Re: [SWCollect] Buy OEM Software for MASSIVE Discounts!

[Marco Thorek]

Stefan Lindblom schrieb:
> 
> Am I the only one being hosed in spam like this after the introduction of
> the new software?

Certainly not. Me too.

Marco
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Re: [SWCollect] Time to blend topics

[Marco Thorek]

Pedro Quaresma schrieb:
> 
> Haha, portuguese people don't earn enough money to be able to buy
> soccer game tickets at leisure :) :(

Totally OT, but out of interest: How much are the tickets anyway? Let's
say I'd want a medium priced seat close to the middle of the field.

Which also reminds me of Germany 2006: One of the stadiums is twenty
minutes from me, but prices will probably be astronomic as well.

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Time to blend topics

[Marco Thorek]

Pedro Quaresma schrieb:
> 
> I still do that now and then to be honest. In Portugal many times we
> have to wait months or even years to get a game on the shelves. Most
> recent example is Prince of Qin, one of the best RPGs of 2002, started
> being sold in Portugal last month, and at full retail price no less!
> 
> So I honestly don't think it's a crime to get a game from the net,
> test it, and if it's bad, bin it. If it's good, buy it.

Shouldn't you be at the Euro 2004 anyway? ;-)

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Time to blend topics

[Marco Thorek]

Edward Franks schrieb:
> 
> What I find an interesting observation of human nature in action is
> the fact so many folks that download stuff illegally turn the whole
> business into some noble moral imperative.  But that's a whole 'nother
> topic.

Humans tend to legitimize their actions, so that their inner morality is
to them in balance with the collective morality.

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Best copy protection?

[Marco Thorek]

Jim Leonard schrieb:
>
> I was lucky enough to have a B&W hand scanner (remember those?) that used a red
> scanning beam.  A bit of adjustment to the contrast, and voila -- I could
> reproduce those like they were black on white sheets of paper.  :-)

At that time I had only heard of scanners :-)

BTW, another drive-the-legitimate-buyer-out-of-his-mind copy protection:
"Type the seventh word in the third paragraph on page 22." 

You never knew if they counted chapter titles, quotations, or whatever
else was there along regular text, or not.

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Best copy protection?

[Marco Thorek]

Pedro Quaresma schrieb:
> 
> Another Microprose game with "similar" copy protection was Pirates!
> Gold I believe. You'd have to recognize a Pirate banner.

That reminds me of the original Pirates! copy protection: You had to
look up at what port the "gold fleet" was in a certain month.

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Best copy protection?

[Marco Thorek]

Jim Leonard schrieb:
> 
 know, sorry if that wasn't clear.
> 
> I am hoping he will do something decent with the Bard's Tale project...  Him
> remaking Bard's Tale, and Sid Meier remaking Pirates! are two projects I'm
> eagerly anticipating.

It is good to see that the people originally behind those great names do
something with them, but they certainly don't come up with anything new
that way.

Oh well, Molyneux is still quite sucessful with selling us the same
concept for the last 15 years, so why not them ;-)

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Best copy protection?

[Marco Thorek]

Pedro Quaresma schrieb:
> 
> Shadow of the Comet by Infogrames (back from the days when Infogrames
> was likeable -- ah that would start a whole new discussion! Anyone
> else following the end of Interplay?).

Certainly. It is sad to see the company go that way.

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Best copy protection?

[Marco Thorek]

Hugh Falk schrieb:
> 
> I can remember two really BAD examples:

I can include a third: Zak McKracken.

IIRC the game came with five-symbol codes printed in black on really
dark brown paper.

Of course the protection was no problem for crackers, but was a serious
nuisance for any legitimate owner of the game.

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] June 22, 1979

[Marco Thorek]

The hardcore Infocollectors should know ;)

Marco



Jim Leonard schrieb:
> 
> Marco Thorek wrote:
> 
> > The 25th anniversary is coming up :-)
> 
> For the informal collectors on this list, care to expand on what that date
> means?  I can imagine people thinking it's related to either:
> 
> - Zork
> - Adventure
> - Akalabeth
> 
> --
> Jim Leonard ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
> World's largest electronic gaming project:http://www.MobyGames.com/
> A delicious slice of the demoscene:http://www.MindCandyDVD.com/
> Various oldskool PC rants and ramblings:   http://www.oldskool.org/
> 
> --
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Re: [SWCollect] June 22, 1979

[Marco Thorek]

Well, I know that Activision is planning yet another Infocom
compilation. Maybe they'll make it the 25th anniversary edition.

Though I'm sure we won't be seeing any festivities on Activision's
compound ;)

Marco



"Feldhamer, Stuart" schrieb:
> 
> LOL! That's a good one, Jim!
> 
> Stuart

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Re: [SWCollect] June 22, 1979

[Marco Thorek]

Neat coincidence!

Maybe, John, it is your path of destiny : You will bring us a glorious
comeback for Infocom ;)

I can see a Quake under the Infocom label: 

http://www.loonyboi.com/if/quake/index.htm

Marco



John Romero schrieb:
> 
> June 22nd was also the day Quake was released (1996). ;)
> 
> - John
>

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[SWCollect] June 22, 1979

[Marco Thorek]

The 25th anniversary is coming up :-)

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Kids and Classic Gaming

[Marco Thorek]

Yeah, that had me literally LOL in front of the screen :-)

To those kids we are ancient history ;-)

Marco



> Stephen Emond schrieb:
> 
> I loved this one:
> 
> Kirk: And you can't pick up an AK-47 and go kill—hey, those aliens on
> the top row, you use them in EGM for stuff.
> 
> EGM: Yeah, we use them to end our articles. They do kinda look like
> they're from Space Invaders, don't they?
> 
> Tim: They're going to sue you.
> 
> Kirk: I'm sure everyone who made this game is dead by now.
> 
> That’s priceless :p
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> --
> 
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Sent: Monday, May 31, 2004 6:55 AM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: [SWCollect] Kids and Classic Gaming
> 
> 
> 
> "Cute" ;)
> 
> http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,2053,1487038,00.asp

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Re: [SWCollect] Nit-picking at its finest

[Marco Thorek]

[EMAIL PROTECTED] schrieb:
> 
> Jim Leonard wrote:
> **
> > Hm... Now see, I would probably take a blank disk, write Akalabeth to it, and put 
> > the sticker on -- wouldn't that be worth just a tiny bit more?
> **
> 
> No smile emoticon...no indication of humor...For goodness sake, Jim, I hope you're 
> kidding!

Wasn't Jim's sarcasm obvious enough? I think you may take this too
serious.

Marco

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[SWCollect] Cornerstone on Ebay

[Marco Thorek]

Look at this,

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3773&item=3677785326&rd=1

and note the "Sophisticated Database..." cover only over the lower left
of the box.

Wasn't there a slipcase that went entirely over the plastic box?

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Mailing list work

[Marco Thorek]

Jim Leonard schrieb:
> 
> Just a quick note that the swcollect mailing list software is still a
> bit broken -- currently there is no way to subscribe or unsubscribe.  
So you trapped us here forever! :)

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] FYI

[Marco Thorek]

It's www.infocom-if.org

Marco



Stuart Feldhamer schrieb:
> 
> Hmm...I appreciate you asking. Legally I probably have no say in the matter.
> 
> What is the URL of your site?
> 
> Stuart
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Marco Thorek [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2004 3:46 PM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: Re: [SWCollect] FYI
> 
> Stuart, do you mind if I use your scans on my site?
> 
> Marco
> 
> Stuart Feldhamer schrieb:
> >
> > You mean things cut out of a magazine aren't worth anything? Shucks : )
> >
> > Here's one of my favorites (attached)
> 
> --
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Re: [SWCollect] So obviously Mt. Drash is no longer rare....

[Marco Thorek]

Is there actually a game out there of which only one single copy exists? 

Marco



[EMAIL PROTECTED] schrieb:
> 
> In a message dated 05/12/2004 1:28:38 PM Central Daylight Time,
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> 
> > Let's say there are definitely rarer things out there... ;)
> >
> 
> Like what Holger, are you talking about a computer game? If so which
> one? Even though Drash is showing up now I still think under 500 were
> sold and doubtful many survived. Are there many computer games that
> had less than 1000 sold (Akalabeth sold 3)? Even if so I'm sure
> they would "pop up" if the price was right, it's just because of the
> prices (note each auction uses info from a previous auction) that
> Drash is showing up now. And it will dry up, not sure how many before
> it does (but not a LOT).
> 
> Tom

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Re: [SWCollect] And another...

