diff --git a/VERSION.txt b/VERSION.txt
deleted file mode 100644
index 4cc8a67cd0..0000000000
--- a/VERSION.txt
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Beta-GIT
diff --git a/bin/evennia b/bin/evennia
index 7a965af40c..8f10566192 100755
--- a/bin/evennia
+++ b/bin/evennia
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ import signal
 import shutil
 import importlib
 from argparse import ArgumentParser
-from subprocess import Popen, check_output, call
+from subprocess import Popen, check_output, call, CalledProcessError, STDOUT
 import django
 
 # Signal processing
@@ -24,9 +24,11 @@ SIG = signal.SIGINT
 # Set up the main python paths to Evennia
 EVENNIA_ROOT = os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)))
 EVENNIA_BIN = os.path.join(EVENNIA_ROOT, "bin")
-EVENNIA_LIB = os.path.join(EVENNIA_ROOT, "evennia")
+
+import evennia
+EVENNIA_LIB = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(evennia.__file__)))
 EVENNIA_RUNNER = os.path.join(EVENNIA_BIN, "evennia_runner.py")
-EVENNIA_TEMPLATE = os.path.join(EVENNIA_ROOT, "game_template")
+EVENNIA_TEMPLATE = os.path.join(EVENNIA_ROOT, "share", "evennia", "game_template")
 EVENNIA_BINTESTING = os.path.join(EVENNIA_BIN, "testing")
 EVENNIA_DUMMYRUNNER = os.path.join(EVENNIA_BINTESTING, "dummyrunner.py")
 
@@ -299,11 +301,14 @@ def evennia_version():
     Get the Evennia version info from the main package.
     """
     version = "Unknown"
-    with open(os.path.join(EVENNIA_ROOT, "VERSION.txt"), 'r') as f:
-        version = f.read().strip()
     try:
-        version = "%s (rev %s)" % (version, check_output("git rev-parse --short HEAD", shell=True, cwd=EVENNIA_ROOT).strip())
-    except IOError:
+        import evennia
+        version = evennia.__version__
+    except ImportError:
+        pass
+    try:
+        version = "%s (rev %s)" % (version, check_output("git rev-parse --short HEAD", shell=True, cwd=EVENNIA_ROOT, stderr=STDOUT).strip())
+    except (IOError, CalledProcessError):
         pass
     return version
 
diff --git a/bin/evennia_runner.py b/bin/evennia_runner.py
index 8f133594f3..e1269e149d 100644
--- a/bin/evennia_runner.py
+++ b/bin/evennia_runner.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import sys
 from argparse import ArgumentParser
 from subprocess import Popen
 import Queue, thread
+import evennia
 
 try:
     # check if launched with pypy
@@ -31,7 +32,7 @@ PORTAL = None
 
 EVENNIA_ROOT = os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)))
 EVENNIA_BIN = os.path.join(EVENNIA_ROOT, "bin")
-EVENNIA_LIB = os.path.join(EVENNIA_ROOT, "evennia")
+EVENNIA_LIB = os.path.dirname(evennia.__file__)
 
 SERVER_PY_FILE = os.path.join(EVENNIA_LIB,'server', 'server.py')
 PORTAL_PY_FILE = os.path.join(EVENNIA_LIB, 'server', 'portal', 'portal.py')
diff --git a/evennia/VERSION.txt b/evennia/VERSION.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8f0916f768
--- /dev/null
+++ b/evennia/VERSION.txt
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+0.5.0
diff --git a/evennia/__init__.py b/evennia/__init__.py
index 29b9902513..b87209b076 100644
--- a/evennia/__init__.py
+++ b/evennia/__init__.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ See www.evennia.com for full documentation.
 # Delayed loading of properties
 
 # Typeclasses
+
 DefaultPlayer = None
 DefaultGuest = None
 DefaultObject = None
@@ -61,13 +62,21 @@ spawn = None
 managers = None
 
 import os
+from subprocess import check_output, CalledProcessError, STDOUT
+
+__version__ = "Unknown"
+
+root = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))
 try:
-    __version__ = "Evennia"
-    with os.path.join(open(os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)))), "VERSION.txt", 'r') as f:
-        __version__ += " %s" % f.read().strip()
-except IOError:
-    __version__ += " (unknown version)"
-del os
+    with open(os.path.join(root, "VERSION.txt"), 'r') as f:
+        __version__ = f.read().strip()
+except IOError as err:
+    print err
+try:
+    __version__ = "%s" % (check_output("git rev-parse --short HEAD", shell=True, cwd=root, stderr=STDOUT).strip())
+except (IOError, CalledProcessError):
+    pass
+
 
 def init():
     """
diff --git a/evennia/commands/default/batchprocess.py b/evennia/commands/default/batchprocess.py
index 266b5f9c45..f16a3ced7e 100644
--- a/evennia/commands/default/batchprocess.py
+++ b/evennia/commands/default/batchprocess.py
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ class CmdBatchCommands(MuxCommand):
         except UnicodeDecodeError, err:
             caller.msg(_UTF8_ERROR % (python_path, err))
             return
-        except IOError:
+        except IOError as err:
             string = "'%s' not found.\nYou have to supply the python path "
             string += "of the file relative to \none of your batch-file directories (%s)."
             caller.msg(string % (python_path, ", ".join(settings.BASE_BATCHPROCESS_PATHS)))
diff --git a/contrib/README b/evennia/contrib/README
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/README
rename to evennia/contrib/README
diff --git a/contrib/__init__.py b/evennia/contrib/__init__.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/__init__.py
rename to evennia/contrib/__init__.py
diff --git a/contrib/barter.py b/evennia/contrib/barter.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/barter.py
rename to evennia/contrib/barter.py
diff --git a/contrib/battle_for_evennia/README b/evennia/contrib/battle_for_evennia/README
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/battle_for_evennia/README
rename to evennia/contrib/battle_for_evennia/README
diff --git a/contrib/chargen.py b/evennia/contrib/chargen.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/chargen.py
rename to evennia/contrib/chargen.py
diff --git a/contrib/dice.py b/evennia/contrib/dice.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/dice.py
rename to evennia/contrib/dice.py
diff --git a/contrib/email-login.py b/evennia/contrib/email-login.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/email-login.py
rename to evennia/contrib/email-login.py
diff --git a/contrib/extended_room.py b/evennia/contrib/extended_room.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/extended_room.py
rename to evennia/contrib/extended_room.py
diff --git a/contrib/lineeditor.py b/evennia/contrib/lineeditor.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/lineeditor.py
rename to evennia/contrib/lineeditor.py
diff --git a/contrib/menu_login.py b/evennia/contrib/menu_login.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/menu_login.py
rename to evennia/contrib/menu_login.py
diff --git a/contrib/menusystem.py b/evennia/contrib/menusystem.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/menusystem.py
rename to evennia/contrib/menusystem.py
diff --git a/contrib/procpools/README.txt b/evennia/contrib/procpools/README.txt
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/procpools/README.txt
rename to evennia/contrib/procpools/README.txt
diff --git a/contrib/procpools/__init__.py b/evennia/contrib/procpools/__init__.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/procpools/__init__.py
rename to evennia/contrib/procpools/__init__.py
diff --git a/contrib/procpools/ampoule/COPYING.txt b/evennia/contrib/procpools/ampoule/COPYING.txt
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/procpools/ampoule/COPYING.txt
rename to evennia/contrib/procpools/ampoule/COPYING.txt
diff --git a/contrib/procpools/ampoule/EVENNIA.txt b/evennia/contrib/procpools/ampoule/EVENNIA.txt
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/procpools/ampoule/EVENNIA.txt
rename to evennia/contrib/procpools/ampoule/EVENNIA.txt
diff --git a/contrib/procpools/ampoule/__init__.py b/evennia/contrib/procpools/ampoule/__init__.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/procpools/ampoule/__init__.py
rename to evennia/contrib/procpools/ampoule/__init__.py
diff --git a/contrib/procpools/ampoule/child.py b/evennia/contrib/procpools/ampoule/child.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/procpools/ampoule/child.py
rename to evennia/contrib/procpools/ampoule/child.py
diff --git a/contrib/procpools/ampoule/commands.py b/evennia/contrib/procpools/ampoule/commands.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/procpools/ampoule/commands.py
rename to evennia/contrib/procpools/ampoule/commands.py
diff --git a/contrib/procpools/ampoule/iampoule.py b/evennia/contrib/procpools/ampoule/iampoule.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/procpools/ampoule/iampoule.py
rename to evennia/contrib/procpools/ampoule/iampoule.py
diff --git a/contrib/procpools/ampoule/main.py b/evennia/contrib/procpools/ampoule/main.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/procpools/ampoule/main.py
rename to evennia/contrib/procpools/ampoule/main.py
diff --git a/contrib/procpools/ampoule/pool.py b/evennia/contrib/procpools/ampoule/pool.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/procpools/ampoule/pool.py
rename to evennia/contrib/procpools/ampoule/pool.py
diff --git a/contrib/procpools/ampoule/rpool.py b/evennia/contrib/procpools/ampoule/rpool.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/procpools/ampoule/rpool.py
rename to evennia/contrib/procpools/ampoule/rpool.py
diff --git a/contrib/procpools/ampoule/service.py b/evennia/contrib/procpools/ampoule/service.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/procpools/ampoule/service.py
rename to evennia/contrib/procpools/ampoule/service.py
diff --git a/contrib/procpools/ampoule/test/__init__.py b/evennia/contrib/procpools/ampoule/test/__init__.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/procpools/ampoule/test/__init__.py
rename to evennia/contrib/procpools/ampoule/test/__init__.py
diff --git a/contrib/procpools/ampoule/test/test_process.py b/evennia/contrib/procpools/ampoule/test/test_process.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/procpools/ampoule/test/test_process.py
rename to evennia/contrib/procpools/ampoule/test/test_process.py
diff --git a/contrib/procpools/ampoule/test/test_proxy.py b/evennia/contrib/procpools/ampoule/test/test_proxy.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/procpools/ampoule/test/test_proxy.py
rename to evennia/contrib/procpools/ampoule/test/test_proxy.py
diff --git a/contrib/procpools/ampoule/util.py b/evennia/contrib/procpools/ampoule/util.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/procpools/ampoule/util.py
rename to evennia/contrib/procpools/ampoule/util.py
diff --git a/contrib/procpools/python_procpool.py b/evennia/contrib/procpools/python_procpool.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/procpools/python_procpool.py
rename to evennia/contrib/procpools/python_procpool.py
diff --git a/contrib/procpools/python_procpool_plugin.py b/evennia/contrib/procpools/python_procpool_plugin.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/procpools/python_procpool_plugin.py
rename to evennia/contrib/procpools/python_procpool_plugin.py
diff --git a/contrib/slow_exit.py b/evennia/contrib/slow_exit.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/slow_exit.py
rename to evennia/contrib/slow_exit.py
diff --git a/contrib/talking_npc.py b/evennia/contrib/talking_npc.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/talking_npc.py
rename to evennia/contrib/talking_npc.py
diff --git a/contrib/tutorial_examples/__init__.py b/evennia/contrib/tutorial_examples/__init__.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/tutorial_examples/__init__.py
rename to evennia/contrib/tutorial_examples/__init__.py
diff --git a/contrib/tutorial_examples/batch_cmds.ev b/evennia/contrib/tutorial_examples/batch_cmds.ev
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/tutorial_examples/batch_cmds.ev
rename to evennia/contrib/tutorial_examples/batch_cmds.ev
diff --git a/contrib/tutorial_examples/cmdset_red_button.py b/evennia/contrib/tutorial_examples/cmdset_red_button.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/tutorial_examples/cmdset_red_button.py
rename to evennia/contrib/tutorial_examples/cmdset_red_button.py
diff --git a/contrib/tutorial_examples/red_button.py b/evennia/contrib/tutorial_examples/red_button.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/tutorial_examples/red_button.py
rename to evennia/contrib/tutorial_examples/red_button.py
diff --git a/contrib/tutorial_examples/red_button_scripts.py b/evennia/contrib/tutorial_examples/red_button_scripts.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/tutorial_examples/red_button_scripts.py
rename to evennia/contrib/tutorial_examples/red_button_scripts.py
diff --git a/contrib/tutorial_world/README b/evennia/contrib/tutorial_world/README
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/tutorial_world/README
rename to evennia/contrib/tutorial_world/README
diff --git a/contrib/tutorial_world/__init__.py b/evennia/contrib/tutorial_world/__init__.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/tutorial_world/__init__.py
rename to evennia/contrib/tutorial_world/__init__.py
diff --git a/contrib/tutorial_world/build.ev b/evennia/contrib/tutorial_world/build.ev
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/tutorial_world/build.ev
rename to evennia/contrib/tutorial_world/build.ev
diff --git a/contrib/tutorial_world/mob.py b/evennia/contrib/tutorial_world/mob.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/tutorial_world/mob.py
rename to evennia/contrib/tutorial_world/mob.py
diff --git a/contrib/tutorial_world/objects.py b/evennia/contrib/tutorial_world/objects.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/tutorial_world/objects.py
rename to evennia/contrib/tutorial_world/objects.py
diff --git a/contrib/tutorial_world/rooms.py b/evennia/contrib/tutorial_world/rooms.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/tutorial_world/rooms.py
rename to evennia/contrib/tutorial_world/rooms.py
diff --git a/contrib/tutorial_world/scripts.py b/evennia/contrib/tutorial_world/scripts.py
similarity index 100%
rename from contrib/tutorial_world/scripts.py
rename to evennia/contrib/tutorial_world/scripts.py
diff --git a/evennia/utils/batchprocessors.py b/evennia/utils/batchprocessors.py
index e0975efbae..ca832707aa 100644
--- a/evennia/utils/batchprocessors.py
+++ b/evennia/utils/batchprocessors.py
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ It seems the bottom of the box is a bit loose.
 # close the @drop command since it's the end of the file)
 -------------------------
 
-An example batch file is contribs/examples/batch_example.ev.
+An example batch file is contrib/examples/batch_example.ev.
 
 
 ==========================================================================
diff --git a/evennia/utils/utils.py b/evennia/utils/utils.py
index edfe068a58..012ca78888 100644
--- a/evennia/utils/utils.py
+++ b/evennia/utils/utils.py
@@ -306,25 +306,8 @@ def host_os_is(osname):
 
 
 def get_evennia_version():
-    """
-    Get the Evennia version info from the main package.
-    """
-    version = "Unknown"
-    with open(os.path.join(settings.ROOT_DIR, "VERSION.txt"), 'r') as f:
-        version = f.read().strip()
-    try:
-        version = "%s (rev %s)" % (version, check_output("git rev-parse --short HEAD", shell=True, cwd=settings.ROOT_DIR).strip())
-    except IOError:
-        pass
-    return version
-    """
-    Check for the evennia version info.
-    """
-    try:
-        f = open(settings.ROOT_DIR + os.sep + "VERSION.txt", 'r')
-        return "%s-%s" % (f.read().strip(), os.popen("git rev-parse --short HEAD").read().strip())
-    except IOError:
-        return "Unknown version"
+    import evennia
+    return evennia.__version__
 
 
 def pypath_to_realpath(python_path, file_ending='.py'):
@@ -343,7 +326,7 @@ def pypath_to_realpath(python_path, file_ending='.py'):
         pathsplit = pathsplit[:-1]
     if not pathsplit:
         return python_path
-    path = settings.ROOT_DIR
+    path = settings.EVENNIA_DIR
     for directory in pathsplit:
         path = os.path.join(path, directory)
     if file_ending:
diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7d573b56e1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+import os
+from setuptools import setup, find_packages
+
+os.chdir(os.path.dirname(os.path.realpath(__file__)))
+
+
+def get_requirements():
+    req_lines = open('requirements.txt', 'r').readlines()
+    reqs = []
+    for line in req_lines:
+        line = line.strip()
+        if line and not line.startswith('#'):
+            reqs.append(line)
+    return reqs
+
+VERSION_PATH = os.path.join('evennia', 'VERSION.txt')
+
+
+def get_version():
+    return open(VERSION_PATH).read().strip()
+
+
+def package_data():
+    file_set = []
+    for root, dirs, files in os.walk('evennia'):
+        for f in files:
+            file_name = os.path.relpath(os.path.join(root, f), 'evennia')
+            file_set.append(file_name)
+    return file_set
+
+
+def template_data():
+    """
+    Finds all of the static and template dirs in the project and adds 
+    them to the package data.
+
+    By default setup.py only installs Python modules.
+    """
+    data = []
+    for dirname, _, files in os.walk("game_template"):
+        for root, ___, current_files in os.walk(dirname):
+            for f in current_files:
+                file_name = os.path.join(root, f)
+                data.append((os.path.join('share', 'evennia', root), [file_name]))
+    return data
+
+setup(
+    name='evennia',
+    version=get_version(),
+    description='A full-featured MUD building toolkit.',
+    packages=find_packages(exclude=['game_template', 'game_template.*']),
+    scripts=['bin/evennia', 'bin/evennia_runner.py'],
+    install_requires=get_requirements(),
+    package_data={'': package_data()},
+    data_files=template_data(),
+    zip_safe=False
+)