| 20240505.content | ||
|
English
Please welcome this year's participants!
On Wednesday 1st May Google [announced](https://opensource.googleblog.com/2024/05/google-summer-of-code-2024-accepted-contributors-announced.html) the list of participants accepted for this year's Google Summer of Code and we are very happy to report that [4 contributors](https://summerofcode.withgoogle.com/programs/2024/organizations/scummvm) have been accepted to work on various parts of the ScummVM project this summer. Now we have had a chance to dot the i's and cross the t's we are really pleased to welcome them all to the project and ask everyone to show them a very warm welcome as they get settled. In no particular order, a heartfelt welcome to... ---- **Project: Implementation of a Game Files Integrity Checking System for ScummVM** _Chike Lee_ - Chico / [InariInDream](https://github.com/InariInDream) ScummVM requires game data files to operate. Frequently, especially when copying from the old media, the files can be damaged. Thus, a system that could let the end-users compute checksums and compare them with known good references is desirable. Chike will be looking to extend existing work in this area and complete the end to end implementation during the summer. ---- **Project: Enhance Macromedia Director Support** _Krish Ganatra_ - Krish / [Krish28](https://github.com/Krish2882005/) Macromedia Director is a popular multimedia authoring tool from the 90s, and many iconic adventure titles have been released using it. Improving its support in ScummVM will preserve gaming history and provide players with access to beloved classics. Krish will be undertaking a range of targeted enhancements to Macromedia Director support in ScummVM to extend compatibility and support. ---- **Project: Porting qdEngine to ScummVM** _Kunal Tiwari_ - [kunxl.gg](https://github.com/kunxl-gg) K-D Labs created qdEngine and it has been used in several point-and-click adventure games, primarily in Russian, and also translated into Lithuanian, Czech and English. The most known games are Pilot Brothers 3 and Pilot Brothers 3D. Kunal will be working to bring this engine's code into ScummVM with a goal to add full support for the engine during the summer. ---- **Project: Add Keymapper to multiple Engines** _Nabeel Shabbir_ - kashmiri_markhor / [NabeelShabbir](https://github.com/NabeelShabbir) ScummVM includes a global fully configurable keymapper, but this requires engines to be adapted to use it. The goal of this project is to fully integrate ScummVM keymapper into a large number of our supported engines. Nabeel will be working on this throughout the summer, starting with the larger engines and more advanced keymapper requirements. ---- We are now in the community bonding period that runs up until the 27th of May when coding on the projects formally begins. Please give them all a very warm welcome, and visit our [Discord server](https://discord.gg/4cDsMNtcpG) if you want to discuss these projects, each project has a dedicated channel. You can also expect regular updates from the participants on their respective blogs that will be linked from the [planet](https://planet.scummvm.org/). The team is very excited about these projects - and we hope you are as well. We also wanted to take the time to thank everyone who applied to ScummVM for this year's Google Summer of Code programme. Unfortunately, not every application was successful, but we are so grateful for the interest shown and would love you all to still consider helping with ScummVM in some capacity in the future. |
||
| 20240615.title | ||
|
English
It’s a Bar... In Space!
|
||
| 20240615.content | ||
|
English
In a universe where bagels meet bars, the BAGEL engine has been perfectly toasted, and the ScummVM team is now ready to serve a slice of **The Space Bar** nostalgia. No, it’s not the key on your keyboard. Rather, it’s a detective story set on a distant planet. Important data has been stolen, and the perpetrator is a shape-shifter laying low in a spaceport dive bar until he can flee off-planet. You play a hard-boiled detective who has the skill to psychically visit bar patrons’ memories to gather clues and narrow down suspects.
This is thanks to the kind people at [ZOOM Platform](https://www.zoom-platform.com/?affiliate=c049516c-9c4c-42d6-8649-92ed870e8b53), who provided us with the original game sources to work with. Help us test the game by grabbing a [daily build](https://scummvm.org/downloads/#daily). Read through our [testing guidelines](https://wiki.scummvm.org/index.php/Release_Testing#Testing_Guidelines). The game features a lot of options to chat around with bar patrons’ and do various actions in the different flashbacks. So we really need people to spend time experimenting and make sure everything works correctly. And please take some [screenshots](https://wiki.scummvm.org/index.php/Screenshots) along the way. If you don’t own _The Space Bar_, you can try one of the [free demos](https://scummvm.org/demos/#other) or purchase it digitally from the [ZOOM Platform](https://www.zoom-platform.com/product/the-space-bar?affiliate=c049516c-9c4c-42d6-8649-92ed870e8b53). Testing is also available on Steam via a beta branch, check the [Steam announcement](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/2253580/view/6850618508609768472) for more details. Now, good luck, and fingers crossed you can find the perp. Otherwise, your bureau chief will have you getting up close and personal with toilet duties for the rest of your career. Oh, and PS: The viewpoints of different aliens differ. For the Bartender, who has segmented eyes, even the original developers felt it was difficult and left in a cheat key of ScrollLock to switch back to a single viewpoint. Feel free to use it if, at any point, the flashback becomes too much for you :) |
||
| 20240703.title | ||
|
English
“Your move, Commander.”
|
||
| 20240703.content | ||
|
English
_Moonbase Commander_, one of the very last games ever created in the SCUMM engine, is now finally supported and ready for public testing!
