@cgcg: There were some very serious post how you can handle it. There is no "updateGame" function in Gamestudio. You have to do it yourself. So, please take a shot and stop complaining that others don't write you such a complex functionality. Thanks.

@Damocles: I hate such things! The best solution I have ever seen is integrated into the Playstation 3 system - if you start a game, it starts and if a new version is available, a loading screen comes where the stuff is automatically downloaded and then it gets installed and then the game starts. Everything is integrated and automated inside the game and the user doesn't have to do anything. The same goes similarily for Windows (automatic downloading updates).

Heelx : Im gunna disagree with you there (reply to Damocles). I prefer the updates to be "optional".
The game (or windows) doing it 'automatically' really peeves me off,
ESPECIALLY on the odd occasions that my internet isnt running.
So think of the poor beggars who have NO internet, or worse still, only have dial-up !!

Dont get me wrong Heelx, I respect your opinion as yours, its just I really
hate ANY application that generates internet link-ups without my express
permission, its just plain RUDE!

If the PS3 does the same as xbox 360 does (Sony always copies Microsoft ) you insert a disc and a pop-up states 'an update for this game is avaialble, would you like to install it?' so I agree that's the best solution.You can always decline.

I too don't like applications that auto-update unless they are critical ones eg, security patches, virus updates, etc. I find Adobe bridge the main culprit on my system. Always trying to update with some crap.

you said something about a tool!
i have written such a tool yesterday!
is there any special thing about contest?
age, or something like that?
the tool is very handy, so were to post it?
can you please help me

No problem, bro :-) everyone has his or her very own oppinion of what he likes or not ;-)

But how am I supposed to update a game via internet without internet? That will not gonna work ^^ unless you provide the update as executable retrieved from somewhere else (if you trust it).

The main question is: why should anyone decline an update? Having an option is OK, but tell me a good reason why you want less bugs or outdated graphics? Lets take not the rare case into account whereas mods don't work, I can understand that argument, lets talk about an original game that isn't modified by the user, like on a console...

I like the way GTA IV (PC version) did it. I can download an update if I want, if not I can still play (not sure about online mode though). If it would update itself automatically I would need to wait more than an hour to play it.

So I do not need the game running to download an update. It just links to the rockstar update website - that is the best way for me.

i love the way steam does it, it just updates the game and does not even tell you anything before updating

I don't use steam, but this is what I meant. End of the software release cycle. Think about it: web 2.0 services are always in perpetual beta state. You don't even notice that they are updated, bugfixed and extended.

Automatic/Forced updates are a bad thing if the developer decides to change the game play in multiplayer games like Diablo II if the game forum is already flooded with postings about bad game balance because of that patch.

Or things like: that game does not like my graphic card with patch 10.02

Oh, didn't thought about that. Yeah, I think you are right about it... nevertheless!!! -> developers shouldn't upload such stupid patches then, though ;-)