How to keep the files out of the users reach?

#1 There's an article on TDN that's targeted at this subject.

--clint

#2 I will definately implement encrypted images. I'm concerned about securing the key itself. The key is in the script so it should be possible to find that string in the DSO file and break the encryption.

#3 It's impossible to keep files out of users reach. The beta of Quake Wars included encrypted .zip files (not zip files that were encrypted via zip but by a 3rd party app). It was cracked in a day or two.

Why do you not want people to see your image files? Large game companies (id, valve, epic) don't mind. Are you worried people will steal them?

#4 At the beginning I was worried about that. But I have seen that lots of games doesn't encrypt the images... I dont think that somebody wants to steal all the art to make another game.

Now it doesn't matter to me :)

#5 I personally just put in image encryption. We've got hi-res anime art and space art that, quite frankly, I want viewed only in context of the game. I've actually had the misfortune of people stealing my own personal art in the past (with those people claiming it was their own) and I want to make that more difficult for that to happen to my two artists (well, three if you count me). Besides, image encryption took me maybe a half hour to integrate into the engine and convert all relevant artwork. Small time commitment for keeping the amateur thief out.

#6 @Chris: Why don't you put in then watermarks into the images itself like possible in apps like Photoshop? It protects your art even if users re-save then your images. The watermark will still exist in the image. Might be something for you instead of putting all the effort into encrypting images. Just a guess.

#7 I believe that if people want to rip your work they will find a way. The print screen button can work wonders.. Personally, I wouldn't do more to protect art than a passworded zip. You do have copyright protection, which should be enough to take action against someone using your work without permission.

#8 Yeah, people will get it anyway.

but besides the watermark, in gimp (assuming p-shop too) you can type in your name & other info to say it's your image.

#9 If someone really wants it they will get it... putting minor barriers in their way is the best choice in my opinion, it prevents the majority of users grabbing the art while not wasting a ton of your resources implementing it :)

#10 I'm wondering if the approach is the same to hide the sound effects... What if I buy a license to use effects and the license states that them should be oout of the reach of end user? how can I prevent that? most of publishers has a tool to do that?

#11 You can do what you can, in the end a determined person will find a way to get what they want. That being said, an encrypted zip with a password in the engine or a dso will stop the files from showing up to the casual or non-tech user!

Dave