Arkona

Understanding releases

Several releases for the same game, but which one do you need? I'll explain their names, the difference between a full game and an update, and what to check before downloading.

One game, several releases

A release is a particular distribution of a game or a related file, not the game itself. The same game can have several releases with different versions, languages, platforms or groups. Two names referring to the same game do not necessarily contain the same files.

Start by asking what you need: the full game, an update for an existing installation, or a specific fix. A newer release is not necessarily a full game.

Find a release

Search for the full release name when you have it, or the game title otherwise. Databases such as srrDB and preDB record releases; an entry is not necessarily a download link. scnlog may also link to downloads. CrackWatch covers games and RepackWorld covers repacks; DupeFR is in French.

Naming basics

Scene release names follow naming conventions: words are generally separated by dots, accents and unusual characters are avoided, and the group tag stays attached. Reuploading a file unchanged is not a reason to rename it or remove its group credit (detagging). P2P and repack naming can differ.

Decoding a release name

Let's take a fictional name and break it down:

  1. Example.Game: the game's name, the main part of the release name.
  2. Deluxe.Edition: the edition named in this example. Check the release notes for the content actually included; the label alone is not a list of DLCs.
  3. v1.2.3: the game version, when included.
  4. MULTi12: twelve included languages. A single language may be written as ENGLISH or FRENCH instead. This tag is optional.
  5. -TEAM: the releasing group, after the final separator. Keep this credit when sharing the same release.
Example.Game.Deluxe.Edition.v1.2.3.MULTi12-TEAM

Full game, update, crackfix or trainer?

Full game: the main game files, rather than just a patch. Still read the prerequisites: an expansion described as standalone is not the same thing as DLC that requires the base game.

Update: a game update. Unless its notes say otherwise, you need an existing installation and may need a specific starting version or previous updates. A version number such as v1.2.3 alone does not mean the release is an update.

Crackfix: a correction to the crack supplied for a release. It is not a full game and does not necessarily update the game itself. Check which release it is intended for.

Trainer: a separate tool that changes game behaviour while it runs. It does not contain the game. Check the supported version and keep its use to offline single-player.

What to check before downloading

  1. Platform: Windows, macOS and Linux releases are not interchangeable. A MacOS or Linux tag is useful, but if the name says nothing, check the release notes rather than guessing.
  2. Version and prerequisites: for an update or fix, compare the required version with your installation. Do not assume releases from different groups are compatible just because the game title matches.
  3. Languages and content: check which languages, DLCs and extras are included. MULTi does not tell you which languages are available for voices or text; the NFO or description should clarify that.
  4. Files and instructions: read the NFO before installing, make sure you have every archive part, and use the supplied SFV to check file integrity when available. A familiar group name is not a guarantee that a reuploaded file is authentic or safe.