I'm currently sketching a tool based on HDiffPatch that works old_dlc_pak + diff_patch = new_dlc_pak, that could cut the downloading data for existing dlcs when upgrading to TSW7 by roughly 50-90%*, depending on owned DLC. This could greatly benefit players who have less-than-desired bandwidth and/or a big list of owned DLCs. The basic procedure: The maker of the diff file receives the new pak file once early access opens, and generate a diff patch between the TSW7 pak and the TSW6 pak on their PC, then send it off somewhere. The user, who already has the TSW6 pak installed, downloads the diff + tool, and upon running the tool it automatically detects TSW6 pak location by auto detecting steam, combine it with the diff patches provided, move it to a specific location by changing the number in the file path from 6 to 7, resulting in the same file at the same location as if they were downloaded from Steam. The user could then begin the TSW7 install on Steam, and Steam would find the file verified and will skip download the entire thing. The problem is the output will be byte-by-byte same as Dovetail's own TSW7 files. The tool can also only diff from files it recognises byte-for-byte - which, unfortunately, cannot rule out pirates who have the same official-released version of the DLC as the maker - anything else is rejected. I am not sure whether this as a tool is acceptable to release or I should hold off, although when you do know the concept, it is a fairly easy tool to build, and HDiffPatch is already widely used by lots of games on the market. This will also handle DLCs only, the core game itself is not included. Unless DTG explicitly agrees to this, I won't act as the maker or distribute any diff files. I do want to note that this is technically one of the best ways to cut downloading data when the new iteration releases. *The approximate percentage figures are based off tests between several TSW5 and TSW6 DLCs. 50% is considered worst case scenario, if DTG decide to ship significant updates to all DLCs. Patches for certain DLCs in this test can be as small as <5MB.
Wouldn't one technically also be able to relocate the TSW6 DLC files to TSW7 and then let the game update them, hoping that it has to do less work for that matter?
