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BB Infrastructure 101 -- Difference Between Version and Patch
Based on some recent player inquiries, I think there is some confusion over the significance of a Version as compared to a Patch. Knowing the difference will (I hope) save both Players and myself from unnecessary aggravation when it comes to identifying and fixing bugs.
I release a new Version (red arrow below) whenever there are new data files (transition images, game graphics, sounds, etc.) and/or a restructuring of existing data files. When this happens, it is necessary for the Player to (a) download the complete game files (currently around 2.5Gb), (b) transfer over existing license files, and (c) transfer over any player-created files that the player wants to preserve, such as custom combatants and custom clothing. Because this type of upgrade is demanding upon the Player, I try to limit new versions to significant file upgrades; i.e., do a lot of data file additions all at once.
By contrast, a Patch (green arrow below) is much simpler, consisting only of updated .exe files; i.e., the primary application files that run the game. These updated .exe files make use of the existing data files only, so there is no need to re-download all of the much-larger Version files. A Patch should be placed in the main BB folder FOR THAT VERSION, and used in lieu of the older .exe game files (in fact, the older files can be deleted).
The key point is this: A Patch will work ONLY if the underlying matching Version has been downloaded first. Thus, Patch 1.32.1 REQUIRES prior download of Version 1.32, and that the 1.32.1 patch be placed in the main 1.32 folder. By contrast, Patch 1.32.1 WILL NOT WORK in connection with any older Version. For example, if your most recent Version download is 1.25, then installing the 1.32.1 patch in the 1.25 folder is useless because 1.32.1 will not be able to find needed data files, and there may be other structural changes that will cause the player great frustration. The 1.32.1 Patch cannot and will not update the 1.25 data files.
Hope this is helpful.
I release a new Version (red arrow below) whenever there are new data files (transition images, game graphics, sounds, etc.) and/or a restructuring of existing data files. When this happens, it is necessary for the Player to (a) download the complete game files (currently around 2.5Gb), (b) transfer over existing license files, and (c) transfer over any player-created files that the player wants to preserve, such as custom combatants and custom clothing. Because this type of upgrade is demanding upon the Player, I try to limit new versions to significant file upgrades; i.e., do a lot of data file additions all at once.
By contrast, a Patch (green arrow below) is much simpler, consisting only of updated .exe files; i.e., the primary application files that run the game. These updated .exe files make use of the existing data files only, so there is no need to re-download all of the much-larger Version files. A Patch should be placed in the main BB folder FOR THAT VERSION, and used in lieu of the older .exe game files (in fact, the older files can be deleted).
The key point is this: A Patch will work ONLY if the underlying matching Version has been downloaded first. Thus, Patch 1.32.1 REQUIRES prior download of Version 1.32, and that the 1.32.1 patch be placed in the main 1.32 folder. By contrast, Patch 1.32.1 WILL NOT WORK in connection with any older Version. For example, if your most recent Version download is 1.25, then installing the 1.32.1 patch in the 1.25 folder is useless because 1.32.1 will not be able to find needed data files, and there may be other structural changes that will cause the player great frustration. The 1.32.1 Patch cannot and will not update the 1.25 data files.
Hope this is helpful.
