GOG Preservation Program

[notbobsmith]

GOG has something called the "GOG Preservation Program" where they guarantee that games will work on modern systems. It's a bit of a marketing gimmick, but there are a number of older Windows games that they support where compatibility can be a bit dicey, so I do appreciate their effort. I would think that DOS-era games that can be run on DOSBox or ScummVM would automatically be part of the program since all you would have to do is update the emulator every once in a while, but for whatever reason they are not. Which brings me to my point: they recently added a Sierra adventure game... Freddy Pharkas. The only other Sierra adventure title in the program is Leisure Suit Larry: Love for Sail. Not King's Quest. Not Quest for Glory. Not even the earlier LSL games. These two. I just can figure out why, out of all the Sierra games that they have in their library, they picked these two. It just... odd.

[Rath Darkblade]

Well ... the KQ, PQ, SQ, QfG and older LSL games (and also Freddy Pharkas) have been available on GOG for years now.

Why is it so significant that Freddy and LSL7 are on the "GOG Preservation Program" now? I'm not trying to poke fun or anything, I'm just curious.

[BBP]

What I think is surprising about LSL7 is that it was really intended to run on Windows 95/98, not DOS. It runs OK on DOS, but not perfect and I think that weird noise issue was never solved.

But why Freddy Pharkas? No idea.

[notbobsmith]

Well ... the KQ, PQ, SQ, QfG and older LSL games (and also Freddy Pharkas) have been available on GOG for years now.

Why is it so significant that Freddy and LSL7 are on the "GOG Preservation Program" now? I'm not trying to poke fun or anything, I'm just curious.

That's the question that I have. I think the Preservation Program is to highlight popular and influential classic games. All of Ultima is part of it. Much of Wing Commander and Might & Magic. But out of all the Sierra adventure games that they have, only these two were added. And it's not as if it takes much effort to add the older "Quest" titles. I just think it's odd.

[Rath Darkblade]

Hmm ... *thinks* Their page reads:

"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."

It's significant to note that more recent games like "Leisure Suit Larry: Reloaded" and "Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor" made the list, even though they're not as old as the others and, presumably, don't need help to remain playable.

I also note that some older CRPGs, like Dragon Age 1, Icewind Dale 2 and Neverwinter Nights 2 made the list, while others -- Dragon Age 2 (or 3), Baldur's Gate 1 and 2, Neverwinter Nights 1, Iceland Dale 1, and Planescape: Torment -- did not. (Yet, anyway).

So what are the significant points here? :-\ What makes a "classic" game? Or is the label "classic" so vague as to be meaningless? It seems that games are chosen at random to be given this "honour".

[notbobsmith]

Hmm ... *thinks* Their page reads:

"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."

It's significant to note that more recent games like "Leisure Suit Larry: Reloaded" and "Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor" made the list, even though they're not as old as the others and, presumably, don't need help to remain playable.

I also note that some older CRPGs, like Dragon Age 1, Icewind Dale 2 and Neverwinter Nights 2 made the list, while others -- Dragon Age 2 (or 3), Baldur's Gate 1 and 2, Neverwinter Nights 1, Iceland Dale 1, and Planescape: Torment -- did not. (Yet, anyway).

So what are the significant points here? :-\ What makes a "classic" game? Or is the label "classic" so vague as to be meaningless? It seems that games are chosen at random to be given this "honour".

Yeah their definition of classic is a little open to interpretation. Given how fast computers progress, I think anything pre-2000 could be considered classic. Otherwise something good or groundbreaking could be considered classic. Not necessarily games that GOG has, but Portal, Bioshock, Skyrim, and Mass Effect are all games I would consider classic.

[notbobsmith]

And another Sierra game was just added... Heart of China?

Honestly, I have no idea how they make these decisions.

[Rath Darkblade]

I think they just roll two d10s and pick randomly from a table.

(These, if you've never role-played).

[Tawmis]

And another Sierra game was just added... Heart of China?

Honestly, I have no idea how they make these decisions.

Heart of China has been on there for quite some time. Unless they pulled it and put it back recently?

[notbobsmith]

And another Sierra game was just added... Heart of China?

Honestly, I have no idea how they make these decisions.

Heart of China has been on there for quite some time. Unless they pulled it and put it back recently?

Yes, they've had it for a few years. I meant added to their "Preservation Program" where they guarantee that it will continue to work. I'm puzzled that the Sierra games they've added to the program are these oddballs, but they haven't added, oh I don't know, King's Quest. You know, their flagship series?

[Tawmis]

I need to learn to read the title of the thread. I thought this was the GOG/Steam thread, where we usually announce when Sierra games pop on there or on sale!

For reference: viewtopic.php?t=1495

LOL

But yes, that is odd. I wonder if they're making unique installers, and slowly rolling them out? Since King's Quest has a bit of diversity of the games (AGI, SCI, etc) - I wonder if that's why there might be a delay?

[Rath Darkblade]

I also wondered why other quest games (like QfG, SQ, PQ, Larry etc., except for LSL7) haven't made it to the Preservation Program. The difference in engines may be why.

[notbobsmith]

It really shouldn't matter what engines they are running. All of these games are running on DOSBox (or ScummVM), meaning that they are already set up. The only thing they might need to do is update the version to the current one.

[notbobsmith]

They added more Sierra titles to the program. At least these make more sense: Police Quest 1-4 and Space Quest 1-3. They finally added some of the core "Quest" games.

https://www.gog.com/en/news/new_titles_ ... on_program

[Rath Darkblade]

But not King's Quest, Quest for Glory, the Colonel's Bequest or the other Larry games? Or Gabriel Knight?

Sigh. Those ones could really use the help.