Good Old Games

avatar_58 · 07-10-2008, 09:56 AM

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/53535

Website:
http://www.gog.com/en/intro

It's an effort from CD Projekt (of the Witcher fame) to put DRM free classic games up for sale. No DRM, XP/Vista compatible and an unlimited number of downloads/installs per game.

Yes I did a double take too, because this sounds way too good to be true. These guys have nailed the issue of abandonware, especially if they can get more publishers on board with this.

I'm definately on board with this kind of thinking.

EDIT- Err might help if I added the link.

Mountain Man · 07-10-2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avatar_58

I'm definately on board with this kind of thinking.

No kidding. I think any red-blooded gamer would be. Let's hope it flies.

avatar_58 · 07-10-2008, 10:20 AM

This needs way more attention, because it had better not fail. This is exactly the kind of thing true abandonware supporters have been waiting for. Not those "lol it's old lets pirate it" types, but the ones who want old games to live on. DRM free and compatible? Hell I'd have taken a steam-method. This is just icing on the cake.

Now the big question is whether the large guys like VUgames or EAgames will get on board. Sierra games would sell like hotcakes. However they don't even acknowledge steam, nevermind a small fry like CD Projekt.

Inanimate Carbon Rod · 07-10-2008, 10:20 AM

Redneck Rampage!!!

avatar_58 · 07-10-2008, 10:24 AM

Apparently they edit the source code directly btw - this is no lame emulation method. These games are patched to work on modern systems. Don't ask me what kind of code ninjas they have working there.

This raises a point however - will games like Blood make it to the list? What about games like Ultima VII who's source is lost but a third part solution already exists? Will they work together with them?

There's going to be interview with these guys, I hope this is all answered.

Jinroh · 07-10-2008, 10:39 AM

Nice I'm ready and willing.

Llama Gibbz · 07-10-2008, 10:40 AM

If they manage to get support and get a good library id use it.

Id like to some games from the 5¼ floppy era too.
Not just what gametap can/could offer.

edit=Hope they get the whole interplay library.

avatar_58 · 07-10-2008, 10:51 AM

Gametap is probably the biggest threat to this effort. It supports a rental model, while this allows you to own the game and do as you please with it.

Considering the big names have already jumped to gametap, I really hope they change their minds. However this could spell the end for Gametap's services. Why rent for money every month when I can buy for a minimal cost and own it? I really hope they play nice together and share publishers. In the end I'd rather see Gametap go down in flames and this one succeed.

Wellenreiter · 07-10-2008, 11:08 AM

Mmm, this seems to be interesting... but strange also.

Quote:

Originally Posted by site

To eliminate compatibility issues, the team has source code access to most games and will be creating custom installers for each title.

Really? Huh? How could that happen? I wonder if they have the source code for Fallout 2... but if they have, they most certainly won't give it away.

Jinroh · 07-10-2008, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wellenreiter

Mmm, this seems to be interesting... but strange also.

Really? Huh? How could that happen? I wonder if they have the source code for Fallout 2... but if they have, they most certainly won't give it away.

Yeah, I was surprised too. I thought they'd be doing some kind of Virtual Machine, but this tells me the companies they have on board are REAAAALY behind them.

avatar_58 · 07-10-2008, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wellenreiter

Really? Huh? How could that happen? I wonder if they have the source code for Fallout 2... but if they have, they most certainly won't give it away.

The games are patched and no, they won't give it away. Technically they are "porting" the games to modern systems as a third party. This is actually where I'm curious - what if the code is not available?

Mountain Man · 07-10-2008, 11:29 AM

We need to spread the word. I definitely want to see this succeed.

avatar_58 · 07-10-2008, 11:37 AM

/spams every forum he vists

Wamplet · 07-10-2008, 11:48 AM

Very good news! \o

I'll spread the word.

Komb.at · 07-10-2008, 11:58 AM

Excellent, let's hope it gets huge attention.

I dig old shit

avatar_58 · 07-10-2008, 12:06 PM

Hey 3DR - what about you guys? The games are already downloadable, but why not join the cause? Especially if these guys are willing to patch the games for modern machines.

Qbix · 07-10-2008, 12:22 PM

For dos games they will use dosbox though.

