Launcher fixed directory requirement

[Vectrobe]

The launcher requires it to exist in a fixed directory, appdata/terasologylauncher, resulting in multiple unnecessary directories. Whereas it should use the current directory the executable is located to at least read the configuration file.

An ideal tree; install directory, appdata or a custom location defined in initial install

launcher data game releases data save data (optional)

this way all data is centralised and easier to handle.

[Cervator]

This gets tricky as it is somewhat of a matter of opinion. Some OSes really favor splitting apart application files, config, and data.

With Terasology the main project you can run with -homedir to make everything store in the dir together with the executable, which is nice. The launcher on the other hand is specifically meant to manage all that stuff for you so you don't have to worry about it.

Maybe we should add a similar option to -homedir, but then we're going to need a launcher for the launcher :D

In any case I'm not sure what's an ideal solution but will leave this around for any other ideas and feedback :-)

[skaldarnar]

Replying out of my head:

You should be able to end up with a structure like you suggested by choosing the game install directory properly as a sub-directory of the launcher installation. Using the -homedir option as pointed out by @Cervator should keep everything tidied up in one place.

We may offer a simplified "installation" where everything is stored under one root directory by default (only one "choose directory" dialog). For advanced adjustments, we could extend the "installation" process to allow for a multi-directory setup.