[Marco Thorek]

Well, I haven't painted the actual Mona Lisa either ;-)

Marco



[EMAIL PROTECTED] schrieb:
> 
> In a message dated 05/12/2004 1:55:11 PM Central Daylight Time,
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> 
> > software title considered the Mona Lisa of
> > antique electronic programs
> 
> Gosh I hope you aren't talking about the actual software/game Marco,
> have you ever played it? ;)
> 
> Tom

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Re: [SWCollect] FYI

[Marco Thorek]

Stuart, do you mind if I use your scans on my site?

Marco



Stuart Feldhamer schrieb:
> 
> You mean things cut out of a magazine aren't worth anything? Shucks : )
> 
> Here's one of my favorites (attached)

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Re: [SWCollect] And another...

[Marco Thorek]

I'll offer my ghostwriting capabilities for your auctions. Just 5c per
word.

Enrich your sales with descriptions like "this is your chance to buy an
immaculate edition of a software title considered the Mona Lisa of
antique electronic programs by world renowned collectors of such art."

Marco



> BL schrieb:
> 
> Omg.. from the auction..
> 
> " Classic Video games are becoming the "baseball cards" of the new
> millenium, so if you are considering making an investment in something
> rare and valuable, look no further than the holy grail of lost video
> games. "
> 
> LOL, what, did he hire a cheesy writer to do the auction description?
> :P
> 
> Brad
> 
>  - Original Message -
>  From: Hugh Falk
>  To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>  Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2004 12:37 AM
>  Subject: [SWCollect] And another...
> 
>  http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8105218187
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>

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Re: [SWCollect] Ouch

[Marco Thorek]

[EMAIL PROTECTED] schrieb:
> 
> In a message dated 05/10/2004 9:50:16 PM Central Daylight Time,
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> 
> > You guys went to school/college together?
> >
> 
> Heh, where did you come up with that Marco? No, we live fairly close
> to each other, were discussing Moby scale one day while plowing
> through boxes of games at my storage locker (where I kept boxes of
> games). Maybe you were thinking of a school locker?

Yup, that's what I thought.

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Ouch

[Marco Thorek]

Alexander Zöller schrieb:
> 
> I know what you're saying. You crack the wrap, the game is still "stone
> mint", but it will only grade NM.
> 
> There's a good reason to this however. Only with the factory wrap can a
> game be graded mint, because once opened, it's no longer "as it comes from
> the factory". So I'm with Jim on this one.

Yup. 

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] I don't like this at all...

[Marco Thorek]

Freddie Bingham schrieb:
> 
> You could stick me on that list. If I see something with a buy-it-now of $5
> (that I don't need) and I know I can relist it and sell it for $60, I'll do
> it.  Just another way to fund this ludicrous obsession of cardboard box
> collecting.

There is nothing wrong with that. You do it to finance your hobby.
Others would as well buy and sell can openers, if there was a lucrative
market.

I think that takes the heart out of collecting.

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Ouch

[Marco Thorek]

[EMAIL PROTECTED] schrieb:
> 
> Yup, remember Jim, when we were discussing the Moby scale (long time
> ago, at my storage locker I believe) 

You guys went to school/college together?

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Ouch and I Don't Like This threads

[Marco Thorek]

Stuart Feldhamer schrieb:
> 
> Hmmm...
> 
> If I had to summarize:
> 
> Most people are unhappy that the prices are going ridiculously high.
> 
> There is a big argument about whether it should be MS or M(S).
> 
> Nobody sees the connection between these two threads?

Yeah, we don't have real problems ;-)

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] YEAH-HA-HAAAAA!

[Marco Thorek]

Indeed, what is it?

Marco



Hugh Falk schrieb:
> 
> Never heard of it...is there a story behind it?
> 
> Hugh
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: C.E. Forman [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Sent: Sunday, May 09, 2004 1:22 PM
> To: Software Collectibles Mailing List
> Subject: [SWCollect] YEAH-HA-HA!
> 
> http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8103582942
> 
> Last one sold in the U.S., $300+!  I've got a guy who's going to pay and
> reship for me, should come to about $35 - $40 total.
> 
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Re: [SWCollect] Talk about boneheads...

[Marco Thorek]

I just bought "Archon" from them. Email communication was good and the
game arrived in time.

However, I had also bought "Neuromancer" and they said there was a
problem with the "buy it now" items and the games (they had multiple
copies) were actually already sold but Ebay automatically relisted them.

Maybe true, maybe not.

Marco



Freddie Bingham schrieb:
> 
> The seller of this auction has *never* responded to any email I have sent
> asking innocent questions about his auctions, hence I don't bid on them.
> 
> -freddie
> 
> Lucasarts Museum - http://lucasarts.vintagegaming.org
> 
> 
> > -Original Message-
> > From: Josh Lulewicz [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2004 7:23 PM
> > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > Subject: [SWCollect] Talk about boneheads...
> >
> > http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8103158348&;
> > category=4
> > 315&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBDW%3AIT&rd=1
> >
> > 
> >
> > -josh
> >
> >
> > p.s. If the winner is on the list I offer no apologies...
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
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> >
> >
> >
> 
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Re: [SWCollect] Zork question

[Marco Thorek]

To my knowledge "Dungeon" was dropped out of fear that the people behind
"Dungeons & Dragons" might claim a TM conflict.

Marco



Peter Olafson schrieb:
> 
> While not entirely contradicting the source you suggest, this page
> suggests around origin, http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Zork
> 
> "Originally, 'Zork' was a name that any unfinished program around MIT
> got. When the game was finished the implementors called it Dungeon,
> but people went on calling it Zork, so the name stuck (not an unusual
> course of events for software and other high-tech products with
> entrenched 'working titles')."
> 
> Hope this helps!
> Peter
> 
> Howard Feldman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 
>  I seem to remember reading somewhere that Zork was named
>  after a mid-70's poetry
>  book called 'A Hastily Thrown Together Bit of Zork'. Can't
>  seem to find where I
>  read it with google. Does anyone know if this is true? Does
>  anyone have the
>  book? Is it also true that only 150 copies of the book were
>  released into
>  general circulation? Just wondered how 'collectible' the
>  book is, since Ive
>  never seen it.
> 
>  --
>  --
>  Howard Feldman, Author of The Search for Freedom
>  A Computer Fantasy Role-Playing Game
>  Visit its Homepage at
>  http://home.golden.net/~feldman/SearchForFreedom/
> 
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Re: [SWCollect] Zork question

[Marco Thorek]

To my knowledge "Zork" was a word used by computer geeks at MIT for just
about everything, as in "give me that zork over there."

Its origins are lost in time; it may have been the book you mentioned,
but its not the only place the word "zork" was used. For example,
Mattel, I think, had toys named "Chopcyles," which predate the text
adventure, and one of them was named "Mighty Zork Chopcyle" -

http://www.theweaponshop.com/sizzlers.html

We could guess that the future Infocom authors may have played with
those toys as kids and carried the word over to their college life.

Or they read that book. 

Marco



Howard Feldman schrieb:
> 
> I seem to remember reading somewhere that Zork was named after a mid-70's poetry
> book called 'A Hastily Thrown Together Bit of Zork'.  Can't seem to find where I
> read it with google.  Does anyone know if this is true?  Does anyone have the
> book?  Is it also true that only 150 copies of the book were released into
> general circulation?  Just wondered how 'collectible' the book is, since Ive
> never seen it.
> 
> --
> --
> Howard Feldman, Author of The Search for Freedom
> A Computer Fantasy Role-Playing Game
> Visit its Homepage at http://home.golden.net/~feldman/SearchForFreedom/
> 
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Re: [SWCollect] Even marginally ethical?

[Marco Thorek]

Jim Leonard schrieb:
> 
> Stephane Racle wrote:
> > And it goes on every day in a number of industries. :-)
> 
> Yes, but that doesn't mean it has to go on in ours.  This mailing list
> has several prominent people of the software collecting movement as
> members, and I don't think it's a stretch to say that, if we all acted
> in unison, we could strongly influence the state of software collecting
> today.  

I agree. We'd be like, uh, Enron :-)

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] New Article from The Origin Museum

[Marco Thorek]

Very cool, Joe!

You won't rip the sealed ones open, will you? Please don't, they look so
..pristine.

Marco



[EMAIL PROTECTED] schrieb:
> 
> Thought people would be interested in seeing a new article.  Please check it out, 
> and tell me what you think.
> Go to my site, and click on the STORIES section--It's called,"One Last Goodbye From 
> The Creators of Worlds..."-- I think you'll be pleased.
> 
> Thanks for looking.
> 
> "...Preserving Worlds..."
> Joe Garrity
> Curator of The Origin Museum
> 
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Re: [SWCollect] Retro PC game collecting officially became big business

[Marco Thorek]

> Hugh Falk schrieb:
> 
> In some ways it is really great to see games appreciating in value so
> much.  Maybe we’ll remember March and April 2004 as the months that
> Retro PC game collecting officially became big business.

