Game patch systems have come a long way over the years. Back in the day, releasing a game update meant distributing large installer files. Players would have to download these hefty updates, often leading to frustration due to slow download speeds or compatibility issues (especially in the days where broadband speeds were miserable compared to today). Game Developers had limited options for rolling out quick fixes, and every update felt like a significant hurdle for both creators and users.

Today, the landscape has shifted dramatically. With the rise of online patching systems, developers can push updates in real-time, ensuring players have the latest version of a game without any hassle. Online game patching offers a more streamlined and efficient approach, saving time and bandwidth while improving the user experience. Systems like the Advanced Online Patching System (AOPS) have revolutionised this process by providing powerful tools to manage and deliver game updates with ease.

I’ve used AOPS myself personally and I feel I have enough knowledge with the online patch system to write this efficiently.

What is the Advanced Online Patching System (AOPS)?

If you’re a game developer or a software creator, you know the importance of keeping your product up-to-date for your users. The Advanced Online Patching System (AOPS), a core feature inside Game Launcher Creator, is the ultimate solution for delivering online game patches seamlessly. This system allows you to build a custom patching solution tailored specifically for your game’s needs. Whether you’re fixing bugs, rolling out new content, or enhancing features, AOPS ensures that your users always have the latest version of your game with minimal effort on their part.

AOPS gives you full control over your patching process. You can host your game files on your own web server, which means you’re not reliant on third-party services. The system’s key features include file compression, file hashing, and incremental updates, ensuring that only the files that have changed are downloaded, saving bandwidth and time for your users.

When I first used AOPS, I was surprised by how easy it was to set up. Within minutes, I had my game’s patching system running on my own patch server. The intuitive interface and built-in functions, like file verification and error reporting, made the process smooth and hassle-free.

Why AOPS is a Game-Changer for Online Game Patching

Creating online game patches can be challenging. You need a reliable system that can deliver updates quickly and efficiently without breaking the user experience. That’s where AOPS stands out. It’s built to make online patching a breeze for both developers and players.

Efficient File Handling

AOPS uses file hashing and compression to optimize patch delivery. File hashing ensures that each patch is verified, preventing incomplete or corrupted downloads. The compression feature reduces file sizes, speeding up the patching process. These features work together to provide a seamless update experience for your users.

Incremental Updates

One of my favourite features of AOPS is its incremental update system. Instead of downloading the entire game again, your users only download the files that have changed. This saves bandwidth on your server and ensures faster patching for players. For example, I recently rolled out a minor bug fix for my game, and AOPS handled it effortlessly—only a few kilobytes were downloaded, and my users were back in action within seconds.

Customization and Control

AOPS puts you in control of the patching process. You can configure the patching behaviour to match your needs using the Game Patch Configuration tool. From setting up error messages to specifying which files to include in the patch, AOPS gives you the tools to create a patching solution as unique as your game.

Automatic Error Reporting

Errors can happen during the patching process, but AOPS has you covered with built-in error logging and reporting. If a user encounters an issue, the system can notify you, allowing you to troubleshoot and resolve problems quickly. This feature has saved me countless hours of debugging and kept my players happy.

Call Directly from Game Launcher

Here is the fun part, the ability to call the patch system directly from your own custom game launcher. With the Developer Edition, you are able to send command line arguments to the patch system too. This enables you to have complex online patch setups, like one version for the general public and another private version specially for game testers or beta testers.

How to Set Up Online Game Patching with AOPS

Setting up online patching with AOPS is simpler than you might think. Let me walk you through the process step-by-step, based on my own experience:

Step 1: Prepare Your Files

First, organize your game files into a clean directory. AOPS requires you to have a structured setup for your patches, so make sure you’ve separated your base files from the ones you’re updating. This is critical for the incremental update feature to work correctly.

Step 2: Use the Patch Configuration Tool

The Patch Configuration tool is where the magic happens. Here, you can:

• Add your game’s files to the patch.
• Configure file compression to reduce patch sizes.
• Set up file hashing for verification.
• Add custom error messages to handle potential issues during patching.

I remember the first time I configured my patch. It felt daunting at first, but the interface is designed to guide you through each step. There is also a comprehensive help documentation written online with everything you need to get going. Within 10 minutes, I had a fully configured patch ready to go.

Step 3: Upload Your Files

Once your patch is configured, upload the files to your web server. AOPS supports both FTP and direct uploads, giving you flexibility depending on your hosting setup. You are able to completely self-host your game patch files on your own web hosting (free too), a VPS or your own dedicated server. I personally use an affordable Patch Server from ByteBox Media, and AOPS integrates with it perfectly as these patch servers are automatically setup to handle the game patches. They’re instantly deployed too, so no waiting around. Your server is deployed, you login to FTP and upload your files. You can even choose to host your own domain as the patch server or use a free subdomain.

Step 4: Test Your Patch

Before releasing your patch to the public, test it thoroughly. AOPS includes a testing feature that simulates the patching process, helping you catch potential issues before they reach your users. This step has saved me from releasing faulty updates more times than I’d like to admit. There is a special feature called the AOPS Troubleshooting Log. You can easily just send the -Y1 command line argument inside GLCV3, where you launch the patch system.

I would strongly suggest when you first test your patch system, send the -Y1 command line and check the debug log after patching. Or, if there are any errors during the initial test patch, the debug log will catch them and this will enable you to see where the error lies. Most errors are user-errors, in fact around 99% are user errors. Typically a wrong URL to where the files were uploaded to, or, a dodgy web server configuration, if you’re self-hosting your game patch files.

Step 5: Launch Your Patch

After testing, your patch is ready to go live. Users will automatically download the update the next time they launch your game. The system’s real-time progress bar and error handling ensure a smooth experience for your players. You can even include your launcher updates inside the patching system. Pretty neat.

The Future of Game Patching with AOPS

AOPS isn’t just a tool; it’s a game-changer for online patching. It provides everything you need to create a professional patching experience for your game’s players, whether you’re an indie developer or part of a larger team. The flexibility to host files on your own server, combined with powerful features like incremental updates and error reporting, makes AOPS a must-have for any developer.

Since switching to AOPS, our workflow has improved significantly. I’ve reduced the time spent managing patches and minimized downtime for my users. The system’s reliability and ease of use have made it an essential part of my development toolkit.

If you’re tired of dealing with outdated or complicated patching systems, I highly recommend giving AOPS a try. With its robust features and user-friendly design, it’s the best solution for online patching out there. Your users will thank you for it, and you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.

You can read more about AOPS here. It is included with both the Indie and Developer Editions of Game Launcher Creator V3.