[Solved] Distribution problem, corrupt archives?

[Nibo]

I have tried downloading ZenithRemnant3001.zip from filefront twice, and gamershell once, and for each the embedded zip file gave the error,
"Windows cannot open the folder.
The compressed (zipped) Folder
'$PATH$' is invalid."

I tried opening it with 7zip also. The file size is 95,436,843 bytes.

C:\Users\Jeff\Downloads>md5 3.0.0.1.zip
3F11C8E5279053EFDE6362513223BE06  3.0.0.1.zip

[Nibo]

sorry for the noise I guess, fixed by:

http://arcengames.com/forums/index.php/topic,3313.0.html

But this really should be made to work. How will someone play the demo easily if it's a zip but not really?

[deMangler]

Install expansion by choosing updates -> install manually-downloaded-update from within the game and choose the .zip
dM
<edit> Gahh! you sorted it while I was posting.... okeydokey. <edit>

[Kjara]

I think most people update in game, so it hasn't been a huge issue.  I still contend(agree) that its retarded to name your file type .zip.

Its as silly in the other direction, (this is an example from a different game) lets call our compressed files .lkj, but actually have them be rars, so all you have to do is rename them to unrar them.  Whyyy not just call them .rar.

[x4000]

Yeah, unfortunately there's not anything I can do about the naming of the file type that it creates, as that is simply what the update software we use creates.  It is awesome in all other respects.  Also, please note that in the outer zip file that I distribute, there is a giant HOW_TO_INSTALL.txt file with the following instructions:

CONTENT PACK FOR AI WAR: THE ZENITH REMNANT
-------------------------------------------

To install this content, follow these easy steps:

1. Run version 3.0 or higher of AI War: Fleet Command.
2. Click the "Updates" button on the main menu.
3. Click the "Install Manually-Downloaded Update" button in the updates menu.
4. Select the update zip file, and hit "Open."
5. Then just click OK a few times as the game analyzes the update, shuts down, installs the update, and restarts.

I haven't heard much in the way of players having issues with this, as I presume that most simply see these instructions, follow them, and have no trouble.  Ironically, it is often the most computer-savvy that completely ignore the instructions and think the download is corrupt.  I'm not sure what more I can really do beyond what is currently there, though.

[Nibo]

The instructions text file is not in either of the downloads that I tried. I got the update to install by selecting the outer zip file. IE the downloaded zip file, not the zip contained inside the download.

[x4000]

Interesting... That would certainly explain the confusion, then. I am not sure how that got distributed without the notice, must have been my error. Sorry about that!

[Nibo]

I'm trying the atomicgamer download again just to make sure I didn't do anything dumb. I'm on a mac using firefox and I made sure to "save" the file instead of "open with."

$ md5 ZenithRemnant3001.zip
MD5 (ZenithRemnant3001.zip) = 3fe678572ce27db1c6f0b23376394f56
$ unzip ZenithRemnant3001.zip
Archive:  ZenithRemnant3001.zip
 extracting: 3.0.0.1.zip            
  inflating: Director.Xml            
  inflating: GH3D.txt                
  inflating: GamersHell.url

I tried gametrove for the heck of it, but something about their database or website isn't working.

My AI War is working though, so I'm happy.

[x4000]

I'm trying the atomicgamer download again just to make sure I didn't do anything dumb. I'm on a mac using firefox and I made sure to "save" the file instead of "open with."

$ md5 ZenithRemnant3001.zip
MD5 (ZenithRemnant3001.zip) = 3fe678572ce27db1c6f0b23376394f56
$ unzip ZenithRemnant3001.zip
Archive:  ZenithRemnant3001.zip
 extracting: 3.0.0.1.zip            
  inflating: Director.Xml            
  inflating: GH3D.txt                
  inflating: GamersHell.url

I'm not sure exactly what you're saying.  When you download this from GameTrove, you don't need to open it or do anything to it.  Just save the file to disk somewhere, and then upload it through the Install Manual Updates thing on the updates page.  Anything else is not going to result in unpacking the inner zip file or what have you...

[Nibo]

I was just double checking that the instruction file you mentioned wasn't in the download. I was thinking that maybe originally I had overlooked it or deleted it by accident.

[x4000]

Oh, I gotcha -- thanks!  Yeah, I'm not sure what happened there, but must have been my error.