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Distribution

Overwolf provides several different hosting/distribution services for apps running on its different platforms. These services have been adapted to support Overwolf Electron, and include:

To get started with any of these services for your electron.js app, contact us.

Free app hosting (CDN)​

Deploying, distributing, and monitoring an app requires a Content Delivery Network (CDN).

Overwolf Electron is built to seamlessly integrate with the Overwolf CDN, offering the following capabilities:

  • App release file hosting/distribution.
  • Support for multiple release channels.
  • Archive of all past releases.
  • App usage analytics (can be turned off).

This is all managed in the Overwolf Developers' Console.

Customizable installer​

Your app's user experience starts as soon as the user runs it for the first time. To help you make it a success from the very start, we have adapted the Overwolf Installer, making it also work with ow-electron.

This installer can (optionally) handle any of the following:

  • Tracking of installation UTM Parameters, which will be shown in your app's Dashboard.
  • CMP flow introduction (for users living in countries where that is required).
  • Desktop shortcut creation (as well as allowing the user to avoid creating one).
  • App installation folder control.

*Apart from that, most of the installer's text/graphics can be changed/configured to fit your specific app. For more details, see Overwolf Installer.

Supported Urchin Tracking Module (UTM) parameters​

UTM parameters allow your team to better track the installation sources for your app. The custom installer supports the following parameters:

  • utm_source—identifies which site sent the traffic. (required)
  • utm_medium—identifies what type of link was used (for example, cost per click or email).
  • utm_campaign—identifies a specific product promotion or strategic campaign.
Retrieving UTM parameters in runtime

Once the app finishes initializing, its UTM parameters can be retrieved through the API, using the app.overwolf.utmParams field.

Contact-us for more information about the installer, or to see if it is right for your app.

Electron updater endpoint​

Electron comes with a built in automatic app updater. In order for Electron to automatically update your app, it must be configured with a consistent endpoint for updates/downloads.

note

The maintenance of the endpoint is handled automatically if you choose to list your app in Overwolf's App File Hosting.

Setting up the updater endpoint​

In order to set up the endpoint, simply add the following to your main .js file:

Setting up ow-electron auto updates
const { autoUpdater } = require("electron-updater");
...

autoUpdater.setFeedURL({
  provider: 'generic',
  url: `https://electron-updates.overwolf.com/electron-updates/electron/${your_app_id}`
});