The Game Information Page

In order to integrate a game into Game Explorer a game definition file (GDF) is needed. A GDF is an XML file that contains metadata describing the game. Advanced Installer automatically generates this file for you based on the information you provide, and encapsulates it within a resource section of a binary file (DLL), along with the game's thumbnail and icon.

Parental Controls

The GDF contains all the metadata associated with the game including the game's rating. Windows Vista parental controls use the game's rating to allow parents to control access to the game. The binary file which contains the GDF must be digitally signed with a valid Authenticode certificate, otherwise Game Explorer and the parental control system will ignore the game's rating, because the rating information cannot be trusted without certification. The Advanced Installer Games Explorer configuration tool automatically signs the GDF binary with the digital certificate you provide.

General

Name

Specify the name under which the game will be displayed in Game Explorer. The content of this field is localizable.

Description

Specify a short description of the game. The content of this field is localizable.

Version

Specify the game version

These fields are of PseudoFormatted Type and can be edited using Smart Edit Control.

Release Date

Select the game release date. You can choose to used a fixed release date for your game, or use the project build date (default) as the game release date.

System performance rating

The Windows System Performance Rating (WSPR), specifies the recommended and minimum ratings that a computer should have to play a certain game with acceptable performance. This is for display purposes only and does not restrict access to the game.

• Minimum - The minimum WSPR rating that a computer should have in order to play this game.
• Recommended - The recommended WSPR rating that a computer should have in order to play this game.

This parameter is also known as Windows Experience Index (WEI score).

Developers & Publishers

In this section you can specify the game developers and publishers.

Adding a new developer/publisher

Use the [ New... ] button or the "New..." context menu option.

You can add up to 5 developers and 5 publishers for a game.

Editing a developer/publisher

Use the [ Edit... ] button, the "Edit..." context menu option or press the Space key while an item is selected in the list.

Removing a developer/publisher

Use the [ Remove... ] button, the "Remove..." context menu option or press the Del key while an item is selected in the list.

Ratings

This section allows you to describe the Parental Control ratings associated with the game. Multiple ratings are allowed, from multiple rating systems. Each rating can optionally have one or more content descriptors that are associated with that rating.

Adding a new game rating

Use the [ Add... ] or the "Add..."context menu option.

Editing a game rating

Use the [ Edit... ] button, the "Edit..." context menu option or press the Space key while an item is selected in the list.

Removing a game rating

Use the [ Remove... ] button, the "Remove..." context menu option or press the Del key while an item is selected in the list.

Content

Adding a new game genre

Use the [ Add... ] or the "Add..." option. You can select a predefined game genre or specify a custom one.

You should add at least one genre for your game, as a content description. You can add up to 5 genres for a game.

Editing a game genre

Use the [ Edit... ] button, the "Edit..." context menu option or press the Space key while an item is selected in the list.

Removing a game genre

Use the [ Remove... ] button, the "Remove..." context menu option or press the Del key while an item is selected in the list.

Topics

• Edit Developer/Publisher
  Specify information about a developer or publisher.
• Game Ratings
  Describes the Parental Controls ratings associated with the game. Multiple ratings are allowed, from multiple rating systems. Each rating can optionally have one or more content descriptors that are associated with that rating.