Jinroh · 07-10-2008, 12:24 PM

Yeah or for the closed source games a Virtual Machine, cuz code does get lost every now and again, you know a dog eats it, a cat walks across the keyboard, somebody chucks a molotov cocktail through your living room window, your wife leaves you, takes the kids, the house, the dog, the car, and leaves you sitting there with the only thing you have left. Your PC and it is just sitting there at a C:\ prompt. She even took your OS. :'(

Whoa, anyway, I'll spread the word too.

avatar_58 · 07-10-2008, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qbix

For dos games they will use dosbox though.

Do you know this because they contacted you or is this just a guess?

Jinroh · 07-10-2008, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avatar_58

Do you know this because they contacted you or is this just a guess?

Probably a guess, but I don't care as long as they don't port them to GDI.

Qbix · 07-10-2008, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avatar_58

Do you know this because they contacted you or is this just a guess?

I used "will use" instead of "might/could use".

avatar_58 · 07-10-2008, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qbix

I used "will use" instead of "might/could use".

Hmm. While that doesn't bother me since I'm well familiar with it, I can bet this will cause some grief. They don't hide it right? I mean saying something is XP/Vista compatible and then turning around and including dosbox is a bit contradictory.

If you know this then am I to assume they at least avoided the VUgames / id software coverup nonsense? I didn't like how they tried to hide the use of dosbox. I mean id corrected their mistake, but it shouldn't have happened in the first place.

Qbix · 07-10-2008, 12:53 PM

I don't know how they want to do it. I got an email today that they will do it and an invitation to check it out.

Jinroh · 07-10-2008, 12:55 PM

I would think they would do some kind of standalone DosBox where you wouldn't have to fiddle with DB's config files and such. I think that would be better for the end user. Though I do like fiddling with DosBox.

avatar_58 · 07-10-2008, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jinroh

I would think they would do some kind of standalone DosBox where you wouldn't have to fiddle with DB's config files and such. I think that would be better for the end user. Though I do like fiddling with DosBox.

Except with Doom and the id games you DO have to fiddle with dosbox. Otherwise the settings are far from optimal. If I don't set the resolution/output it's not fullscreen for me, for instance. That's going to be a big problem if they don't choose settings that are universally correct.

I hope they have someone on board who will keep this in mind.

Mountain Man · 07-10-2008, 01:04 PM

Hopefully our resident DOSbox advisor can put in a word on our behalf.

Jinroh · 07-10-2008, 01:04 PM

Hmmm...that is true so we'll have to have some sort of intuitive setup utility so that the end user should not have to fiddle with the .CFG file alone.

Wow, I don't know why I'm giving such 'I'm really working on this project input.' like I'm a developer on the team. That's weird, must be a side effect of being a developer at a large corporation.

Throwing around 'End Users!' and assuming they can do nothing.

CommanderZx2 · 07-10-2008, 01:05 PM

Signed up, didn't get a confirmation email...

avatar_58 · 07-10-2008, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommanderZx2

Signed up, didn't get a confirmation email...

It doesn't start till August. They probably won't choose users until then.

CommanderZx2 · 07-10-2008, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avatar_58

It doesn't start till August. They probably won't choose users until then.

I would have liked an email to just confirm that I have entered my email address.

Wellenreiter · 07-10-2008, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avatar_58

The games are patched and no, they won't give it away. Technically they are "porting" the games to modern systems as a third party.

Look, I know what that means technically. That's why I'm baffled - it's great. I'd never thought this would ever happen. There are so many good games which suffer from problems with current OS's, and this may bring happiness to many.

At the same time I want the Fallout 2 source code for everybody. Will GOG fix the "too many items bug"? Will they fix the black screen problem? Will they provide higher resolutions, fix all the leftover bugs, make the GUI more convenient? Partly this has been done by the Fallout community, but think of what they could do if they had the source code... *sigh*

Ah, whatever. I don't even know if GOG has the code, and if, they bought it, so they can do whatever they want. Now let me dream on...

Thief · 07-10-2008, 02:34 PM

So they've somehow patched these oldies to work on modern hardware using GUIs that require no manual fiddling with the innards of the installation files? I find it very hard to believe that all us users will need to do is hit the 'install' button and presto: 10-15 year old games will work on our systems. I really hope it's true because I'll jump on any chance I get to play the Fallout series, System Shock 1, Giants, etc.

Superczar · 07-10-2008, 02:49 PM

Damn, if they truly get some great classics on there I don't have, then AWESOME...

Wellenreiter · 07-10-2008, 02:58 PM

Quote:

http://www.gog.com/en/intro

What is the game on the left?

