26 replies to this topic

[justbegun]

I am a beginner at Game Maker, I just started using Game Maker 8 lite about two weeks ago. My game project is a scrolling shooter game, lightly based on the tutorial one. This game, called Ocean Shooters, will have about 17 different levels. So far, I have created two working-fine levels, with menu and stuffs.

When I created an executable for my game, it exceeds 35 mb for only 2 levels!!! I was shocked by this fact, and I tried to reduce useless rooms, however it still is about this size. When it is completed, it will reach 250 mb! From that time, I immidiately signed up into this community.


Questions :

1. Is people okay on downloading huge sized game, but say it worth over 15 of fun levels?

2. If not, how do I reduce the file in the best way, without damaging the programming of the game?

Important Notes

1. My game currently used mostly drag and drop actions, since I'm not very familiar with GML.

2. I have really really lots of PNG sprites (10% is okay to dump).

3. For texts in the game, (such as help guide, dialogues for storyline), I used objected sprites of a box of text. Because, I have no idea how to make easy and simple dialogue box.

4. I currently have about 10 rooms for two levels, which are :

Main Menu
Level Select
Guide Help
Storyline1
Lv1
Lv1 Boss
Storyline2
Lv2
Lv2 Boss
Pause Menu

5. I used different musics for each levels, and they are mp3s. While sfxs is wav.

6. I used variables (global and not) to patch up bugs, such as for pause and restart. I used this variable also to reduce room use.

7. I use Game Maker 8 lite, NOT standard.

I worked super extremely hard for this game, I wasted a lot of time. I really hope someone kind and wise can help me solve this frustating problem, so I can continue my game. Please, your help is urgently needed!

If you require a game maker file or exe file of this game for example, please be kind enough to be trustable and not mess it up, and use it in private. For privater contact, jvirananda@gmail.com

Thank you very much

[AlexTM]

Its so big because your music files are large, if you have music for each level, its going to be a large file. I would suggest that you give people the option to have the level music, eg:

if file_exists("sound.mp3")
{}

When you upload your game onto YoYogames.com, just upload the executable, nothing else. Upload the music in a ZIP file on your website/signiture whatever.

EDIT: I just noticed you said you have GM lite, well, the code above might work... i use 8.0 Pro, i don't know the limits...

Edited by A!ex, 11 September 2011 - 10:51 AM.

[justbegun]

Its so big because your music files are large, if you have music for each level, its going to be a large file. I would suggest that you give people the option to have the level music, eg:

if file_exists("sound.mp3")
{}

When you upload your game onto YoYogames.com, just upload the executable, nothing else. Upload the music in a ZIP file on your website/signiture whatever.

EDIT: I just noticed you said you have GM lite, well, the code above might work... i use Pro, i don't know the limits...

Okay, I might dump the musics anyway For the game.. Thx btw.

[faissialoo]

delete objects that you do not need or could fuse with another object, it should help

[justbegun]

Its so big because your music files are large, if you have music for each level, its going to be a large file. I would suggest that you give people the option to have the level music, eg:

if file_exists("sound.mp3")
{}

When you upload your game onto YoYogames.com, just upload the executable, nothing else. Upload the music in a ZIP file on your website/signiture whatever.

EDIT: I just noticed you said you have GM lite, well, the code above might work... i use Pro, i don't know the limits...

Okay, I might dump the musics anyway For the game.. Thx btw.

ANNOUNCEMENT!

I dump all the music, and useless sprites, then the MB change from 35mb to 5mb !!!!!! Thanks, I thought it wouldnt work.

Though, I still need any other suggestions to reduce more mb. And, do you think the game will be okay without music ??

[AlexTM]

Though, I still need any other suggestions to reduce more mb. And, do you think the game will be okay without music ??

Do what i suggested. Give users the option to have the music...

