tekton/docs/MOBILE_UPDATES.md

Mobile Update System

This document explains how the in-game update system works for mobile platforms (Android/iOS).

How It Works

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                      BOOT SCREEN                            │
│  ┌─────────────────┐                                        │
│  │ Check for       │──→ No update? ──→ Proceed to game     │
│  │ updates         │                                        │
│  └────────┬────────┘                                        │
│           │                                                 │
│           ▼ Update available                                │
│  ┌─────────────────────────────────────┐                   │
│  │ Can patch in-app?                   │                   │
│  │ YES → Show "Update Now" button      │                   │
│  │ NO  → Show "Open Store" button      │                   │
│  └─────────────────────────────────────┘                   │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Platform Behavior

Platform	Update Method	Notes
Windows	External launcher	Use TektonLauncher.exe
Linux	External launcher	Use TektonLauncher
macOS	External launcher	Use TektonLauncher.app
Android	In-game patching	Downloads PCK files
iOS	In-game patching	Downloads PCK files
Web	N/A	Always uses latest deployed version

Key Files

• scripts/managers/game_update_manager.gd - Core update logic
• scripts/ui/boot_screen.gd - Update UI controller
• scenes/boot_screen.tscn - Boot screen scene

Setting Up

1. Set Boot Screen as Main Scene (for mobile builds)

For mobile exports, you may want to use boot_screen.tscn as the main scene:

• Go to Project > Project Settings > Application > Run
• Set Main Scene to res://scenes/boot_screen.tscn

Alternatively, keep your current main scene and call the update manager manually.

2. Configure URLs

Edit scripts/managers/game_update_manager.gd:

const VERSION_MANIFEST_URL := "https://your-server.com/version.json"
const ANDROID_STORE_URL := "https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.yourcompany.tekton"
const IOS_STORE_URL := "https://apps.apple.com/app/tekton/id123456789"

3. Using minimum_app_version

In version.json, set minimum_app_version to force store updates:

{
  "latest_version": "1.2.0",
  "minimum_app_version": "1.1.0"
}

If a user has version 1.0.0, they'll be directed to the store since in-app patching can't upgrade from below the minimum.

Creating Mobile Patches

1. Export your game changes as a PCK file from Godot
2. Upload to your hosting (same as desktop patches)
3. Update version.json with pck_android and pck_ios entries

"pck_android": {
  "url": "https://your-server.com/patches/tekton-1.2.0-android.pck",
  "size": 5242880,
  "checksum_md5": "abc123..."
}

Limitations

• Cannot update native code - Engine/plugin changes require store update
• Cannot update main executable - Only assets and GDScript
• Storage space - Patches accumulate in user://patches/
• iOS App Store rules - Be careful about downloading executable content