Game News Betrayal at Krondor on GoG

[Tails]

Paying for games is stupid. Everyone knows developers don't get paid a percentage from sales, but instead by magic publisher money that publishers just have for some reason no one can explain, and publishers just pocket actual sales money without ever giving anything to developers ever!

Indeed, with greater popularity of GoG suddenly companies like Activision, start investing money in *proper* games. I really like to see that one day. I personally don't mind that GoG sells old games (if you don't like it don't buy it), yet such scenario I mentioned is rather doubtful. It's just another easy side source of cash, which doesn't require much attention.

 

[Brother None]

Yeah, if you're waiting for publishers to do a double-take and go "oh Frith I'd never noticed this before let's invest tons in marginal long-sales titles" then no, that's not going to happen.

Equally, if you think GOG/DD and its influence on long-selling will go completely unnoticed, that somehow the existence of new revenue possibilities will just be ignored, that's not going to happen either.

It's a lot easier to live with if you don't have unrealistic expectations. That's always kind of been the Codex' problem.

OHNOEZDECLINEOFTHECODEX

 

[Tails]

Equally, if you think GOG/DD and its influence on long-selling will go completely unnoticed, that somehow the existence of new revenue possibilities will just be ignored, that's not going to happen either.

Where it will lead in your opinion? I'm just curious what you think about it, Brother None.

 

[Brother None]

Where it will lead in your opinion? I'm just curious what you think about it, Brother None.

I wish I knew. One thing is a simple fact and that is that the expansion of digital download already has a positive effect on independent videogame development, which is positively flourishing. Ideally, because it is consoles that strangle the concept of mid-budget game, you would hope that the existence of digital download and long-selling formulas opens up this possibility for publishers. We've already seen a little of it, particularly in Europe, but it's hardly popular. I don't want to be naive and predict a bright new future, but it creates the opportunity, and that alone is a net positive.

 

[Silellak]

Ideally, because it is consoles that strangle the concept of mid-budget game

I was under the impression that this was improving on the console-front as well, since all three of the current generation of consoles have their own digital distribution systems which include many "independent" and "mid-budget" games.

 

[Cassidy]

http://www.softlookup.com/display.asp?id=3347

Does this look like a "barely legal" website?

 

[phanboy_iv]

http://www.softlookup.com/display.asp?id=3347

Does this look like a "barely legal" website?

Doesn't matter what that site looks like, whether it's legit or not, or whether the pope himself claims Krondor is freeware.

Vivendi Universal, the LAWFUL OWNERS OF THE IP, HAVE SAID THE GAME IS NOT FREEWARE.

Damn you people are dense.

Link.

 

[Tails]

I wish I knew. One thing is a simple fact and that is that the expansion of digital download already has a positive effect on independent videogame development, which is positively flourishing. Ideally, because it is consoles that strangle the concept of mid-budget game, you would hope that the existence of digital download and long-selling formulas opens up this possibility for publishers. We've already seen a little of it, particularly in Europe, but it's hardly popular. I don't want to be naive and predict a bright new future, but it creates the opportunity, and that alone is a net positive.

Very true. Indie games are more popular then ever, some very solid titles were released not so long ago (KoTC, Braid), and it seems we will get even more games like that. Even some older developers who have experience working with large publishers (Team 17 and erm...) are going towards mini-budget games. Personally I think that indie games have bright future, yet no in case of large Publishers. Game development is already under great pressure from them, and I'm not sure if they drop this even for smaller games, indie-like.

http://www.softlookup.com/display.asp?id=3347

Does this look like a "barely legal" website?

Heh, the mirror is a Sierra FTP, which is dead. There is nothing wrong with the side thought, they just provided link to official source.

Vivendi Universal, the LAWFUL OWNERS OF THE IP, HAVE SAID THE GAME IS NOT FREEWARE.

God damn mang, now what to do with those all people who downloaded the game before

 

[Brother None]

I was under the impression that this was improving on the console-front as well, since all three of the current generation of consoles have their own digital distribution systems which include many "independent" and "mid-budget" games.

Independent yes, even if it's mostly independent titles that try to splurge into the casual game hype.
Mid-budget? Not so much.

A lot of the pricing problems remain with DD services on consoles. Though truth be told, those exist for DD services like Steam too.

 

[Dezzy]

So... Is this game worth $6? Ignore the fact that it was once free.

Is the game itself worth the money?

 

[Silellak]

I was under the impression that this was improving on the console-front as well, since all three of the current generation of consoles have their own digital distribution systems which include many "independent" and "mid-budget" games.

Independent yes, even if it's mostly independent titles that try to splurge into the casual game hype.
Mid-budget? Not so much.