You left open if we'll remember it positively or negatively.

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Retro PC game collecting officially became big business

[Marco Thorek]

> Stephane Racle schrieb:
> 
> While I'm glad my collection is worth more, I wouldn't be overly
> thrilled if this hobby became a business. I'm not exactly sure it
> would be a good thing if every game sold for $100+. 

I second that. From a selling point, yeah, I could probably make a good
buck on some of my stuff, however, all those bucks would be gone again
as soon as I tried to get something for keeps.

Luckily my Infocom collection is now just about complete, so I can save
my money for the odd obscure item coming by.

Oh well, maybe in a couple of years some of us can earn their money as
software collecting experts ;-)

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] CURIOUS Guide

[Marco Thorek]

Wow, very nice, Hugh!

On a first glance I found one problem: When I click on one of the
sublinks (year, title, etc.) I get a 404. Like here,

http://dynamic3.gamespy.com/~gotcha/PHP/1082653752

Marco



> Hugh Falk schrieb:
> 
> After weeks of frustration and experimentation, I finally have a DB
> solution for the CUROIUS Guide up and running.  You can get to it from
> my site (http://www.classicgaming.com/gotcha/) through the menu, but
> here is a direct link to the DB page:
> http://dynamic3.gamespy.com/~gotcha/PHP/curious_view.php.
> 
> 
> 
> There are some nice features like sorting, filtering and a printable
> view, but there is still some more functionality I want to add (like
> alphabetical tabs).  For now I think it is very usable.
> 
> 
> 
> I’d really appreciate some feedback…specifically if it works since so
> many people had problems with the last version.
> 
> 
> 
> Keep in mind that this is only the beginning.  There are likely many
> errors and obviously there are many many games/box variations still to
> add.
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Hugh
> 
>

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Re: [SWCollect] Anyone heard of Charles C Carroll??

[Marco Thorek]

Josh Lulewicz schrieb:
> 
> I suppose the previous owner might just have liked labelling his stuff..
> but it seems unlikely.  Anyone got any clue what this could be from?
> Some kind of demo copy maybe?  Does the name mean anything to you Sierra
> buffs?  I googled the name but it is surprisingly common, and didnt find
> anything to do with Sierra or gaming - though he DID sign the US
> Constitution or something ;>)

Hm, it seems Sierra was longer in the business than we thought ;-)

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] So obviously Mt. Drash is no longer rare....

[Marco Thorek]

[EMAIL PROTECTED] schrieb:
> 
> Hmm, seems 5 of 7 are owned by this group. I have an idea. Let's win
> this one, then we have 6 of 7. Sell them all for 50K, someone surely
> would like to own 6 of 7 known. Since my idea and I have two I'll take
> 35K and you all can split up the rest, heh ;)

Ah, I'd suggest we take the 50k, buy a nice office building, call it
"Software Collecting Corporation Headquarters" and hold meetings on the
future of game collecting ;-)

Marco

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[SWCollect] Anyone seen this Zork poster before?

[Marco Thorek]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3715995961&category=28009

It sure is news to me.

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Avoid that Paypal fee!!!

[Marco Thorek]

Be aware that they'll probably cancel your account if they find out.

Marco



[EMAIL PROTECTED] schrieb:
> 
> Interesting development. Freind overseas made mistake, sent partial
> paypal balance, partial Ccard payment to my "free" acct which cannot
> take ccards. So I had to "deny" it as I don't want to "upgrade" that
> acct. He says the money went back into his paypal balance. Perhaps
> this is because it was part ccard, part balance to begin with, it
> could not return to two "places". If so people overseas or US buyers
> could send me (or you) $1 paypal balance and the rest ccard. To "free"
> acct. Then I deny and they get it all back in paypal balance. Can then
> resend to "free" acct, NO FEES!!! Tres cool, will test this
> out... Those buggers (paypal) are going to pay for stealing
> from me, this is good "revenge" right here, feel free to "join the
> party"
> 
> Tom
> 
> Visit my web page for many games for sale/trade and screen shots of
> Ultima Escape from Mt. Drash,  Tom's Ultima, Infocom and RPG page

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Re: [SWCollect] And then one day, the Holy Grail is found

[Marco Thorek]

IIRC some copy protections try to read if they are loading from a
commercially pressed CD or a burned CD. CDs contain information on who
the manufacturer was, what kind of dye was used, what kind of media it
is, etc. 

So this tool here might be helpful to distinguish if what you got is the
real deal: 

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,22912,00.asp

Marco



> "C.E. Forman" schrieb:
> 
> My initial thoughts on this...
> 
> Were the two sealeds on eBay in Q4 2003 from the same seller?  Watch
> the ID(s) to see if they list more.
> 
> Silver-base CD or green/red/blue (obvious CD-R)?  If there's a back
> insert, probably no way to tell w/o cracking the wrap.  Silver doesn't
> mean it's not a fake, though, could be someone w/ access to better
> burning equipment.
> 
> If few were sold, could indicate a lot were unsold (i.e. kept in
> storage, still sealed).
> 
> Printing on liner notes and disc itself, same as the one you know is
> an original?
> 
> Not sure I'd be worried at this point, until some of these questions
> get answered.  We've had 4 Drashes sold in the last 6 months (3 on
> eBay), so they seem to be popping up everywhere as well.  B-)
> 
> 
>  - Original Message -
>  I too have found another 'sealed' copy of 'Origin Audio
>  CD-Volume 1' (I bought it off of Ebay in Q4 of 2003).  I now
>  have two.  I also know someone else (Ben Lesnick) who got a
>  'sealed' copy as well (he got it from Ebay in Q4 of 2003).
>  I also saw someone else who has one from a few years ago
>  (Lancelot Du Lake).  They seem to now be popping up
>  everywhere...perhaps I'm paranoid, but C.E. has taught us
>  all to be 'ever vigilant'.
> 
>  Could these be forgeries, or was there a box of them
>  uncovered recently?  We need to find out.  I know that my
>  original copy is probably real, but I never checked it
>  closely against the shrinkwrapped one.  I will compare them
>  this week, and give you all a report.  I'll also try to
>  review my emails from that period, and find out who I bought
>  it from.  This could be the first 'Origin Forgery', or the
>  luckiest day in Pedro's LIFE!  Like I said, I'm probably
>  wrong, but I think we have enough knowledge and resources to
>  find out.
> 
>  "...Preserving Worlds..."
>  Joe Garrity
>  Curator of The Origin Museum
> 
>  

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Re: [SWCollect] First version of the CURIOUS Guide is up!

[Marco Thorek]

Well, I got IE6 and Office XP and no enchilada ;-)

Marco



"Lee K. Seitz" schrieb:
> 
> Jukka Eronen stated:
> >
> >It didn't load on me; needs Microsoft Office components
> >and Explorer 5.01 (have IE 5.0 something);
> 
> I got the same thing.  I'm running IE 6, but Office 95 (but Windows
> 2000).  No, my software combination isn't typical. 8)
> 
> --
> Lee K. Seitz
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> 
> --
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Re: [SWCollect] Video Game Invasion

[Marco Thorek]

Got it the other day, but failed to thank you in time, so here it goes:
Thanks Jim!

Marco



Jim Leonard schrieb:
> 
> Has everyone grabbed this yet?  I'm taking it offline Saturday and it's a slow
> link so start downloading it *now*.
> 
> Jim Leonard wrote:
> 
> > Okay, the documentary that everyone missed is online here:
> >
> > ftp.mindcandydvd.com:/pub/misc
> >
> > There is a modem-bitrate version and an ISDN-bitrate version.  I will be
> > taking these offline in a week so please snag them now.  (BTW I'm going
> > on vacation Sunday - Wednesday so I may not be contactable during that
> > time.)
> >
> > The documentaries were edited in an extremely "busy" fashion -- I
> > counted the number of shots in a minute and it was over 30 (!!) so the
> > video is constantly moving and changing.  As such, I didn't even try to
> > concentrate on motion, but rather sharpness and clarity so that you can
> > actually see detail in the video.  So the framerate on the modem version
> > is about 4 fps and about 8 fps on the ISDN version, but hey, you can
> > actually see what they're talking about instead of it being a blurry mess.
> >
> > BTW Dan, I tried Quicktime -- Sorenson refused to hit ISDN bitrates, and
> > the MPEG-4 didn't have audio... so much for that.
> 
> --
> Jim Leonard ([EMAIL PROTECTED])http://www.oldskool.org/
> Want to help an ambitious games project? http://www.mobygames.com/
> Or check out some trippy MindCandy at http://www.mindcandydvd.com/
> 
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Re: [SWCollect] Video Game Documentary tonight

[Marco Thorek]

John Romero schrieb:
> 
> Hahaha, I remember interviewing for this but have not seen it yet. :)

He, we'll finally find out if you let your hair grow again! ;-)

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Sam & Max II

[Marco Thorek]

Hugh Falk schrieb:
> 
> Well, I don't really track PC data too closely anymore since I'm doing only
> console games.  However, 250K units on a console would usually be a failure.
> The only reason you can get away with such small sales on the PC is the
> lower cost of PC titles (don't have to pay Sony royalties and don't need
> special dev kits for example).  AAA console games are going to hope to sell
> 500K units or more.

