Aura Kingdom Launcher — Universal Self-Contained Installer
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This is an all-in-one, self-contained build of the Aura Kingdom launcher. The .NET 8 runtime is
bundled INSIDE AuraKingdomLauncher.exe, so it runs with nothing else to install — on a normal
Windows PC AND on a Steam Deck (via Proton). Same launcher version as the live PC launcher (1.2.7);
it self-updates normally.

Why this exists: the regular launcher is "framework-dependent" and needs the .NET Desktop Runtime
installed separately. A fresh Windows PC (or a Steam Deck's Proton prefix) often doesn't have it,
so that build fails to start. This one has no such dependency.

*** FRESH-INSTALL CONNECT FIX — launcher 1.2.8 (2026-10-01) ***
If the game downloaded and launched but CRASHED at ~75% of the loading screen (intro plays, loading bar fills
partway, then exits): the game could not find its server-connect file (connect.ini). That file is not part of the
patch download (it's per-site), and the launcher previously only rewrote an EXISTING one — so a brand-new install
(a fresh Steam Deck prefix, or a clean Windows PC) had none and the client exited at login. This build makes the
launcher CREATE connect.ini automatically on the first Play, pointed at the right server (DDNS name; the client
resolves it). This is a universal fix — it is safe for existing Windows installs (which already have connect.ini,
so nothing changes for them) and fixes the same latent bug on any fresh install. Replace the launcher and Play again.

*** STEAM DECK UPDATE-CHECK FIX (2026-10-01) ***
If the launcher opened but showed "Update check failed (offline or bad signature)" under Proton: this build adds
automatic retries (3x) on the update fetch and a step-by-step diagnostic log. Delete the old folder on the Deck,
copy this whole folder over fresh, and try again.
If it STILL fails, send me this log file — it names the exact failing step (which fetch/parse/signature):
  <Proton prefix>\drive_c\users\steamuser\AppData\Local\AuraKingdom\update-check.log
(the Proton prefix for a non-Steam game is usually under ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/<appid>/pfx/).

*** STEAM DECK FIX (2026-09-30) ***
If an EARLIER copy of this build showed "Update failed: no valid signed manifest available" when you
clicked Install on the Steam Deck: that was Wine/Proton not supporting the Windows crypto the signature
check used. THIS build adds a Wine-compatible signature verifier, so Install/patch (and launcher
self-update) now work under Proton. If you already copied an older folder to the Deck, DELETE it and
copy this whole folder over fresh (replace AuraKingdomLauncher.exe and all files), then launch again.

WHAT'S IN THIS FOLDER (keep all together)
  AuraKingdomLauncher.exe   the launcher, runtime bundled in (~78 MB)
  PublicLauncher.json       server/WAN config (endpoints, patch server, Discord app id)
  dxvk\                     D3D9->Vulkan files the launcher installs into the game when you pick
                            the Vulkan renderer (Settings > Performance)

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WINDOWS PC
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1. Copy this whole folder anywhere (e.g. C:\Games\AuraKingdom\).
2. Double-click AuraKingdomLauncher.exe. That's it — no runtime install needed.
   (If SmartScreen warns about an unknown publisher: More info > Run anyway.)
3. The launcher installs/patches the game client and you log in and Play.

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STEAM DECK (and other Linux via Proton)
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1. Copy this whole folder onto the Deck (e.g. ~/Games/AuraKingdom/).
2. Desktop Mode > Steam > Games > "Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library" > Browse >
   select AuraKingdomLauncher.exe > Add.
3. Right-click the new entry > Properties > Compatibility >
   "Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool" > Proton 9 or Proton Experimental.
4. Launch it. First run under a fresh Proton prefix can take a minute while Wine sets up.
   If the window is blank, try Proton Experimental, or toggle the renderer in Settings > Performance.

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NOTES
- Portable: to remove it, just delete the folder. No system install is performed.
- Built self-contained: dotnet publish -c Release -r win-x64 --self-contained -p:PublishSingleFile=true
