A couple things are ahead of us, I’m going over a few of those changes concerning the Rainbow utilities now. To avoid any confusion, I clarify what I mean by “Program”, it is the thing you install on your computer with the Setup.exe. Lastly, when I’m talking about “Files” I am talking about the .zip archive you download and extract into the correct directory.
TLTR
I'm getting back to working actively on GD things and you will get a Website to make & share your filters, as a result the program is getting fully reworked to interact with it, too. That Website will also get content beyond Rainbow, including free games I am developing.
Server & Website
If there is anybody here that was using my mods, you might remember I have a server I was using for uploads in the very early stages of the DGA Mod and as a simple ToDo list later on. However, that server is not being used anymore, so I figured I’ll make use of it once again.
The program will remain on GitHub with its source, as will its setup, but all generated Files will be created on the server. This means the server will be capable of creating those Files and you will be able to interact with it for customizations on a Website in your preferred browser (Chrome, FireFox, …).
Q: "What the hell does this mean for me?!?"
- If you were downloading the Files and are happy with how they are, not much will change for you, they just won't be hosted on GitHub, instead the server will generate them when GD was updated. You will continue going to this forum for the link or you go to the Website directly to check if they were updated and start your download.
- If you are in the group of users wishing they could change something, but don't want to use a program, you will be able to make these changes on the Website or simply select the preset somebody else created. This also benefits everybody wanting more presets available to them by default.
- The last group of users, those using the program and making changes as they see fit, for you there are no immediate changes. You could start using the Website or stick with the program, the decision is yours. Just keep in mind you won't be able to upload your preset to the server until the Program is able to interact with it.
The Future Of The Program
The Program will get updated, it is even getting fully reworked to properly interact with the Website. I want to have a program that can place the files where they should go, this is a major QoL feature and a Website won’t be able to do that. Another reason is that GD is not required to be played online, so I figure there is at least one person out there hoping for an offline version to customize their filters. The program also allows you to use local files and settings, so you wouldn’t have to wait for me to update the game files on the server to fix your “Tag not found: …” issues. And for those of you using a different language in GD, you’ll need something using your local files, since they won’t be updated by me.
On a side note: You will be able to sync/backup all your local settings with the server.
There Is More…
With an online database of presets, it will become much easier to share them. So I’m planning on adding full Mod support, but the players will have to add Mod items and share their presets (DO NOT expect the Modder to do this for their Mod). This will have to wait until after the Program rework, though. I’ll have to use the new Program to extract Mod tags and upload them to the server. I won’t keep track of Mod updates, players will have to hit that button themselves. The same idea could be used for localizations to allow the server to create translated filters.
Finally
A lot of work and I want to get it done as soon as I possibly can, hopefully before the next GD update hits us. I have even more plans for GD and Mods, but this is it for now. You can still post issues and feedback here, I will also continue posting here when an update is out, so everyone gets their notification and the thread is getting bumped. However, if you wish to help and care about all the other things I’ll be working on, including free games I develop, that upcoming Website is the place to go.