PC development is cheaper than console development? Popular opinion has
it that console development is cheaper as you have a standardized
platform to develop for. So that's wrong?

It would be really cool if you and John could give us more details on
how the costs of development add up. How much goes into the actual
production, advertisements, licenses, box, manual, CD pressing, etc., as
a lot of this eludes me. 

For example, I can't understand how a developer or a publisher can
develop a title for three years or more and expect to make a profit from
it (Republic: The Revolution, Duke Nukem Forever).

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Video Game Documentary tonight

[Marco Thorek]

Jim Leonard schrieb:
> 
> I'm at work!  Any chance this will come on any time again?  I have a
> ReplayTV and I'd have no problem at all recording it and putting it on
> the web for those who want to watch it.

That would be pretty cool!

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Here we go.....

[Marco Thorek]

Edward Franks schrieb:
> 
> I recently had one person very politely lecture me about listing stuff
> at inconvenient (for European bidders) times.  I apologized, but
> explained that most of my buyers are from the US so I set my auctions
> accordingly.  After the US I seem to sell equally to Europe and the
> Pacific Rim.  Selling worldwide means someone is going to have to get
> up in the middle of the night to bid.

It's time for the IGST (intergalactic standard time), isn't it? ;-)

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] What ‘Path’ are you currently on?

[Marco Thorek]

One thing that fascinates me about our hobby is: We are from
Scandinavia, Portugal, the USA, Canada, Germany, etc., essentially half
the globe, and it connects us. 

This is probably not unique to our hobby, but still, in our microcosm we
span the macrocosm.

Marco

[EMAIL PROTECTED] schrieb:
> 
> I find it fascinating that our hobby takes us down many different paths, far and 
> away from software collecting.  Sometimes they’ve taken us deep into unknown 
> territory, hunting for that possible elusive copy, and we get a bit of culture with 
> our favorite dish.  Sometimes they’re good, and sometimes they’re bad (See C.E. 
> Forman’s ‘Detroit Suck City’ review on his website), but they take us to places and 
> ideas that we never would’ve ventured otherwise.  I’m currently involved in a few 
> Museum projects that are showing me new people, places, things, and ideas that I 
> NEVER would’ve seen before.  My latest project is showing me Hollywood special 
> effects, taxidermy, and window display personnel—all on behalf of my gaming 
> obsession!  I’ll surprise you all with pictures this week as the project ‘gels’, but 
> I just wanted to ask if everyone else on the boards has as much fun with these 
> diversions as I do?

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Re: [SWCollect] Scexpo

[Marco Thorek]

He, I collect software from the time when I was 12-17. It's a matter of
attitude ;-)

Marco


> "C.E. Forman" schrieb:
> 
> *Sigh*  I have changed the group name to "sc-expo" (Yahoo doesn't
> allow spaces).
> 
> Can we resume being grown-ups now?  B-)

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Re: [SWCollect] Wireless Optical Mouse and ebay

[Marco Thorek]

[EMAIL PROTECTED] schrieb:
> 
> Thanks for the info, think I will go with the MX700, can get for about
> $45 shipped.

Heah Tom, if you can get it that cheap, then consider one of their
keyboard/mouse sets:

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=1,CONTENTID=6831

That's one hell of a keyboard and if you buy it now with the set, it
might come cheaper than buying it individually later.

BTW, I found that with frequent use the little nub inside the base's
holder that keeps the mouse in position when you recharge rubs on its
finishing (just below the Logitech logo on the mouse). I put a little
felt sticker on the nub to remedy that.

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Scexpo

[Marco Thorek]

[EMAIL PROTECTED] schrieb:
> 
> Kinda sounds like "Sexpo" ;) Are there going to be scantily clad
> women?

Sure, the original CES babes from the 80s. You gotta stay in style ;-)

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Wireless Optical Mouse and ebay

[Marco Thorek]

Dan Chisarick schrieb:
> 
> While the MX 700 is a wonderful piece of hardware (its what I'm using
> now) it is REALLY fussy about how far away it is from its base station.
>   They advertised a max of 6'.  More like 2' for truly reliable use.  Of
> course I have a wireless network and possibly other sources of RF
> interference.  I almost returned it until I moved it within 18" of its
> base and it has been dead on ever since.

Yup, could be interference. I have a couch opposite my desk, where I
watch TV from here and then via the PC, when my girlfriend wants to
watch something else. The distance is about six feet and the mouse
works.  


> Also (don't remember where I read it but it *seems* to be accurate),
> the batteries last longer if the laser doesn't have to work too hard.
> I taped a piece of white paper to my mousepad.  I didn't actually
> benchmark it, but it *seems* that the charge lasts longer.  Someone
> club me over the head if this is known BS.

No, it's true. Logitech says something about that on their website.
Lighter surfaces seem to offer more reflection and therefore the mouse
doesn't have to do as much work to track movements. 

BTW, IIRC Logitech also says something about the mouse being designed to
be used with no mousepad at all. Depending on the surface of your desk
that might be worth a try. Without a mousepad you also are not
restricted to its boundaries.

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Question about trading partner

[Marco Thorek]

Thank you guys!

Marco



"Lee K. Seitz" schrieb:
> 
> Marco Thorek stated:
> >
> >I'm trying to do a deal with the guy running this website,
> >
> >http://members.tripod.com/classic-videogames/
> >
> >Anybody have prior experiences with him? Can he be trusted?
> 
> I've dealt with him via Usenet and eBay and had no problems with him
> either time.  The former was back in '99 and I was the buyer.  The
> latter was one year ago when he won an auction of mine.  I believe,
> from another e-mail I found, that C.E. may have dealt with him as
> well.
> 
> --
> Lee K. Seitz
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> 
> --
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Re: [SWCollect] The Origin Museum--We're BACK!!

[Marco Thorek]

[EMAIL PROTECTED] schrieb:
>
> As a fitting end to this email, I now present to you all a photo showing proof that 
> the relics of gaming's past are being remembered, and preserved:
> 
> http://www.originmuseum.net/steve/drash.jpg

Heah, wow, that's one neat job.

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Spyware

[Marco Thorek]

Jim Leonard schrieb:
> 
> Yes, well, have you considered it was trying to look for a new/updated version
> of itself?  :-)  Not all "phone home" software is malicious.

Actually, no. I am probably getting a little paranoid.
 
> > The firewall also quarantines any suspicious mail attachments, but as
> > mail client I use good ole' Navigator 4.54 anyway. Some of those
> 
> You should switch to Thunderbird.  I finally did last year and it's great.

Yeah, you are right. Thunderbird looks pretty neat. I don't seem to be
able to find the info on its website, so I am asking you: Can you use it
as a newsgroup reader and can I import my mails from Navigator to it?

> > attachments aim for weaknesses in OE, and my Navigator is simply too old
> > to understand all that fancy stuff.
> 
> Not true!  In fact, your version has a documented vulnerability!

I certainly didn't know that. And, to be honest, I am still sticking to
NN 4.54 less for security reasons but because I'm so used to it ;-)
 
> No, that was a very old thing back in 1994-1996 and I don't think Americans
> have seen them since.

I hope we can soon say the same about Germany. How did the US get rid of
them?
 
> Disclaimer:  I *am* a security engineer during the day ;-)

This list sure has some added benefits ;-)

If I may ask: Who do you work for? 

Marco

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[SWCollect] Question about trading partner

[Marco Thorek]

I'm trying to do a deal with the guy running this website,

http://members.tripod.com/classic-videogames/

Anybody have prior experiences with him? Can he be trusted?

Thanks!

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Ok....melt wizard...

[Marco Thorek]

Jim Leonard schrieb:
> 
> I didn't find the question THAT nerdy because you had a movie reference
> to check.  If I asked a question like "What was the first game to use
> speech SYNTHESIS (ie. not pre-recorded sound)?", then THAT would be nerdy.

Somehow I don't find that question nerdy at all.

Hm, are you telling me I AM a nerd because I find the other question
nerdy and not this one?

