How exactly would I make a game file updater?

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MagicalTux

I do something a bit different :)

I have a file where I store an "update cookie". When the game is started, I pass the update cookie to a PHP script with an HTTP request. It returns me the list of files I need to download, the type of file (archive, game data, or the updater itself).

I download the files and do whatever I need with them (I use bzip2.dll for compression, which provide best compression ever; if anyone want the decls and the dll, just ask). If I need to update the updater itself I generate a batch-file for that (or use my "rerun.exe" binary, a little code in C which does the work).

Each time I've installed an update, I save the current "update cookie" so if I get interrupted I can start from where I stopped.

The problem with CRC is simple. When, like me, you have 800MB of data, it may take a while to check it all :)

Also if you want to use FTP, you can, but make sure you use an anonymous FTP (most likely you'll need a dedicated server).

I wrote a simple http_download function, with resume support, which does a great job. :)