90% of the time, all anyone literally wants is "release this game in a functional state on modern hardware (PC usually)." Maybe some graphical settings and controller mapping to make it comfortable.
I only ever want it to go as far as what GOG does. Just patch things to run on modern systems and leave the content itself completely untouched. Not even controller mappings or graphical settings. Literally just let me play my old potato games on non-potato systems.
Not even controller mappings or graphical settings.
I've found far too many games basically unplayable on modern systems without these, however.
I'm not asking for a passover to make it run on 4k at 120 FPS, but many older games require technology that doesn't exist anymore in your PC, are hard locked into certain once great settings, and physically tie game functionality to performance levels of the time to work around/with the lag. I just want it to roughly function as it did, without needing to edit files or tweak my system like an emulator might require, something I'm willing to do because its free, not a paid product.
The controller mapping is just because a lot of certain older games have mind boggling controls that I simply cannot go back to. Jap games using O for confirm instead of X, inverted anything, etc. I can live without, but again if I'm paying you for it I want something above the level of emulation.
I suppose that's the heart of this discussion. Emulation is easy and free, and is hugely configurable. If you expect me to pay for something I already likely own again, I want something that's better than the two options I have.
I've found far too many games basically unplayable on modern systems without these, however.
That's what XPadder or similar third party tools are for. Let me tell you, there's so many janky control schemes out there that have become super comfy and easy to work with on account of my Logitech G600's ability to just map everything to some side buttons. Doesn't matter what the original keys are, just replicate the keystroke via mouse buttons and you're golden.
Re:Emulation: we see once again that piracy is simply a service problem. Companies aren't providing what customers want, but emulation largely does.
Companies aren't providing what customers want, but emulation largely does.
It does for console stuff pretty handily, but older PC titles are where the problem remains and where GOG does shine in some ways but still feels less than I feel is acceptable for a sold product.
I bought the original Legacy of Kain through GOG and still had to do a forum hunt to get it operational, and that's a complete failure on what they are claiming to sell me. I appreciate now having it with the standard GOG no-drm, offline available but the principle remains.
At that point I'd rather just find it on the various abandonware sites, that come with the "here is how to get it working" as part of the package instead of charging me, letting me sit down to enjoy something and realize I'm an hour away from actually playing.
90% of the time, all anyone literally wants is "release this game in a functional state on modern hardware (PC usually)." Maybe some graphical settings and controller mapping to make it comfortable.
I only ever want it to go as far as what GOG does. Just patch things to run on modern systems and leave the content itself completely untouched. Not even controller mappings or graphical settings. Literally just let me play my old potato games on non-potato systems.
I've found far too many games basically unplayable on modern systems without these, however.
I'm not asking for a passover to make it run on 4k at 120 FPS, but many older games require technology that doesn't exist anymore in your PC, are hard locked into certain once great settings, and physically tie game functionality to performance levels of the time to work around/with the lag. I just want it to roughly function as it did, without needing to edit files or tweak my system like an emulator might require, something I'm willing to do because its free, not a paid product.
The controller mapping is just because a lot of certain older games have mind boggling controls that I simply cannot go back to. Jap games using O for confirm instead of X, inverted anything, etc. I can live without, but again if I'm paying you for it I want something above the level of emulation.
I suppose that's the heart of this discussion. Emulation is easy and free, and is hugely configurable. If you expect me to pay for something I already likely own again, I want something that's better than the two options I have.
That's what XPadder or similar third party tools are for. Let me tell you, there's so many janky control schemes out there that have become super comfy and easy to work with on account of my Logitech G600's ability to just map everything to some side buttons. Doesn't matter what the original keys are, just replicate the keystroke via mouse buttons and you're golden.
Re:Emulation: we see once again that piracy is simply a service problem. Companies aren't providing what customers want, but emulation largely does.
It does for console stuff pretty handily, but older PC titles are where the problem remains and where GOG does shine in some ways but still feels less than I feel is acceptable for a sold product.
I bought the original Legacy of Kain through GOG and still had to do a forum hunt to get it operational, and that's a complete failure on what they are claiming to sell me. I appreciate now having it with the standard GOG no-drm, offline available but the principle remains.
At that point I'd rather just find it on the various abandonware sites, that come with the "here is how to get it working" as part of the package instead of charging me, letting me sit down to enjoy something and realize I'm an hour away from actually playing.