He, let's see when Hugh comes up with a "degrees of nerdiness scale" ;-)

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Wireless Optical Mouse and ebay

[Marco Thorek]

Well, the Porsche among the wireless optical is Logitech's MX 700 (MX
900 if you want it as Bluetooth). It uses double the dpi your standard
optical uses and is as accurate as a corded mouse. It also uses
rechargeable batteries, which is a lot cheaper in the long run than
buying batteries again and again - at night or during breaks you put it
on its recharge station.

Only problem: The mouse is beyond your price range. At the moment it
should sell for €79, which should be about the same in $.

Your alternative would the Cordless MouseMan Optical, which I used until
I replaced it with the MX 700. It is not as precise as the latter, but
if you aren't into FPS that shouldn't matter much to you. On Ebay you
should be able to get a used one comparatively cheap.

(Or heah, buy mine! :-)

Marco

[EMAIL PROTECTED] schrieb:
> 
> Need wireless rechargable optical mouse. Anyone have suggestions (want
> cheap, maybe $25 shipped?). Tried ebay but most sellers have shipping
> cost of $11-20 (yes for one mouse), I refuse to buy from such a
> seller. Ebay needs new search function, shipping cost search, taking
> way too long to find one with reasonable s+h (probably searched 20
> auctions, don't have time for that crap).
> 
> Thanks,
> Tom
> 
> Visit my web page for many games for sale/trade and screen shots of
> Ultima Escape from Mt. Drash,  Tom's Ultima, Infocom and RPG page

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Re: [SWCollect] Spyware

[Marco Thorek]

I have a personal firewall on my system, less of fear that someone might
try to come in, but that something might try to phone home. 

For example, a couple of weeks ago I installed a friend's OCR software
for testing and it installed a TSR along with it: even when the OCR
program wasn't running, the freaking thing tried to contact its makers.

The firewall also quarantines any suspicious mail attachments, but as
mail client I use good ole' Navigator 4.54 anyway. Some of those
attachments aim for weaknesses in OE, and my Navigator is simply too old
to understand all that fancy stuff. 

A program I can wholeheartedly reccommend in this context is Robin
Keir's K9, that uses a Bayes algorithm to weed out spam (and things like
the "important update from Microsoft" alongs with it):

http://www.keir.net/k9.html

BTW, the hottest issue regarding those little malicious buggers around
here in Germany were and are "dialers" - trojans that replace your
normal internet connection without your knowledge with 0190 numbers (for
you Americans: 1-900 numbers). For dial-up users this generated some
hefty bills.

The billing's done by the phone companies who own the lines and so they
send all their might and lawyers after you, if you don't pay. They don't
do that out of any unselfishness either, as a certain percentage of the
generated income goes to them for providing the line. 

It has been until now that a higher court here in Germany decided that a
user fooled that way must not pay and that the phone company cannot ask
for more than what would have been generated through use of the normal
internet connection. 

Is the rest of the world as ridden by those "dialers" as we are around
here?

Marco

[EMAIL PROTECTED] schrieb:
> 
> I had a LOT of spyware on my computer as I've been using same
> drive/programs for a long time (like close to 100 spybots). If you'd
> like to check these sites are free (scan and REMOVE, many ask you to
> pay to remove). If anyone runs I'd be interested in hearing results
> (see if anyone has more than I did). I run both as spyware items are
> hard coded it seems, one might find some the other misses.
> 
> http://www.safer-networking.org/
> http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
> 
> Tom
> 
> Visit my web page for many games for sale/trade and screen shots of
> Ultima Escape from Mt. Drash,  Tom's Ultima, Infocom and RPG page

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Re: [SWCollect] Ok....melt wizard...

[Marco Thorek]

This is probably the nerdiest discussion I have read in a long time ;-)

Marco



Josh Lulewicz schrieb:
> 
> I am sure this has been discussed before my time here on the list so
> hope no one minds.
> 
> What is the game Josh Baskin is playing in the movie Big?
> 
> It is NOT Wizard and the Princess!
> 
> Was this something coded up specifically for the movie or is there such
> a game?
>

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Re: [SWCollect] Funny typo

[Marco Thorek]

ROFLMAO, it just goes perfectly together with the corny description.

I really don't LOL literally in front of the PC very often, but this
just did it :-)

Marco



Dan Chisarick schrieb:
> 
> Its a very long description, but the typo (about 2/3 of the way down)
> is priceless:
> 
> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?
> ViewItem&category=1183&item=3178965064

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Re: [SWCollect] Sierra/Lucas/Tolkien/Ultima/AD&D/SSI - info and questions

[Marco Thorek]

[EMAIL PROTECTED] schrieb:
> 
> In a message dated 02/25/2004 12:51:19 AM Central Standard Time,
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> 
> > The receptionist was surprised when she learned I just
> > got on my bike and rode about 7 miles to ask questions.  It was my
> > turn to be
> > surprised when she told me that hints to The Mist were $5.
> 
> Hehe, how old were you Jim, can't beleive they charged you $5 after
> you rode all that way and being a kid and all. 

Yup, they should have rewarded his determination. 

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Sierra/Lucas/Tolkien/Ultima/AD&D/SSI - info and questions

[Marco Thorek]

Jim Leonard schrieb:

> > BTW, how many people are on this list approximately?
> 
> Over 40.

Is that so? Then we must have many lurkers.

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] spam?

[Marco Thorek]

No spam from the list here.

Marco



Jim Leonard schrieb:
> 
> Is anyone seeing spam on the swcollect list?
> --
> Jim Leonard ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
> World's largest electronic gaming project:http://www.MobyGames.com/
> A delicious slice of the demoscene:http://www.MindCandyDVD.com/
> Various oldskool PC rants and ramblings:   http://www.oldskool.org/
> 
> --
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Re: [SWCollect] Oh my G*d!!!!

[Marco Thorek]

> Stephane Racle schrieb:
> 
> Heh. Actually, that's an interesting one. I never understood the
> fascination with this particular package. It routinely sells on eBay
> for anywhere between $100-$200, but it's really not that
> interesting... For that price, you can probably grab 5 or 6 grey
> boxes, a couple of folios, and some Invisiclues hint books to go with
> that.

Yup. For $600 you could also get at least 20 greys at $30/each. If you
are lucky you could get about all of them, if you manage to grab them
for lower prices.

To me personally that is worth more than owning the Masterpieces.

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Talking about rarity/value

[Marco Thorek]

Jim Leonard schrieb:
> 
> I think his sarcasm is lost on you.  I have known people like him (Dennis
> Courtney) and they are actually extremely funny and creative people.  If you
> read his other comments, they're quite funny.

You are right. I didn't read his other comments before I judged him.

Now I'd say he is a little, uhm, eccentric ;-)

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Talking about rarity/value

[Marco Thorek]

BL schrieb:
> 
> Whos this guy?  He won an auction of mine, and left this for feedback - he
> as well as sniped me a couple of times, grr! :)  Wondering if he is on this
> list..
> 
> Feedback:
>I belong to a very elite group of gamers and we all trade on Ebay! OH YES
> WE DO!   Buyer   eriqchang( 219)

Isn't that a little childish and arrogant?

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Rarity Scale

[Marco Thorek]

> Stephen Emond schrieb:
> 
> For rarity knowing production numbers WOULD be great, but finding the
> original numbers would not be easy. It also wouldn't take into account
> how many copies exist today. It's hard to even imagine, but there are
> people out there who just toss old games in the dumpster - who would
> want a 25 year old game??? (Ok, you can put your hands down now...)

As others mentioned, I don't think production numbers are that much
important. What matters is what turns up on ebay, the one place
accessible to all of us. They are probably thousands of Ataris "E.T."
catridges still buried in some desert in New Mexico, but they will never
turn up on ebay - still you got a pretty high production number for that
cartridge.

If we include production numbers into a formula, we'd have to include
many factors we can't determine: production number total, percentage of
said production destroyed due to being not sold, sold but destroyed by
owner, etc.

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Rarity Scale

[Marco Thorek]

[EMAIL PROTECTED] schrieb:
> 
> That's the spirit, C.E.!
> 
> I think we could at least start a running list and watch it grow over
> time.  It has to start somewhere.  I'll host it on GOTCHA unless
> somebody has a better suggestion.  I can start with about 100 games
> I've searched for regularly on Ebay over the years.  I have a pretty
> good feel for them in terms of availability.
> 
> You guys could then go through and make comments where you think
> they're wrong.  "I've seen 50 of those on eBay in the last
> year...that's not rare."  You can also grow the list with your own
> personal searches and experience.

Do you think about using a CGI script?

