Windows 7 Beta available to download on Jan 9th

[franpa]

I would replay Warcraft II if it had smooth screen scrolling like Starcraft (or at least higher resolutions which would negate the need for smooth scrolling) anyways, I wouldn't mind variable screen resolutions in Blizzards classic games.

[FitzRoy]

Updating the games for sake of doing so is not profitable. You would have to at least find creative ways (usually hires artwork) and/or new features to reasonably entice gamers.

Let's see:

(a) audio that wasn't downgraded because of media constraints
(b) bigger resolutions / draw areas
(c) guaranteed compatibility with current OS and API iterations
(d) automatic integration of expansion packs

I would buy in a heartbeat for those features. Honestly, companies spend far more making games from scratch. Doing you actually think something like "Bionic Commando" would have greater profit margins than an updated Diablo? Not to mention that these games are popular franchises and with the release of every sequel comes renewed sales interest in the prequels.

[Squall_Leonhart]

I really wish companies like Blizzard took the time to rewrite their classic older games to stay up to date with industry changes, plus offer them online. They never even switched over to single disc DVD editions of diablo ii or warcraft iii. Still the same old giant cardboard chest boxes spread across multiple CDs. How 1990s of them.

I'd pay good money for a Windows port of Blackthorne.

meh, Dosbox ftw.

I've got a K6-2, SB16, and AWE32 sitting next to me.

Of course, for all I know, Blackthorne's music was made for the MT-32 or something. Probably General MIDI, given the date. But you NEVER KNOW!

I'd choose Dosbox over the K6-2 any day.

[Gil_Hamilton]

I really wish companies like Blizzard took the time to rewrite their classic older games to stay up to date with industry changes, plus offer them online. They never even switched over to single disc DVD editions of diablo ii or warcraft iii. Still the same old giant cardboard chest boxes spread across multiple CDs. How 1990s of them.

I'd pay good money for a Windows port of Blackthorne.

meh, Dosbox ftw.

I've got a K6-2, SB16, and AWE32 sitting next to me.

Of course, for all I know, Blackthorne's music was made for the MT-32 or something. Probably General MIDI, given the date. But you NEVER KNOW!

I'd choose Dosbox over the K6-2 any day.

The K6 doesn't crash and strangle the entire machine when I try to run Tyrian. That's important to a Tyrian fan.
It also runs Win9x games that don't work right in XP.

[Squall_Leonhart]

You obviously haven't set dosbox up properly if Tyrian is giving you problems.

set the Set the Core to full and Auto for both cycle options. Tyrian runs full speed for me and has done on as slow as a Duron 1Ghz

Heres my DOG profile, it'll show you what values i use

Code: Select all

[Settings]
Version=1.54
Name=Tyrian2k
ExeFilename=..\..\tyrian2000\tyrian.exe
SetupFilename=..\..\tyrian2000\SETUP.EXE
Develloper=
Publisher=
Favorite=0
Year=1990
EXECommandLine=
SetupCommandLine=
EXEStartDrive=D
SetupStartDrive=Z
Genre=
ConfFile=<DOGHOME>confs\tyrian2k.conf
Language=English
UseDos32a=0
UseDPMI=0
DPMIUseSwapFile=0
DPMI10=0
Working=1
Icon=windows.ico
AvailablePath=D:\games\tyrian2000\tyrian.exe
Use4DOS=0
DOSVersion=7

[Note]
NrOfNotes=0

[ExtraInformation]
NrOfInformation=0

[CPU]
Core=auto
Cycles=9000
Auto=0
CyclesUp=2000
CyclesDown=2000

[Screen]
TimeSynched=0
FullScreen=1
DoubleBuffer=1
FullResolution=1920x1200
WindowResolution=800x600
FrameSkip=0
RenderFix=0
OutputDevice=opengl
Machine=vga
Glide=0
VSyncMode=off
VSyncRate=75
PixelShader=none

[Printer]
DPI=300
OutputDevice=ps
OutputPath=.
PaperHeight=110
PaperWidth=85
Enable=0
Multipage=0

[Mixer]
Disable=0
BufferSize=2048
PreBufferSize=10
SoundQuality=48000
MasterVolume=100
PCSpeakerVolume=100
DisneyVolume=100
FMVolume=100
SBVolume=100
GUSVolume=100
CDAVolume=100

[SoundBlaster]
SBType=5
OPLModes=0
AllowMixerChange=1
SoundQuality=48000
Base=220
IRQ=5
DMA=1
HDMA=5

