Personaly I use Molebox to protect published projects. Works very good! but, it's commercial software. If you like to have a free packager, then maybe: Nacasi

Dusty

I use molebox to pack my resource files. You can also use nacasi (it's free), but a lot of virus scanners will see it as a virus.

As for my recommendation for buying 3DGS, I say YES if you are a novice, or don't know any programing. The GS community is strong, and there are many codes contributed from experienced people.

If you are already expeienced in C++ programming, you should look here:
http://www.devmaster.net/engines/

It is really what you want, that matters here. I own gamestudio pro and torque + a bunch of addons, I have used genisis11 and hammer, and before it was called that, worldcraft, the starcraft and warcraft3 map editors, quake2 and 3 modding, ect.

They are all good in one major way or another for learning to be a game designer. Anywhere from learning to design maps/chars/campaigns to selling games.

For making and selling your own game, I would choose gamestudio. Unless its a multiplayer project, then I think I would advise torque. But only for the multiplayer, if your project is single player, no question, I would go gamestudio.

sorry for not repling for so long been busey i have to get something off my chest im only 12 yrs old. ive mastared the art of creating 2d games and ive wanted to move on for i while. my dads finally ganna pay me my money this weekend ive earned for working. 500$ dollars im buying extra and i want to make game programming my life im a very advenced student im in 7th grade and im in a 8th 9th grade math class. thanks for encuraging me to get this. oh and also is windows 98 SE the same thing as window 98 second edition im pretty sure it is but i just wanted to be sure

Yes SE = second edition.

My advice for you is that you buy the commercial edition. It's the best deal if you can afford it. And it would be best for you as you can check the best features of 3dgs. I hope that you will be able to grasp the nitty-gritty of working in 3d in no time as you already have experience of 2d. I too started in 2d and when I started to work in 3d, I was able to handle 3d maths in no time. So you will be seeking new features and be able to play with the advance features that 3dgs has to offer.

Try the demo and see for yourself, it ultimately depends on how good you get in using the program and it's language. I'd go with the commercial version and decide later wether or not to upgrade.

But to be really honest with you, you'll have to start with learning the basics of 3dgs anyway and those can be learned with any edition, so pick your choice if your budget is a problem, eventhough you'll be wanting the commercial edition sooner or later.

Cheers

Yeah.. I wish I had bought commercial first, rather than having upgraded from Extra. Wouldn't it be nice if Extra replaced Standard? Standard sounds //so// impractical.