Where do you install your Games?

[Midnight Synergy]

In working on the WA Editor update, but also looking ahead for future game projects, I have been struggling with the restrictions on directories by Windows Vista that no longer allow keeping the same structure as I am used to.

So far, I always kept all game data (save files, levels from the RTW editor) in the game's main directory (e.g. ReturnToWonderland\CustomLevels). I like that method since it keeps my harddrive organized and doesn't litter files all over the place.

This works well if you install games on C:\ or into C:\Games or similar, but not if you put games into C:\Program Files - Vista no longer allows write access by "regular" users to the directory. The game itself can be installed there, but level files etc would have to be placed elsewhere (e.g. into My Documents).

(For most games it won't make a difference - but it can be a pain if you need to find e.g. your save games or edited levels on your harddrive.)

I haven't decided on a "best" solution for future games (and whether to make these changes to Vista only, or for all Windows systems). But I'm curious as to where you folks put your games. I always place them into a C:\Games directory (which, it turns out, has not security restrictions in Vista), and have done this for 20 years.

[popo]

Oooh, first to reply.

I used to let the installer choose where to install games, but since I got my new PC I choose it myself. My pc has a split/segmented, whatever it's called, hard drive and the main C: bit is quite small. The D: bit is very large so I figured it would be best to install large programs there as the C: drive would soon get full up.

I do like all the things in one place though, within the game. I would hate to have to go searching all over the place for things.

If what you've been doing already works for Vista too then I'd carry on like that, and warn people that if they choose to install it in the program files directory that they will have to put other stuff elsewhere. Just one thing, how does the pc know that the levels etc. you've put in the other place belong to the Wonderland game?

[Lillie]

I always install a game installation file into a personal folder I have created on my C drive.
Then I right click on it and run my virus checker on it before I open it.
Then when I run the installation file I almost always install it into Program Files

[uneekrose]

My anti-virus automatically checks as I download but I put them directly into the right game folder. All levels go into a custom level folder then after I play them I transfer them to the user folder of the creator.
C:\program files\wonderland deluxe\custom levels

[maxnick]

I'm usualy so excitied geting a new Wonderland game I just let the installer do the work and sit there saying I'm so excitied I'm so excitied.

[chrise]

I have my Wonderland games installed in folders within H:\wonderland\.

[wondertown]

I install big game(eg. The Sims2) in drive C and install small game(eg. wonderland!!!) in drive D

[Kilicool64]

I install them somewhere in I:

[Loirae]

I combine the two. I install to C:\Program Files\Games

[Liz Mayhew]

I use C:/Program Files.

[dlcs18]

I use Program Files most of the time.

[mqdar]

For me only WA is in C:/Program Files.
Originally, Return to Wonderland was in C:/ and the desktop (copied), and the WA Editor was in C:/.
Now everything except WA is on the desktop, in a folder called "Wonderland Folders".

[tyteen4a03]

I just put my wonderland games(I made them all greenware! )in my desktop.

[paulm12]

I always install my stuff into program files x86 (x86, whatever that means, must be some 64 bit bit thingy) Anyway, I've been gone at Camp Keep (its part of our school, a camp we go to for a week) and haven't had time to log on in well...a long time anyway, glad to be back.

[tyteen4a03]

I always install my stuff into program files x86 (x86, whatever that means, must be some 64 bit bit thingy) Anyway, I've been gone at Camp Keep (its part of our school, a camp we go to for a week) and haven't had time to log on in well...a long time anyway, glad to be back.

x86=32-bit

[laura n.]

C:/Program Files/games, for me

[Boppelist]

D:/program files for me because my Drive C has too much stuff and could explode anytime.