Too complicated to install 1.3

[Dzanic]

Hi!

I just want to heads up that it is too complicated to install the version 1.3. From the perspective of an "non-technincally experienced" player my best friend had to help me. It was to difficult, first you needed some bittorrent and then you needed some kind of virtual drive program to install. I doubt i'd been able to do it myself.

So it is a big miss that this doesn't come as a automatic installer and is recommended to be implemented so to be able to have more "non-technically experienced" players joining.

Cheers.

[Mineral]

Moved thread to feedback forums.

Windows doesn't support .exe larger then 4GB, which our game is.

I'm sure steam and other platforms have easy systems. I doubt many large mods like ours however have easy install methods. Games coming in ISO format is really nothing new neither.

Torrents as well exists for probably almost a decade now. It ain't our fault people aren't accustomed with some of the common installation methods.

We also provide support, installation guides, manuals everywhere. It's not possible that you can't figure it out with that assistance. It simply is that easy.

[ComradeHX]

The way to install this game is extremely easy.

People who can't figure it out should probably not play this game(which isn't simple)...

[Strategos]

So it is a big miss that this doesn't come as a automatic installer and is recommended to be implemented so to be able to have more "non-technically experienced" players joining.

The PR installer is an automated installer. Automated, as in: you double click an executable file and it does everything for you. PR couldn't be any easier to install.

What you are actually addressing is the packaging and distribution of the installer.

Right now it's distributed via a torrent. This means that users can chip in and help host the file. Please keep in mind that this is a community-driven project. Hosting a direct download mirror would cost a lot of money and put a lot of strain on the tight finances of PR. Torrent files have been around for decades now and sooner or later every gamer will come across them in some shape or form. I would see this as an important learning experience, not an entry barrier. You learn how to use them once and you won't have any trouble from that point on.

As for the packaging, images files (isos, etc.) have been the standard way of distributing very large games for a while now. EXE files are limited in their maximum file size, so people opted for ISOs. Images also have the advantage of being very easy to burn to physical media (e.g. DVDs, BRs). Installing from an ISO file couldn't be easier on Windows 8 and up: You double-click on the file, it appears as a virtual disk drive, and you run the installer.

Earlier Windows versions might require some additional software, but - once again- this is an important learning experience as dealing with image files is a skill you should learn as a PC gamer.

[AncientMan]

There are currently 6 direct download mirrors available on the downloads page, in addition to the torrent. You do not have to download via the torrent if you are unable to. We just recommend users download via the torrent to avoid corrupt downloads, which due to the large file size is a strong possibility.

The .iso file that you download can be treated just like a .zip file, which is one of the most basic file types available. You can simply extract it using very common archive tools such as 7-zip or WinRAR. Also, if you happen to have a modern operating system such as Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, you could also just simply double click the file and it would auto-mount, as support for .iso files is built directly in to the operating system.

The reason why we use a .iso instead of a .zip is because it offers more options to use. The reason why we don't provide a single .exe is due to file system limitations that cannot handle files larger than 2 GB. As you can see inside the .iso, there's actually several files. I would think downloading a single file is far easier than downloading multiple parts, something that we used to do in the past, which I'm sure those who remember those days would agree was horrible.

But all that said, absolutely, you're right, and it could be made simpler still. Several download methods, several installation methods, it can be complicated for a novice user. People just want to have something that doesn't require some pre-requisite software, and they want something that only needs a button click or two to use. And I do agree, that's definitely something we could look into.

[sweedensniiperr]

It's easy "lol it's simple" when you are not in the non-tech's seat.

I would probaby say that wew need to flesh out the installation guide to include literally every step. Stupid if you ask me but if you NEVER in your have handled .iso files "mounting" isn't exactly easy to understand if i'm honest.

Don't get me wrong, I really like install-guide. But just that the fact we get these kind of threads shows that somewere information is not crystal clear.

[Mineral]

Don't get me wrong, I really like install-guide. But just that the fact we get these kind of threads shows that somewere information is not crystal clear.

I disagree on this. Sure it could be better as AM says, but I don't it's a lack of instructions (as they really are as clear as day), but it's people not finding them.

With v1.3 the website was down long time, meaning all the installation guides as well. And while the guides are linked everywhere, not everyone seems to find them. It think that's the bigger issue.

[Combat_Sarge]

Just look up tutorials on youtube "how to download project reality 1.3" they are really a big help

[Steeps]

The sad part is that PR is now hilariously simple compared to any previous version thanks to BF2 patching.

[matty1053]

I thought this was easier to install than previous versions. Plus, ISO Format is great for installing huge mods, ect. like PR. (Not saying PR is huge lol... but considering the average mod file size is probably around 75 megabytes. )

[Steeps]

By the way, on Windows 8.1, you don't need a virtual disk program. I downloaded the torrent, opened the ISO, and clicked the installer. Don't know how much simpler it can get.

[Zeno]

hehe, if you think installing the game is hard, wait until you get ingame

[Hurricane]

I don't see how it's hard or complicated to install. Even if you're not familiar with .iso files, there is this great tool called "google" which miraculously solves problems by providing knowledge upon searching for things like "how to open .iso files".

Overall now that the requirements for installing PR have decreased drastically (no more BF2 installation including multiple patches) it's about as easy as it gets.

[PLODDITHANLEY]

I had problems with a previous version unpacking/cloning or whatever its called the .iso, i can't remember why, I tried virtual clone drive amongst others, but then the stupid sheep would never go away.

This and windows OS installs is the only time I've met .iso's but now I know and find 7zip nice and easy.

Nah steam is good and easy for old non techies like myself.

[Sgt. Mahi]

First time I had to understand mounting of an ISO it was not that straight forward. That's alot of years back and it seems laughable now but there's a first time for everything.

The problem is that you have to install two application besides the actual game. You have to download a torrent manager and you have to download an ISO mounting application and I would like to say that many people, who don't know how pirating works these days probably never had to download these applications before.
So it is not that straight forward. I'm not implying anything other than installing two different applications besides the actal game seems a bit much for some people.

[Sergeant.Roland.]

PR 1.3 installation is the most friendly and fastest from all previous PR versions...

PR 1.2 was even more complicated, because you needed BF2 full version.

Just mount and install. Lock'n loaded...

[Roger_Liquids]

I agree that 1.3 is definitely the easiest version to install. If you make it past downloading the actual file I noticed something the other day that made it even easier. If you don't know how to burn or mount an ISO, and you have WINRAR, you can right click the .iso file in a new folder and click "extract here." This will put all of the files that are in the ISO file into the new folder you created. After the files are in the new folder all you have to do is click the "Setup" executable and you should be clear for install. Again though, this is definitely the easiest version of the game to install yet. I recommend learning to do this. If anything you will learn some things along the way that I think all PC owners should know how to do.

[Steeps]

Windows 8.1 and 10 allow you to just click on the .ISO file and it mounts it by itself. Very, very easy to install.

(Unless of course I'm wrong and it was a feature added by WinRAR, then by all means go use that.)

Edit: It is a Windows 8 and 10 built-in feature: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/mis_laboratory/ ... ibers.aspx

[LakeMole]

https://imgur.com/a/Ug3LX