In order to build all binary files plus game content into a single deployable package, the Windows Installer XML [WiX] toolset was used. WiX is free software that builds Windows Installer packages from XML code.
Let's check it out!
Pre Requisites
First, obtain Candy Kid release build complete with game executable, managed assemblies and content:
| Folder | Content | All game content |
| File | log4net.dll | log4net logging |
| File | Ninject.dll | IoC Container |
| File | WindowsGame.exe.config | Game configuration |
| File | WindowsGame.exe | Game executable |
Implementation
Launch Visual Studio. File | New Project... | Windows Installer XML | Setup Project | CandyKidInstaller. Uncheck Create directory for solution. Delete Product.wxs and copy the following folders as per Cygon:
| Folder | Description |
| Content | Candy Kid release build (as above) |
| Documents | Includes license.rtf document only |
| References | Includes the 2x Nuclex.Setup DLLs |
| Resources | Includes all bmp, ico, and png files |
| Source | Installer (wxs) + Include (wxi) files |
Actions
Right click project name | Properties | Output name: RetroCandyKid. Next, action these following tasks: Note: anytime you need a GUID choose Tools menu | Create GUID | 2. DEFINE_GUID | New GUID | Copy
- Add the Program Menu
- Add Desktop Shortcut
- Add the Program Files
- Harvest content folder
Program Menu
Add this change to Files.wxs. This blob of XML is responsible to set Program Menu entry once installed. Important: make note of the Component Id as this will be used in Setup.wxs for Feature ComponentRef.
<Directory Id='ProgramMenuFolder' Name='Programs'>
<Directory Id='MyGameProgramMenuFolder' Name='Retro Candy Kid'>
<Component Id="StartMenuEntriesComponent" Guid="{GUID}" DiskId="1">
<RemoveFolder Id='MyGameProgramMenuFolder' On='uninstall' />
<RegistryValue
Root='HKCU'
Key='SOFTWARE\SteveProStudios\RetroCandyKid'
Name="ProgramMenuFolder"
Type='string'
Value='Installed'
KeyPath='yes' />
</Component>
</Directory>
</Directory>
Desktop Shortcut
Add this change to Files.wxs. This blob of XML is responsible to set the Desktop shortcut once installed. Important: make note of the Component Id as this will be used in Setup.wxs for Feature ComponentRef.
<Directory Id="DesktopFolder" Name="Desktop">
<Component Id="ApplicationShortcutDesktop" Guid="{GUID}">
<Shortcut
Id="ApplicationDesktopShortcut"
Name="Retro Candy Kid"
WorkingDirectory="INSTALLDIR"
Icon="ProductIcon.ico"
Target="[INSTALLDIR]WindowsGame.exe" />
<RemoveFolder Id="DesktopFolder" On="uninstall" />
<RegistryValue
Root="HKCU"
Key='SOFTWARE\SteveProStudios\RetroCandyKid'
Name="DesktopFolder"
Type="integer"
Value="1"
KeyPath="yes" />
</Component>
</Directory>
Program Files
Add this change to Files.wxs. This blob of XML is responsible to install the executable and all assemblies. Important: make note of the Component Id as this will be used in Setup.wxs for Feature ComponentRef.
<Directory Id="ProgramFilesFolder" Name="PFiles">
<Directory Id="INSTALLDIR" Name="RetroCandyKid">
<Component Id="MyComponent" Guid="{GUID}" DiskId="1">
<File Id="WindowsGameExe" Name="WindowsGame.exe.config"
Source="$(sys.SOURCEFILEDIR)/../Content/WindowsGame.exe.config" />
<File Id="log4netdll" Name="log4net.dll"
Source="$(sys.SOURCEFILEDIR)/../Content/log4net.dll" />
<File Id="NinjectDll" Name="Ninject.dll"
Source="$(sys.SOURCEFILEDIR)/../Content/Ninject.dll" />
<File Id="GameExecutable" Name="WindowsGame.exe" KeyPath="yes"
Source="$(sys.SOURCEFILEDIR)/../Content/WindowsGame.exe">
<Shortcut
Id="MyGameShortcut"
Name="Retro Candy Kid shortcut"
Directory="MyGameProgramMenuFolder"
Advertise="yes"
WorkingDirectory="INSTALLDIR"
Icon="ProductIcon.ico" />
</File>
</Component>
</Directory>
</Directory>
Harvest Content
In order to copy the Content directory to the install folder, use the Wix "Heat" application to harvest the directory. The Wix Harvest Tool (Heat) generates the required fragment into its own Installer (wxs) file.
First, ensure that Wix Toolset is included in Environment PATH. Control Panel | Advanced system settings. Environment Variables | Path | Edit | Add install directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\WiX Toolset v3.10\bin
Next, launch Command Prompt and harvest content from Game executable level beneath Content folder: heat dir . -o MyHarvestedStuff.wxs -scom -frag -srd -sreg -gg -cg MyComponentGroupId -dr INSTALLDIR
Find and replace in wxs file Source="SourceDir\ to Source="$(sys.SOURCEFILEDIR)\..\Content\
Finally, remove all top entries with Directory="INSTALLDIR". Make note of the ComponentGroupRef Id.
Setup.wxs
Main entry point: update Product XML blob and complete the Feature list as per the components (above). Ensure you have ProductIcon value set as Icon for shortcut and Icon displayed in Add/Remove programs!
<Product Id="{GUID}"
Name="Retro Candy Kid"
Language="1033"
Version="1.0.0"
Manufacturer="StevePro Studios"
UpgradeCode="{GUID}">
<Property Id="ALLUSERS" Value="1" />
<Property Id='ARPPRODUCTICON' Value='ProductIcon' />
<Feature Id="MyFeature" Title="Required Files" Level="1">
<ComponentRef Id="StartMenuEntriesComponent" />
<ComponentRef Id="ApplicationShortcutDesktop" />
<ComponentRef Id="MyComponent" />
<ComponentGroupRef Id="MyComponentGroupId" />
</Feature>
<!-- Includes the user interface definition defined in another file -->
<UIRef Id="UserInterface"/>
<Icon Id="ProductIcon" SourceFile="$(sys.SOURCEFILEDIR)/../Resources/Game.ico" />
<Icon Id="ProductIcon.ico" SourceFile="$(sys.SOURCEFILEDIR)/../Resources/Game.ico" />
</Product>
UserInterface.wxs
Update the relative location for "Default dialog resources for the setup" bitmap files e.g. banner and info:
| Binary | Source |
| dialog.bmp | $(sys.SOURCEFILEDIR)/../Resources/InstallerBitmaps/default-dialog.bmp |
| banner.bmp | $(sys.SOURCEFILEDIR)/../Resources/InstallerBitmaps/default-banner.bmp |
| info.bmp | $(sys.SOURCEFILEDIR)/../Resources/InstallerBitmaps/info.bmp |
| up.bmp | $(sys.SOURCEFILEDIR)/../Resources/InstallerBitmaps/up.bmp |
| new.bmp | $(sys.SOURCEFILEDIR)/../Resources/InstallerBitmaps/new.bmp |
Build
Finally, build WiX Installer from within Visual Studio to generate the MSI package RetroCandyKid.MSI.
Download source code here.
Summary
Double click to RetroCandyKid.MSI to install. Ensure there is a Program Menu entry + Desktop shortcut!
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