Verify Space Quest I: The Sarien Encounter (Remake)

[tomojira]

Verifying Space Quest I - The Sarien Encounter (1991) (Sierra On-Line)

This was previously sourced from the Windows XP era Space Quest Collection CD, but unfortunately this release doesn't include INSTALL.EXE for any of the games. It also requires Windows to install, or UniExtract2 to extract CAB files - it can't be used easily with DoDAT.

So I decided to change to an earlier CD collection, verified by Redump: Space Quest - Collection Series (USA, Israel) (Disc 1)
This collection also has all 6 games, but with INSTALL.EXE. It can install in DOS, and it can be used with DoDAT since the files aren't stuck in CAB containers. It's similar to the CD collections that were used for the King's Quest and Quest for Glory series.

Checklist

Have adequate installation instructions been provided to match any config files in the DOSZ?
I added instructions for recreating RESOURCE.CFG. The initial installed version needs to be in the DOSZ because it includes a necessary minHunk parameter, which isn't created by INSTALL.EXE later.

Have any official patches been applied, if necessary?
No official patches according to PCGamingWiki.

Is the game data in the root of the ZIP (unless game does not work that way)?
Yes.

For games which include CD images, is there a smaller installation variant that offers the same features but needs less files?
Not applicable.

Is the entry in the right variant file (i.e. Freeware)?
Yes.

Have digital versions (Steam, GOG) been checked for matching?
It's on GOG and Steam according to PCGamingWiki, but I'm unable to add them.

Can the game benefit from using embedded data or embedded patches in the datfile?
Yes, I added embedded data to RESOURCE.CFG.

Can DoDAT build the game from the install media?
Yes.

If the game requires a yml in the DOSZ, has it been added to the yml folder in the repo?
Not applicable.

Are there .PIF or .ICO or Win32 .EXE files that could be excluded?
No.

Do the file timestamps match the installation media?
Yes.

Does the DOSZ run standalone?
Yes.

For CD games, can the game be set up to run without a CD mounted?
Not applicable.

Can the game benefit from using CHDtoOGG?
Not applicable.

Is the game creating a swap file in the .pure.zip that could be avoided by increasing memory size? Or is it creating other bloated files that could be prevented by adding them in the DOSZ?
No.

Does the DOSC contain problematic data (i.e. copyright issue)?
No.

Does the DOSC have copy protection removed, if possible?
Unknown if this CD version removes copy protection. Nothing appears at the beginning of the game.

Is the game running at the correct speed? Is CPU year specified?
I changed from 1991 to cpu_year: 1988 to slow down the game - noticeable in the intro and with screen transitions. Hopefully fixes speed bugs later in the game too.
https://sierrahelp.com/Games/SpaceQuest/SQ1SCIHelp.html#Speed

Is the DOSC auto-running and skipping past any obstructions? Is it updated to use WAITMODECHANGE if possible?
Yes. I increased the WAIT because it took longer with reduced CPU speed. It was increased even moreso with the MT-32 option.

Does the game have MT-32 support? If so, is it correctly using MT-32 (old) or CM-32L (new), going by the Vogons Wiki?
Yes, it uses "old".

Does the game have General MIDI support?
No.

Is the game set up to run with the best quality graphics options by default?
Not applicable.

For certain old games only - are the graphics/audio improved by specifying video_card: pcjr, tandy, or generic_cga?
Not applicable.

Does the game have a mouse cursor that benefits from enabling input_directmouse?
Yes, I enabled it.

Does a game with separate episodes/executables have the options named and ordered properly in the DOSZ? Do they use the run_utility feature?
Not applicable.

Does the game share saves with a sequel, expansion, etc? If so, is it updated to use the .savename feature?
Not applicable.

Summary of changes

• Changed to Redump-verified CD source: Space Quest - Collection Series (USA, Israel) (Disc 1)
• Added RESOURCE.CFG to DOSZ with embedded data
• Changed to cpu_year: 1988
• Increased WAIT for both Default and MT-32 options
• Enabled direct mouse
• Edited comments and links

Comment

I left out 2 files, 433.V56 and 533.V56, because apparently this restores a ZZ Top cameo that was removed in later versions.
https://sierrahelp.com/Games/SpaceQuest/SQ1SCIHelp.html#GameBugs