itch.io

I think it's more complicated than that. Downloading 50Mb at the start of the game is ok if you're on a PC with a reasonably fast internet connection. If you're on a cell phone (which usually has a slower connection), and you have to pay for the amount of data you download, it becomes problematic.

If you expand the game over time and it becomes significantly larger than 50mb, it will take too long to load on a PC too.

If you don't use spritesheets (as RPG maker does in some cases) and don't put thematically similar graphics in sheets, this increases the number of files significantly.

In my opinion, it is difficult to find a sensible solution for what is allowed and what is not. That's why I asked support how strict the 1000 files rule is. The answer was that exceptions to the rule are really exceptions.

As soon as the game reaches a certain size and you have a version 1.0, you should make it downloadable and installable.

I think the problems occur when you export games from game engines as browser games. But you can also develop games specifically for browsers (without game engines) and split the graphics into many small files so that the graphics are only loaded when needed and therefore quickly.

But I don't want to complain here, because I'm glad that I was able to upload my game to Itch. It's just a shame that I probably won't be able to update it before it reaches a size of 50mb.

My statement should only serve as information about what you should consider with Itch for larger browser games.

I asked the support team and got an answer.

The chance that the limits will be increased is rather small. You have to explain exactly why the game has to be played in the browser and why a download makes no sense.

Since I have developed my game especially for browsers (no game engine export) and it primarily runs on my own website, I will probably rely on additional pwa elements and use a wrapper for a download version.

I have combined graphics of the same size into sheets and reduced the number of files to about 500. All in all, I think Itch is the wrong place for complex browser games.

There is a crafting system in my game. That's why I have a lot of items and crafting components as individual png files.
At the moment I have just under 900 files in total and will soon exceed 1000. The (small) files are loaded on demand, so the loading times are short.

I could combine items and components as larger sheets and thus reduce the number of files. However, this would greatly increase the loading time.

I would therefore like to ask whether I can count on an exception to the 1000 files rule in such a case, or whether it would be better to combine the files.

Thanks, maybe a downloadable version would be an option once there is enough content for something that feels "finished".

I am glad you like it.

Unfortunately there will be no download soon.

I would have to talk to the artists to find out if it would be okay for them to include their artwork in the download.

The big problem for me is that the game will get new stories and other content on a regular basis. That would require a completely new download each time. So I think it makes more sense to just play the game in the browser for now.