DirectX 8?

A few of my forum buddies over at the Nifflas Support Forum are haveing some problems with my game. Here's the link: http://nifflas.ni2.se/forum/index.php?topic=639.0

Is there a way to fix this without downloading the old/new/??? DirectX?

I would just have them get http://downloads.sourceforge.net/construct/Construct0989_setup.exe the latest stable. They're going to be using it eventually anyways.

[quote:d2x043zn]They're going to be using it eventually anyways.

^^'.

Yeah, there's recent DirectX runtime needed, that's the problem :-(.

Do what the messagebox says Install the August 2008 DirectX update or newer, and it will start working.

It's nothing to do with DirectX 8. It needs the August 2008 DirectX 9 update.

I've tried re-wording the error message about 3 times now and people still seem to get insanely confused about going to the Microsoft website and updating DirectX. If you've got any suggestions on how to better word this so people don't explode when they see it, I'm all ears

It still doesn't work! It says I need DirectX8 and I have 9....

DYNAMITE!

Anyway, interesting idea for a game. I think the timer could stand to be a bit faster, though

people still seem to get insanely confused

'd say its not your wording that confuses them, but rather the event of an error window popping up when expecting a game to start. after all, users are slipping their minds into 'game time'-mode when clicking that icon; getting the brain out and back to 'windows mode' cold turkey is always harsh.

my guesses for a better solution, none of them tested:

• use of big shiny animated images
• making the error message fullscreen & game-like (e.g. white futuristic font on black background)
• if windowed, include punch-the-monkey banner

that last one was supposed to be a joke, but on consideration, i seriously think it could improve the usual panic!quit!whatwasthat! user response in some way.

I've tried re-wording the error message about 3 times now and people still seem to get insanely confused about going to the Microsoft website and updating DirectX. If you've got any suggestions on how to better word this so people don't explode when they see it, I'm all ears

Would it be possible to include the DirectX web setup file with compiled EXEs? I think that would solve most problems that people seem to have with this.

Yeah, possibly. I'll see about having an option to bundle the necessary DLLs, but it could be 6-7mb for all required components.

I think it's the red cross icon that freaks people out. Maybe I should change it to the 'i' information icon. Either way I'll definitely be getting rid of the D3DX requirement in Construct 2, it's annoying and text rendering is broken anyway. I'll just rewrite all the stuff it does myself

Well if they're running Windows 9X, they're out of luck.

I think it's the red cross icon that freaks people out. Maybe I should change it to the 'i' information icon.

It should be a smiley face with the words DON'T PANIC! next to it.

Actually, I think I've suggested that before

Hey user, it appears that you don't have the latest version of directX 9. Do you want to install it now? It is required to run & game name &"."

then it should auto prompt the user with...

<img src="http://www.top-windows-tutorials.com/images/Install-DirectX-Step1.png">