There are so many classic games which simply aren't playable on modern computers due to the ways they were coded. Of course, we thankfully have GOG who help with a lot of that, getting so many older classics running fine in windows 7/8.
But sometimes the fans simply go beyond. The GOG version plays, but that's all, it is exactly how it used to be, and these days we tend to want more. More graphics, more options, more resolutions, more HD, and this is something that GOG generally can't offer, they are simply a seller rather than a developer. And that's where fans come in.
OpenTTD - Transport Tycoon
Most well known is of course OpenTTD. Transport Tycoom came out in 1994, and was incredibly popular. Fans patched it to an extent, fixing some small problems, most predominantly with TTDpatch in late 1996, but there were still huge limitations. But things really started going when OpenTTD began in 2003, with a gamer reverse engineering the code for the original game. From this, the game has been almost entirely remade. It used to require the graphics, sounds and music from the original install but even these have been replaced with open source alternatives. And now the game is available, completely free, and with loads of updates. Coders can create new buildings and vehicles, industries, even completely new AI that replaces the pretty terrible AI that came with the original game. In short, it's fantastic!
http://www.openttd.org/en/
CorsixTH - Theme Hospital
CorsixTH is a much newer project, but running along the same lines. Take the original Theme Hospital game, get it functioning inside a new engine, and then leave it open and available for people to add more things into it. While nowhere near as advanced as OpenTTD, it aims for the same goals. Custom resolutions, graphics, music. It has a level editor so people can create their own maps, people can create their own diseases and add them into their game.
https://github.com/CorsixTH
KeeperFX - Dungeon Keeper
KeeperFX is somewhat different, it is still making significant changes to the original Dungeon Keeper, so I'll copy and paste from the website:
It's not perfect, I had several problems when trying it a while ago and haven't gone back to it yet, but it fixes and rewrites quite a few iffy bits from the original game code.
http://keeper.lubiki.pl/html/dk_keeperfx.php
Open-IG - Imperium Galactica
Another porting of a game, this time taking Imperium Galactica and running it in Java. Interestingly, the developer actually got the blessing of the original game's developers, and has permission to include all the required files from the original game inside his download, so no needing to own the original game like many of the other OpenX games. Development has slowed recently, but this was one of my favourite games, and this implementation gets it working perfectly on my computer again.
http://code.google.com/p/open-ig/
OpenRA - Command & Conquer Tiberium Dawn, Red Alert & Dune 2000
OpenRA is a Libre/Free Real Time Strategy project that recreates the classic Command & Conquer titles.
We include recreations of C&C (Tiberian Dawn), C&C: Red Alert, and Dune 2000. These are not intended to be perfect copies, but instead combine the classic gameplay of the originals with modern improvements such as unit veterancy and the fog of war.
http://openra.res0l.net/
(Thanks to ZombieFan for this one!)
So, any others that should be included on this list? Do you enjoy any of these?
But sometimes the fans simply go beyond. The GOG version plays, but that's all, it is exactly how it used to be, and these days we tend to want more. More graphics, more options, more resolutions, more HD, and this is something that GOG generally can't offer, they are simply a seller rather than a developer. And that's where fans come in.
OpenTTD - Transport Tycoon
Most well known is of course OpenTTD. Transport Tycoom came out in 1994, and was incredibly popular. Fans patched it to an extent, fixing some small problems, most predominantly with TTDpatch in late 1996, but there were still huge limitations. But things really started going when OpenTTD began in 2003, with a gamer reverse engineering the code for the original game. From this, the game has been almost entirely remade. It used to require the graphics, sounds and music from the original install but even these have been replaced with open source alternatives. And now the game is available, completely free, and with loads of updates. Coders can create new buildings and vehicles, industries, even completely new AI that replaces the pretty terrible AI that came with the original game. In short, it's fantastic!
http://www.openttd.org/en/
CorsixTH - Theme Hospital
CorsixTH is a much newer project, but running along the same lines. Take the original Theme Hospital game, get it functioning inside a new engine, and then leave it open and available for people to add more things into it. While nowhere near as advanced as OpenTTD, it aims for the same goals. Custom resolutions, graphics, music. It has a level editor so people can create their own maps, people can create their own diseases and add them into their game.
https://github.com/CorsixTH
KeeperFX - Dungeon Keeper
KeeperFX is somewhat different, it is still making significant changes to the original Dungeon Keeper, so I'll copy and paste from the website:
It's not perfect, I had several problems when trying it a while ago and haven't gone back to it yet, but it fixes and rewrites quite a few iffy bits from the original game code.
http://keeper.lubiki.pl/html/dk_keeperfx.php
Open-IG - Imperium Galactica
Another porting of a game, this time taking Imperium Galactica and running it in Java. Interestingly, the developer actually got the blessing of the original game's developers, and has permission to include all the required files from the original game inside his download, so no needing to own the original game like many of the other OpenX games. Development has slowed recently, but this was one of my favourite games, and this implementation gets it working perfectly on my computer again.
http://code.google.com/p/open-ig/
OpenRA - Command & Conquer Tiberium Dawn, Red Alert & Dune 2000
OpenRA is a Libre/Free Real Time Strategy project that recreates the classic Command & Conquer titles.
We include recreations of C&C (Tiberian Dawn), C&C: Red Alert, and Dune 2000. These are not intended to be perfect copies, but instead combine the classic gameplay of the originals with modern improvements such as unit veterancy and the fog of war.
http://openra.res0l.net/
(Thanks to ZombieFan for this one!)
So, any others that should be included on this list? Do you enjoy any of these?
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