> I'd like to base the CURIOUS Scale solely on a game's availability on
> on-line auctions.  This represents the general availability to the
> buying public and is as good an indicator as I can think of.  It would
> work like this:
> 
> In the last 2 years, a complete (VG/VG or better) version of this game
> has appeared on an on-line auction approximately:
> 
> 20 times or less = Rare
> 21 - 80 times = Uncommon
> More than 80 = Common

You could put condition into the formula as a modifier. 

> Imaginary, Unique and Oddity would have to be determined by the group.

Hm, 

Imaginary - Not even a single appearance
Unique - 5 times or less
Oddity - Any game that was not a regular publication

You could combine Oddity and the other gradings.

> Obviously this is based on complete speculation, but who would be
> better to speculate on it than us?  Honestly, I think auction
> availability is a better indicator of availability than just about
> anything else (including production runs).  Since it is an indicator
> of how many are for sale on the open market.  Sure there may be a box
> of Drash's in a warehouse somewhere, but how many of us will ever have
> a chance to buy them?  We won't...unless they show up on eBay.

Well, any grading will always be subjective. We as individuals choose
certain factors in our grading and collectively we can arrive at a
common denominator that represents us as a group. Others might choose
other factors.

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Rarity Scale

[Marco Thorek]

Pedro Quaresma schrieb:
> 
> I like the idea! S could also stand for Super-Unique, Special or even
> Super-Duper! ;)

Oh silly me! I just now understood what Hugh meant with "completing the
acronym" 

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Rarity Scale

[Marco Thorek]

> Hugh Falk schrieb:
> 
> Common
> 
> Uncommon
> 
> Rare
> 
> Imaginary
> 
> Oddity
> 
> Unique
> 
> Shameless placeholder to complete acronym

Better to have than having sex? ;-)

> Anyway, I know this is ambitious…a lot more ambitious than the
> condition grading scale, but what do you think?

Seriously, I think it's a pretty neat idea. Every member of this list
could jude it on personal experience and you could calculate the mean
and the median. 

Marco

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[SWCollect] PS:T on ebay

[Marco Thorek]

Thinking about our "Modern Classics" discussion recently, I just saw
Planescape: Torment go for $64:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3072508588&category=11050

Not bad for a fairly new game.

And sure enough loads of 'em popped up after it :-)

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Deal on the side???

[Marco Thorek]

Dan Chisarick schrieb:
> 
> Sort of on that note, I have (like many others I'm sure) engaged in
> side conversations w/sellers for fun.  Sometimes it yields unexpected
> benefits (items not yet on ebay find their way into the shipment).
> Usually when people tell me how much they've enjoyed a game they sold
> me I tell them that I archive them and play them on emulators.
> 
> Surprising how many people didn't know that was possible.  Several of
> them asked how to get started, went onto the local site, downloaded a
> few favorites and wrote back how thrilled they were to relive games
> they thought they'd never see again.  Share the joy.

And knowing they can actually play the games again they just sold you
and quite conveniently so using their current machines, they'd have much
rather kept them and now hate you! ;-)

Marco

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[SWCollect] Legend closed

[Marco Thorek]

You may have heard it already, but Legend, the company run by former
Infocommie Bob Bates and his partner Mike Verdu, has been shut down by
its current publisher, Infogrames.

The Legend now had only little to do with the adventure games they once
developed, but it still is bad to see another great name go.

Here's the news:

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/unrealiise/news_6086665.html

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Bah, ebay/paypal

[Marco Thorek]

[EMAIL PROTECTED] schrieb:
> 
> Just won an item on ebay. The email I received from the seller must
> have gone through ebay as it contained this message.
> [Image]
> "Never pay for your item with an instant cash transfer service such as
> MoneyGram or Western Union. These services are like sending cash to a
> stranger - they are an extremely unsafe way to pay."

Hell yeah, PayPal is so much safer! :)
 
> Irritates me, as an honest seller I like Western Union auction
> payments as I am protected against scamming/payment reversing buyers.
> To me ebay is just trying to make sure people use paypal (so they can
> make even more money) which is in fact unsafe, for sellers especially.

Are you sure this was added by ebay? I'm no lawyer, but it may be a very
questionable business practice.

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] "Modern" classics

[Marco Thorek]

[EMAIL PROTECTED] schrieb:
> 
> I don't have more specific data handy (out of town right now), but here is a 
> breakdown of UK sales across all
platforms:
> 
> 1 - NEED FOR SPEED: UNDERGROUND
> 2 - GRAND THEFT AUTO: DOUBLE PACK
> 3 - THE SIMPSONS: HIT & RUN
> 4 - FIFA 2004
> 5 - LORD OF THE RINGS: RETURN OF THE KING
> 6 - NORTON INTERNET SECURITY 2004
> 7 - THE SIMS: BUSTIN'
> 8 - MEDAL OF HONOR: RISING SUN
> 9 - TONY HAWK'S UNDERGROUND
> 10 - TIGER WOODS PGA TOUR 2004
> 
> Note that EA has 6 of the top 10 slots.  Hey I love big boxes too and can make lots 
> of comments about game
quality, but it isn't hurting EA's sales in the least.  Sorry to be the
messenger...don't shoot me.

You are correct there, but I meant PC sales specifically. And, of
course, box and documentation is probably one of the reasons that
influences a customer's decision to buy, but not the only one.

It would be interesting to get the numbers for the cross platform titles
broken down to each platform.

> No argument here that the console business is doing much better than the PC business 
> right now.   There are always exceptions (Sims, Blizzard games, etc.), but it will 
> likely stay this way until closer to the end of this console cycle, and may never 
> end.

It's kinda like a spiral of death: Development of PC titles costs more
than development for consoles - companies develop for consoles first and
just try 1:1 conversions for the PC - PC players feel no inclination to
buy games badly converted for their system - PC sales slump down -
companies feel even less inclination to develop for the PC.

As I said, box and packaging is just a factor in this equation, but one
that shouldn't be forgotten, at least on the PC. Pirating a console game
is usually harder or sometimes even impossible and normally also
requires modifications to the hardware. A much larger percentage of the
console audience, compared to the PC audience, doesn't seem to be
willing to or not capable of going through with this. 

The PC crowd however knows where to get a game via P2P within days. They
apply a crack and there you go. What reason do they have to buy a game?
Give them something they can't download.

But with console sales this fantastic, why should anyone care about the
PC anyway? EA is doing very well, just as you said, and it's not thanks
to the PC.

Marco

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[SWCollect] Article on Slashdot

[Marco Thorek]

Slashdot had a short article on early game packagings here,

http://games.slashdot.org/games/04/01/18/0515254.shtml?tid=127&tid=186&tid=202

referencing this article here,

http://www.armchairarcade.com/aamain/article.php?20.0

and, heh, at the very end, the site of yours truly :-)

The author at Armchair Arcade writes that (in the 80s) "there seemed to
be an abundance of real thought and care behind the customer's
experience beyond the software itself."

Yup, I can sign that.

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] "Modern" classics

[Marco Thorek]

(Darn, my reply first landed at Hugh's personal address, sorry about
that)

IMHO opinion that's because of console sales. Look at the numbers the PC
version of a game sells.

It is because of this that PC development is becoming a mere
afterthought.

Marco


[EMAIL PROTECTED] schrieb:
> 
> EA is doing better every year financially (including Europe).  If DVD cases are a 
> mistake, there is no evidence yet.
> 
> Hugh
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Marco Thorek <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Sent: Jan 20, 2004 5:21 PM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: Re: [SWCollect] "Modern" classics
> 
> Jim Leonard schrieb:
> >
> > It's not the calculators:  It's what makes money.  You shouldn't be scared
> > that accountants and suits are ruining the industry; instead, you should be
> > scared that the core sales of most computer and console gaming are the way
> > they are.  It is a hard pill to swallow that adventure games simply don't sell
> > enough units to make a profit.
> 
> True. It's only that once upon a time the profit didn't matter as much.
> You could singlehandedly or in a duo write a game and find a publisher
> easy enough, even if your game was totally obscure. Nowadays profit is
> the prime directive and who knows better about profits than the suits?
> 
> Those managers sure know a thing about finances, but apparently not much
> about how the creative side of this industry works. For example, whoever
> adviced EA to ship games in DVD cases immediately cut down production
> costs, but failed to realize it'll lower the number of units sold, as
> there won't be much left that distinguishes a bought game from a warez
> version.
> 
> It is the same as with the music industry: Some managers found that
> instead of expensive talent scouting and sponsoring bands that might
> fail, they should simply manufacture boy- and girlgroups, who
> specifically cater to the target audience that spends the most money on
> its idols and music: teenagers. Now the music industry blames P2P for
> the slump in music sales, instead of realizing we had one too many
> Boyzone, Westlife, Backstreet Boys, N'Sync et. al., and no real talent
> in the charts for some time. Imagine Meat Loaf trying to get a record
> contract these days.
> 
> > There are a *few* sequels, maybe 5 a year, that are indeed worth playing.  I
> > just recently finished Ratchet and Clank: Going Commando, and it was a
> > surprisingly deep game with a lot of replay value.  But that is the exception.
> 
> True again. What also irks me as a PC gamer these days is that we are
> mostly given gruesome console ports. Most recent example there being
> "Deux Ex: Invisible War." The game may be perfect for the Xbox and its
> audience, on the PC the graphics, the simplified story and character
> generation, the idiotic UI and the lack of any depth is horrifying.
> 
> Marco
> 
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Re: [SWCollect] Ethical question

[Marco Thorek]

How many sellers would tell a buyer they are paying too much?

