TopDown 3D: how to reduce needed ZIP size

[ErosOlmi]

I would like to use TopDown 3D as application (bundled exe) to get some interest in thinBasic community.
Problem is that all the needed files inside a ZIP are about 9Mb. This due to all the nice backgrounds present in the game..

I would like to reduce the size to max 3Mb max. I think it is a good size for asking people to download.
Maybe all the other backgrounds can be included into a second ZIP file as bonus.

What do you think?
What to change in TopDown 3D in order to achieve this target?

Thanks a lot
Eros

[Michael Hartlef]

Sound/music could be reduced in quality but still be good.

[ErosOlmi]

Every single byte will be important, thanks.
Intro is now about 700Kb MP3

I suppose the biggest change is relative to backgrounds implementing a clever function that loads only present backgrounds and still be open to load new backgrounds if found.

[Michael Hartlef]

Yip, we have to find a way to use PNG or JPG files. Besides the music, this could reduce file size big time.

[Petr Schreiber]

Hi Mike,

I am observing PNG, it seems quite rich and complicated format.
I could try to add support for RLE compressed BMPs to TBGL, will see how much it will improve size, but I am afraid for higher than 256 colors it is useless.

I am investigating on this topic.


Thanks,
Petr

[Petr Schreiber]

Hi Eros,

you are right.
I can get to 3.3 with 256 color textures, but this is probably not the way it was meant to be played :D
Mikes music is so good, MIDI would save a lot in size, but often sounds ... ugly :)

I will see what I can do.


Bye,
Petr

[ErosOlmi]

If we deliver with just 3/4 possible backgrounds it will reduce a lot the ZIP file.
Important is to have a function that understand how many possible backgrounds and work with the bacgrounds found.
If user adds more backgrounds dowloading bonus pack, than functions will find them at next restart.

Thanks a lot and do not stole any study time for this task.
Family and school will always come first!!!!!

Ciao
Eros

[Petr Schreiber]

Important is to have a function that understand how many possible backgrounds and work with the bacgrounds found.

Eros,

if I am not wrong, TopDown Alpha 2 now just gets all filenames from directory and decides whether to use.
So if you delete some, no problem occurs!

EDIT: I tried to upload 3MB version but it takes ages :(
So for that smaller release please just correct "shoots fired" to "shots fired" :D and in Textures\instant action level 01
leave k9 planet 01.bmp and any 5 other ia* backgrounds - game will fit in 3MB without problem.


Bye,
Petr

[ErosOlmi]

If I'm not wrong after loading the list, there is a random choose between x and Y that do not consider the backgrounds found.
But it can be I'm working with an old version.

I will check it when at home this night.

Ciao
Eros