I would rather see GOG producing a "final" installer containing all updates once a game sees no further development. I am unaware if they do so.

All lot of the time GoG patches are additive - as in the case of Wasteland 2.

Updates have to be installed in a certain order.

This can cause problems too - if people have missed out an update - they have to re-download the entire full updated installer / contact support.

Others games sometimes get inclusive updates - and the older patch files aren't needed anymore i.e. Dead State:

patch_dead_state_2.0.1.2.exe (outdated - delete)
patch_dead_state_2.0.2.3.exe (outdated - delete)
patch_dead_state_ 2.0.3.4.exe (outdated - delete)
patch_dead_state_2.0.4.5.exe (latest inclusive) Your quite right - no solution is perfect.

I wouldn't have it work quite that way.

I'd propose that GoG never update their main installer files whilst the game isn't finished. (unless a problem is found)

They'd have to carry two XDELTA patches at most:

> One to update the current installer from previous patch to latest patch (for people with games in-progress)

> One to update original installer all the way to latest patch (for people who downloaded the game on release)

> One updated full installer (for new downloaders)

They work a little bit like this already.

Worst case scenario

You'd download one big file to update the original installer you downloaded - reinstall the game -> latest version.

Or download an updated full installer (which is what already happens on occasion)

Do you keep your game installers + patches backed up? (so you don't have to continually re-download the games you own)

This system works best for people who do. GoG do that but how many new games don't get frequent updates!

Wasteland 2 for example will get patch 6 eventually.

Meaning we'll be back to downloading 1GB additive patches or 10GB installers for WIN / LINUX / MAC.

When a new game comes out that might interest me,I do two things I wait for the price to drop and keep an eye on the development of said game.If they are patching daily or every couple of days,leave it.It may take three months or more to settle down and by then it's a lot cheaper.I agree that once developers have moved on to another project,then GOG should update and sell game complete without a heap of patches.I don't know if GOG already doe's this but if they do then I mean no offence to GOG..

That's another reason for the system here to change.

STEAM has a slight advantage when it comes to games that get updated frequently - but that's not perfect either!

As far as I'm aware it still downloads the whole part of any files that have changed.

And doesn't do any kind of XDELTA updating / difference checking.

Generally faster updates but you can still get big downloads there and DRM to boot!


GoG are first-rate when it comes to the older titles - DOSBOX, Lucasarts, etc

They need to pull something good out of the hat; they're not Good Old Games anymore =\

Galaxy is on the way. The early alpha build is at least functional.

I think Steam have got it right,as I log in any download or update starts automatically
and after having a look around their done.If GOG get to this stage,then I don't see any problems..But your right this is a new era and GOG,as I'm sure they are doing will need to catch up to sites like Steam.Also as I'm new to GOG,been about two weeks forgive me if my comments are out of line with what developments are happening at GOG..

I wonder what could be the cons of using rsync on the intalled game directory for some safe automatic game updates.

However, I enjoy the option of not being tied to a client program. I appreciate the convenience they provide, but I like to be in control of my system.

Has anyone seen a patch that broke their game in some way, like added instability or savegame incompatibility? I'm there with you on that one, gunsynd. Only I do a two for one: I wait for the price to go really low, and by then the game is really finished. ;-)

There was a lulzy update on Steam for Elminage Gothic that erased the game itself. :D

I hear you. Once I was about to purchase a physical copy of Portal. Then, when I was reading the "System Requirements" I noticed that an Internet connection was required to play. Then I realized that the game required a Steam account in order to activate.

I guess these companies go by the philosophy that if you have nothing to hide, you won't mind all the intrusive measures and restrictive practices.

Yes, Steam updates seem convenient. But otherwise people would't put up with it, IMHO.

I don't think it's really needed since Galaxy is pretty far along already... as someone in the alpha it works well as far as updating goes and has a good amount of games already supported.

I absolutely agree with this and I suggested it myself too in the past.

I hope that Galaxy will be able to implement it, we cannot re-download the full games after each patch.

You won't have to, Galaxy downloads only files that are changed.