Sierra Gaming on 68k

[DesignComplex]

I’m trying to figure out why none of the early Sierra games seem to work on any of my classic macs (and basilisk).

Im sure it has something to do with the graphics settings, as changing them around may make things slightly better (eg, on the b/w games, I get the full frame instead of the layered corrupted frames). 

For color games (space quest, Kong’s quest 6) the games start up, but there doesn’t seem to be any way to progress beyond the opening screen (and the colors look very strange). I haven’t been able to find any info on these games, except for a few threads on the game engine Sierra used, but has no information whatsoever re: Macintosh.

I’d appreciate any pointers on how to debug this.

I’ve tried System 6.0.8, 7.1, 7.1.2, 7.6 on a variety of machines (512,plus,classic,cc,cc2) but the behavior is the same regardless of OS/machine, so I’m guessing it isn’t a problem with the tooolbox rom, there must be something else.

 

[Crutch]

For the color games, is your screen resolution set to 640x480? Some early Mac II games may have assumed that. 

Did you try running in 4-bit color (16 colors)?

 

[DesignComplex]

I have tried running at all color levels, and various resolutions without success (even in emulators).

For B/W games they were not written for large screens and in any case only work if the screen is also set to b/w.

The color games will not launch without being set to 256 colors, and the loading screens, UI, etc load just fine, but they will not progress past the opening sequence or respond to HID inputs at all. 640x480 makes not difference.

 

[Franklinstein]

Define "classic Macs." Are these G4s or are they Mac II class? A good number of early software titles didn't survive the transition to System 7, so try running them on period hardware with System 6 or earlier. At the very least I recommend not using anything past System 7.6; OS 8 broke even more stuff. If you need to run emulation, maybe try Mini VMac for the B&W titles.

 

[DesignComplex]

“Classic Mac” in this context clearly means pre-PowerPC. As mentioned, I tried this on several machines (all from Plus though CCII) with various monitor settings (as well as CC1/2 with 640x480 update). I also tried running in mini vMac and basilisk with no success. I played these same games on contemporary models when I was young, so I know they should work. 

The main commonality between the games is that they use sierra’s game engine, which hints at why they all exhibit the same behavior. I don’t need help with the Macs themselves, I need someone with familiarity with these games and can help me debug them.

 

[LaPorta]

Are these original copies? Is there some sort of copy protection at work?

 

[DesignComplex]

I get the same behavior from original disks and disk images from the internet.

 

[LaPorta]

Many of these games were very finicky with what system extensions, etc, were installed. I have the gamut of machines to run these on...do you want to tell me where you got the images and of what games (PM), and I'll try them out as well.

 

[DesignComplex]

KQ: Kings Quest

SQ: Space Quest

I have the original disks for KQ5, and floppy copies of KQ1-3. SQ1, SQ1 (remaster), KQ6,7 are images I downloaded from Macintosh Garden or Maxxx1.

The B/W KQ games (1-2) only work if the screen is set to B/W, but do not respond properly to mice at all. If screen resolutions are greater than 640x480 (in BW) or I. Any color, six “mini” screens containing the frames of the game show up on top. These are the Sierra engine’s frame buffers to emulate 3D on a 2d screen, and should never be seen.

The 16-color games (SQ1,KQ3) will launch, but no combination of

colors/greys will make them work or respond to mouse/keyboard events. By switching to another app (in multifinder) it is possible to get the menus to work, but they don’t actually do anything.

The 256-color games (KQ5-7,SQ1 rem) will launch, but will not progress beyond the title screens, under any circumstances.

None of these games requires 640x480, as their screens are very small (less than half that) and at “full” size, don’t even fill up the CC screen and even then are just interpolated versions of the small screens.

I was able to find some info about the game engine (called AGI) which was originally written for DOS and ported to the Mac, but I can’t find anything that might shed light on this.

If you find anything, I’d be happy to hear it!

 

[LaPorta]

I do have KQ3 that I know works for certain on my Mac Plus/emulators. Perhaps I can send you mine and see if that helps as well. I know for sure it is B&W only, made for that resolution (I had the game growing up). I'll try those others out when I have some time...could be a few days.

 

[haemogoblin]

Sorry to resuscitate an old thread, but I’m having THIS exact issue with Basalisk II. 

Space Quest 1 enhanced, it loads up in to a small window, the music plays, the title screen loads, flashing Space Quest sign, but then it doesn’t start to scroll down. It just stays with the title text, whilst the music plays.