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Common Export Errors

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”No export template found at the expected path”

What it means: Summer Engine can’t find the runtime files needed to create standalone games. Solution: This shouldn’t happen with Summer Engine - templates are included by default. If you see this:
  1. Check: Editor → Manage Export Templates
  2. Should show templates installed for version 4.5.beta
  3. If missing: Contact [email protected] - this indicates an installation issue
Unlike vanilla Godot, Summer Engine includes export templates. If they’re missing, something went wrong with your Summer Engine installation.

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”Cannot export for universal or arm64 if ETC2 ASTC texture format is disabled”

What it means: You’re trying to export for Apple Silicon Macs without the required texture compression format. Solution:
1

Open Project Settings

Project → Project Settings
2

Enable Texture Compression

Rendering → Textures → VRAM Compression → Import ETC2 ASTCToggle to On
3

Wait for Reimport

Summer will reimport all textures (1-5 minutes)Status bar shows progress
4

Try Export Again

Return to Project → Export and try exporting
Why this happens: Apple Silicon Macs use different texture compression than Intel Macs/PCs.

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”Cannot export for universal or x86_64 if S3TC BPTC texture format is disabled”

What it means: You’re trying to export for Windows/Intel Macs without the required texture format. Solution: Same as above, but enable Import S3TC BPTC instead of (or in addition to) ETC2 ASTC. Pro tip: Enable both formats at once if you’re releasing on both Mac and Windows. Avoids reimporting twice.

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”Invalid Bundle Identifier”

Platform: macOS only What it means: You’re using the default placeholder (com.example.game) which isn’t valid for distribution. Solution:
1

Open Export Preset

Project → Export → Select your macOS preset
2

Find Bundle Identifier

Scroll to Application → Bundle Identifier
3

Replace with Unique ID

Use reverse-domain format:
  • com.yourstudio.yourgame
  • io.itch.username.gamename
  • com.yourname.projectname
Must be lowercase, use dots to separate, no spaces
4

Save

Preset is now valid for export!
Why it matters: macOS uses bundle identifiers to track apps. Without a unique one, your game might conflict with other apps or not install properly.

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Export Process Issues

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Export Takes Forever

Normal times:
  • Small game (100 MB): 30-60 seconds
  • Medium game (500 MB): 1-3 minutes
  • Large game (2 GB): 5-10 minutes
If taking longer:
  • Check disk space (need 2-3x game size free)
  • Close other resource-heavy apps
  • First export is slower (building pak files) - subsequent exports faster

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Export Crashes Summer Engine

Possible causes:
  • Out of memory (exporting huge game)
  • Corrupted asset in project
  • Disk full
Solution:
  1. Save your project
  2. Restart Summer Engine
  3. Check Output tab for error messages before exporting
  4. Try exporting to a different location (different drive)

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Exported Build Is Missing Files

Cause: Files not properly added to export or excluded by filters Solution:
  • Check Resources tab in export preset
  • Ensure Export Mode is Export all resources (not “selected resources”)
  • Verify Filters to export doesn’t exclude needed files

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Runtime Issues (Exported Game Problems)

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Game Won’t Launch After Export

Cause: Missing Visual C++ RuntimeSolution: Most PCs have this. If not, download from MicrosoftSummer Engine exports should include this automatically - contact support if issue persists.
Cause: Unsigned app downloaded from internetSolution for players: Right-click app → Open → Click Open in dialogSolution for developers: Code sign your app (requires Apple Developer account)
Cause: Executable not marked as executableSolution:
chmod +x MyGame.x86_64
./MyGame.x86_64
Debugging steps:
  1. Run from terminal/command line to see error messages
  2. Check if it works on your dev machine
  3. Verify export architecture matches OS (arm64 for Apple Silicon, x86_64 for Intel/AMD)
  4. Test with minimal project - does export work with empty project?

