Packaging the desktop client

To date, Nightward has only ever run from source on a development machine. This update introduces the first distributable form of the game: installable clients for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

This is not a launch. Public registration is not yet available, so the download is not open. What this milestone establishes is the client itself — built, packaged, and distributed in the form it will ship in.

One installer per platform

Each platform now has a single installer in its native format: a standard installer on Windows, a disk image on macOS, and a self-contained AppImage on Linux. Running it brings the player to the production login screen.

The distributed application is compiled rather than interpreted — the game code is built to machine code instead of shipped as readable source, and all art, audio, and world data is packed into a single file alongside the executable.

Automatic updates

The client can update itself. When a new version is released, an out-of-date client is prompted at connect time to retrieve the current installer, verify its integrity, install it, and relaunch. There is no manual download or reinstallation step.

Automated build and distribution

Builds are produced by a continuous pipeline rather than by hand. A single invocation compiles all three platforms, packages each installer, and publishes them, retaining recent versions and pruning older ones. Every release is identical in process and deliberate in timing.

Gated distribution

Downloads are not public. The installer is served only to an authenticated account and is rate-limited per account, keeping distribution accountable and bounded.

Remaining work

• Public registration and download page. Account creation and a web download page are not yet available; these are the next step toward opening the client to new players.
• Code signing. The installers are currently unsigned, which produces an “unknown developer” warning on first launch under Windows and macOS. Signing and notarization are planned.