From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Ok, there is a new retrospective video out of the old SSI Gold Box
game. But before you click the link, let me first tell you that it is
almost 10 hours long. I really have no idea what one could say about
this game that could take that long to say, but I am going to find
out! -->

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7HXFufaPtA&t=1332s
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Thanks for sharing the video. The goldbox games are favorites of mine.

I tried to revisit the earlier games not too long ago, and the lack of
mouse support and the lack of polish of the later entries was a show
stopper for me.

The segment about the FRUA port was interesting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7HXFufaPtA&t=1332s


I have a copy of FRUA and will have to give it a go. I feel like I
looked into it before and since this is what is referred to in FRUA
parlance as a "hacked" mod the setup was not very straightforward,
especially on linux.
--
Patrick
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Mon, 12 Oct 2026 11:39:25 -0400, Patrick <[email protected]d>
wrote:

Thanks for sharing the video. The goldbox games are favorites of mine.

Hey, no problem. I wasn't sure anyone here would be interested in this
due to its length. There are really only a few games I would watch
such a long video for and Pool of Radiance is one of them. The gold
box games are favorites of mine as well.

I tried to revisit the earlier games not too long ago, and the lack of
mouse support and the lack of polish of the later entries was a show
stopper for me.

I plan on revisiting all nine games and probably the Buck Rogers games
at some point. I am very forgiving of older interfaces myself.

The segment about the FRUA port was interesting. >https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7HXFufaPtA&t=1332s

I have a copy of FRUA and will have to give it a go. I feel like I
looked into it before and since this is what is referred to in FRUA
parlance as a "hacked" mod the setup was not very straightforward, >especially on linux.

I have FRUA as well. I was unaware of Pool being ported to it.

There is a FRUA manager that makes using it easier, supposedly. I have
no experience with it myself. I am not sure how relevant this is to
you (being on Linux) but you can grab it here if you think it will
help you. Scroll to the bottom of the page. It is called "Unlimited
Adventures Module Manager + Audio version" -->

https://gbc.zorbus.net/steam/index.html
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On 10/12/26 14:23, Mike S. wrote:

On Mon, 12 Oct 2026 11:39:25 -0400, Patrick <[email protected]d>
wrote:

There is a FRUA manager that makes using it easier, supposedly. I have
no experience with it myself. I am not sure how relevant this is to
you (being on Linux) but you can grab it here if you think it will
help you. Scroll to the bottom of the page. It is called "Unlimited Adventures Module Manager + Audio version" -->

https://gbc.zorbus.net/steam/index.html

This is super info. I knew of the Gold Box Companion but not of this
FRUA Manager (by the same guy!).

"Easily install modules from UA File Archive with no need for UAShell."

Nice.
--
Patrick
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Sun, 11 Oct 2026 20:12:21 -0400, Mike S. <[email protected]> said
this thing:

Ok, there is a new retrospective video out of the old SSI Gold Box
game. But before you click the link, let me first tell you that it is
almost 10 hours long. I really have no idea what one could say about
this game that could take that long to say, but I am going to find
out! -->

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7HXFufaPtA&t=1332s

Oy. 10 hours. I managed that four-hour Ultima Online video, but that
took days to get through. I've not quite the same fascination with
Pool of Radiance. Nope; I'm out. Let me know when the abridged version
is released, though.

[I assume --without looking at the video-- it's commentary
played over a full-length playthrough of the game. I can't
imagine why else it would take so long.]

#

I did enjoy me some "Pool of Radiance" back in the day, though. It
really did feel revelatory compared to its contemporaries: Might and
Magic, Bards Tale, Ultima. Not only did it use the 'real' AD&D rules,
it /felt/ a lot like playing a tabletop gaming experience... thanks
especially to the journal entries that fleshed out the world a lot
better than the visuals or in-game text descriptions ever could. It
felt like there was a lot of depth to the game that other games
lacked. It was only apparent to me much later how much the game
'cheated' to get that richness, depending heavily on the imagination
of the player to flesh out the world where technology couldn't.

Even so, "Pool" remained a favorite for years. It was just the right
mix of role-playing, sandbox with lots of side-quests and wandering, a well-paced main quest, and cool tactical combat. "Curse of the Azure
Bonds" was, I think, a stronger game but it lacked some of the
free-form adventure of its predecessor, which cost it in terms of replayability. The later Goldbox games suffered even worse; the whole
series became formulaic, dated...stagnant. They were the 1990s
equivalent of Ubisoft open-world games; individually fun but you
really started seeing the cracks if you played more than one or two.

Our tabletop group even chipped in to buy and play the official AD&D
"Pool of Radiance" game module. It was definitely not as good as the
computer version, which is one of the rare times I can say that about
in a tabletop v. computer RPG comparison.



--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Wed, 14 Oct 2026 15:47:19 -0400, Spalls Hurgenson <[email protected]> wrote:

Oy. 10 hours. I managed that four-hour Ultima Online video, but that
took days to get through. I've not quite the same fascination with
Pool of Radiance. Nope; I'm out. Let me know when the abridged version
is released, though.

[I assume --without looking at the video-- it's commentary
played over a full-length playthrough of the game. I can't
imagine why else it would take so long.]

No, it is a proper retrospective. I don't think I would watch it if it
were just someone talking over 10 hours of gameplay footage. I have
watched other videos from this youtuber. I haven't started watching it
yet, but I did skim through it to make sure it isn't what you just
described.

As for its length, I am guessing he is going to go into the history of
SSI, TSR and D&D. Not just the game itself. It will take me a long
time to watch it all. I did enjoy the Ultima Online video you posted a
lot and I care more about Pool of Radiance so I am sure I will like
this as well.
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Thu, 15 Oct 2026 09:41:30 -0400, Mike S. <[email protected]> said
this thing:

On Wed, 14 Oct 2026 15:47:19 -0400, Spalls Hurgenson ><[email protected]> wrote:

Oy. 10 hours. I managed that four-hour Ultima Online video, but that
took days to get through. I've not quite the same fascination with
Pool of Radiance. Nope; I'm out. Let me know when the abridged version
is released, though.

[I assume --without looking at the video-- it's commentary
played over a full-length playthrough of the game. I can't
imagine why else it would take so long.]

No, it is a proper retrospective. I don't think I would watch it if it
were just someone talking over 10 hours of gameplay footage. I have
watched other videos from this youtuber. I haven't started watching it
yet, but I did skim through it to make sure it isn't what you just
described.

As for its length, I am guessing he is going to go into the history of
SSI, TSR and D&D. Not just the game itself. It will take me a long
time to watch it all. I did enjoy the Ultima Online video you posted a
lot and I care more about Pool of Radiance so I am sure I will like
this as well.

I'm not doubting its quality (except maybe in its lack of editing)
and, honestly, I wouldn't have minded useful commentary on top of a playthrough. I'm sure there's lots of info in that video I'd be
interested in hearing. But man, ten hours is just too long for me to
spend on any one single video. Even playing in the background as I
work and broken down into chunks I watch over days, it's just too
much.

I said it with the Ultima Online video and I'll say it again (well
knowing the sheer hypocrisy of it coming out of my mouth): brevity and
editing are essential talents when trying to communicate your point!

;-)

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Thu, 15 Oct 2026 11:10:23 -0400, Spalls Hurgenson <[email protected]> wrote:

I'm not doubting its quality (except maybe in its lack of editing)
and, honestly, I wouldn't have minded useful commentary on top of a >playthrough. I'm sure there's lots of info in that video I'd be
interested in hearing. But man, ten hours is just too long for me to
spend on any one single video. Even playing in the background as I
work and broken down into chunks I watch over days, it's just too
much.

I said it with the Ultima Online video and I'll say it again (well
knowing the sheer hypocrisy of it coming out of my mouth): brevity and >editing are essential talents when trying to communicate your point!

;-)

I agree with everything you are saying here but I am going to watch
the whole damn thing anyway. :-P It's just going to take awhile.....
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Speaking of PoR, the YouTube algorithm put this in front of my face: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZmYsFsGVMk

The developer lists PoR as an influence as well as other games.

"Pool of Radiance , Krynn and the other Gold Box games were definitely a
big influence , as well as classics like Ultima, Darklands and Knights
of Legend. And of course original Baldur's Gate!"
--
Patrick
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Sat, 17 Oct 2026 17:18:43 -0400, Patrick <[email protected]d>
said this thing:

Speaking of PoR, the YouTube algorithm put this in front of my face: >https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZmYsFsGVMk

The developer lists PoR as an influence as well as other games.
"Pool of Radiance , Krynn and the other Gold Box games were definitely a
big influence , as well as classics like Ultima, Darklands and Knights
of Legend. And of course original Baldur's Gate!"