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Graphics Issues in Exported Game

Black screen or missing textures:
  • ✅ Check texture compression is enabled for target platform
  • ✅ Verify shaders work in editor before exporting
  • ✅ Test on GPU different from your dev machine
  • ✅ Check minimum macOS/Windows version in export settings
Low FPS after export:
  • Export in Release mode, not Debug
  • Check Project Settings → Rendering → Quality - lower settings if needed
  • Profile in editor first (Debug → Profiler) to find bottlenecks

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Audio Issues in Exported Game

No sound or crackling:
  • ✅ Test audio works in editor first
  • ✅ Check audio format (Ogg Vorbis recommended, not WAV)
  • ✅ Verify user’s PC has audio drivers installed
  • ✅ Test with both speakers and headphones

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Platform-Specific Warnings

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macOS: “Unidentified Developer” Warning

This is normal for unsigned apps! What players see:
“MyGame.app cannot be opened because it is from an unidentified developer”
How players bypass it:
  1. Right-click the app (don’t double-click)
  2. Click Open from menu
  3. Dialog appears with Open button
  4. Click Open - app launches
Permanent fix: Code sign your app (requires Apple Developer account - $99/year) Alternative: Publish on Steam - Steam handles signing for you

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Windows: SmartScreen Warning

What players see:
“Windows protected your PC. Microsoft Defender SmartScreen prevented an unrecognized app from starting.”
How players bypass it:
  1. Click More info
  2. Click Run anyway
Permanent fix: Code sign with EV certificate ($400/year) Alternative: Publish on Steam or itch.io - users expect this from indie games
Don’t worry about these warnings for itch.io releases! Indie game players are used to clicking through them. Steam removes them automatically.

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File Size Issues

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Exported Game Is Huge

Check these:
  • Using WAV audio instead of Ogg Vorbis? (WAV is 10x larger)
  • Uncompressed textures? (Enable S3TC/ETC2 compression)
  • Debug symbols included? (Export as Release, not Debug)
  • Unused assets in project? (Clean up before export)
Compression comparison:
  • WAV audio (1 minute): ~10 MB
  • Ogg Vorbis (1 minute): ~1 MB
  • Uncompressed texture (1024x1024): ~4 MB
  • Compressed texture (1024x1024): ~200 KB

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Exported Game Is Too Small (Missing Assets)

Possible causes:
  • Export filters excluding your files
  • Resources not saved in project
  • Embed PCK disabled + you only distributed .exe (need both .exe and .pck)
Solution: Check Export preset → Resources tab → Export mode is Export all resources

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Performance Problems After Export

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Game Runs Slowly in Exported Build

Check:
  1. Are you exporting in Debug mode? (Huge performance impact)
    • Solution: Export as Release
  2. Is V-Sync enabled? (Limits to 60 FPS)
    • Project Settings → Rendering → V-Sync
  3. Profile in editor first
    • Debug → Profiler → Find bottlenecks before exporting
Debug vs Release performance:
  • Debug mode: 30-50% slower (includes debug symbols, checks)
  • Release mode: Full speed optimization

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Game Crashes After Running for a While

Possible causes:
  • Memory leak (check if RAM usage grows over time)
  • Unhandled errors in game code
  • Resource loading issues
Debugging:
  1. Enable console output (Windows: Export Console Wrapper = On)
  2. Run exported game and watch for error messages
  3. Fix issues in Summer Engine code, re-export

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Steam-Specific Issues

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Build Uploaded But Players Can’t Download

Cause: Build not set live on default branch Solution:
  • Steamworks dashboard → Builds tab
  • Select your build → Set build live on default branch

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Wrong Version Downloading

Cause: Multiple builds on different branches Solution: Check which branch is set as default in Steamworks

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macOS Build Won’t Run Through Steam

Cause: Incorrect launch executable path Solution: Set launch executable to: 
MyGame.app/Contents/MacOS/MyGame
Not just MyGame.app - must point to binary inside the bundle!

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itch.io-Specific Issues

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Upload Fails

File size limits:
  • Free account: 1 GB per file
  • Paid account ($10/month): 2 GB per file
Solution: Compress your build or split into multiple files if over limit

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Web Game Doesn’t Load

For HTML5 exports:
  • Ensure you zipped the entire export folder, not just index.html
  • Set correct index file (index.html)
  • Check browser console (F12) for errors
  • Some browser features require HTTPS (SharedArrayBuffer) - itch.io provides this

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Getting More Help

Discord Community

Ask in #game-dev channel - community helps fast!

Email Support

Persistent export issues or bugs

Godot Documentation

Advanced export topics (fully compatible with Summer)

Back to Export Guides

Platform-specific export instructions
Before asking for help: Include this info:
  • Platform you’re exporting to (macOS/Windows/Linux)
  • Export settings you’re using (architecture, embed PCK, etc.)
  • Error message (full text or screenshot)
  • Does it work on your dev machine but not others?
This helps us solve your issue faster!
Contact us: