3DR Store: CDs vs. Downloads

[JMB]

Just wondering, what are the differences in the download versions of the registered games vs. the full CD versions of the games? I would assume that the CDs are pretty much the same as the Duke3D and SW CDs (both of which I own), which include the game installer files, demos, and other bonuses--is this correct?

But I haven't got any games for download, so I'm just wondering what format they're in. Is it a zip file containing multiple files including an installer for installation? A zip file of the actual game directory, which you extract, go to its folder and run the game? A single .exe installer? I'm running DOSBox in Linux, and would like to know exactly *what* I'm getting before I buy these games online.

Duke3D and Shadow Warrior were easy, since only the CD version is available to begin with, but there are a lot of games I'm interested in that have both a CD version and a download available, and it'd be nice to know the pros and cons of each package.

[Yatta]

I believe they're just setup files (some DOS-based, and some Windows-based) that you run that would extract the game in a specified folder. You'll need DosBox to play the extracted games, obviously. The only pro is the fact that you don't have to pay for shipping and you get to play right away.

I personally prefer boxed packages because I'm a collector--plus having the game on its original CD/floppy is just cool.

[JMB]

Originally Posted by Yatta

I believe they're just setup files (some DOS-based, and some Windows-based) that you run that would extract the game in a specified folder. You'll need DosBox to play the extracted games, obviously. The only pro is the fact that you don't have to pay for shipping and you get to play right away.

I personally prefer boxed packages because I'm a collector--plus having the game on its original CD/floppy is just cool.

Thanks for the quick reply. That clears it up, pretty much seals my original plan. I agree with you in preferring the actual physical copy in most cases, but sometimes a digital download is nice. Depends on the package. In this case, assuming each game download is one executable file/installer, possibly Windows-based (I'd rather avoid Windows, even Wine, if possible). I think I'll go for the CDs unless absolutely necessary. Of course, nothing's stopping them from putting Windows installers on CDs too, but with all the extra space I'd expect at least an option of DOS or Win. And being DOS games from the start... well... I would hope that's the case.

Hopefully they haven't pulled an id, who re-released the Doom series entirely in Windows form and now the DOS version is hard to find and, quite literally, not worth the trouble.

But really, I'll probably make ISO images to mount directly and not have to worry about getting scratches or fingerprints on the discs, so I guess the big con in the end is the overall file size...

Again, thanks for the reply.

[Scotty]

I don't think Apogee/3DR ever did retail boxes.

For games packaged on CD to begin with (Duke3D, Balls of Steel, etc) I got the CD in a jewel case, and a fold-out manual inside the jewel case cover.

For older games, some games had an on-disk help system (Commander Keen) and others had a printed manual (Wolfenstein 3D), but neither came with a retail box.

I'm pretty sure the move from floppy to CD distribution has resulted in the conversion of the old printed manuals to on-disc PDF files. As such, there may not be a lot of difference between the CD and download versions anymore for some games.

[Qbix]

If the game runs on DOS(Box) then the installer is most likely DOS as well. It would make little sense to make windows installers for those games. (the only windows installers for dos games I know of are created by illegal sites. (well Arena of Bethesda is an exception) Even those can usually be extracted by 7zip/zip/rar)

[Joe Siegler]

Originally Posted by JMB

Just wondering, what are the differences in the download versions of the registered games vs. the full CD versions of the games? I would assume that the CDs are pretty much the same as the Duke3D and SW CDs (both of which I own), which include the game installer files, demos, and other bonuses--is this correct?

But I haven't got any games for download, so I'm just wondering what format they're in. Is it a zip file containing multiple files including an installer for installation? A zip file of the actual game directory, which you extract, go to its folder and run the game? A single .exe installer? I'm running DOSBox in Linux, and would like to know exactly *what* I'm getting before I buy these games online.

The downloadable games come in a Winzip self extracting archive, which launches the original DOS installer.

As for retail boxes, please search this forums old posts. They go back 10 years. This has been discussed so many times already, it's painful.

[JMB]

Originally Posted by Qbix

If the game runs on DOS(Box) then the installer is most likely DOS as well. It would make little sense to make windows installers for those games. (the only windows installers for dos games I know of are created by illegal sites. (well Arena of Bethesda is an exception) Even those can usually be extracted by 7zip/zip/rar)

Well... I agree that would make the most sense, but 3DR seems to have done just that with Stargunner (I downloaded the freeware version), which is a Windows executable installer for a DOS game. Which means, effectively, that DOSBox can run the game... but it can't run the installer. That just left me wondering about the rest of the games.

Originally Posted by Joe Siegler

The downloadable games come in a Winzip self extracting archive, which launches the original DOS installer.

As for retail boxes, please search this forums old posts. They go back 10 years. This has been discussed so many times already, it's painful.

WinZip SFX? I guess that's not too bad. I'd probably end up extracting and re-zipping them in plain Zip format, though.

BTW, just to clarify, I mean mostly the contents on the CD, not the actual physical packaging (like printed manual, box, etc.). I'll see what I can get with a search though.

[Joe Siegler]

WinZip SFX? I guess that's not too bad. I'd probably end up extracting and re-zipping them in plain Zip format, though.

That's your decision, but we as the content provider cannot assume the customer will have an Unzip utility. You might think it's silly, but we get a rather large percentage of people who have no clue what a ZIP file is.

[Blade Nightflame]

Well, I'd find the CD's better for some games. If they do or not, getting the CD will get you a lush CD audio soundtrack which just kicks ass.

Which makes me glad I have the CD for Shadow Warrior, really.

[SonnyBonds]

Yeah same. I love having the CDs and boxes. I even bought the Mac version of Shadow Warrior since it had a bigger box

[Joe Siegler]

Originally Posted by SonnyBonds

Yeah same. I love having the CDs and boxes. I even bought the Mac version of Shadow Warrior since it had a bigger box

I should take a picture some time of my Apogee / 3DR box archive I have at work. I have quite a few.

[Phayzon]

That would be cool!

All my boxes are long gone

[Nukkus]

i still have my mac shadow warrior box ^_^

[JMB]

Originally Posted by Blade Nightflame

Well, I'd find the CD's better for some games. If they do or not, getting the CD will get you a lush CD audio soundtrack which just kicks ass.

Which makes me glad I have the CD for Shadow Warrior, really.

Do all of the 3DR game CDs come with soundtracks? I have Duke3D (with the full Grabbag theme) and Shadow Warrior (which comes with several songs if I recall correctly). If so, that's definitely one more strike against the download versions.

Anyway, thanks for the replies everyone. It looks like the only games I will be getting the download versions of are those which are only available as downloads and diskettes, and I'll convert those to a more friendly format for non-Windows operating systems. Those would be Duke 1 and Duke 2, and maybe (nah... probably) Cosmo's Cosmic Adventure and Monster Bash.

On the other hand, a Google search on the subject recently said something about Info-ZIP, the de-facto standard across operating systems for managing Zip files (except maybe Windows... by default, at least), can handle WinZip self-extracting files. In that case, there's really not much reason to even bother changing to regular .zip format, so I'm not sure if I will or not. Probably will, so they can be properly detected as zip files and I don't have to use the "open with" command.

[bobthefish]

Originally Posted by Joe Siegler

I should take a picture some time of my Apogee / 3DR box archive I have at work. I have quite a few.

please do!
im interested

[jayo]

When I got the Keen Combo CD, it only came in a blank case. Alot of Apogee's packaging leaves a bit to be desired, especially since the games have the mannual and hints on disk. But I like how Keen 6 had a printed mannual! Since my computer lacks 3.5" and (unsurprisingly) 5.25" disk drives, the only way I could get games like Monster Bash was by download! Besides, I hate waiting!

[Scotty]

Keen 6 was a retail release by id Software. It also had a copy protection scheme that was dependent on having a printed manual.

[jayo]

I know. Too bad I missed it!