[Innovation]
Enabled=0
SoundQuality=22050
Base=280
SIDQuality=0

[Memory]
XMS=1
EMS=1
UMB=1
HighMem=32#
LoadFix=0

[DosBox]
FocusedPriority=2
NotFocusedPriority=1
WaitOnError=0
SymKeys=1
LanguageFile=
MapperFile=
CaptureDir=<DOGHOME>capture\default\
ExitDosBox=1
Path=<DOGDRIVE>dosbox.exe
NoConsole=0
Version=0.72
CenterDosBox=1

[ExtraConf]
NrOfExtraConfLines=0

[ExtraAutoRun]
NrOfExtraAutoRunLines=0

[Scaler]
ScalerType=none
AspectRatio=0
HWScaler=1

[Midi]
MPU401=2
Device=4
DeviceOptions=
MT32SoundQuality=22050

[GravisUltraSound]
Disable=1
SoundQuality=22050
Base=240
IRQ1=5
DMA1=3
IRQ2=5
DMA2=3
Directory=

[PCSpeaker]
Disable=0
Quality=44100
Tandy=2
TandyQuality=44100
DisneySound=1

[Joystick]
JoyType=auto
Timed=0
AutoFire=0
Swap34=0
ButtonWrap=0

[Serial1]
IRQ=4
StartBPS=0
ByteSize=0
StopBits=0
Parity=0
IRQEnable=0
StartBPSEnable=0
ByteSizeEnable=0
StopBitsEnable=0
ParityEnable=0
DeviceType=0
ListenPort=23
ListenPortEnable=0
RealPort=COM2
RXDelayEnable=0
RXDelay=0
TXDelayEnable=0
TXDelay=0
PortEnable=0
Port=23
ServerEnable=0
Server=
Transparent=0
Telnet=0
UseDTR=0
InhSocket=0

[Serial2]
IRQ=3
StartBPS=0
ByteSize=0
StopBits=0
Parity=0
IRQEnable=0
StartBPSEnable=0
ByteSizeEnable=0
StopBitsEnable=0
ParityEnable=0
DeviceType=0
ListenPort=23
ListenPortEnable=0
RealPort=COM2
RXDelayEnable=0
RXDelay=0
TXDelayEnable=0
TXDelay=0
PortEnable=0
Port=23
ServerEnable=0
Server=
Transparent=0
Telnet=0
UseDTR=0
InhSocket=0

[Serial3]
IRQ=4
StartBPS=0
ByteSize=0
StopBits=0
Parity=0
IRQEnable=0
StartBPSEnable=0
ByteSizeEnable=0
StopBitsEnable=0
ParityEnable=0
DeviceType=0
ListenPort=23
ListenPortEnable=0
RealPort=COM2
RXDelayEnable=0
RXDelay=0
TXDelayEnable=0
TXDelay=0
PortEnable=0
Port=23
ServerEnable=0
Server=
Transparent=0
Telnet=0
UseDTR=0
InhSocket=0

[Serial4]
IRQ=3
StartBPS=0
ByteSize=0
StopBits=0
Parity=0
IRQEnable=0
StartBPSEnable=0
ByteSizeEnable=0
StopBitsEnable=0
ParityEnable=0
DeviceType=0
ListenPort=23
ListenPortEnable=0
RealPort=COM2
RXDelayEnable=0
RXDelay=0
TXDelayEnable=0
TXDelay=0
PortEnable=0
Port=23
ServerEnable=0
Server=
Transparent=0
Telnet=0
UseDTR=0
InhSocket=0

[modem]
modem=0
comport=0
listenport=0

[directserial]
directserial=0
comport=1
realport=
defaultbps=7
parity=0
bytesize=5
stopbit=1

[IPX]
Enable=0
Connection=0
IPAddr=

[Mouse]
Lock=1
AutoLock=1
Sensitivity=200

[Keyboard]
Relayout=0
Layout=

[DriveA]
Used=0

[DriveB]
Used=0

[DriveC]
Used=1
DrivePath=C:\
DriveType=0
DriveOptions=
DriveLabel=C Drive

[DriveD]
Used=1
DrivePath=..\..\..\
DriveType=0
DriveOptions=
DriveLabel=D Drive

[DriveE]
Used=1
DrivePath=E:\
DriveType=3
DriveOptions=
DriveLabel=E CDROM

[DriveF]
Used=1
DrivePath=F:\
DriveType=3
DriveOptions=
DriveLabel=F CDROM

[DriveG]
Used=1
DrivePath=G:\
DriveType=3
DriveOptions=
DriveLabel=G CDROM

[DriveH]
Used=0

[DriveI]
Used=0

[DriveJ]
Used=0

[DriveK]
Used=0

[DriveL]
Used=0

[DriveM]
Used=0

[DriveN]
Used=0

[DriveO]
Used=0

[DriveP]
Used=0

[DriveQ]
Used=0

[DriveR]
Used=0

[DriveS]
Used=0

[DriveT]
Used=0

[DriveU]
Used=0

[DriveV]
Used=0

[DriveW]
Used=0

[DriveX]
Used=0

[DriveY]
Used=0

[Variables]
NrOfVars=0

[Categories]
NrOfCats=0

[InternetSites]
NrOfSites=0

[URLs]
NrOfURLs=0

[h4tred]

We can rebuild them. We have the technology. They will be better than they were before. Better, stronger, faster.

