Hoping to make the FM-TOWNS Zak McCracken run Nativly on DOS

[bergqvistjl]

Hi, I have decided (because I like running old software in DOS, and because its an interesting programming experiment), to try and make the FM-TOWNS version of Zak Mckracken run natively, without emulation on the PC, that is, taking the updated (256-colour) graphics (and if i'm lucky the audio tracks too) and putting them in the PC version, sorta what they did with LOOM (they re-relased the EGA PC version with the 256 colour graphics from the FM-TOWNS version on the PC) and for the audio CD tracks, they got them to work with the Secret of Mnkey Island). Anyway since the PC version of Zak is Scumm V2, i suspect I will have to move the game over to Scumm V4 or V5, I dont mind keeping the interface the same as the original, however, its only the art that i'm mainly concerned with. I've also spoken to David Fox and he wishes me luck!. Anywho i'm going to try and unpack the LFL files for the EGA PC and FM towns versions now and see if there are any fundemental differences besides the better quality art. I have some programming experience (mainly C), but have never taken on a project this large before. If anyone wants to help or has any suggestions, that would be great. Also, if all you're going to do is just reply "use an scummvm", I dont want to know. I think scummvm is great, but it would be nice to see if i can make the game run nativley in DOS too, I mean if they did it with Loom at the time, surely it can be done with Zak?

[clone2727]

Hi, I have decided (because I like running old software in DOS, and because its an interesting programming experiment), to try and make the FM-TOWNS version of Zak Mckracken run natively, without emulation on the PC

Yes, I saw your post over at mixnmojo too

Anywho i'm going to try and unpack the LFL files for the EGA PC and FM towns versions now

But, Zak FM-Towns is V3. You can't really compare Zak v2/Zak FM-Towns by the data. There's too many differences between v2/v3. The script opcodes are completely different.

In the end, you'd probably need to convert it to V4/V5, yeah. I'm not really sure why you want it natively in DOS when you can just use ScummVM, but I think your project is interesting

[bergqvistjl]

Hi, I have decided (because I like running old software in DOS, and because its an interesting programming experiment), to try and make the FM-TOWNS version of Zak Mckracken run natively, without emulation on the PC

Yes, I saw your post over at mixnmojo too

Anywho i'm going to try and unpack the LFL files for the EGA PC and FM towns versions now

But, Zak FM-Towns is V3. You can't really compare Zak v2/Zak FM-Towns by the data. There's too many differences between v2/v3. The script opcodes are completely different.

In the end, you'd probably need to convert it to V4/V5, yeah. I'm not really sure why you want it natively in DOS when you can just use ScummVM, but I think your project is interesting

Well its mainly the better artwork i'd like to integrate, followed by syncing in the CD audio music (like with the CD version of SMI) that I'd like to look into as a bonus. How could I unpack the LFL files by the way?

[LogicDeLuxe]

Anyway since the PC version of Zak is Scumm V2, i suspect I will have to move the game over to Scumm V4 or V5

Indeed, because those are the only DOS versions with CD audio and VGA support.

[Serious Callers Only]

What i would like to run natively in dos is betrayal in antara.

Who would have thought that those windows 95 games would be more of a pain to get to work ok than the dos versions.