Launcher

The Launcher (or Game Launcher) is a self-updater distributed by Eduweb via the Itch.io storefront. The descriptor makes its purpose self-explanatory. Steam installs are not bundled with this third-party launcher since it utilises Valve's own self-update protocols. Mobile platforms also forgo use of this launcher, owing to self-updater protocols used by the iTunes, Google Play and Amazon app stores.

• Anniversary Edition
• Classic
• Legacy

In WolfQuest: Anniversary Edition, the launcher's purpose remains the same: to download, unpack/extract, and install updates for this build of the game. It will also validate data and check for corrupted game files to ensure the installation is clean and uncorrupted. A standalone installer for the launcher is included as part of the Itch.io purchase. After installation, the launcher executable must be run in order to check for updates and download newer releases. Running the launcher is not required to run the game.

The new vendor only allows the user to force a check for updates. It does not include options to force a redownload or perform a repair (or consistency check) similar to Steam's verify game integrity function. This is because the process is automated by the launcher itself; it will carry out validation of files and integrity checks at launch before the user is allowed to click "Play", or performed while retrieving and installing updates. The user also cannot throttle downloads by defining a download speed.

In WolfQuest: Classic, the introduction and inclusion of a launcher makes it easier for the WolfQuest Team to distribute their game and keep it up-to-date as opposed to previous distribution methods which involved checking the website periodically and manually downloading any new updates that were made available over time. Its filesize means it should be a quick download though this may differ based on an individual's selected internet service provider.

Only paying customers who have purchased or redeemed a free copy of the full game via Itch.io will gain access to the launcher. It is not present in the free trial version and is skipped entirely in the Steam version, in which the client itself has auto-update capabilities, while iTunes, Google Play and Amazon versions can be updated through their own pending updates sections, respectively.

In Legacy versions of WolfQuest, the old, free legacy game was never distributed through the use of a launcher, nor were its updates issued through any other kind of self-updater.

When a new release was built, it would be packaged through a user-friendly installer and uploaded (via FTP^{[citation needed]}) to the WolfQuest website. There, an announcement would be made both on the homepage and in a news post on the community forum to notify users and players alike that a new update had been made available and was ready to download. The standalone installer was offered for both Mac and Windows platforms. This format continued over the course of Legacy's lifetime for every individual release.

The release of a new revision would often mean the website was put into a brief maintenance mode to ensure people weren't trying to download an incomplete file. Major releases sometimes saw the website being overloaded, with the busiest period pulling the website offline by its host altogether. Game installers were entirely self-hosted. Older versions were pulled shortly after a new release had finished being uploaded. It isn't possible to download older versions of the game from the official source anymore.

With respect to Eduweb's request, the WolfQuest Wiki Fandom is not a distributor of older versions. Media uploaded to the Wiki from older builds is for demonstration purposes only.

Updates

The launcher will automatically check for updates each time it is executed. If a new patch or update is detected, the "Play game" button is temporarily grayed out while the update is being downloaded or installed.

Upon completion, the "Play Game" button appears, allowing the user to launch and play the game.

Interface

• Anniversary Edition
• Classic
• Legacy

In the Anniversary Edition, the launcher has a stripped down and far more minimalistic interface compared to its predecessor. The only buttons are "Play" and "Check for updates".

In Classic, clicking the cog on the top right corner of the screen opens the settings interface for the launcher. These settings do not affect gameplay.

• Download speed can be set to enable or disable throttling. Make downloads faster (with the fastest option being infinite kBps) or slower (with the slowest option being 128 kBps). The user should choose the most appropriate option to suit their internet service provider's data allowance.

• Consistency Check (or Repair) forces the launcher to re-check the patch files available from the server for an update or to download any missing files. Generally preferable to a full redownload.

• Redownload forces the launcher to redownload files from the server. Ideal if the game is experiencing unable to run, or is experiencing problems while running. Recommended if a consistency check does not solve issues.

Changelogs

• Anniversary Edition
• Classic
• Legacy

In the Anniversary Edition, releases include a changelog indicated at the bottom of the launcher for payers who don't follow WolfQuest on social media, or who aren't following updates on the official community forums or Steam community hub. Reading the changelog provides insights on what has changed within the game. Doing so is completely optional.

Changelogs don't necessarily include absolutely everything; hidden updates may be applied, and tiny changes not worth mentioning might be skipped, but enough information is provided about new additions, bug fixes and tweaks to existing content and features are generally addressed.

In Classic, the launcher lacks any defining information about the latest version of the game. Thus, if the player wants to learn more about what they were downloading and installing, they would have had to keep up with the Developer's Blog to stay in the know, or else find out through gameplay.

In Legacy versions, while there was no launcher, players could always find out more about the latest version via the WolfQuest News and Announcements forum. Many of the old update changelogs have since been archived, though they still remain available to read in the News and Announcements Archive forum.

Betas

Betas are not available through the launcher due to it being a single-channel downloader. Because Steam offers alternative channels called branches via its own betas selector in an application's properties interface, betas are generally pushed through Steam instead for the sake of convenience to the developer, his closed groups of testers, and to the wider audience of player-testers during a public beta testing phase.

Troubleshooting

Main article: WolfQuest:Troubleshooting

Please visit and contribute to the main article for launcher problems and solutions.

Gallery

• Anniversary Edition
• Classic
• Legacy

Anniversary Edition Gallery

Contributions for Launcher in the Anniversary Edition are welcome in this gallery!

Downloading updates...

Ready to launch!

Changelog view.

Classic Gallery

Contributions for Launcher in Classic are welcome in this gallery!

Early launcher as it appeared during beta testing.

Classic game launcher as it appeared after release. (Audio is muted.)

Classic game launcher as of 2016. (Audio is unmuted.) CURRENT

Classic game launcher's Settings configuration interface. (2016 revision.)

Classic game launcher with troubleshooting tips. (2016 revision.)

Run-down of the launcher buttons and its sections.

Trivia

• Anniversary Edition
• Classic
• Legacy

Anniversary Edition Trivia

• This launcher runs through a vendor called patchkit.
• If the player does not have an internet connection, no updates can be downloaded. This does not lock the player out of the game. When an update check fails, the launcher will skip it and present the "Play" button.
• The end user can bypass the launcher by running the WolfQuestAE application stored in the app sub-directory. Doing so will skip installation of any available updates! Note: The location differs if a custom directory was specified while installing the launcher.
  • Windows default: WolfQuestAE.exe in C:\Program Files (x86)\WolfQuest Anniversary Edition (64-Bit operating system)
  • Mac default:

Classic Trivia

• The vendor of this launcher is unknown.
• If the player does not have an internet connection, no updates can be downloaded. This does not lock the player out of the game. When an update check fails, the launcher will skip it and present the "Play Game" button.
• The signpost is a reused asset that appears as a human impact in Slough Creek.
• The wolf shown in the scene loops its animations in a random order: howling, sitting, eating (may be confused with sniffing due to the lack of a carcass) and raised-leg urination (marking territory).
• The demo/free trial edition is not bundled with a launcher. It is distributed as a standalone game just like its predecessors were.
• The end user can bypass the launcher by running the main WolfQuest application stored in a separate directory. Doing so will skip installation of any available updates!
  • Windows default: WolfQuest.exe in C:\Users\YourProfileNameHere\AppData\Local\WolfQuest
  • Mac default: