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| 23 NOV 2002 at 4:58am |
BelindaSchattenjger
Posts : 2093
Joined: 21 OCT 2002
Status : Online | Welcome to the forum de_directeur. I hope you enjoy your visits here. As for the game you asked about, I never heard of it.....sorry. Where can you download DarkEye? Hope you have fun here.....I have.
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| 23 NOV 2002 at 4:59am |
| Deleted User | sometime last year I came upon an extremely fortuitous find in a store called "Ollie's":
Kyrandia books 1, 2 and 3
Beneath a Steel Sky
Bad Day on the Midway
Drowned God
Lost in Time
Space Bunnies must Die
All CD-Rom, All Boxed, All $5 apiece.
Now, To My understanding, Ollie's only has a few outlets peppered around the MD/VA/PA/DC/WV area of the East Coast, so if your in the area, they'd be worth a shot, but I wouldn't go out of your way to try and find one. If you can find a decent Discount Bargain Outlet store that sells software, I'd say that was your best bet. Otherwise, keep trying Ebay, someone is bound to sell one eventually.
Incidentally, Abandonware is by no means "Legal", nor do I believe is "The Dark Eye" even Abandonware...
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| 23 NOV 2002 at 5:07am |
MichalNGrand Inquisitor
Posts : 7058
Joined: 14 SEP 2003
Status : Online | Originally Posted By Magma42 (23 NOV 2002 4:58am)
Incidentally, Abandonware is by no means "Legal"...
In Czech there is a saying that goes approximately like "Where there's no plaintiff there is no judge". In this case it means that if no one owns the rights to the game (for instance the owner no longer exists and no one bought them off), the question of whether copying the game is illegal or not is effectively meaningless.
In a broader sense we come to the question why anyone should be allowed to retain rights to a product they are no longer interested in.
Just today I came across a related article:
http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/comment-bloom112202.asp
I forgot my sig.
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| 23 NOV 2002 at 5:29am |
| Deleted User | true enough, and I will freely admit to downloading the odd game here or there, I'm just making the point to the "rookie" to watch hisself, he Is breaking the law.
I do believe that games which are no longer commercially sold should be made freely available for download, but evidently the law feels differently.
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| 23 NOV 2002 at 5:52am |
bleepnikPrivate Detective
Posts : 544
Joined: 13 OCT 2002
Location: US
Status : Offline | In addition to ebay, half.com, and gametz, there are also a few retailers that you might like to check out. More specifically, I've found not only some great deals at these places, but also titles either unavailable elsewhere, or being sold at ridiculous prices:
CDAccess
Playing Games Interactive
The Software Society (They sell on ebay as well)
Classic Software
Hoots-Loot (ebay sellers, fantastic folks, and great prices)
Target Media Distribution (UK-based, I think)
Hope that helps get you started
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| 23 NOV 2002 at 2:02pm |
LauraIntergalactic Janitor
Posts : 35
Joined: 9 NOV 2002
Status : Online | I believe Beneath a Steel Sky is also legal abandonware. I'm not sure where you can download it though.
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| 23 NOV 2002 at 2:40pm |
de_directeurIntergalactic Janitor
Posts : 4
Joined: 23 NOV 2002
Status : Online | Thanks for your reactions. I do not live in the US, so I cannot try the mentioned stores.
As for abandonware, http://www.the-underdogs.org/faq.php#a5 explains some things about abandonware.
Although abandonware is a little shady legally, it is often the only way to obtain that old(er) game. Since the original publishers discontinued their support, I feel nobody is harmed by downloading a game like this. It is not as if we're talking warez here.
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| 23 NOV 2002 at 2:42pm |
RevliskciPrivate Detective
Posts : 724
Joined: 9 NOV 2002
Status : Offline | Please! There is no such thing as "legal" abandonware. Go to most abandonware sites and you will see in their disclaimer that they admit they are not legally entitled to provide these games for download.
you wanna get Beneath a Steel Sky? Full version with all speech and nothing ripped from it is available form http://www.red-ant.com.au/products/bigbytesred1.aspx
And Lure of the Temtress too. 2 great adventure games for the prce of one!
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| 23 NOV 2002 at 2:59pm |
de_directeurIntergalactic Janitor
Posts : 4
Joined: 23 NOV 2002
Status : Online | $19,99 is WAY to much money for a game that has been abandoned by it's original publisher. When you buy a piece of software, you don't buy the code, but merely a user-license. This implies that you also pay for support. So if I buy a game, I want to know sure that it works or I will get it to work.
Although abandonware is technically speaking illegal, even a lot of the original publishers have no problems with it!
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| 23 NOV 2002 at 3:30pm |
ElfstoneGuild Master
Posts : 5892
Joined: 4 NOV 2002
Status : Online | All games on the Underdogs are perfectly legal. Some of them are just reviewed because they are licensed. No illegal thing here.
[b]playing[/b]: Destination Treasure Island (done in two sittings, but it's nice), Syberia (ho-hum), Dracula: Last Sanctuary (on hold)&&[b]reading[/b]: even more study papers&&[b]listening to[/b]: [url=http://www.last.fm/user/Brax82/]this and that[/url], plus [url=http://www.musicovery.com/]Musicovery[/url]&&[b]TV favorites[/b]: (currently) Pushing Daisies, Chuck, Journeyman (cancelled! grrr...), Heroes&& all-time) 24, Stargate SG1, X-Files, Lost, House
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| 23 NOV 2002 at 4:07pm |
JoYSorcerer Apprentice
Posts : 208
Joined: 10 OCT 2002
Status : Online | I guess you should read the FAQ of the Underdogs again...
Abandonware is still illegal, eventhough nobody seems to care about that!
JoY
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| 23 NOV 2002 at 5:43pm |
Anastasia_RomanovSorcerer Apprentice
Posts : 245
Joined: 28 OCT 2002
Status : Online | Originally Posted By justG (23 NOV 2002 5:51am)
In addition to ebay, half.com, and gametz, there are also a few retailers that you might like to check out. More specifically, I've found not only some great deals at these places, but also titles either unavailable elsewhere, or being sold at ridiculous prices:
CDAccess
Playing Games Interactive
The Software Society (They sell on ebay as well)
Classic Software
Hoots-Loot (ebay sellers, fantastic folks, and great prices)
Target Media Distribution (UK-based, I think)
Hope that helps get you started
WOW! classic software has Ultima 6 in an orginial box and items!!! unbelivable!!! Can someone tell me if that's site is safe to order from and if they sell outside the USA? I'v got to get it!! Yes, i know it's not an adventure!!!
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| 23 NOV 2002 at 5:45pm |
GamaholicPrivate Detective
Posts : 724
Joined: 3 NOV 2002
Status : Online | JustG,
Hey, i just ordered some games from Hoot-Loots (Broken Sword: Smoking Mirror, Lighthouse, Alone in the Dark 4) and was just wondering (impatient gal that i am) how quickly they ship? I'm thrilled to find 3 games I'm looking for in one place...and I'm getting all three for $26 + shipping. Thanks for the link!
That which makes one happy is not a waste of time
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| 23 NOV 2002 at 6:39pm |
GamaholicPrivate Detective
Posts : 724
Joined: 3 NOV 2002
Status : Online | JustG,
Again, great links, thanks! I just ordered 3 MORE games from the Software Society:
Dark Side of the Moon
X-files
Redguard: Elder Scrolls
Same question as before, how quickly do they ship? Thanks, G, for the links, you are helping me be very bad (maybe i do need a 12-step program...)
That which makes one happy is not a waste of time
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| 23 NOV 2002 at 6:44pm |
| Deleted User | Go here for some great cheap titles if you live in the UK - don't know if you do !
http://a5.zencatalog.com/GameWholesal/Games.html
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| 23 NOV 2002 at 7:01pm |
| Deleted User | Thanks for the good sites JustG. I had never heard of several of them. Classic Software has some great older games available.
Harriet@JA
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| 23 NOV 2002 at 7:51pm |
bleepnikPrivate Detective
Posts : 544
Joined: 13 OCT 2002
Location: US
Status : Offline | Hi everyone,
You are all most welcome for the links. I get warm fuzzies when I'm able to help someone out; since I'm fairly new to gaming, often the only assistance I can provide is that sort of info - buying, patches, things of that nature.
Anastasia_Romanov, I've never ordered from Classic Software before. If you don't get a response from anyone here, your best bet would be to check the FAQ/Help/Support/About Us section (if applicable) of their web site. You can also always drop them a note about whether or not they ship outside the States.
Gamaholic, I've never ordered from TSS, but have only heard good things thus far about their service. They frequent a different adventure game forum, and appear to be very accessible to their customers. I have ordered twice from Hoots-Loot. The games arrived in a sort of flimsy corrugated box, but there was enough padding in there to keep them safe, so I was satisfied. They shipped, I believe, within 24 hours of receiving my payment. Hold on, let me check my records...
...
Yes. I received notification that I had won one of their auctions at 11pm one day, and received notification that my game had shipped at 3pm the next day; fewer than 24 hours had elapsed. Note that this was even more impressive because I bid on multiple items, and the auctions ended at different times. I sent them one payment with a combined, discounted shipping charge, and they still sent all of them out in 16 hours.
It will probably disappoint you somewhat to know that they use media mail to ship their items. Consequently, my games took ooooh... probably almost 2 weeks to get to me. I, too, am impatient. However, the silver lining is that I forgot I'd ordered anything, and felt like I'd gotten a present when my shipment arrived. They ship pretty cheaply, so I think it's a fair trade.
Hope that helps,
gita
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| 23 NOV 2002 at 9:31pm |
GamaholicPrivate Detective
Posts : 724
Joined: 3 NOV 2002
Status : Online | JustG,
hm...hoot-loots charged me $8.95 for shipping (!) 3 games so I hope it's faster than media mail! thanks for the info!
