I just purchased and downloaded the (zipped) files for this game direct from Shadow Tor Studios but when I try to extract the files they are immediately blocked.
A box from Windows Defender comes on screen to say they have been blocked.
So I tried "run as Administrator" but got the same message box.
[I've never previously had ANY messages EVER from Windows Defender.]

And Norton also blocks the files - and with no option to override !! Classing the files as a severe risk.

I realise this is probably a false positive of some kind. So .... any advice available, please ??

With both Windows Defender and Norton blocking the files (without an option to override), I would recommend reporting this to Matt and Jonathan. I agree with you that it is pretty much a certainty that it's a false positive, but they should know about this regardless as some other purchasers are likely to encounter this problem as well.

If anyone else reading this has a better idea, by all means post about it here.

While it's certainly a false positive as Marian says, it's best to report to Matt and Jonathan. Given the block from Norton and the message from Defender, I think that's the best option. I'm going to download and see what happens on my system and I'll let you know.

EDIT: Downloaded the .zip file; used 7Zip to extract the files; taken directly to the Setup files which installed the game. No errors or problems. The extracted file is a .exe file which doesn't surprise me that Norton blocked it. Norton is notorious for doing that and not giving you any options to bypass it for a known safe file. One of the reasons I don't use Norton. I think there are ways to manually force Norton to accept the file, but I don't know how to do that. I use Defender and Malwarebytes and no messages from either one.

There is a place in Norton to exclude a file from being scanned. (Don't ask me to remember how/where although I did it not too long ago.) You then have to re-download the game. This worked for me with one or two Steam games anyway. You do it through "history". There are full instructions how to do it in Norton in the Steam "discussions" for Emerald City Confidential.

https://steamcommunity.com/app/37260/discussions/0/1728701877491138675/

Thank you, oldbroad! I hoped someone familiar with how to do this in Norton would advise Mad what to do. I'm clueless! Everything worked perfectly for me.

Thanks, oldbroad. I excluded files with Avast years ago but have never used Norton.

Hi.
Hardly any computer time today but I will try and get back - and in the meantime, thanks oldbroad for something to look at 👍

EDIT :

Another flying visit !!
I checked the "Help" screen at Shadow Tor and it is actually shown there that Win Defender and Anti-virus progs. can react adversely and not allow the game to install. And a procedure is offered.

What confuses me is why hundreds of games will install without any such setbacks whilst a few here and there require you to jump through these very annoying hoops

I haven't got time (or even the inclination) at the moment for such messing about so Beltane will just have to hang fire

But thanks to all who gave help here

I've got no idea either, Mad. And why did it fly through my system with Defender and Malwarebytes?! I've been without power for almost 8 hours, so am just getting back here.

Heck !! No power for 8 hours Sorry to hear that, Draclvr .... Is all OK now ??

As for this current game issue ; I've stayed with Norton since the year dot because it does all its jobs the way I like them to be done.
With zeal
I'd always rather have something not necessarily evil stopped in its tracks than have something actually evil let in !!

And there are plenty of other software solution that do the same thing - such as mine! But the bottom line is you stick with what makes you comfortable. My mantra which I have stated here before is the best anti-malware solution is the person behind the keyboard.

I have said that here before, too, Draclvr. And I firmly believe it

Hi all, Beltane’s safe - As with all our games, we submit them to the antivirus software / program makers themselves - Beltane is 'hot off the press', so it’s not had time for many programs to process and add to the safe software lists.

With some programs you can click Trust and submit back to community. Let me know if any particular software is being a pain and I can chase up the verification.

Enjoy your visit to the circle.

Matt

Thanks so much for stopping in and posting, Matt! Much appreciated that you take the time to do this. Cheers!

I think it's great you stopped in also, Matt.

My thanks also, Matt
For me, neither Windows Defender nor Norton will allow the game to be installed.
(Win 10 machine.)
Mad

It sounds like you are going to need to put the Beltane file on Norton's exclusion list, Mad, in order to be able to install the game. Let us know if you need further instructions and I can probably find some more online. I have excluded files with my antivirus Avast but not with Norton so I am unfamiliar with the procedure.

Thanks, Marian

I can probably follow the instructions already given - for Norton - when I have the time and desire to mess about, that is !!
[I've done it before on my other computers because there's always been the immediate option to do so. But it's not immediately offered on this Win 10 machine.]

However, I would need help with Win Defender. I've never had anything to do with that

I found this on YouTube about Windows Defender.

Let me know if for some reason you can't view the video.

Otherwise, good luck! We will help if we can.

Mad, if I can do it, you sure can. Though I've not done it in Window 10, I would think it works the same way as in Windows 7 where I did it, as it is a Norton thing, not a 10 thing. You will have to look open up the Norton history and find where it blocked you though.

Didn't you have trouble downloading something from them a year or so ago? Maybe not Shadow Tor, but Darkling Room.

Thanks again, Marian and oldbroad. I will get round to this at some time

But asking me what I was doing a year ago is pretty fruitless, oldbroad, when sometimes I can't remember what I was doing a week ago 🙄

I was just thinking that whatever the solution was back then, might be helpful now too. I don't know what the problem was but I do seem to remember you had one. Of course, I may just be remembering something that didn't happen too.

I have no doubts that you will be remembering correctly, oldbroad, because you are usually spot on .... unlike me !! 😱

Sometimes, not always, Norton quarantines a file, a zip or just the EXE file of a program. If I can remember where the button is (and I’m sure it changes every time I open Norton) I have the option to ‘restore the file’ from quarantines and it’s added to the ‘allowed’ list.

Thanks, Matt! It's always nice to have the game developer weigh in!

Thanks, mattclark. When I have more time I will investigate further