I checked my Talkie version of Larry (the original CD version), and it has the hi res folder. I guess they probably took out the High res folder because it requires Windows 3.1 to run it - the only way one can run it on Dosbox without modifying the game files is to install windows 3.1 on Dosbox and run it through there - that method works for King's Quest 6 CD

Uh? Actually the cd version doesn't require windows. You can run it under dosbox using the Vesa.drv file that's located in the folder, and the dos based 'install.exe" to get settings right (this is mostly for sound and music). After that all you need to run it is sierra.exe from within dosbox.

As I've explained before I've been running the hires in dosbox just fine.

Now if there was an early CD version that doesn't have dos installation files (including vesa.drv, install.bat, and sierra.exe), and that is all GOG had access to I could see the problem. BTW, the sierraw.exe is the windows version exe.

But ya, the enclosed picture, here is Larry run in Dosbox.



Here is the contents of the Hires folder. Take note of the Install.exe (that's the dos installer), the 'sierra.exe', that's the dos loader (ignore the sierraw.exe, that is the windows version), and vesa.drv (that's the dos svga driver). Quite a few other files in there related to dos sound drivers as well.

By the way if you attempt to use 'Sierraw.exe' rather than the 'Sierra.exe' you will get the message;

"This program cannot be run in DOS mode."

So ya, don't mix up the Sierra.exe with the Sierraw.exe. The former will run in dos, the latter won't.

I've got a response from Codemasters, and unfortunately, bad news for today:

"Leisure Suit Larry 7: Love For Sail is not a Codemasters game I'm afraid."

But this message is not clear to me in this case. True, the game was not made by them, but developing and publishing a game are two different things. Everything here is about the rights. I sent another e-mail to them, including part of my conversation with Al Love, developer/publisher info from LSL1-6 gamecard ("Sierra / Codemasters") and question, which company owns the rights to Larry 7.

Now I'm waiting for another response. Maybe that's true - Codemasters only has the rights to Larry 1-6, so we won't be able to see Larry 7 from them? And if the currect holder of the rights doesn't have a deal with GOG, we won't be able to see Larry 7 at all?

Maybe Codemasters is finalizing its sale of the Larry IP in general, and thus maybe it will be up to whoever the next owners are to see all the stuff included. Things are just in 'limbo' right now. Of course that will mean that we'll probably see the current game store page have to go through an update to the new owners.

Are you sure? I could imagine this. First, Codemasters are releasing Larry games on GOG, then they are seillng the IP rights to a different publisher soon after? This doesn't make sense. Also, not a good sign, because new owner can do anything. He may even force GOG to remove Larry. I don't wait to see this just in a few weeks after the game's release. Obviously, the game already present on customer's shelf should be safe.

Its apparently been in discussion a while now, Codemasters is liquiding apparently. Bankruptcy or something. They are trying to get rid of many of there assets.

Now, I don't know all the details. So its anybody's guesss what is going on or not, and what is being sold off at this time or not.

In anycase someone mentioned Codemaster's problems it in another thread. So I don't know if the info is reliable or not.

Edit: Here is the link from the other thread;

Apparently something about layoffs and restructuring hte business..

http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/18/codemasters-restructuring/

I'm trying to logically think why they would want GOG to remove Larry, aside from the lack of DRM.

I wouldn't expect a XIII situation, where multiple parties hold the rights to the various assets?

I only have a quick and dirty theory as to what's going on here. I'm guessing Codemasters only has the IP rights to Larry, and that Activision still has the rights to the games, 1-7 and MCL.

Hmm, maybe Codemasters has a license to the "IP" from Activision? Maybe Activision never fully sold off the IP? Something like Telltale having the license to make Sierra games from Activision's catalogue. That might make it where all parties involved have to come together to get permission to release the games.

I honestly have no idea what's going on anymore. I just think it makes the most sense that the IP rights and the game rights are not owned by the same entity.

As for Larry 6 SVGA, maybe they just didn't get a copy, but then where did they get the voice pack from?

The non talkie version (originally floppy) of Larry 6 does not work with the 'resource.aud' (the 500mb so-called voice pack), it wasn't designed for it.

The CD version of Larry 6 comes with three modes in the file system under its multiple folders. Larry CD VGA, SVGA/Vesa dos and windows. All three are 'talkie' versions.

All GOG Larry 6 includes in this set is is the VGA CD mode from the Lores folder, stripped from the Larry 6 CD and the folder renamed, and the resource.aud installed correctly. It's very simple to do, and I've done it on my computer as well! You can drag and drop the lores folder anywhere in your system, and rename ut. I can do the same thing with the 'hires' folder. Dosbox will access those files if mount the drive, and go that folder.

Another thing about the floppy non-talkie version, is that the menus and some of the script is a little different than the CD version. There is no option for switching between voice overs or subtitles for example. I think the CD added a few extra scenes or narrations in a few places, that don't exist in the floppy version's files. This is one of the reasons why the resource.aud is not compatible. Besides the fact that its not designed to look for the file.

I still think we could see Love for Sail within the coming weeks. As for the SVGA 6... I'm guessing they just weren't allowed to release that version of the game. It makes more sense than them deliberately withholding that particular version, or wouldn't release it because they couldn't make it run on ScummVM.

Actually all the VGA/SvGA Larry and Sierra games in general run better and faster in dosbox. Remember KQ7 and SQ6 and PQ5:SWAT, Phantasmagoria, or GK2 all use SCI VESA SVGA dos version engine. They all run under dosbox very well. So does Larry 7 VESA dos mode as far as I know.

The SVGA Larry 6 doesn't function in ScummVM. Nor do any of the SVGA VESA Sierra games.

So ScummVM was not the best choice for the collection.

I don't why besides them choosing to go with ScummVM to not include Larry 6 enhanced. I don't see why they wouldn't have permission, the SVGA version has exact same content as the VGA version. Unless People at code masters or whoever and/GOG are over prudish against more detailed images of a softporny nature, I.E. SVGA tits!