Yes, we do have the technology.

BUT the companies will complain due to 3rd party hacks and stop at nothing to stop these.

Eg.

I fixed a bug in Halo: Combat Evolved (PC version) which occurs on Nvidia cards. The bug is related to a shader issue with the cloaking effect. On ATI cards, the effect is usage of the framebuffer, in conjunction with shaders used to warp the image captured, to produce the effect of a person being partially invisible, with noticable image warping. On Nvidia cards, a semi transparent image is only shown, with no framebuffer warping.

Currently, this is implemented by code injection.

The real way to fix it, would be a EXE hack. HOWEVER, Bungie went to lengths to stop this, via using self modifying code in conjunction with a CRC check on the executable.

And this was done on a exe without the SafeDisc protection :/

[Gil_Hamilton]

You obviously haven't set dosbox up properly if Tyrian is giving you problems.
...

Then they've fixed it since I last bothered, as it was a well-known and very severe bug with no cure when I was checking in october of 2007(based on the config file modification date, since I've deleted the emulator but not the game directory for some reason).
I've seen no need to bother since then.

[Deathlike2]

Let's see:

(a) audio that wasn't downgraded because of media constraints

I'm doubtful most of their games fall under this catagory.

(b) bigger resolutions / draw areas

Warcraft 2 BNE uses 640x480 IIRC and the only thing that would prevent this would be netplay fairness, but seriously... I feel that much older just seeing 640x480.

(c) guaranteed compatibility with current OS and API iterations

Some games don't suffer from this, but like every OS transition, you just hope you don't get screwed.

(d) automatic integration of expansion packs

Most games won't do that... but they will make it very convenient at the very least.

I would buy in a heartbeat for those features. Honestly, companies spend far more making games from scratch. Doing you actually think something like "Bionic Commando" would have greater profit margins than an updated Diablo? Not to mention that these games are popular franchises and with the release of every sequel comes renewed sales interest in the prequels.

I'm in your boat somewhat. I will agree that some games need a new port update... I know EA is doing that already with the earlier C&C series where their DOS games would very likely not work out of the box. However, the enticement part is that they combine a lot of their older, but not as profitable games to something you can reasonably milk money off. I guess it really depends on how much attention you can get from a game rerelease... because it has to be profitable enough to be done.

[FitzRoy]

Blizzard is just too busy saving the world (of warcraft) to care about their backcatalog. There is a slight advantage to having larger view distances, but that could be a rule enforced for formal competition. It a good thing for anything else.

[h4tred]

I'm doubtful most of their games fall under this catagory.

You'd be surprised.

Starcraft, Diablo, Diablo 2, and Warcraft 2 BNE all use 22khz WAV's, compressed and encrypted in thier MPQ archive format on the game CD.

Warcraft III seems to use MP3s however....

[Deathlike2]

I'm doubtful most of their games fall under this catagory.

You'd be surprised.

Starcraft, Diablo, Diablo 2, and Warcraft 2 BNE all use 22khz WAV's, compressed and encrypted in thier MPQ archive format on the game CD.

That doesn't shock me, except that the original Warcraft 2 had actual redbook CD audio... like a number of other games at the time (IIRC, C&C did the same thing).

[doktor_kris]

Not C&C AFAIK. I think they had a huge single file for music in both the original game + extras and Red Alert. Dunno about the later C&C-related games.

[Deathlike2]

Not C&C AFAIK. I think they had a huge single file for music in both the original game + extras and Red Alert. Dunno about the later C&C-related games.

I'm pretty sure the original C&C used redbook audio. I remember running a *cough* copy of it.. no music w/o the CD.

[doktor_kris]

Weird! Never really owned the original, but I copied it off of a friend and "cracked" it (prolly just by utilising MSCDEX and/or something like that IIRC). Played the game with music and everything. Just too bad that the contents of both the game CDs took up the majority of HD. ;-;

[snkcube]

I'm doubtful most of their games fall under this catagory.

You'd be surprised.

Starcraft, Diablo, Diablo 2, and Warcraft 2 BNE all use 22khz WAV's, compressed and encrypted in thier MPQ archive format on the game CD.