Anyhow, it really is an ethical question. If I knew the seller was in
dire need for the money, then I wouldn't buy it and tell him the true
worth of his item.

But under normal circumstances my decision would be as this: I came to
the opportunity of buying the game cheap as I had the knowledge of its
worth and I take it as granted that the same knowledge could have been
available to the seller as well. 

The vice versa also applies to the buyer in case he feels he paid too
much.

Marco



[EMAIL PROTECTED] schrieb:
> 
> Just curious, how do people here feel about buying an item you know is
> valuable but the person selling does not? Such as collectable
> software. Do you feel funny bargaining down a price when you know it
> is worth a lot more than what you are paying? I kind of figured myself
> that the knowledge of what is valuable justifies paying a low price,
> the person selling does not have that knowledge, we do (when it comes
> to collectable software at least). I just sold an item I've had since
> the early 80s (not software). Got what I thought was a so so price,
> but turns out it was worth about 4-5 times what I sold it for (not a
> cheap item either). Felt kind of bad but learned something from the
> deal which will help me in the future. What do you all think? Ever
> feel guilty buying a game for $5 that you know is worth maybe $100 or
> more?
> 
> Tom
> 
> Visit my web page for many games for sale/trade and screen shots of
> Ultima Escape from Mt. Drash,  Tom's Ultima, Infocom and RPG page

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Re: [SWCollect] "Modern" classics

[Marco Thorek]

Jim Leonard schrieb:
> 
> > True again. What also irks me as a PC gamer these days is that we are
> > mostly given gruesome console ports. Most recent example there being
> > "Deux Ex: Invisible War." The game may be perfect for the Xbox and its
> > audience, on the PC the graphics, the simplified story and character
> > generation, the idiotic UI and the lack of any depth is horrifying.
> 
> Don't say that!  I was so looking forward to playing the sequel after having
> finished the original twice...

I have to disappoint both you and Dan. It is all what a console game
probably should be, but not much of what we hoped for in a Deus Ex
sequel.

But you should try it yourself; perhaps it's just me who found it too
"consolish."

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] "Modern" classics

[Marco Thorek]

Jim Leonard schrieb:
> 
> It's not the calculators:  It's what makes money.  You shouldn't be scared
> that accountants and suits are ruining the industry; instead, you should be
> scared that the core sales of most computer and console gaming are the way
> they are.  It is a hard pill to swallow that adventure games simply don't sell
> enough units to make a profit.

True. It's only that once upon a time the profit didn't matter as much.
You could singlehandedly or in a duo write a game and find a publisher
easy enough, even if your game was totally obscure. Nowadays profit is
the prime directive and who knows better about profits than the suits?

Those managers sure know a thing about finances, but apparently not much
about how the creative side of this industry works. For example, whoever
adviced EA to ship games in DVD cases immediately cut down production
costs, but failed to realize it'll lower the number of units sold, as
there won't be much left that distinguishes a bought game from a warez
version.

It is the same as with the music industry: Some managers found that
instead of expensive talent scouting and sponsoring bands that might
fail, they should simply manufacture boy- and girlgroups, who
specifically cater to the target audience that spends the most money on
its idols and music: teenagers. Now the music industry blames P2P for
the slump in music sales, instead of realizing we had one too many
Boyzone, Westlife, Backstreet Boys, N'Sync et. al., and no real talent
in the charts for some time. Imagine Meat Loaf trying to get a record
contract these days.
 
> There are a *few* sequels, maybe 5 a year, that are indeed worth playing.  I
> just recently finished Ratchet and Clank: Going Commando, and it was a
> surprisingly deep game with a lot of replay value.  But that is the exception.

True again. What also irks me as a PC gamer these days is that we are
mostly given gruesome console ports. Most recent example there being
"Deux Ex: Invisible War." The game may be perfect for the Xbox and its
audience, on the PC the graphics, the simplified story and character
generation, the idiotic UI and the lack of any depth is horrifying.

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] ZorkQuest #2

[Marco Thorek]

Edward Franks schrieb:
> 
> Shhh!  I was hoping to keep that one secret!  ;-)  (Like that's going
> to happen with this group of eagle-eyed collectors...)

Hell yeah, already saw Stuart's auction days ago and kept an eye on it
to see for how much it'll go ;-)

BTW, there sure is a flurry of ZQ2s right now. 

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] 5.25s vs. 3.5s

[Marco Thorek]

Edward Franks schrieb:
> 
> It is going to get even worse.  My current motherboard doesn't even
> support a B: drive!  As I need the 3.5 inch drive as my A: drive this
> means I'll need to keep an older PC around just to deal with 5.25
> floppies.  But how many people have room or even want an older PC
> around just for a few odd games?

Future motherboards won't even support a disk drive at all.

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] "Modern" classics

[Marco Thorek]

"Feldhamer, Stuart" schrieb:
> 
> It doesn't seem odd to me...Legend has abandoned its core competency -
> adventure games.

IIRC Legend didn't have much choice. In the mid-90s the adventure market
started to run dry and Legend had to move 3D in order to survive. Later
they apparently also couldn't by themselves cope with the increasingly
huge production costs per title and if GT Interactive hadn't stepped in,
there might have been no more Legend Ent. much earlier.

The pity in all this is that the 3D titles Legend did at first weren't
exactly bad, but overlooked. And when Infogrames later bought GT
Interactive, Legend wasn't much more than a name under many and the
consequences we see now.

I'm not sure I like all this concentration. We are almost at the point
where only a few publishers dominate the market, because only
heavyweights can afford to develop a game nowadays. And because these
heavyweights have to make sure that a title gets in the production
costs, we will see more and more games with a 2, 3, 4, 5 in the title
and as much appeal to the mass market as possible.   

Creativity and originality is only an afterthought, once the calculators
rule over the creative department of a gaming company.

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Need advice regarding a Wasteland purchase

[Marco Thorek]

Dan Chisarick schrieb:
> 
> How many original working floppies will be around in 50 years?  You can
> preserve the wrap, or you can preserve the data.  Which is more fun to
> play with?

The games I collect have been preserved over and over. From the games
themselves to the documentation.

But I agree that for very rare items the data should be preserved as
well, if a game would otherwise be lost, once the original medium is
deteriorated.

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Need advice regarding a Wasteland purchase

[Marco Thorek]

Brian the Fist schrieb:
> 
> I always like to throw a bone in the gears..  It's not so hard to get
> access to a shrinkwrap machine.  How do you know, if you get a
> shrinkwrapped game, that it is in the ORIGINAL shrinkwrap?  Especially
> if there are no price tags or anything.  If you never open it, how would
> you ever know?  Carbon dating?  The pungent odour?  To me it is absurd
> to collect shrinkwrapped games at not open them - you're just opening
> yourself wide to scammers (not that I'd ever do that.. dum-de-dum..)
> 
> Anyhow, when I get a shrinkwrapped game (rarely) the shrinkwrap is the
> first thing to go (unless I'm reselling it of course).

When it comes to Infocom games I am pretty certain I can tell a rewrap
from an original one. 

It's not only that I know what the shrink looked like that was used by
Infocom, but there are other telltale signs as well: dust particles
under the shrink, edgewear where there shouldn't be any, fingerprints,
etc.

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Need advice regarding a Wasteland purchase

[Marco Thorek]

Edward Franks schrieb:
> 
> I'm the same.  If it is a game for me the shrinkwrap goes (if it is
> for resale I'll leave it alone).  I want all the goodies at hand when I
> play the game because that's the most fun for me.  Leaving a game in
> the shrinkwrap is like buying a valuable painting and then locking it
> away never to look at it or like having a girlfriend and never kissing
> her.  ;-)
> 

Heh, you can't have the same girlfriend twice (ok, provided you don't
manage to meet twins ;-)

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Need advice regarding a Wasteland purchase

[Marco Thorek]

Per-Olof Karlsson schrieb:
> 
> I support this view too. Shrinkwrapped items to me are interesting mainly
> because I know "it's all in the box", and if mint also that it's all in
> perfect condition. Other than that, I'm not too interested. I can be found
> removing the shrink when I'm curious enough and don't have an open copy
> around. As long as my game is in excellent condition and complete, I'm
> happy! I do keep many of them still in wrap due to the financial aspect of
> things, but I wouldn't be too surprised if this attitude would go away much
> like it did with comic books. If you can't see what's inside, look at the
> stuff that came with it, then what's the point? Other than being an
> investment, I see no reason at all to keep it in shrinkwrap.