Although not an adventure game, _Moonbase Commander_, developed by Humongous Entertainment (creators of _Putt-Putt_, _Freddi Fish_, _Pajama Sam_, _Backyard Sports_, etc.) is a turn-based strategy game that isn’t like any other strategy games at its time. The main objective is to prevent your opponents from taking over a planet before you can. Its unique aim, timing of your power, and launch aspect makes this one of the most “easy-to-learn, hard-to-master” type games. You can easily spawn other hubs from your central hub, spawn collectors at the energy pools, fire projectiles at your opponents’ hubs, the list goes on! It even has a custom map editor, which allows you to create your own maps and share them with other players! Even though the game can be played via single player Skirmishes and Challenge mode, you can also play multiplayer games either with other people online, or through other devices connected to your Local Area Network, both of which are fully supported! Just click on Multiplayer in the game’s menu and you can create a game and let your friends join! Easy as that! Tired of playing the same maps over and over again? We have incorporated the map generator from the popular fanmade tool [Moonbase Console](https://github.com/michaelbarlow7/moonbase-console) and all of its algorithms and configurations within ScummVM! You can enable this feature by downloading the latest [daily build](https://scummvm.org/downloads/#daily), go to the Game Options dialog and click on the “Generate random maps” checkbox. This will generate a new randomized map when starting a Skirmish or a Multiplayer game. This can be disabled at any time by unchecking the same checkmark. Dedicated players have organized a Discord server, where you can find people willing to play online and discuss all things _Moonbase Commander_! [You can join the server here!](https://discord.gg/6J8c7XW) You can purchase the game on [ZOOM-Platform](https://www.zoom-platform.com/product/moonbase-commander?affiliate=c049516c-9c4c-42d6-8649-92ed870e8b53), [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/254880/MoonBase_Commander/), or [GOG](https://www.gog.com/en/game/moonbase_commander), or download and try the [demo](https://downloads.scummvm.org/frs/demos/scumm/he/moonbase-win-demo-us.zip), both multiplayer and the map generator are supported there as well! Many thanks to the current IP holder [Rebellion](https://rebellion.com/) for providing access to the game’s source code to the team! |
||
| 20241003.title | ||
|
English
“What Time is it? GAME TIME HOO!”
|
||
| 20241003.content | ||
|
English
_Backyard Basketball_, is finally ready to come off the bench for some sweet public testing! You can now play again on ScummVM this beloved Backyard Sports title (not to mention __the last unsupported game on the SCUMM engine__). Play with the Backyard Kids and even create five of your own! This game also features (now former) NBA and WNBA stars _Kevin Garnett_ and _Lisa Leslie_!
Much like the other sports titles of this franchise, controls are point-and-click by default, with gamepad and keyboard options. Pick your favorite kids and play some 3 on 3 basketball. Don't forget your _110% Juice_ or _Dunking Donut_ for a _slamma jamma_! Pass that ball in, listen to the live commentary from Sunny Day and Barry DeJay and shoot some jumpers on your way to a championship. Are you ready to play? Dig up your good old CD and fire up the latest [daily build](https://scummvm.org/downloads/#daily)! |
||
| 20241024.title | ||
|
English
“Can you bring peace to.. UNREST?”
|
||
| 20241024.content | ||
|
English
[_Unrest_](https://pyrodactyl.com/) is a roleplaying game developed by _Pyrodactyl Studios_ set in a fantasy interpretation of ancient India. You’ll step into the shoes of ordinary people and navigate a world fraught with challenges as they strive for safety, freedom, and peace.
We are proud to announce that Unrest is now playable using ScummVM thanks to the work done by our GSoC student, Kartik Agarwala! Help us test the game by grabbing a [daily build](https://scummvm.org/downloads/#daily) of ScummVM. Read through our [testing guidelines](https://wiki.scummvm.org/index.php/Release_Testing#Testing_Guidelines), and please take some [screenshots](https://wiki.scummvm.org/index.php/Screenshots) along the way. If you encounter any issues, please report them to our [bugtracker](https://bugs.scummvm.org/). If you don’t own Unrest, you can purchase this game from either [GOG](https://www.gog.com/en/game/unrest) or [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/292400/Unrest/). The demo for the game is also supported and available [from our web site](https://www.scummvm.org/demos/). Now go, use your manipulative skills to bring peace to this troubled world where chaos is not afar. For the most daring players using the iron-man mode, saving and loading the game is only available using ScummVM's Global Main Menu. |
||
| 20241030.title | ||
|
English
I don't need to remind you that this investigation is strictly unofficial
|
||
| 20241030.content | ||
|
English
We are excited to announce that [_Rise of the Dragon_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rise_of_the_Dragon) is now ready for public testing. This is the first of a small number of games built using the DGDS (Dynamix Game Development System) engine.
