macOS .app binary containers

[KevDoy]

Describe the bug
The Game is difficult for an average user to run due to the macOS security protocols. Each binary and (.arm64/.x86_64) and .dylib need to be manually approved several times through the System Settings app and password or TouchID authentication before the game runs as intended.

These processes need to be repeated every time the OpenMoHAA files are updated.

A Possible Solution, from #123

Given that each file within openmohaa needs to go through permissions repeatedly, bundling everything into a .app may help with this. Curious on everyones thoughts on appify.

https://github.com/machinebox/appify

Another mac user from the Discord contacting me some time ago. I walked him through testing the current binaries. There was a bit of a struggle to bypass all of the 20(?) security warnings for each component of the binaries in the Mac build when first launching the game or joining a match.

I'm going to try and bundling them into a proper macOS app with appify, mentioned above, to see if that reduces those notices.

Edit:

Used a fresh openmohaa.arm64 file to make the .app file. Only 1 pop up to allow the game to interact with the local network. Solves the endless firewall messages.

Screen.Recording.2024.10.19.at.8.49.31.PM.mp4
So follow up question: Can GitHub Actions automate this? If not, would it be worth having a maintainer that builds the macOS app for each major release? I am open to do that if necessary.

It can and must be automated but it needs the exact commands used to appify apps

appify -name "openMoHAA [version]" -icon "/misc/openmohaa.icns" [path-to-binary]/openmohaa.arm64

This results the inside of the .app's structure to look like this:

Then the other files from the release need to be copied to the openMoHAA [version].app/Contents/MacOS/ folder.

Then the instructions for the user are to copy their game files into the same place and you're good to go:

[KevDoy]

Discussion on this topic on Discord: https://discord.com/channels/596049712579215361/596049712579215363/1303090868164628542

[MacThings]

I built a Launcher with precompiled bins which are updated regulary with the latest commits.

https://www.sl-soft.de/openmohaa-launcher

[KevDoy]

@MacThings That's incredible! Absolutely love that!

One issue is the background you used which property of EA.
You could use this instead:
https://github.com/openmoh/site/blob/main/images/bg-hero-old.jpg

[KevDoy]

Additionally, if we could bundle the binaries and this launcher into a single app, I could see that improving things greatly for mac users.

[MacThings]

The binaries are already bundled in this launcher or what you mean exactly? You only need main, mainta and maintt Folder.

In the next release I will use the "old" Picture from your link.

EDIT:
Here is a created Image from ChatGPT. Impressive. I will use this.

[KevDoy]

@MacThings What I meant was, if there's a way to get this officially supported/blessed by the project, that would be huge. I meant no disrespect. CC: @smallmodel

The Backgroundpicure is the one from the openmohaa Website. That`s really one from EA?

Yes, that image was licensed by EA to MOHAA Fan Websites hence the copyright notice in the footer.

Here is a created Image from ChatGPT. Impressive. I will use this.

A bit strange, but if the background was blurred behind the soldier, it may look a bit better.

[ralph303]

I like the first picture without blur, it's great!

If you want a fully signed version of OpenMoHAA, then macsourceports.com is the way to go (btw. Unreal 227k is also fantastic on MacOS):
https://www.macsourceports.com/game/mohaa

Tom is already working on a release for version 0.8 which should be on the website soon.

[smallmodel]

I like the first picture without blur, it's great!

If you want a fully signed version of OpenMoHAA, then macsourceports.com is the way to go (btw. Unreal 227k is also fantastic on MacOS): https://www.macsourceports.com/game/mohaa

Tom is already working on a release for version 0.8 which should be on the website soon.

The only thing that's missing is a way to start the expansions (Spearhead and Breakthrough), they definitely should not be forgotten (hence launchers recently)

[MacThings]

My Launcher is now signed too.