Hello, Niniann!
Assuming that you have strict caching checks turned on, it might be an issue where a residual file slipped to the bootstrap's file catalog. It's a weird bug, but as long as you don't have any extra files. it should be fine.
If not, please check Event Viewer. It may provide some info about the crash. It is found under Errors -> Application Error. Look for any error logs that mention the bootstrap.
I do have Strict Caching Checks turned on (automatically I believe as I choose to not delete the cache file as I had a really bad day the other day when I mispointed the cache to my documents folder when making a build and it deleted everything there...fortunately Windows Restore Points and meticulous backups exist). I took a look through Microsoft's Event Viewer but I couldn't find anything related to a bootstrap on the day of the crash. I will keep an eye out and the next time the crash occurs go right to Event Viewer and see what it says.
I appreciate you taking the time to respond to my message and helping out, cheers :).
Edit: Just to double check, what do you mean by "extra" or "residual" files. I do have a thing getting added to the build that I'm not 100% what it is (there's a "v8.context.snapshot.bin" file, I really don't know what this is or how it relates to the game). Cook Tools flags it as an "extra" thing but I just include it every time because I don't know if it is important or not, being honest.
Sorry it is v8_context_snapshot.bin actually. So NWJS needs this file? I'll keep it in the setup then.
I have a new crash, same deal with just CTD with no error; this time it happened when using the PrtSc button on my laptop to take a screenshot. This occured in the fully compiled version with the latest Cook Tools.
I checked Event Viewer on Windows but there's nothing whatsoever even about the game that I can see. The only message is from hours before the crash occured. That being said I'm not super savvy with Event Viewer and maybe I'm looking at the wrong section. Currently looking at Administrative Events and scanning for crashes. I can't find any section called "Errors".
Edit: Did a little research on using Event Viewer and went to Windows Logs > System, filtered to Errors/Warnings/Critical and looked over it. There's no report whatsoever in the last few hours, so I don't think Windows is catching what's going on here (or, at least, flagging the crash as an error).
Hmm... I want to take a look at a built version of the game so I can see what causes it. There might be a false flag that results in a forced shutdown of the bootstrapper and the game somewhere. If possible, please upload a build of the game and send me a link either via Discord (same username and avatar as here) or via email (you can find it in Support & contact - itch.io -> "Email the developers" link under the tool's section).
Hey AceofAces!
Sorry I did not reply until now, been super busy.
You can find a built version of the game right here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2748520/Sunflowers_and_the_Goddess_of_Death/
It is the demo that is released there that is compiled.
After a bit of digging, I found a potential culprit: some of the files were indexed for cache checking, but they aren't present. A debug.log file and the NPC Jsons folder.
The debug.log file should be deleted before builidng (I'll look into why it was indexed when it shouldn't be indexed). As for that folder, if it's necessary, it should be included in the packages (there's an option to add it in the Compiler and Packer tab in the Project settings). Otherwise, move it temporarily somewhere else.
EDIT: For some context: when strict cache checks are active (or turning off the setting to clear the cache after the game closes), the bootstrap checks the cache for anything weird. If it sees some files being edited or missing, the game closes. Once the game restarts, the bootstrap rebuilds the cache. It would explain the rare close since, at some point, the bootstrap notices activity in the cache and runs a check. And since those files were missing, it closed the game.
Ahhh, makes total sense, thank you so much for looking into this.
I know the tool asked me about those files/folders when I was initially building but I didn't totally understand what to choose at the time. I'll see if I can create a new recipe that does not include those files and what will happen as a result.
For the record the NPC Jsons is not a required folder at all, it's not related to any plugin or anything. it's just a folder where I keep character portrait/design ideas stored in one place. I don't even necessarily need it in the folder of the project tbh, I should just move it somewhere else.
As far as debug.log I have no idea on that one, but I'm pretty sure the tool asked me about that too and I just accepted the default recommendation.
Cheers and thank you again :).
