Timboli: Being a programmer myself, I can't say that the situation that seems to be the case here makes much sense.

An offline installer would be as basic as it comes, and logically you would have to modify that to be suitable for a Galaxy installer. In other words, what the Dev provides, is a DRM-Free offline installer as is.

If it is happening the opposite way around, then GOG have some explaining to do, for it is not sensible and must be related to some agenda.

A developer should be able to upload their installer, and that should receive two automated treatments.
(1) Added as is for the Offline installer game links.
(2) Modified for Galaxy and added for that.

One could argue, that even the basic Offline Installer needs a GOG treatment, but surely that is something quick and simple or some kind of treatment the Developer can easily apply using a kind of GOG Readiness Pack.

I imagine that something like a GOG Readiness Pack, just involves showing the GOG Logo and some adverts, plus maybe installing to a default GOG games folder location.

If as has been claimed earlier, the Dev uploads straight to Galaxy, then if so, that surely requires even more adaption by the Dev.

As I understood it, GOG makes sure that the games they sell work correctly for their customers. That is not the case if they leave it up to the Devs, who are supposedly uploading Galaxy ready files (if the claim is true).

There should be very little difference between Offline installers and Galaxy installers, just an added veneer for the Galaxy versions. It should be that simple, unless there is something going on that I am not aware of.

Have I missed anything? Other than any MP element.

P.S. It would of course be a somewhat different scenario for older games or games that GOG work on themselves.

nightcraw1er.488: Are you trying to tell us there can be another (non client) way, what witchery is this? An installer, with the files needed to run the game, but how do I handle my saves, or know how many times I have clicked? What will I boast about on twatter/reddit?

The client is the only way, install the client and everything will be fine...

Timboli: Being a programmer myself, I can't say that the situation that seems to be the case here makes much sense.

An offline installer would be as basic as it comes, and logically you would have to modify that to be suitable for a Galaxy installer. In other words, what the Dev provides, is a DRM-Free offline installer as is.

If it is happening the opposite way around, then GOG have some explaining to do, for it is not sensible and must be related to some agenda.

Timboli: As I understood it, GOG makes sure that the games they sell work correctly for their customers. That is not the case if they leave it up to the Devs, who are supposedly uploading Galaxy ready files (if the claim is true).

Timboli: If as has been claimed earlier, the Dev uploads straight to Galaxy, then if so, that surely requires even more adaption by the Dev.

MarkoH01: The devs don't provide "installers". They just provide the files needed. The installer itself of course needs those files to be able to work. I don't see how it should go the other way around. If you create an offline installer yourself you would also first need the files to install and then create the installerscript depending on the files you have and additional entrys you might need.

MarkoH01: I doubt that they actually test every single game ... they might work on older games to make sure that they will work with newev systems ... since they often have to create the workarounds themselves - but I doubt that they will test every single indie game. Too much work, too much time and mostly not necessary - also it would be counter productive regarding the possibility for devs to upload updates faster.

Timboli: I don't see why not, if GOG provide some kind of Kit.

It should be simple enough (for offline installers anyway).

All the installers appear to be InnoSetup based. So it would just be a matter of having a GOG Logo appear, and providing the default GOG install folder, and support the adverts GOG want displayed. Each game would have its own folder structure as set by the Dev, so at the very least they would be uploading something like a Zip file with that structure, to GOG ... in which case GOG themselves then use something kit based ... some automation process.

Timboli: I guess I should have specified 'Quick Test' .... install and make sure it runs okay ... game can start. Wasn't referring to any deep kind of testing, as that is down to the Dev ... just the basics, which shouldn't take very long.