BTW, when did you start gaming? I'm pretty new too, started in April of this year (and I stopped counting my game collection at 50+ ....i'm incorrigible)
That which makes one happy is not a waste of time
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| 23 NOV 2002 at 9:45pm |
Anastasia_RomanovSorcerer Apprentice
Posts : 245
Joined: 28 OCT 2002
Status : Online | Just orderd KQ6 from the software society!!! Hope it will arraive soon (i live in Israel)!!!
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| 23 NOV 2002 at 10:25pm |
RevliskciPrivate Detective
Posts : 724
Joined: 9 NOV 2002
Status : Offline | Originally Posted By de_directeur (23 NOV 2002 2:59pm)
$19,99 is WAY to much money for a game that has been abandoned by it's original publisher. When you buy a piece of software, you don't buy the code, but merely a user-license. This implies that you also pay for support. So if I buy a game, I want to know sure that it works or I will get it to work.
Although abandonware is technically speaking illegal, even a lot of the original publishers have no problems with it!
Show me some links to where original publishers say it is okay to download abandonware copies of games.
And what do you mean by "technically" ? Abandonware websites have been taken down in the past because of "cease and desist" letters sent by publishers.
If $A19.99 (or about $US9.95) is too much for you, you have the option not to buy. But there is no excuse for you to justify the price as a reason for downloading abandonware games.
BASS was made by Revolution Software. I see no indication they have abandones it. In fact, there is an employee of Revolution Software on this forum. Why don't you ask him to ask his bosses if they think it is all right for you to d/l their games when legitimate copies are still being sold.
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| 23 NOV 2002 at 10:52pm |
copycatSorcerer Apprentice
Posts : 293
Joined: 24 OCT 2002
Status : Online | I have seen instances where the Underdogs-site owners have received word that a game they provided a link to was illegal and thus they removed that linking and linked to the site of the publishers instead.
Abandonware in itself means the game is abandoned, therefor the producer no longer produces it and no longer provides any assistance, i.e. it is abandoned. Maybe the producer doesn't even exist anymore. Even though it is considered illegal, I see no other reference to normal legislation why it should be illegal. What other fact is illegal, other than the 95-year long copyright? It's not like we're robbing the producers of any revenue. Now warez is another story....
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| 23 NOV 2002 at 10:56pm |
ElfstoneGuild Master
Posts : 5892
Joined: 4 NOV 2002
Status : Online | Yes, it's technically illegal (I read it), but they are right. These games would vanish and would be forgotten. The majority of these games is absolutely inaccessible today.
[b]playing[/b]: Destination Treasure Island (done in two sittings, but it's nice), Syberia (ho-hum), Dracula: Last Sanctuary (on hold)&&[b]reading[/b]: even more study papers&&[b]listening to[/b]: [url=http://www.last.fm/user/Brax82/]this and that[/url], plus [url=http://www.musicovery.com/]Musicovery[/url]&&[b]TV favorites[/b]: (currently) Pushing Daisies, Chuck, Journeyman (cancelled! grrr...), Heroes&& all-time) 24, Stargate SG1, X-Files, Lost, House
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| 24 NOV 2002 at 1:04am |
SirDaveGuild Master
Posts : 4939
Joined: 17 OCT 2002
Location: US
Status : Offline | I get irritated when individuals give what is, in effect, an unsolicited legal and moral tongue-lashing.
The fact is that one has to make the distinction between what is 'illegal' and something that might expose you to a civil suit; often the two are quite different. Then one has to consider what is ethical and whether in any way, shape, or form one is cheating an author or company out of making a profit on their investment.
If someone uses the term 'abandonware' interchangeably with 'warez', then I don't thing anyone would argue that that is wrong. On the other hand, there is true abandonware where the publishing company and any remnants of it have long since vanished. Or the company has put out the games themselves in the form of 'giveaways'. For instance, I have Zork 1,2,3 that have been enclosed with, at least, 3 different free CDROMs enclosed with magazines and you can find Zork 1,2,3 on several websites, none of which are 'warez' sites. What essentially happens with much abandonware is that the games have been, by default, fallen into the public domain. That doesn't mean you can start selling them for a profit yourself, but it does mean that, as in the case of Zork 1,2,3, the company can't go after you for having downloaded a game they were giving away themselves.
The future ain't what it used to be!
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| 24 NOV 2002 at 3:21am |
BelindaSchattenjger
Posts : 2093
Joined: 21 OCT 2002
Status : Online | Originally Posted By Gamaholic (23 NOV 2002 5:44pm)
JustG,
Hey, i just ordered some games from Hoot-Loots (Broken Sword: Smoking Mirror, Lighthouse, Alone in the Dark 4) and was just wondering (impatient gal that i am) how quickly they ship? I'm thrilled to find 3 games I'm looking for in one place...and I'm getting all three for $26 + shipping. Thanks for the link!
I also ordered last month from hoots-loot too on ebay for Broken Sword-Smoking Mirror. And as soon as they received my payment, they sent me an email, and I had the game within a week by priority mail. Was not disappointed.
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