PSA: LucasArts' Steam-distributed games don't work on ScummVM (but they could!)
by Christopher Grant 
{ Jul 8th 2009 at 6:05PM } 
Well, since The Dig is having some issues and won't play in Windows through Steam (@lucasartsgames says it's "looking into Dig issues") we went with LOOM. Another brief, $5 download later and it works ... in Steam at least. Our attempts to get it to run in ScummVM weren't as successful, despite having all the necessary files available to us, unencrypted. So we went digging, and came up with this blog post by ScummVM team co-leader Sev who writes, "As of the ScummVM compatibility, we see that here were some changes that make the games incompatible with the current ScummVM version."
So, did LucasArts intentionally change the files to break compatibility with ScummVM? Doesn't sound likely. Sev calls the changes "very trivial" and says they "do not seem to constitute any kind of copy protection." Since this isn't any kind of copy protection or encryption, patching ScummVM to work with these new releases would be a "five minutes hack." However, much to our surprise, he and his team have "decided to abstain from it at least for now." He writes, "We do not want to interfere with their sales and/or any upcoming plans for other platforms. Also we are really open for cooperation in this regard and will be more than happy to make any upcoming releases run with use of ScummVM."
Sounds like an honorable stance to us, though one that will deprive this blogger of the ability to play these two games anywhere but Windows. We've reached out to LucasArts for a comment on the format changes and their thoughts on ScummVM enabling playback of these games.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Shiaoran @ Jul 8th 2009 6:20PM
"though one that will deprive this blogger of the ability to play these two games anywhere but Windows"
The way it should be. Get a real gamer's rig already.
Sure you can have your cool Linux one just because it's cool and your sissy macbook because everyone has one, but do have something that can actually run games.
Magresda @ Jul 8th 2009 6:22PM
I'm going to refrain from commenting on the sheer stupidity of that comment.
Oh, too late.
Beatz @ Jul 8th 2009 6:28PM
OH DUDE WICKED MAD BURN HE WAS LIKE 'GET A WINDOWS COMP' AND YOU WERE LIKE '...YOU'RE STUPID'!!!!!!! SICK!!!!
Seriously, in this day of internet bashing, you can't just call someone stupid, you need to give a detailed explanation why.
Christopher Grant @ Jul 8th 2009 6:29PM
Really? From my point of view, I'd agree with Magresda – the comment above's stupidity is self-evident. Pointing out why it's stupid would be insulting to most mammals with higher-level reasoning.
Draco Basileus @ Jul 8th 2009 6:34PM
DAMN! Beatz just got served by Master Grant himself!
Jakka (DSG Defence Force!) @ Jul 8th 2009 6:38PM
Well...he does sort of make a point even if he is horrible at getting it across. It seems as if every blogger on Joystiq has a Mac and phrases like 'anywhere, but Windows' sound like there's some sort of grudge against the system.
Christopher Grant @ Jul 8th 2009 6:42PM
Grudge against Windows? I have no idea why anyone would have that?!
(And from my vantage point, most of the human race has a grudge against Windows ... just sayin')
Reuben @ Jul 8th 2009 6:57PM
I have a Mac. Would you like to personally insult me as well? You know, it would really help your cause and get your point across in a more well-received manner if you didn't act like a jackass.
Shagittarius @ Jul 8th 2009 8:59PM
I don't care what you think about windows, but gamers don't use macs. Sorry to say it's true.
Shagittarius @ Jul 8th 2009 9:06PM
Let me rephrase that. As a gamer why would you own a Mac instead of a pimp ass gaming machine designed to run the platform to its optimum.
I overlook all of Windows flaws because it provides the most games and cheapest hardware for my gaming dollar.
Ghen @ Jul 9th 2009 8:32AM
Even though I love linux as a main OS I'd have to agree with the OP. If you're going to play games on a computer, install windows. Why would you put yourself through the hassle of dealing with a VM, emulator, or WINE when you can just reboot and switch OS's using a bootloader.
Not to mention the speed difference of having to manage both the game and the VM its sitting on.
Stix Remix @ Jul 8th 2009 6:29PM
Two words: Boot Camp.
Christopher Grant @ Jul 8th 2009 6:30PM
That's how I downloaded them in the first place – but restarting my computer every time I want to play a game is hardly a perfect solution, no?
Stix Remix @ Jul 8th 2009 6:31PM
Oh, I certainly agree. I hate having to deal with Boot Camp, but sometimes it's a means to an end.