[Gangsterman]

load music from a folder like this:(in the create event of first object)
(use scripts)

global.secretmusic=sound_add("Sound/Music/ReYourBrains.wav",0,true)
global.custommusic=sound_add("Sound/Music/Custom.wav",0,true)
global.finale=sound_add("Sound/Music/Finale.wav",1,true)
global.music1=sound_add("Sound/Music/NoMercyForYou.wav",1,true)
global.danger1=sound_add("Sound/Music/Pukricide.wav",1,true)
global.danger2=sound_add("Sound/Music/TongueTied.wav",1,true)
global.horde1=sound_add("Sound/Music/Taank!.wav",1,true)
global.winsnd=sound_add("Sound/Music/TheMonsterWithout.wav",1,true)
global.losesnd=sound_add("Sound/Music/LeftForDead.wav",1,true)

and then

sound_play(global.music1)

[justbegun]

I still dont really get about the option for music, can you explain more?

If you load music, where is the music from? Outside exe in the compressed file?

[Gangsterman]

I still dont really get about the option for music, can you explain more?

If you load music, where is the music from? Outside exe in the compressed file?

in the folder
anyone have time to download music,they do
anyone dont,they dont have to
oh and i forgot

if sound_exists(global.music1)
sound_play(global.music1)

[justbegun]

I still dont really get about the option for music, can you explain more?

If you load music, where is the music from? Outside exe in the compressed file?

in the folder
anyone have time to download music,they do
anyone dont,they dont have to
oh and i forgot

if sound_exists(global.music1)
sound_play(global.music1)

Thank you very much My game might be finished in 3 months or more

[IceMetalPunk]

load music from a folder like this:(in the create event of first object)
(use scripts)

global.secretmusic=sound_add("Sound/Music/ReYourBrains.wav",0,true)
global.custommusic=sound_add("Sound/Music/Custom.wav",0,true)
global.finale=sound_add("Sound/Music/Finale.wav",1,true)
global.music1=sound_add("Sound/Music/NoMercyForYou.wav",1,true)
global.danger1=sound_add("Sound/Music/Pukricide.wav",1,true)
global.danger2=sound_add("Sound/Music/TongueTied.wav",1,true)
global.horde1=sound_add("Sound/Music/Taank!.wav",1,true)
global.winsnd=sound_add("Sound/Music/TheMonsterWithout.wav",1,true)
global.losesnd=sound_add("Sound/Music/LeftForDead.wav",1,true)

and then

sound_play(global.music1)

Which justbegun cannot do because he has Lite...

But, yeah, MP3's take up a lot of space. But as you've noticed, removing them reduces your filesize a lot. 5MB is not that big at all, so you should be good with that. If you want music without bloating your filesize, you can buy Pro and load the sounds externally, as mentioned above, or you can use MIDIs instead of MP3s. They'll have lower quality, but they're much smaller than MP3s...much smaller.

-IMP

[Shadowrend]

Use external resources.

[IceMetalPunk]

Use external resources.

If you'd read the rest of the topic, you'd know we covered that.

I'd also like to retract my previous statement; I seem to have underestimated the power of GM Lite, as it seems external resources can be used with Lite. I thought they couldn't. My bad.

-IMP

[justbegun]

Use external resources.

If you'd read the rest of the topic, you'd know we covered that.

I'd also like to retract my previous statement; I seem to have underestimated the power of GM Lite, as it seems external resources can be used with Lite. I thought they couldn't. My bad.

-IMP

Thanks everyone. The problem is only in the MP3.

[faissialoo]

it is possible to use a external sound,

execute_shell('mysong.mp3',0)

, but i do not recomend it

[justbegun]

it is possible to use a external sound,

execute_shell('mysong.mp3',0)

, but i do not recomend it

Why?

[Shadowrend]

As I believe it will open it with the default music player.

[justbegun]

As I believe it will open it with the default music player.

Is there a way to do this without using default music player? and with lite?

[njp]

dont dump your music, send it to me and ill convert it to a MUCH smaller format for you. just put the files you want compressed in a zip, upload and pm it to me!
-nic

[IceMetalPunk]

Use external resources.

If you'd read the rest of the topic, you'd know we covered that.

I'd also like to retract my previous statement; I seem to have underestimated the power of GM Lite, as it seems external resources can be used with Lite. I thought they couldn't. My bad.

-IMP

Thanks everyone. The problem is only in the MP3.

What's the problem with the MP3? As long as its external, it'll keep your game size down.

-IMP