SDA-approved DOSbox?

2011-12-15 05:44:12 am

sda loyalist

we can argue this view from the point of purity (which means almost every run on this site is possibly invalid) or we can argue it from acceptance (which has let us host great, PROBABLY VALID videos)

VorpalEdge

Edit history:

VorpalEdge: 2011-12-15 06:54:57 am

2011-12-15 06:54:12 am

welcome to the machine

my response to any proposal that says "we'd have to define settings and cpu speed and stuff for each game" is basically "not me"

I have nothing else to add, especially since I could've sworn official dosbox releases were already allowed...

ixfd64

Edit history:

ixfd64: 2011-12-17 02:33:35 pm

2011-12-16 04:29:10 pm

.: The one and only ixfd64 :.

While I'm a strong proponent of open-source software, I agree that there are certain pieces of code that should only be given to trusted invididuals. That having been said, I believe you're only required to release the GPL'd code if you modify it. One solution to the problem would be to write an anti-cheat module (which disables the TAS features) from scratch put it into a separate object file (cf. binary blob). Since the module is not based on pre-existing GPL code, its source code would not have to be disclosed.

UraniumAnchor

2011-12-16 04:33:42 pm

Not a walrus

That's still legally questionable, strictly speaking. And how would you verify that it was done that way?

Emptyeye

Edit history:

Emptyeye: 2011-12-18 04:22:59 pm

2011-12-18 04:22:32 pm

Talk to the Hand

By the way, serious question: What do those digital-distribution-game services (Or whatever you want to call them--Steam, Gamefly, etc. etc. etc.) use for DOS games? Do they include some built-in emulation to play the games, and if so, what? I'm honestly curious here, because VE may well be right that official DOSBox releases were already allowed without us even knowing about it.

Also, speaking for the Space Quest Collection, you never even have to touch DOSBox. There's a game selection menu, which presumably is just a fancy front-end for DOSBox. It's very possible that a casual player who grabs that collection won't even know what a DOSBox is.

Lag.Com

Edit history:

Lag.Com: 2011-12-18 04:36:46 pm

2011-12-18 04:36:31 pm

sda loyalist

DOSBox wasn't allowed because it is an unofficial emulator whether the (prospective) runner knew about its use or not.

Plenty of games on Steam, GOG etc. use it, and Sega's recent Steam re-releases of their Genesis games use some kind of emulator too, but I don't know which it is or it would be easy to decide whether Sega did some work (official emulator) or didn't (unofficial despite it being an official release).

It is kind of confusing.

mikwuyma

2012-01-17 07:48:16 pm

My feelings on The Demon Rush

So I talked with Breakdown about the DOSBox thing, and we both agreed that the best compromise is to go with official rereleases (this includes Steam and gog.com) that are prepackaged with DOSBox. So if the game has an official rerelease and you're playing that version, then you're good.

And yes, we'll update the rules with this...

...someday.

IkomaSoji

Edit history:

IkomaSoji: 2012-01-17 08:46:27 pm

2012-01-17 08:46:01 pm

Jump, Gypsy, Jump!

That is a huge thing! There are a huge amount of games on Gog.com and steam that would be difficult to run without dosbox that this will give much love to. Makes me seriously consider trying to plan for a Stonekeep run...

Edit: Well, the opportunity for love anyway...

CrypticJacknife

2012-01-17 11:11:08 pm

Ganondorf = Donkey Kong LOOK IT UP!!

Holy fucking shit <3

dballin

2012-01-18 02:54:01 am

Balls jerky

hooray!

andypanther

2012-02-03 01:27:58 am

I have a question: Would it be allowed to run a game on DOSBox, when it's booted from the original CD-ROM? Because this way I would still be using the original software and just emulating the OS. I know, there's still the problem with the inaccurate speed. But let's assume I could run it properly. Would you accept such a run if I could prove that Im using the original software?

Sir VG

2012-02-03 02:08:58 am

Fucking Weeaboo

From what I've understood of this whole discussion and decision, the issue wasn't the software, but the emulator.

andypanther

2012-02-03 03:14:09 am

So this means if i could, for example, use Project64 with a cartridge; it still wouldn't be allowed because of the inaccurate emulation of lag? Or is it because of the many possibilities for cheating?

Sir VG

2012-02-03 03:14:42 am

Fucking Weeaboo

Both.

HidoiMidoriRyuu

2012-02-04 05:07:19 pm

4NT

For those who want to record DOS games on original hardware (game has no rerelease etc.), find an old computer and an old graphics card with TV Out and connect it to a recorder/capture device. That's how I recorded my Strife run. I used a P3 with Win98 booted in DOS mode, so as long as the game wont have any CPU speed issues, even that "new" computers will work.

Sir VG

2012-02-04 11:34:12 pm

Fucking Weeaboo

If you don't have a video card with anything other then VGA output, here's a device that will serve as a powered splitter:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CJOLBW/ref=oh_o01_s00_i00_details

It has a VGA passthough, but also outputs the video to either S-Video or Composite video. Then just get yourself a Y cable for the audio and you're good to go!