What are your thoughts on abandonware?

[J T]

Do you think it's unethical? Are you cool with it? Is it something that should be freely discussed on this site or discouraged?

[BogusMeatFactory]

PC games are a strange bunch when it comes to this topic. There is not as large of a PC collecting world out there in comparison to consoles. GoG has been really working to get a lot of those old PC games available and for that I am thankful. They bring some games that I love to light that were honestly forgotten like, "Inherit the Earth." Many games, however, are impossible to get a hold of. If it is not able to be purchased anywhere, like Ebay, is it ok to download? Cause honestly, can anyone point me to a copy of Skunny Kart?

The argument that some people have is that you can't get the old games to run on a modern computer. I always felt that this was a cop-out as so many of us pay for and take care of old hardware in our retro consoles, so how is it not possible for us to build and keep up a Retro PC?

[nightrnr]

Short answer, I'm okay with it.
Otherwise, see spoiler.

Okay, 1st of all, I figure that if the makers/copyright holders/etc, don't want to profit or benefit the world with their goods, it's their loss.
In the digital age, you can't share something with the world and then just shut it up forever and expect those who remember and/or take interest in it to be okay about that.

2nd, I respect Abandonia's take on the whole matter. (mind you that this is my interpretation:) "Make the old and lost treasures available for everyone and the games that are available, give references, info, and link to where you can legally purchase them" (on GOG, for example).

As for legally grey areas,
I like discussing anything not easily available anymore.
And even if it is available, there are always tidbits and bonuses that somehow escape the re-release.

Take Realms of Arakania 2:
It is currently available on GOG, but there are other versions of it with enhanced CD music. If someone were to restore all it's features and make it available in English for the rest of us, I would have no problem with that (though I would recommend buying the game on GOG anyways). I don't care who holds the rights to "that version" or "that music"; if it was tied to "that game" it should be accessible.

Finally, I have had a drastic change in opinion about piracy in general over the past 10 years or so. I used to be a rather strong opponent of it. But as we delved deeper into the digital age, I began to see the value and even necessity of user freedom in media. The bottom line is that most products are still stuck in last century mentality and just don't offer the value to the user that we have come to expect (and I'm not crying entitlement here, I just like doing what I want with what I buy; if you are not selling me that right, you are really not selling me anything at all).
I will continue to support business models that DO offer that value, but to everyone else, all bets are off.

I hope I was on topic with all of that ...

[noiseredux]

Bogus, i was watching vids of Skunny Kart last weekend!

[dsheinem]

Cause honestly, can anyone point me to a copy of Skunny Kart?

http://www.myabandonware.com/game/skunny-kart-20a

[BogusMeatFactory]

Skunny Kart rules...screw that Mario Kart Crap! Game had Battle Mode against CPUs! Show me that on that crappy SNES! HUH!? And thank you for the link there beloved DSH, but I already have this delightful gem acquired. I was more meaning, someone show me a boxed copy I could purchase....cause that ain't happening, hence the abandonware argument!

[noiseredux]

BlowinMoneyFast, is there any way to do online multiplayer w/ Skunny?

[BogusMeatFactory]

BlowinMoneyFast, is there any way to do online multiplayer w/ Skunny?

Sadly NoisyRedDucks, I think not. The only thing I know how to do is set up Multiplayer Dos games with an IPX server, which Skunny Kart does not...Why? I don't know, cause that game seriously is the shiz nizzle bam snap!

Now if anyone wants to Play the Elder Scrolls: BattleSpire Death Match.....or co-op...that is another story!

[CRTGAMER]

Do you think it's unethical? Are you cool with it? Is it something that should be freely discussed on this site or discouraged?

Definitely okay to discuss, many may not know or will also have great info on a forgotten game. I think its okay to download, especially when the publisher no longer will make more copies available.

Some of the older games are now converted under GOG, Steam and other sites. However, I wonder if some of the profits go back to the original publisher/owners? This then puts a grey area if the original abandonware is legit when it is in production again in a newer format. I prefer the original PC and Mac versions even with all its driver headaches.

[BogusMeatFactory]

Do you think it's unethical? Are you cool with it? Is it something that should be freely discussed on this site or discouraged?

Definitely okay to discuss, many may not know or will also have great info on a forgotten game. I think its okay to download, especially when the publisher no longer will make more copies available.

Some of the older games are now converted under GOG, Steam and other sites. However, I wonder if some of the profits go back to the original publisher/owners? This then puts a grey area if the original abandonware is legit when it is in production again in a newer format. I prefer the original PC and Mac versions even with all its driver headaches.

I know of one instance, where some of the money does got back to the original rights holder, with the game I mentioned earlier, Inherit the Earth. Putting it up on GOG has allowed the original developers to try and make a sequel.....here is hoping, as that game was a surprisingly awesome Point and Click ADventure game with a very interesting history.