You’ve probably seen the news pop into your inbox already, but in case you haven’t – GOG has launched a certification program of sorts that promises to, and I quote:
The GOG Preservation Program ensures classic games remain playable on modern systems, even after their developers stopped supporting them. By maintaining these iconic titles, GOG helps you protect and relive the memories that shaped you, DRM-free and with dedicated tech support.
Well, then! I think we can all get behind the sentiment, though exactly what it means on a practical level is a bit foggy to me. I.e., will classic LucasArts titles still rely on the baked-in version of ScummVM?
Either way, included in the first batch of titles are Indiana Jones® and the Fate of Atlantis™, The Curse of Monkey Island™, and The Secret of Monkey Island™: Special Edition.
News of EGA versions and – most importantly – Amiga games forthcoming, I’m sure.
Sushi
* I think… as there also was a floppy version of this compilation. Will need to check that later.
Nope, floppy only. With the copy protection visa code intact, yay! Guess I mistook the round shape on the cover for a CD.
https://www.mobygames.com/game/2477/lucasarts-classic-adventures/cover/group-2985/cover-3805/
By the way, the manual mentions a few games I never heard of. Paul Parker & the Mystery of the Disappearing Ducks?
moriarty
But what's the easter egg with the wrong visa exit codes? AFAIR you got arrested?
Exactly! Followed by a fourth wall breaking lecture. And a variation of the theme music.
None of that in the PC CD version (Lucasarts classic adventures *) and the now omnipresent FM Towns version.
Here’s a video of the real true original:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVhPkdIZfOE
The Atari ST version probably looked more like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZ0UPj3BiKY
* I think… as there also was a floppy version of this compilation. Will need to check that later.
Sushi
Call me a cynic, but I don’t get the preservation effort spent here:
[...] (preferably wrong, to uncover an easter egg lecture) visa exit codes in Zak [...]
I can remember playing that game on my Atari ST back then. But what's the easter egg with the wrong visa exit codes? AFAIR you got arrested?
I hope GOG finally takes this as an opportunity to add the two EA games
The lost files of Sherlock Holmes - The Case of the Serrated Scalpel
and
The lost files of Sherlock Holmes - The Case of the Rose Tattoo
to their catalog. These are already supported by ScummVM and GOG already publishes EA titles. So what are they waiting for??
Readers, vote for these games on GOGs wishlist!
Although they aren't actually from LucasArts, they always remind me of their golden adventure era of the 1990s.
Validated stability
Verified compatibility with Windows 10 and 11
So they just concluded scummVM still works? Or did they play through each game multiple times?
Sounds more like they’re trying to address the ever growing complaints of non-working games with a new “quality seal”.
Luckily there’s still DREAMM and some real resources for the preservation purists who prefer entering the (preferably wrong, to uncover an easter egg lecture) visa exit codes in Zak or who prefer installing the 6 disk EGA version of Indy3, because that is the box they own.