.exe Remote Access

I am trying to give remote users access to my game (.exe file) using File Transfer Protocol (FTP). I tried to run my .exe file in its own folder all by itself without all the other supporting files present in the same folder, but it would not run. It seems that the only way I can run the .exe file is if it has all the supporting files present in its same folder. I was hoping that I would not have to reveal all my supporting files to the remote users, and just have them run the executable to play the game. Is that possible? Or do I have to include all the supporting files and code with the executable into the same folder, of which the remote users would have easy access to?

Well you do need to have the assets files (models, textures, icons, sounds etc) on the same pc iirc (in the same folder or subfolder of the game exe or in a fixed folder or such but the latter is not recommended). If you want to hide your assets, you can:
- buy pro (maybe from someone on this forum) and mark the 'resources' option in the compiler to put (almost) all of your assets in 1 file. This also looks a bit more professional/clean imo.
- obfuscate the code with a program.
- if it's purely for the looks than just put the assets in a subfolder.

Anyway I wouldn't worry to much about others using your stuff, especially the .mdl files since they first need to go through the proces of converting them since not many still use gs3d.

Another idea might be if you use a remote access program instead to put the bulk of your assets in a fixed folder where others who remote access your pc/game dont have access (should work I think). But this is ofcourse only a possible solution for your own pc, not if you want to distribute the game.
Like e.g. with teamviewer you can limit quite a bit of stuff others can do on your pc.

Thank you for your advice Reconnoiter.

Gamestudio Pro looks a bit too expensive for me right now.

Do you have any suggestions on what program to use in obfuscating Lite-C code used in Gamestudio SED files? Preferably a free program?

I mainly want to hide my source code if I can, so no one can steal it.

Never mind. I believe I figured it out. I found the answer on youtube on how to change visibility permissions in Filezilla.

Great, incase sooner or later you do want to distribute your game, I think you only need 'Extra' if you want to hide the source code within an .exe (except for maybe .fx / shader files).

Also I wouldn't recommend buying gs3d license new, just buy/get an 'extra' or 'commercial' from someone else on this forum if you need the extra functions.

Hello Reconnoiter. Is it legal for me to buy gs3d license from someone on this forum?

What if I need to reinstall my operating system, and install Gamestudio all over again on my computer? Will I be able to install the new gs3d again after operating system reinstallation?

yes, you can buy a license from other user. The other one should give you his license key and then you can use it on your gamestudio installation

Yeah I did it too. For me Conitec/gs3d support was even nice enough to change the name linked to the license after I emailed them. (which is optional by the way)

So, it appears that I do not have to include my source code files in the same folder as the executable, for remote users to run the executable, since the source code is compiled. I do however have to have all the model files, sound files, texture files, etc in the same folder as the executable, otherwise it will not run right.

I do not suppose any of you know of a way to hide those resource files from view from the remote users for them to run the executable, without having to upgrade to the Gamestudio pro edition?

Well like I said earlier you can try to put your asset files in an other folder (like under myDocuments or such) and add that path/folder in your script. I think technically something like that works as long as the remote user plays the game on your pc where the assets are stored on (/streaming the game).
Just to be clear, you are not talking about letting the remote user downloading your game right, but just giving the remote user access to the exe on your pc?
If the remote user is downloading your game / playing your game on his/her own pc, than this won't work ofcourse.

Can the remote user play the game on my PC with me granting access to the remote user, using FileZilla ftp?

I think so, I don't really know that much about FileZilla itself, just try it out and see what happens.