That doesn't shock me, except that the original Warcraft 2 had actual redbook CD audio... like a number of other games at the time (IIRC, C&C did the same thing).

No wonder my CD player could play the songs right off the WCII disc...

[creaothceann]

Not C&C AFAIK. I think they had a huge single file for music in both the original game + extras and Red Alert. Dunno about the later C&C-related games.

I'm pretty sure the original C&C used redbook audio. I remember running a *cough* copy of it.. no music w/o the CD.

No, it uses *.MIX files. (link)

[Deathlike2]

Not C&C AFAIK. I think they had a huge single file for music in both the original game + extras and Red Alert. Dunno about the later C&C-related games.

I'm pretty sure the original C&C used redbook audio. I remember running a *cough* copy of it.. no music w/o the CD.

No, it uses *.MIX files. (link)

My bad then. I guess what I had was a terrible *cough* version.

I'm doubtful most of their games fall under this catagory.

You'd be surprised.

Starcraft, Diablo, Diablo 2, and Warcraft 2 BNE all use 22khz WAV's, compressed and encrypted in thier MPQ archive format on the game CD.

That doesn't shock me, except that the original Warcraft 2 had actual redbook CD audio... like a number of other games at the time (IIRC, C&C did the same thing).

No wonder my CD player could play the songs right off the WCII disc...

It disappointed me greatly when the BNE version didn't do that, but oh well.

[h4tred]

Well, for starters, they would have ran into space issues....

And Blizzard is very much against modding so........

[Squall_Leonhart]

You obviously haven't set dosbox up properly if Tyrian is giving you problems.
...

Then they've fixed it since I last bothered, as it was a well-known and very severe bug with no cure when I was checking in october of 2007(based on the config file modification date, since I've deleted the emulator but not the game directory for some reason).
I've seen no need to bother since then.

Have you checked out OpenTyrian?

[kode54]

You obviously haven't set dosbox up properly if Tyrian is giving you problems.
...

Then they've fixed it since I last bothered, as it was a well-known and very severe bug with no cure when I was checking in october of 2007(based on the config file modification date, since I've deleted the emulator but not the game directory for some reason).
I've seen no need to bother since then.

Have you checked out OpenTyrian?

Runs full speed in Dosbox, no need to bother with OpenTyrian. Besides, OpenTyrian doesn't have General MIDI music, only emulated Adlib.

By the way, I thought my system was too slow to run Tyrian under Dosbox, but it turned out that I had left the game on Slug Mode for some reason.

[Deathlike2]

Well, for starters, they would have ran into space issues....

I'm aware, but you would think they would attempt to do something creative and try to compress some of that stuff... lots of that data is pretty compressable...

[Gil_Hamilton]

You obviously haven't set dosbox up properly if Tyrian is giving you problems.
...

Then they've fixed it since I last bothered, as it was a well-known and very severe bug with no cure when I was checking in october of 2007(based on the config file modification date, since I've deleted the emulator but not the game directory for some reason).
I've seen no need to bother since then.

Have you checked out OpenTyrian?

Yes, actually. Saw it linked from the original developer's blog.
At the time, it was only partially ready.

On the other hand, they DID have a Dreamcast port maintained. Tyrian on the Dreamcast is just such a great concept that it deserves credit for that alone.

[franpa]

Well, for starters, they would have ran into space issues...

Not if they kept the expansion to a separate disc.

[h4tred]

but you would think they would attempt to do something creative and try to compress some of that stuff... lots of that data is pretty compressable...

Yes. Hence they came up with thier MPQ compression format. And also, they added encryption for the heck of it. There's other considerations too, like decompression speed. And IIRC MPQ was designed to allow for data to be streamed when the game is running (all music is streamed from the data archive in BNE)

[Deathlike2]

Well, for starters, they would have ran into space issues...

Not if they kept the expansion to a separate disc.

WHY? With the CD cracks of the original game, you could use either disc if you wanted. I'm trying to recall if there were different tracks in the expansion (I think there was like at least one new track for both sides), but there definitely the bonus "disco" track.... heh.

but you would think they would attempt to do something creative and try to compress some of that stuff... lots of that data is pretty compressable...

Yes. Hence they came up with thier MPQ compression format. And also, they added encryption for the heck of it. There's other considerations too, like decompression speed. And IIRC MPQ was designed to allow for data to be streamed when the game is running (all music is streamed from the data archive in BNE)

I'm very aware of that... it's been used since Diablo or Starcraft (not sure any earlier, but meh). I was hoping for CD Quality MP3s, but I guess I can't really tell much of a difference.