Thief · 07-10-2008, 03:01 PM

^ Giants: Citizen Kabuto

Many forum-ees rave about this game, although it's hardly as old as the other titles pictured on the site.

Denz · 07-10-2008, 03:11 PM

As long as it's not too pricey...

Also i could try most of the games present in that banner, i think they should have use older games on this banner.

avatar_58 · 07-10-2008, 03:22 PM

Interview -

http://www.shacknews.com/featuredarticle.x?id=914

These guys sound like regular gamers who know whats up. I'm definitely going to support this.

Wellenreiter · 07-10-2008, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thief

^ Giants: Citizen Kabuto

Many forum-ees rave about this game, although it's hardly as old as the other titles pictured on the site.

Thanks! Right, I think I remember some raving, seems rather unique. I might check this out.

Wamplet · 07-10-2008, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denz

As long as it's not too pricey...

Also i could try most of the games present in that banner, i think they should have use older games on this banner.

The prices say 6 -10 gold. \o

In agreement that they should have put up some older games.

However, I am guessing that they had to go with the list of games that are approved right now.

Amakou · 07-10-2008, 04:02 PM

I've never played the Fallout games, so this could be of some use to me. I'm also looking forward to their releases of Descent 1-3.

They've got my support.

~Amakou~

07-10-2008, 12:22 PM	#17
Qbix DOSBox Advisor	Re: Good Old Games For dos games they will use dosbox though.

07-10-2008, 12:53 PM	#23
Qbix DOSBox Advisor	Re: Good Old Games I don't know how they want to do it. I got an email today that they will do it and an invitation to check it out.

07-10-2008, 09:56 AM	#1
avatar_58	Good Old Games http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/53535 Website: http://www.gog.com/en/intro It's an effort from CD Projekt (of the Witcher fame) to put DRM free classic games up for sale. No DRM, XP/Vista compatible and an unlimited number of downloads/installs per game. Yes I did a double take too, because this sounds way too good to be true. These guys have nailed the issue of abandonware, especially if they can get more publishers on board with this. I'm definately on board with this kind of thinking. EDIT- Err might help if I added the link. Last edited by avatar_58; 07-10-2008 at 10:03 AM.

07-10-2008, 10:20 AM	#3
avatar_58	Re: Good Old Games This needs way more attention, because it had better not fail. This is exactly the kind of thing true abandonware supporters have been waiting for. Not those "lol it's old lets pirate it" types, but the ones who want old games to live on. DRM free and compatible? Hell I'd have taken a steam-method. This is just icing on the cake. Now the big question is whether the large guys like VUgames or EAgames will get on board. Sierra games would sell like hotcakes. However they don't even acknowledge steam, nevermind a small fry like CD Projekt.

07-10-2008, 10:20 AM	#4
Inanimate Carbon Rod	Re: Good Old Games Redneck Rampage!!! __________________ "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." -Albert Einstein

07-10-2008, 10:24 AM	#5
avatar_58	Re: Good Old Games Apparently they edit the source code directly btw - this is no lame emulation method. These games are patched to work on modern systems. Don't ask me what kind of code ninjas they have working there. This raises a point however - will games like Blood make it to the list? What about games like Ultima VII who's source is lost but a third part solution already exists? Will they work together with them? There's going to be interview with these guys, I hope this is all answered.

07-10-2008, 10:39 AM	#6
Jinroh	Re: Good Old Games Nice I'm ready and willing.

07-10-2008, 10:40 AM	#7
Llama Gibbz	Re: Good Old Games If they manage to get support and get a good library id use it. Id like to some games from the 5¼ floppy era too. Not just what gametap can/could offer. edit=Hope they get the whole interplay library. __________________ That's not dog,its imitation.

07-10-2008, 10:51 AM	#8
avatar_58	Re: Good Old Games Gametap is probably the biggest threat to this effort. It supports a rental model, while this allows you to own the game and do as you please with it. Considering the big names have already jumped to gametap, I really hope they change their minds. However this could spell the end for Gametap's services. Why rent for money every month when I can buy for a minimal cost and own it? I really hope they play nice together and share publishers. In the end I'd rather see Gametap go down in flames and this one succeed.

