DOS Games Discussion

AdamN · Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 9:57 pm Post subject: Revamping The Classics

I was speaking to one of my mates the other day, and after our heated debate, I decided I would get opinions from the registered members here.
Ok, what if all the old classics were revamped I mean the colors improved to run with a minimum AGP or PCIxpress 128MB DDR\DDR2 graphics card and the sound was improved to run minimum 16-Bit sound 2.1 surround sound. Games wouldn't need a dos emulator, games would be developed to run Windows 95 - Windows Vista. All will most likely come with an installer.
The games then would be repackaged for CD - ROM, and sold for roughly $5 - $10.

Like what I mean, in other words bring the retro games back but give them a little facelift with the color and sound, and keep the same gameplay. If you look at the sales of Doom & Quake collector's editions, both are selling good, so release more like this!
It's not just for us, but for the kids most have never heard of lemmings, commander keen, or crystal caves!

** by the way with the poll above the games have been made to run on Windows 95 - Windows XP **

Larry Laffer · Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 12:29 pm Post subject:

I'm for it!
Why should the old games ideas die?

Also I'm for paying for games in general. Just think of the hours spent to make that game. It's true I have some(if not loads) of ahem-warez software but that's only because I don't have the money to pay for the software. The moment I get money I spend it on games!(though the prices are outrageous)

franpa · Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 6:20 pm Post subject:

i would like this but based on "die siedler 2: next generation" i don't think they can keep the original feeling if they changed the graphics or anything -.-

486 player · Gaming Demi-god Joined: 18 Sep 2002 Posts: 1022

No, only originals.

Amro · Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 4:09 am Post subject:

That depends on how much they improve. And if they run on Linux.

But from the company's point of view, this may not make them enough money to make up for the time spent revamping (which could be awhile... looking at 15 year old code is not fun, even if you wrote it)

1nsyte · Newbie Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Posts: 2

franpa · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 5:39 am Post subject:

abyss · Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 3:41 pm Post subject:

61000 cycles is quite a lot especially when i don't go over 30 thousand cycles with dos box as my computer is not very quick. Their is a remake of invincible island that was made in ags and i think the creator did a very good job at making the game. Invincible island was a very good zx spectrum game.

1nsyte · Newbie Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Posts: 2

Dogbreath · Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 10:06 pm Post subject:

It's an interesting concept, and one I'd support whole-heartedly. Much like the movie classics of the 30s, 40s, and 50s have been restored and re-released in modern formats (first VHS, and now DVD), I'd definately like to see more projects dedicated to bringing some of the classics of the 80s and early 90s to modern OS's.

The thing is, this is already being done to a small extent. Mostly by volunteer programmers in their spare time. See, for example, The Ur-Quan Masters, which basically revamps the entire game of Star Control II and allows it to be played on almost any operating system, or Exult, which does the same for Ultima 7.

In fact, The Home of the Underdogs has an entire category reserved for fan made remakes. Link.

I guess the main struggle here is convincing the companies that still hold the copyrights on some of these old games that it is definately worth their money to remake or update these classics. In a world where new games now cost millions of dollars to produce and distribute, spending a couple thousand here and there to update and re-release games that are for the most part already ready for the market seems to be a wise investment.

1nsyte: Welcome to DGF! Happy

The_Sinister_Mastermind · Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:29 pm Post subject:

In reply to the original pole:

Yes if I saw an old series repackaged not only would I buy it, I regularly do buy them. Great way to get older games usually with their expansion packs that would be otherwise night impossible to find. They’re not always as cheap as I’d like, but they’re worth it even if I don’t install and play them right away, I have them there for anywhere down the line when I feel like picking them up and taking them for a spin.

Swiftman · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 5:49 am Post subject:

I once saw a Leisure Suit Larry collecters box that had.. the first seven Larry games, their fancy VGA versions, revamped for Win XP and that,

I would have bought it on the spot if I had the funds to do so.

I've also seen a distinct lack of such games around and about everywhere.... Some DOOM, Quake, Monkey Island, Wing Commander... so many others....
[wait, there WAS a Wing Commander one.... Too bad it fetches for over $400 USD on ebay..]

So I give this poll a Yes, very yes.