RustRaptor/docs/standalone-package.md

Standalone game packages

RustRaptor/ contains the Rust executable, its original data catalog, approved HD replacements, authored mods, SD/HD mod artwork, sound effects and music. Normal play needs no C++ engine, Cargo, Python or source checkout. Run ./run.sh on Linux or run.cmd on Windows; installed pilots and configuration remain in the user's separate RaptorReplica profile directories.

The executable finds its package from bin/raptor-rust, including when launched from another working directory. A missing packaged catalog reports an error instead of selecting another checkout's data. --data and --mods remain available for deliberate overrides.

From this folder, run:

python3 tools/assemble_runtime.py --zip dist/RustRaptor-linux-x86_64.zip

The assembler builds the desktop release, copies all catalog-listed files and the exact currently approved HD manifest and referenced PNGs, installs the binary and SDL2 shared library if linked, and checks the packaged catalog. Desktop packaging uses its own target/desktop-runtime build directory so concurrent headless asset reviews cannot replace the packaged executable. runtime-manifest.json records file hashes, catalog/HD counts and platform dependencies. Unapproved HD drafts, reference screenshots and the Cargo build cache are excluded from the zip. The exported RustRaptor folder can be moved or unpacked anywhere, including paths containing spaces.

The Linux binary targets Linux x86_64 and uses the operating system's C runtime and desktop/audio drivers. The included Windows x86_64 executable and SDL2 DLL use the same data and mods. See Windows packaging for its separate launcher, build tool, manifest, zip and validation. Source, Cargo.lock, code licenses and mod API documentation are included. The packaged executable, runtime libraries, original catalog and approved HD artwork are tracked in Git, along with the assembler and authored mod images and sounds. Build caches, working art drafts, review evidence and duplicate zip exports are excluded. See repository layout.

Re-run the assembler after engine changes, new approved HD registrations or mod edits to refresh the package. The runtime snapshot contains approved art only; it does not claim the full original HD catalog is complete.

The current package was unpacked into a folder containing spaces and launched from /tmp with only its bundled SDL2 library on the library search path. Catalog validation checked 6,449 assets, 27 missions, 528 enemies, 16 weapons and 24 items. The refreshed 11 October bundle validates all 22 bundled mods and all 340 approved HD frames, with zero rejected supplied frames. Its runtime manifest verifies all 6,593 data files. The updated desktop executable also launches from /tmp with only the bundled library and an isolated profile. Menu and gameplay screenshots at 1280×800 and 1920×1080, plus stereo audio captures, completed successfully. Native unzip preserves the executable permissions stored in the archive. An original-intro capture at 1080p also confirms a 1440×1080 video area and black 240-pixel side borders when gameplay stretching is enabled. Removing the copied catalog produces an error at the copied data path, with no fallback to the development checkout.