Well, I kinda see it as preserving a legacy. How many originally
shrinked versions of a game will be around in fifty years?

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Need advice regarding a Wasteland purchase

[Marco Thorek]

> Stefan Lindblom schrieb:
> 
> Hello group,
> 
> My name is Stefan and I am gamoholic.
> 
> :)
> 
> I need some advice, preferrably from someone who knows what a NEW copy
> of Wasteland should look like. I have included a picture of a game I
> just bought. He declared it to be NEW, and said he got this one for
> christmas 88-89, but that he already had the game so he never played
> this one.

It's definitely not new. When I bought my Wasteland fifteen years ago it
was shrinked and there was no tape holding the disk sleeves together.

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Paranoid seller and tax evasion

[Marco Thorek]

"Lee K. Seitz" schrieb:
> 
> Marco Thorek stated:
> >
> >"Lee K. Seitz" schrieb:
> >
> >> Well, I *would* draw a distinction between *trading* games and
> >> *buying* them.  I dislike the thought of being taxed for non-cash
> >> transactions.
> >
> >I tried to argue the same to a customs officer. His reasoning was that I
> >"paid" by sending my game. Can you argue with that?
> 
> No.  I didn't say my argument was logical or that any government
> official (regardless of which government we're talking about) would
> agree with me.  It's just how I feel about it.

Actually I meant it rhetorical and ironical, Lee, as in "you can't argue
with the logic of a government representative."

The blessings of a text-based medium ;-)

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] "Modern" classics

[Marco Thorek]

Jim Leonard schrieb:
> 
> (Ironically, Wheel of Time, a game based on a Robert Jordan novel, is
> actually a very good game.  The "ancientspeak" is thick and heavy but
> since it's an action adventure it's not as irritating.)

Although commercially it failed, IIRC. 

It was by Legend, wasn't it?

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] DOSBox: Getting DOS games to run easily

[Marco Thorek]

Edward Franks schrieb:
> 
> 
> Here's a slightly different link  for those of
> you who would like to play some Glide-based (3Dfx) games.  I haven't
> purchased the full version, but Redguard worked for me with the demo
> version.
> 
> The site also has a link to OpenGLide
>  on the Red Baron information page.
> (Getting Red Baron to run is a freebie.)

Yup, managed to pick up Redguard a while ago and successfully ran it
with Glidos.

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Paranoid seller and tax evasion

[Marco Thorek]

"Lee K. Seitz" schrieb:
> 
> Tomas Buteler stated:
> >
> >I don't ask sellers to declare lower values, unless
> >they offer first).  [snip]  But as a seller I
> >always ask which value they want me to state, because
> >I believe it's the polite thing to do when trading
> >older games.
> 
> Well, I *would* draw a distinction between *trading* games and
> *buying* them.  I dislike the thought of being taxed for non-cash
> transactions.

I tried to argue the same to a customs officer. His reasoning was that I
"paid" by sending my game. Can you argue with that?

Anyhow, receiving stuff here in Germany and have or not have to pay tax
on it is a turn on the wheel of fortune. 

The stuff usually first lands in Frankfurt. Customs opens the parcel and
checks if it contains narcotics, guns, the usual, and of course items of
value. If the officer decides that tax has to be paid, he sends the item
to the local branch of the customs bureau and a notification to the
German Post, which in turns notifies me that I have to pick up the item
personally from customs. 

There seems to be no reasoning in the officer's decisions beyond his
mood at the day and his individual rule of thumb what might be of value.
High value items went through like a breeze, while some low value gave
me entertaining afternoons.

Anyhow again, if I have to pick it up, may the Force and my social
engineering skills be with me. Private sellers from the US seldom put a
bill in the parcel and I have to convince customs that the item was sent
to me by a personal friend and I paid nothing. If I fail I have to
produce a bill and then the real fun starts: Get a bill, pay 5% import
tax and 16% sales tax, while the mailing costs go into this calculation
as well.

But this is not all: Anything over the value of app. $40 has to be
taxed, no matter if it's a gift or not. If I buy something really
valuable and pay a lot, I would be an idiot to ask the seller to
understate the value, as of course I want it sent to me insured. 

And that's why I've basically given up to argue about "gift sendings."

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] DOSBox: Getting DOS games to run easily

[Marco Thorek]

Jim Leonard schrieb:
> 
> I've been tinkering with this for a month now and have had such great
> success that I thought I'd inform everyone about it:
> 
> dosbox.sourceforge.net

Wow! Thanks a bunch for this link!

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Another visitor..

[Marco Thorek]

Welcome aboard, Per-Olaf!

Marco

> Per-Olof Karlsson schrieb:
> 
> Hi everybody! J
> 
> 
> 
> I’m a newcomer to this list, and have just spent quite some time
> browsing the archives. It seems I’ve finally found home, at last,
> hehe.
>

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Re: [SWCollect] "Modern" classics

[Marco Thorek]

Jim Leonard schrieb:
> 
> Pedro Quaresma wrote:
> >
> > Please don't get me started on Planeboring: Torment. That game should
> > never have been a RPG.
> 
> Ah yes, Pedro, our resident RPG snob.  ;-)  If Planescape: Torment is a
> bad RPG by your standards, could you explain why?  Is it all the dialog,
> or bad structure, or what?

Now, that'd interest me too.

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Mt. Drash cassette and market value

[Marco Thorek]

Edward Franks schrieb:
> 
> It is a cassette where Richard Garriott talks about the first time
> years of Ultima.

Is it an audio tape, as Jim hints? At first I thought it may be a video
and the same that came as mpg with the Ultima collection.

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] "Modern" classics

[Marco Thorek]

Jim Leonard schrieb:
> 
> Marco Thorek wrote:
> > I'm not sure if we had this topic before, but what "modern" games, say,
> > developed after 1994, would you consider collectible?
> 
> Collectible meaning "high monetary/trade value" or "game worth owning
> until end of time because it is a *good* game"?

In this case high monetary value. I loved the Ultima series, but you
could pull my nails and I wouldn't say that U9 was a great game. Still
U9's Dragon Edition seems to be looked for.

> For "value" there are the common answers:  Ultima compilations, Elder
> Scrolls series, Neverhood.  

Elder Scrolls, ok, but "value" you'll only get for the titles before
1994. Redguard and Morrowind are already pretty common.

May we say that most titles nowadays are produced in too large numbers
to ever become collectible?  

> I just picked up CDs and manuals only (no box) for $14.  I've heard it's
> great.

Oh, definitely. You'll really be in for a treat.

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] "Modern" classics

[Marco Thorek]

Jim Leonard schrieb:

> Sorry this is a bit off-topic, but it's been bugging me:  Can someone
> explain to me the reasoning behind selling online stuff?  No, wait --
> what I really mean is, can someone explain the rationale behind *buying*
> online accounts/items?  According to my research, games are fun because
> you actually PLAY them.  What motivates someone to actively seek out and
> purchase in-game items for $100, $200, or more is beyond me...

Six years ago I played a bit of UO. That was back in the time when here
in Germany there were no flatrates for internet access and you paid by
the minute. Some folks in my "guild" ran up telephone bills beyond $1000
a month. 

One guy I met in the game had started it about the same time I did and
we losely became friends through the guild. As I wasn't willing to pay
as much for playing the game as the others and didn't want to invest
that much time either, I couldn't keep up and lost interest soon enough. 

A couple months later, I still had my UO account active for some reason,
I logged back on to see what had changed during my absence. Sure enough
I met my buddy from above and he told me he now "lives" in Britannia.
And this guy was married and had a little son.

So, it seems that besides what Edward said about people buying their
status to get an easy start, others also lose all rationalism over the
game. The game becomes more important than life itself. In those
people's minds buying anything, for whatever amount, that brings the
character forward may be justified.

This also reminds of this Korean MMOPRG, where people have actual real
life fights over what happens in the game. 

Marco

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Re: [SWCollect] Mt. Drash cassette and market value

[Marco Thorek]

Edward Franks schrieb:
> 
> It is the Ultima VI special edition with the 10 years of Ultima
> cassette.  

What is the "10 years of Ultima" cassette?

Marco

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