07-10-2008, 11:29 AM	#12
Mountain Man	Re: Good Old Games We need to spread the word. I definitely want to see this succeed. __________________ The Mountain Man Create your own signature! Fill in the blank: _____________________________________________

07-10-2008, 11:37 AM	#13
avatar_58	Re: Good Old Games /spams every forum he vists

07-10-2008, 11:48 AM	#14
Wamplet	Re: Good Old Games Very good news! \o I'll spread the word. __________________ "IT'S HUGE!!!!" -chimera I think it's a 17"... or maybe it's a 19"..... it's huge... and bulky! but it has served me quite well -Mariamus "You're dying after Wamplet and Politics." -L'Bulgeur "By god... Wamp has a point." -Damien_Azreal

07-10-2008, 11:58 AM	#15
Komb.at	Re: Good Old Games Excellent, let's hope it gets huge attention. I dig old shit

07-10-2008, 12:06 PM	#16
avatar_58	Re: Good Old Games Hey 3DR - what about you guys? The games are already downloadable, but why not join the cause? Especially if these guys are willing to patch the games for modern machines.

07-10-2008, 12:24 PM	#18
Jinroh	Re: Good Old Games Yeah or for the closed source games a Virtual Machine, cuz code does get lost every now and again, you know a dog eats it, a cat walks across the keyboard, somebody chucks a molotov cocktail through your living room window, your wife leaves you, takes the kids, the house, the dog, the car, and leaves you sitting there with the only thing you have left. Your PC and it is just sitting there at a C:\ prompt. She even took your OS. :'( Whoa, anyway, I'll spread the word too.

07-10-2008, 12:55 PM	#24
Jinroh	Re: Good Old Games I would think they would do some kind of standalone DosBox where you wouldn't have to fiddle with DB's config files and such. I think that would be better for the end user. Though I do like fiddling with DosBox.

07-10-2008, 01:04 PM	#26
Mountain Man	Re: Good Old Games Hopefully our resident DOSbox advisor can put in a word on our behalf. __________________ The Mountain Man Create your own signature! Fill in the blank: _____________________________________________

07-10-2008, 01:04 PM	#27
Jinroh	Re: Good Old Games Hmmm...that is true so we'll have to have some sort of intuitive setup utility so that the end user should not have to fiddle with the .CFG file alone. Wow, I don't know why I'm giving such 'I'm really working on this project input.' like I'm a developer on the team. That's weird, must be a side effect of being a developer at a large corporation. Throwing around 'End Users!' and assuming they can do nothing.

07-10-2008, 01:05 PM	#28
CommanderZx2	Re: Good Old Games Signed up, didn't get a confirmation email...

07-10-2008, 02:34 PM	#32
Thief	Re: Good Old Games So they've somehow patched these oldies to work on modern hardware using GUIs that require no manual fiddling with the innards of the installation files? I find it very hard to believe that all us users will need to do is hit the 'install' button and presto: 10-15 year old games will work on our systems. I really hope it's true because I'll jump on any chance I get to play the Fallout series, System Shock 1, Giants, etc. __________________ We choose our profession in defiance of the greed of the monarchy. We will not live for the sake of taxes to fatten the nobles' pockets. We choose to live the only life available to those who would truly be free. We are Thieves.

07-10-2008, 02:49 PM	#33
Superczar	Re: Good Old Games Damn, if they truly get some great classics on there I don't have, then AWESOME... __________________ 'F*** Fresch!!!'.

07-10-2008, 03:01 PM	#35
Thief	Re: Good Old Games ^ Giants: Citizen Kabuto Many forum-ees rave about this game, although it's hardly as old as the other titles pictured on the site. __________________ We choose our profession in defiance of the greed of the monarchy. We will not live for the sake of taxes to fatten the nobles' pockets. We choose to live the only life available to those who would truly be free. We are Thieves.

07-10-2008, 03:11 PM	#36
Denz	Re: Good Old Games As long as it's not too pricey... Also i could try most of the games present in that banner, i think they should have use older games on this banner. __________________ *crunchy superman said:* 10 years and two complete restarts - that's either one very effective filter, or a whole lotta shit. :D

07-10-2008, 03:22 PM	#37
avatar_58	Re: Good Old Games Interview - http://www.shacknews.com/featuredarticle.x?id=914 These guys sound like regular gamers who know whats up. I'm definitely going to support this.

07-10-2008, 04:02 PM	#40
Amakou	Re: Good Old Games I've never played the Fallout games, so this could be of some use to me. I'm also looking forward to their releases of Descent 1-3. They've got my support. ~Amakou~ __________________ I'm a Hitman fan It'll be done When It's Done!