Inventors:
Derrick Jason Birum - Duvall WA, US
Erik Axel Johnson - Issaquah WA, US
Christopher Richard Newcombe - Kirkland WA, US
Assignee:
Valve Corporation - Bellevue WA
International Classification:
H04L 29/06
US Classification:
726 27, 726 1, 726 2, 726 3, 726 4, 726 5, 726 10, 726 26, 726 28, 726 29, 726 30, 713165, 713166, 713167, 713189, 713193, 380200, 380203, 380259, 380263, 380277, 380278, 380279, 380 28, 380 29, 380 30, 705 50, 705 51, 705 56, 705 57, 705 59
Abstract:
A system, method, and apparatus are arranged to enable loading of an application, such as a game application, prior to a formal release date of the application. An end-user is provided components of the application either over a network, CD, DVD, or the like. At least one component of the application is encrypted. The end-user may register with an application provider. At a pre-defined time, such as a release date for the application, a decryption key is made available to the end-user. The decryption key may be employed to decrypt the encrypted component(s) of the application, such that the application may be readied for execution. In addition, bug fixes, additions, or the like, may also be pre-loaded to release of the application, thereby ensuring that the end-user has the most current application configuration.