Hi Folks, having recently bought Syndicate on GOG, I finished it, and then dusted off my old copy of Syndicate Wars, After much Fiddling with D-Fend and DosBox I got it running Smoothly, but the next time I install it I don't want to go through all the tweaking and testing again. Does anyone know a good way to create an install package that will internally setup a preconfigured Dosbox+Game like Gog does? The closest thing I can find is InnoSetup but the scripting is way beyond me

Innosetup is exactly what GOG.com is using, though I guess you could also just make an archive of the game's directory, complete with dosbox, config files and shortcuts. Then you just extract it where you want to install it, move (and maybe modify) the shortcuts, and you are ready to go.

Advanced Installer, but the free version is very limited. InnoSetup has a few GUI frontends too.

The easiest option would be to compress files with LZMA2 using 7-ZIP.

Yeah that's my backup plan, Makes me appreciate what Gog does even more :P
Edit: Typo

D-Fend Reloaded can make backups of your games as zip or 7z-files. Rightclick on your game to get that option (make archive). To create backups for multiple games go to files and and then export. You can restore the game later by drag-and-drop (works also with mutliple file the same time) into the D-Fend window or through import.

Is it possible to export the templates and upload them so I could try and work backward from them?

Yes, you can also backup them (take a look on files/export), but you need then the same folder structure and game configuration. With conf. you only save the dosbox configuration files, with prof all other D-Fend related informations (game information from mobygames, etc.) But I highly recommend to make a complete backup - it's the safest and easiest way.

Btw, I would recommend to take always a look into the archive if something is missing before erasing the game. Just to be safe.


Edit: I must correct myself: With backuping prof-file you only get the d-fend related informations but not extra files like screenshots. Sorry for my mistake, I corrected my post.

Edit2: But maybe it's not relevant, I see this question goes to adambiser ;)

Are you asking me? I see that my post is marked as the solution even though there were other great ideas here. I can send you the templates I use later today, if you want.

Yes Please! I marked yours as the solution because as lame as it sounds, your idea appeals to me the most the others are perfectly good solutions though,

I'm interested too, if you don't mind sending them to me as well? I GOGified my copy of Theme Hospital (ages ago before GOG even had EA) and always thought it'd be cool to make an installer for it.

Certainly. I'll post it here when I'm able to. Probably in 5 hours, I think.

You might consider using http://dfendreloaded.sourceforge.net/ as a frontend. This has a tool to create it's own packages, next time you install you simply import the package, and you're ready to play.

Here's what I have:
http://www.fascimania.com/NSISGameTemplate.zip
I've included the ones I've done to help show how to do things.

The Template folder has the main installer script "Installer Template.nsi" with information in it on how to set things up.

The only manual part right now is building the file list for your game and the graphics the installer uses (I wanted to make the installers look nice, but that can be taken out)
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I'm going to work up a script that'll help take care of some of the manual process.

Updated the file at that link to include bug fixes and make it so that you don't have to design an icon, welcome image or a header image if you don't want to.
It also includes GenerateFileLists.exe which will automatically build the list of files and folders for the installer and uninstaller.