A lot of the pricing problems remain with DD services on consoles. Though truth be told, those exist for DD services like Steam too.

Well, XNA at least definitely allows even the most-amateur of developer to put something out there for general consumption without much personal investment...for better or worse.

Also, Braid was originally an XBLA title, and I would certainly consider that "mid-budget", though perhaps your definition differs. I'm also pretty sure Flower on PSN was made very much on-the-cheap, though I can't seem to find any numbers so I might be full of shit.

 

[Ogg]

So... Is this game worth $6? Ignore the fact that it was once free.

Is the game itself worth the money?

Oh god yes!

 

[Humanity has risen!]

I remember it came for free on some PC Gamer CD in 1997. Oh well, buying it anyway.

I have no doubt that digital distribution of older games is a very good thing for PC gaming and old hardcore games, however I don't think Activision is going to cater to their older fanbase anymore, at least not as long as Kotick is at the helm.

When LucarArts had a new CEO he greenlit a bunch of projects with Monkey Island.

They've already forced Nerversoft and Treyarch to churn out yearly sequels. Why would they invest in hardcore RPGs with less return on investment when they can make 2 Call of Duty sequels and sell them both for 10+ million copies within the same timeframe? Why would they spend manpower on something that is not as profitable and marketable?

 

[phanboy_iv]

Vivendi Universal, the LAWFUL OWNERS OF THE IP, HAVE SAID THE GAME IS NOT FREEWARE.

God damn mang, now what to do with those all people who downloaded the game before

I don't care about that, it just annoys me to come across people who think BaK can be considered freeware. It was once, yes, but no longer. Whether it's worth $6 is something you'll have to decide. But it is not freeware.

 

[Elzair]

Fuck! There goes another game from Abandonia. I think I still have a copy, but is there any site that will still host stuff that Magog sells?

 

[Zeus]

So... Is this game worth $6? Ignore the fact that it was once free.

Is the game itself worth the money?

Hells. Yes. It's like a superpowered Drakkhen.

If you have a low tolerance for digitized graphics, you'll hate it, you big stinky hater you. But! Look past the cheese and try to realize how awesome it was to see "real people" back in the 90s.

While not written BY Raymond E. Feist, if memory serves, it's nevertheless a well written and interesting game.

The 3D overworld map is filled with little towns and treasure chests, and there's all kinds of funky details, like if you leave something in the treasure chest for a while, a thief might come by and pick it up.

The combat is interesting, too. It's sort of a semi-tactical, "Watch everyone run around at once" format, as opposed to the first person Wizardry view.

Anyway, I really like it. I played it years and years after it came out, in 2005 or 2006, and didn't find myself hurting for better graphics one bit.

The only thing is, you can get stuck. Or at least I got stuck. I had this mission where I needed X gold, but I was either getting my butt whupped, or couldn't find enough fights/missions to earn the gold. Maybe it wasn't even gold, maybe it was like iron pieces or something. Either way, it was probably my own fault for paying sloppy and not making enough save backups.

tl;dr version: It's totally worth $6.

 

[ghostdog]

You can download it here :

http://www.oldgames.sk/en/game/betrayal-at-krondor/

with an installer and a premade autoloading dosbox config.

 

[bhlaab]

fyi if the publisher is selling a game somewhere its no longer abandonware

 

[ghostdog]

They're selling the cd version. This is the floppy version. And as far as I can see they are affiliated with gog. The difference is the cd version has a bit better music and a making-of video, or something.

 

[phanboy_iv]

They're selling the cd version. This is the floppy version. And as far as I can see they are affiliated with gog. The difference is the cd version has a bit better music and a making-of video, or something.

CD version has the making of extras and the game's default MIDI tracks recorded as Redbook audio. The CD version isn't really a big deal if you have a decent Dosbox/MIDI setup.

 

[Grunker]

So, I downloaded this game from Abandonia just one month ago, when it was still free.

Does that make me an evil swine, Brother None?

 

[Cassidy]

I still have the game installed in my PC.

Flip-flopping licenses is surely a wonderful way to go.

Ironically, had the game been GPL'ed, nobody would be bitching about someone selling it.

 

[bhlaab]

So, I downloaded this game from Abandonia just one month ago, when it was still free.

Does that make me an evil swine, Brother None?

I heard that if you delete a rom within 24 hours it's not illegal!

It's not like this game was public domain last week

 

[Wyrmlord]

The makers of BaK themselves declared BaK freeware.

GoG is pulling ridiculous bullshit by trying to make money out of something that the makers said was not to be sold for money.

 

[phanboy_iv]

So, I downloaded this game from Abandonia just one month ago, when it was still free warez.

Does that make me an evil swine, Brother None?

Fixed.