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Uploading Pygame Executables

A topic by puzzlefrog created Jul 13, 2024 Views: 272 Replies: 4
Viewing posts 1 to 2

If I make a game in Pygame and use PyInstaller to make an executable for that game to put up on itch.io, would players need to have the Python language and interpreter installed on their computer to run my game? If so, is there a way to give players instruction on how to set up the game? 

(1 edit)

No, that’s the point of PyInstaller.

HOWEVER, PyInstaller programs are considered viruses by Windows’s builtin antivirus, and you basically have to report a false positive for each version you publish. The maintainers have practically given up on the problem.

If I were to make an easy-to-use Python program, I’d just redistribute the “embeddable Python package” you can download from the official website, along with your source code.

Wait so that is why Windows called my game a virus? I thought it was just making fun of my programming abilities and telling me that I am not a good programmer. Maybe it was a bit of both. Anyway, what "embeddable Python package" are you referring to?

That’s PyInstaller’s own code being caught by Windows. It happens even with a Hello World.

If you go to a specific version download (e.g. 3.12.4) one of the download options is called “Windows embeddable package”.

That’s a normal, vanilla Python installation, in which you’ll have to install all the necessary modules again, but after that, you can insert your own code and distribute that.

Moderator (2 edits)

I recommend trying Nuitka instead. It's easier to set up, and has a --standalone mode that doesn't put everything in a single executable, so maybe that will help.

Why would you think Windows makes fun of you, anyway? Microsoft might not respect their customers much, but I seriously doubt they're in the business of trolling people. It literally has a built-in antivirus.

Edit: actually, how is Windows supposed to know about your code, or be able to judge it?

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