Game Client Updater

Overview

The Game Client Updater is a Qt-based application designed to manage updates for the game client. It provides functionalities for checking for updates, downloading missing or updated files, and launching the game client. This project demonstrates the use of Qt Widgets, Network, and resource management to implement a modern updater.

Features

• Checks for game updates by comparing local and server versions.
• Downloads updated or missing files listed in a server-side manifest.
• Displays real-time download progress and overall update status.
• Ensures file integrity using MD5 checksums.
• Launches the game client once updates are complete.

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Project Structure

game-client-updater/
├── CMakeLists.txt        # CMake configuration for building the project
├── main.cpp              # Entry point for the application
├── neon.webp             # Background image resource
├── res.qrc               # Qt resource file
├── updater.cpp           # Implementation of the Updater class
├── updater.h             # Header file for the Updater class
└── updater.ui            # UI definition for the Updater class

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Getting Started

Prerequisites

• C++ Compiler with C++17 support.
• Qt 6.5 or later with Core, Widgets, and Network modules.
• CMake 3.19 or later.

Building the Project

Not implemented..

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Usage

1. Launch the updater application.
2. The updater automatically checks for updates from the server.
3. If updates are available:
   • The updater downloads and applies them.
   • The progress is displayed via two progress bars (download and overall).
4. Once updates are complete, click the Launch Game button to start the game client.

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Configuration

Server Setup

• SERVER_URL: The base URL for the update server (defined in updater.cpp).
• Files Required on the Server:
  • version.txt: Contains the latest version number (e.g., 1.0.0).
  • manifest.txt: Lists files to update in the format <filename>:<md5>:<size>.
  • Patch files located in the patch/ directory.

Modifying UI

Edit updater.ui using the Qt Designer tool to customize the interface.

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Technical Details

Key Classes and Methods

Updater Class

• checkForUpdates(): Compares local and remote version numbers.
• downloadUpdate(): Fetches the manifest and initiates file downloads.
• calculateMd5(QFile &): Calculates the MD5 checksum of a file to verify integrity.
• launchGame(): Starts the game executable after ensuring it's ready.

Resource Management

• res.qrc: Defines embedded resources such as the background image neon.webp.

Build System

• CMakeLists.txt: Configures project dependencies, builds resources, and generates deployment scripts.

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Troubleshooting

Common Issues

1. Network Errors:

   • Ensure the update server is accessible and correctly configured.
   • Check the SERVER_URL in updater.cpp.

2. MD5 Mismatch:

   • Verify the integrity of files on the server.
   • Recalculate MD5 checksums for the manifest.

3. Executable Permissions:

   • Ensure the game executable (L2.exe) has the correct permissions on the filesystem.

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Screenshots

Update in Progress

Update Complete

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Acknowledgments

Special thanks to the Qt community for their support and resources.