Table of Contents

Exporting is the process of converting your project into a single playable executable. This process is used to create the final build of your game but can also be useful for creating Playtest builds.

Setting a Starting Level

By default, Zilch will set the auto-generated 'Level' as the starting level but that can be changed by:

  • Select the Game Session Shift + G or Select > Game
  • Under the DefaultGameSetup component, change StartingLevel enum to the desired one

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Custom Launch/StartUp Banner

To give your exported game a custom start-up banner:

  • Add a SpriteSource to your project with the name LaunchBanner.
  • Its size must be 400 x 150 pixels.

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When you export your game, your new banner will replace the default one.

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Custom Game Icon

To give your exported game a custom icon:

  • Create a .ico image file using a tool or website (we recommend converticon)
  • Place in the same directory as your project file - Command : ShowProjectFolder
  • Rename it to: Icon.ico

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Export your game and your new icon will replace the default.

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Handling Escape Event

By default, Zilch will map the Escape key to close the game application instantly. To prevent that, use the following steps:

  • Create a Nada Script called GameStateManager and attach it to your Level Settings object
class GameStateManager : NadaComponent
{
    function Initialize(init : CogInitializer)
    {
        Zilch.Connect(this.GameSession, Events.GameRequestQuit, this.OnGameRequestQuit);
    }
    function OnGameRequestQuit(event : GameEvent)
    {
        event.Handled = true;
    }
}

Now, Zilch will no longer close the application when Escape is pressed. In Editor you can still use the StopGame button F8 to close the game tab, but on the exported version you'll need to close the application through some other means. (Usually by offering a pause menu with an option to quit the game)

Handling Focus Change Events Alt + Tab

Similarly to handling Escape events, you may want to do special logic (such as pausing the game) when the users loses or regains focus of the application. You can accomplish that by connecting to the following events:

        Zilch.Connect(this.GameSession, Events.GameFocusOut, this.OnGameFocusOut); //When focus is lost
        Zilch.Connect(this.GameSession, Events.GameFocusIn, this.OnGameFocusIn); //When focus is regained

You can connect to these events from any object but we recommend doing it from a script attached to a persistent object (such as LevelSettings). The GameStateManager script we wrote earlier would work really well for this.

Changing Resolutions and Fullscreen mode

In addition to setting the resolution at launch, you can set the game's resolution or its fullscreen mode by using the following function:

var fullscreen : Boolean = true;
var resolution : Real2   = Real2(1280, 720);
this.GameSession.ChangeResolution(fullscreen, resolution);

IMPORTANT: Some combinations of resolutions/fullscreen mode might produce jarring visual effects. Make sure to test them thoroughly.

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