Ok, I guess everyone here packaged and submitted the game already, but as I was trying some of them out, I thought that it’s a good thing to post some advice on how to make your game work out of the box, thus getting more views and plays. Consider repackaging the game if some of the below points apply to yours!

How to have your game working out the box:

• First of all
  • Listen to suggestions, people will surely feedback if the game is not working for some reason! Check comments, come to IRC and ask if the game runs fine.
  • Make a gameplay video and include it in your game links! Even if someone is unable to play, he can give you some ratings (e.g. Graphics and Audio)!
• Downloadable games
  • Subdirectory - Include a directory with your game files in the downloadable archive, it makes unpackaging way easier!
  • Decrease size – make sure you remove all redundant files form the archive!
  • File name – avoid using file names such as ld.zip, ld22.zip, alone.zip etc.
• Java
  • Make a web applet! Link to Daze’s web applet snippet
  • Or, use Java Web Start
• AS3/Flash/HAXE/Stencyl
  • Include classid parameter when embedding!
  • Add a preloader if your game is over 1MB!
• Love2D
  • Create Love executable!
  • Keep the original .love for Linux and Mac users!
• Python
  • Use Py2exe!
  • Keep the source inside too!
• C#/XNA/Mono
  • Provide links to framework you used in the game description!
  • Framework links: XNA 2.0, XNA 3.1, XNA 4.0, .NET 2.0, .NET 3.5, .NET 4.0
• JavaScript/HTML5/WebGL
  • Make sure your game works in different browsers! At least Firefox and Chrome!
• C/C++/Native
  • Make sure you included all the dlls and that these are right version!
  • Add links to redistributables: VS 2005, VS 2008, VS 2010
  • Use static linking if possible!
• Ruby
  • Use OCRA to package your game into executable!
• Game maker
  • Submit the game to Yoyogames sandbox! It will allow people to play it online.
• Linux
  • Use ldd to pick and package correct libraries with your game!
• Mac users
  • Use WineBottler to play most of the windows entries!
• Read DO’s and DON’Ts list by Mathias Zarzecki!
• “[…] Damn. I spent ages searching for such a place. Ah well. I’ll do it next time.” SUPERBAD!
  • Do it now! That’s what this guide is for!

If you run across anything annoying regarding packaging, or have a piece of valuable advice, write it in the comments, and I will snip it to the list!