Christopher Grant @ Jul 8th 2009 6:34PM
Absotootly – a perfect compromise for me would be to use Boot Camp to go in and buy the games I want off Steam, and then be on my own to get them to work in Mac OS (or wherever). Looks like we're really close to doing that here; we'll see if they patch ScummVM to work with the new file formats. This is a great way to fill in the holes in my LucasArts library, but if they're only ever going to work in Windows, I'll go back to eBay for the discs.
AoE @ Jul 8th 2009 9:21PM
@Christopher Grant,
Considering Steam is pretty solidly entrenched as a windows-only affair... going back to disk collecting will likely save you a ton of headaches in the future. I DO understand the attraction of an improved LOOM however.
Snap @ Jul 9th 2009 2:19AM
Two words: Crossover Games
Girugamuk (Moptimus Slimed) @ Jul 8th 2009 6:37PM
If you had ScummVM, one would think you'd already have the compatible files
Christopher Grant @ Jul 8th 2009 6:44PM
I only use my original collection w/ ScummVM and some of these games I never had. I've been meaning to fill it out w/ eBay, etc. but I'd much rather give my money straight to LucasArts for supporting these older titles.
Ravnos @ Jul 9th 2009 11:52AM
@C. Grant: Well, since you bought it through Steam, I think you're morally OK to download a copy that will work in ScummVM. Then you can feel good about "supporting the developers" or whatever and still be able to play Sam & Max on your phone.
Shiaoran @ Jul 8th 2009 6:37PM
Yay, I got people mad XD
IMO as long as you're happy with your OS, I don't give a shit.
Christopher Grant @ Jul 8th 2009 6:43PM
"Sure you can have your cool Linux one just because it's cool and your sissy macbook because everyone has one, but do have something that can actually run games."
Sounds like you do give a shit though! :-P
Reuben @ Jul 8th 2009 6:59PM
so, either you really do give a shit and you're lying, or you're a troll looking to start trouble. Neither option makes me respect you any more.
Shiaoran @ Jul 8th 2009 8:13PM
I admit my first post's intention was to troll.
People buy any OS and expect to be able to use any software.
It's like buying a Wii, inserting a Xbox 360 game on it and complaining that it doesn't work.
AoE @ Jul 8th 2009 9:25PM
Re-read the post though... he wasn't really complaining. I mean sure he mentioned a problem he was having, but it wasn't a complaint. More of a warning to other Mac users, as well as a bit of positive PR for the Lucasarts folks (since it sounds like they're open to making this stuff all work on ScummVM). It wasn't a complaint though, it didn't have such a tone at all.
Ravnos @ Jul 9th 2009 11:58AM
Do you even know what ScummVM is? It's a way to use the data files of old LucasArts games (and others) on just about any platform. The data files are platform agnostic, there's no code in them that would restrict them to one platform, hence why I can play games intended for DOS on everything from my mobile phone to my Linux (or Windows) PC if I so desire. The shock in this instance is that the data files in the Steam version have changed from those on the original CDs (or floppies, in some cases) in a way that makes them incompatible with ScummVM. The game code has obviously been updated for better compatibility on newer systems, but that's not what's being discussed.
Shiaoran @ Jul 9th 2009 12:26PM
"but that's not what's being discussed."
Then why post? :P
Draco Basileus @ Jul 8th 2009 6:40PM
This is why these games should have been released throuh GOG.com. At least through GOG they would have most likely used DOSBox and/or SCUMMVM to run the games with the original files.
Speaking of which? What emulators are they using? I know The DIG (and Full Throttle) will run in Windows Compatibility mode, because I still have my original CDs, but other games need DOSBox and/SCUMMVM to run properly.
Ender @ Jul 9th 2009 7:14AM
Aaron Giles (MAME developer extraordinary, and former LucasArts programmer) made slightly modified versions of The Dig and Full Throttle under contract to LEC a few years back.
Unlike ScummVM, these engines are just recompiled versions of the original source with a Windows display and sound driver plopped in over the old DOS routines. I assume the Steam releases were based off this tree.
- Ender [Former SvM dev :]
Joe Kohlmann @ Jul 8th 2009 6:44PM
Mac or Linux users: just grab CrossOver Games from CodeWeavers ($40) or Wine (Mac users may be interested in Darwine: http://www.kronenberg.org/darwine/)
Einhanderkiller @ Jul 8th 2009 6:59PM
Masem on Shacknews ( http://www.shacknews.com/laryn.x?id=20362000#itemanchor_20362000 ) said "According to the Lucasarts Twit, these are recompiled executables, not ScummVM engines." I couldn't find anything on the @lucasartsgames Twitter saying that, though.
Christopher Grant @ Jul 8th 2009 7:03PM
That's true – they're not using ScummVM (Sev mentions as much in his blog post), but it's still not clear if they needed to change the data files, or merge data into the executable (which has obviously removed ScummVM compatibility).
I've asked LucasArts for clarification.
Russ W. @ Jul 8th 2009 7:35PM
This summer, prepare for the box office sensation that's sweeping the nation.
Chris Grant is...
Grant VS. Windows VS. Commenters VS. Macs.
Alexisonfire @ Jul 8th 2009 8:47PM
"looking into Dig issues"
Shouldn't it be "digging into Dig issues".
ho Ho!
AoE @ Jul 8th 2009 9:26PM
zing!
Dethgar @ Jul 8th 2009 9:19PM
How illogical! A game released for the windows operating system doesn't work with emulation software on a Mac.
Ravnos @ Jul 9th 2009 12:00PM
One more person who doesn't know what ScummVM is or how it actually works.
Dethgar @ Jul 9th 2009 7:27PM
"ScummVM is a reimplementation of the part of the software used to interpret the scripting languages such games used to describe the game world rather than emulating the hardware the games ran on; as such, ScummVM allows the games it supports to be played on platforms other than those for which they were originally released."
Sounds like the definition of 3rd party emulation(software). Being shocked that a game LA distributed for Windows is unable to function on a VM, is fankly dumb. Maybe LA...I dunno, didn't want you playing the game on other platforms?
prandom @ Jul 8th 2009 9:46PM
Why not just download the games off rapidshare or torrent or your file sharing network of choice, i don't really see any legal issue if you've now paid for them and run them through scummvm on mac? thats what i'm doing with the few I've not already got on disc from back in the day!
wesley johnson @ Jul 8th 2009 9:33PM
The Dig PC problem is now fixed. It werks!!
Giroro @ Jul 8th 2009 10:02PM
[I'm a troll and, while I don't live under a bridge, I may get banned if I keep it up! YAY!]
Freestyle Farfetchd @ Jul 9th 2009 7:27AM
I know I'm going to get voted down into oblivion for this - but thankyou. And all the joystiq bloggers are on macs? No wonder PC gaming is so neglected. We want Joystiq.pc!
dark_inchworm (on Steam!) dark inchworm (on XBL!) @ Jul 9th 2009 12:22PM
Gotcha!
zodduska @ Jul 9th 2009 1:18AM
ScummVM is great, hopefully they will get it working. Its the only reason I've picked up my PSP in the last year.
dravenova @ Jul 9th 2009 5:38AM
As some pointed it out above, Crossover Games can be the answer for mac users. So far it worked perfectly for me with all my steam games.
Alistair @ Jul 9th 2009 7:34PM
... although Plants vs. Zombies is, unfortunately, almost unplayably slow under the version of Crossover Games I have. It seems to want to do all the graphics in software for some reason.
(But otherwise, yay for Steam under Crossover Games!)
Sweetz @ Jul 9th 2009 3:52PM
"Really? From my point of view, I'd agree with Magresda – the comment above's stupidity is self-evident. Pointing out why it's stupid would be insulting to most mammals with higher-level reasoning."
Wow, what a pretentious response. You're whining because a poster suggested your run a Windows game, sold on a Windows gaming service, on a Windows PC. Boy that sure is stupid; next he'll suggest you should own a PS3 to play PS3 games.
No sorry, this isn't "stupid" and despite your snarky response, no it's not self-evident. Instead of responding with a reasonable reply you stuck to insults. That the kind of thing I'd expect from a 13 year old on a forum, not a news editor. Not the kind of behavior I'd expect from those higher-level mammals you're so worried about offending.
---
"(And from my vantage point, most of the human race has a grudge against Windows ... just sayin')"
Wow there's a balanced statement. Did I miss the memo where the world decided your opinion was representative of all humanity? Or do you have access to worldwide opinion statistics?
Whatever grudges the majority of humanity apparently have against it, it sure hasn't stopped them from buying it in overwhelming numbers despite available alternatives. Hmm, wonder why? Maybe because all OSes have flaws and despite these flaws the vast majority of people have still decided it's the OS that best fits their needs...