The Dynamix name may be familiar – bought by Sierra in 1990, the Dynamix brand continued and became well known for action and puzzle games like _The Incredible Machine_, _A10 Tank Killer_, and _Red Baron_. They also made a few adventures using the custom DGDS engine. _Rise of the Dragon_ is set in Los Angeles in a dark version of the future, circa 2053. You play as Blade Hunter, a private investigator and retired police officer. After a designer drug kills the mayor's rebellious daughter, Chandra, Hunter is hired to find the people responsible for releasing the drug on the streets. What Blade ultimately finds is much more than he expected. _Rise of the Dragon_ combines classic point-and-click adventure style with platforming arcade sequences, giving a unique gameplay combination. You’ll need the latest [daily build of ScummVM](https://scummvm.org/downloads/#daily) and files from the DOS version of the game, which you can buy at [GOG](https://www.gog.com/en/game/rise_of_the_dragon) (check [our wiki](https://wiki.scummvm.org/index.php/Rise_of_the_Dragon) for the required data files). Please file any issues you notice on our [bug tracker](https://bugs.scummvm.org/). |
||
| 20241105.title | ||
|
English
Games based on qdEngine are now supported
|
||
| 20241105.content | ||
|
English
After seven months of intense work, we are ready to announce support for a few games based on qdEngine, developed by K-D Labs.
The work is based on the original sources published now under GPL, although the work started a bit earlier than that. The engine supports 14 games, five of which we are announcing support for. Most of these games were released in Russian; however, there were Lithuanian, Czech, and Polish releases. The support is announced for: * _Wait for it! Issue 3. Song for a Hare_, (Russian: _Ну, погоди! Выпуск 3. Песня для зайца_, Lithuanian: _Na, palauk! Zuikio dainos_, Czech: _Jen počkej a Píseň pro zajíce_) * _Mask Show_ (Russian: _Маски-шоу_) * _Marvellous Mice Adventures: Meeting Sea Rat_ (Russian: _Три маленькие белые мышки. Визит Морской крысы_, Czech: _Příběhy myší rodinky I_, Polish: _Były Sobie Myszki Trzy: Na Spotkanie Cioci Myszy_) * _The Adventures of the Good Soldier Schweik_ (Russian: _Похождения бравого солдата Швейка_) * _Marvellous Mice Adventures: Sea Rat's Birthday_, (Russian: _Три маленькие белые мышки. День рождения морской крысы_, Polish: _Były Sobie Myszki Trzy: Urodzinowe Śledztwo_) Other games do work; however, we haven’t playtested them. You may find more information on [our Wiki](https://wiki.scummvm.org/index.php?title=QdEngine). Also, we are looking for the Lithuanian version of _Little Longnose_ and Polish releases of _Little Mice_ games and _Wait for it!_ game. If you happen to have a copy, please contact sev. We continue the active development so that support for other games will follow shortly. The primary constraint is playtesting. To run these games, you need the [latest daily build](https://www.scummvm.org/downloads/#daily) of ScummVM. If you encounter any hiccups during your quests, please file them on our [issue tracker](https://bugs.scummvm.org/). |
||
| 20241109.title | ||
|
English
Rescue your twin from the clutches of the evil Castle Master
|
||
| 20241109.content | ||
|
English
[_Castle Master_](https://wiki.scummvm.org/index.php?title=Castle_Master), the haunting conclusion to the Freescape engine saga, is now ready for public testing!
Prepare yourself for a perilous adventure as you lower the drawbridge to enter the Castle Master’s domain. Released in 1990 by Incentive Software, Castle Master became popular for its technical innovation and challenging gameplay. The game inspired countless 3D adventure titles, and the Freescape engine itself marked a technological milestone, enabling groundbreaking object interaction and spatial puzzles. Notably, Castle Master was one of the first games to let you choose to play as either a prince or a princess, offering a different experience depending on your choice. Your mission: rescue your twin, imprisoned within the eerie depths of Castle Eternity by the evil Magister. This sprawling, foreboding castle is filled with traps, monsters, and puzzles blocking your path. Gather items, unlock doors, and solve complex riddles as you navigate the labyrinthine halls and confront the dark forces within. This modern reimplementation showcases enhanced graphics using OpenGL, with initial support for the DOS and ZX Spectrum releases. If you’re eager to embark on this dark journey, [a playable demo](https://downloads.scummvm.org/frs/demos/freescape/castle-dos-demo.zip) is available to test your tenacity. To participate in the testing, ensure you have a [daily development build](https://www.scummvm.org/downloads/#daily). We encourage all players to submit feedback and bug reports through our [issue tracker](https://bugs.scummvm.org/). Will you brave the creepy corridors of Castle Eternity and free your sibling, or will you fall victim to the Magister’s curse and join his army of enslaved spirits? The adventure awaits! |
||
|
The translation has come to an end.
| ||