I mean, that claim sounds like typical marketing speak: "We made a
CRPG that looks like old DOS CRPGs so here's a list of classic CRPGs
so you know we did this on purpose and not due to a lack of talent or resources. But ignore that and let nostalgia guide your purchase!" ;-)

But I'm tempted to give them the benefit of the doubt simply because
they listed "Knights of Legend". After all, "Ultima", "Darklands",
etc. are well-known games so of course you want to associate your game
with those if you're trying to attract DOS-era CRPG fans. But almost
nobody remembers "Knights of Legend"; it seems an unlikely name to
toss out if you're depending on user's nostalgia to push sales. So
maybe the developers actually are chasing after the DOS-era CRPG
grail. ;-)

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
(I remember "Knights of Legend" of course. Even if sometimes I do get
it confused with "Knights of Xenatar")




--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On 10/18/2026 9:32 AM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

On Sat, 17 Oct 2026 17:18:43 -0400, Patrick <[email protected]d>
said this thing:

Speaking of PoR, the YouTube algorithm put this in front of my face:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZmYsFsGVMk

The developer lists PoR as an influence as well as other games.
"Pool of Radiance , Krynn and the other Gold Box games were definitely a
big influence , as well as classics like Ultima, Darklands and Knights
of Legend. And of course original Baldur's Gate!"

I mean, that claim sounds like typical marketing speak: "We made a
CRPG that looks like old DOS CRPGs so here's a list of classic CRPGs
so you know we did this on purpose and not due to a lack of talent or resources. But ignore that and let nostalgia guide your purchase!" ;-)

But I'm tempted to give them the benefit of the doubt simply because
they listed "Knights of Legend". After all, "Ultima", "Darklands",
etc. are well-known games so of course you want to associate your game
with those if you're trying to attract DOS-era CRPG fans. But almost
nobody remembers "Knights of Legend"; it seems an unlikely name to
toss out if you're depending on user's nostalgia to push sales. So
maybe the developers actually are chasing after the DOS-era CRPG
grail. ;-)

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
(I remember "Knights of Legend" of course. Even if sometimes I do get
it confused with "Knights of Xenatar")

What about "Xenatars of Legend"?
--
I've done good in this world. Now I'm tired and just want to be a cranky
dirty old man.
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Mon, 19 Oct 2026 11:11:36 -0700, Dimensional Traveler
<[email protected]> said this thing:

On 10/18/2026 9:32 AM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

(I remember "Knights of Legend" of course. Even if sometimes I do get
it confused with "Knights of Xenatar")

What about "Xenatars of Legend"?

Like Chiron?

#

Although I should correct myself: the DOS game was "Knights of
Xentar", not "Xenatar". Which only goes to show how little I remember
that game (and, by association, also how forgettable "Knights of
Legend" was).

"Xentar" was a Japanese RPG designed for PC, and (in)famous for two
things: one, it was very anime in its design, and two, it featured
boobs and sex. It otherwise was not a game worth playing. I really
only remember it because it was the first /raunchy/ video game I
encountered. I didn't acquire it for the obvious prurient reasons

[even in the pre-Internet 90s, it was a lot easier
to acquire more fulfilling porn in other media]

Rather, I just had to see what a 'porn game' on PC would look like. It
was just hard for me to imagine how that would work. (And, honestly,
the anime aspect was probably as --if not more-- interesting.) My
ultimate opinion was that it was a poor game and the 'adult' material
wasn't done any justice by the 320x240 resolution. ;-)

Which only goes to show that back in the 90s even I still thought of video-games as 'kiddie games' to a degree; enough so that even I was
shocked by the idea of sex and boobs showing in a game. Which, on
reflection, makes the moral panic about games like "Night Trap" and
"Doom" by grey-haired legislators feel a bit more justified.




--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Mon, 19 Oct 2026 18:37:06 -0400, Spalls Hurgenson <[email protected]> wrote:

Rather, I just had to see what a 'porn game' on PC would look like. It
was just hard for me to imagine how that would work.

A martyr of gaming and Usenet, defiling his own very being so others
wouldn't have to. My god Spurtz, you're a fuckin hero man!
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On 10/19/2026 3:37 PM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

On Mon, 19 Oct 2026 11:11:36 -0700, Dimensional Traveler
<[email protected]> said this thing:

On 10/18/2026 9:32 AM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

(I remember "Knights of Legend" of course. Even if sometimes I do get
it confused with "Knights of Xenatar")

What about "Xenatars of Legend"?

Like Chiron?

#

Although I should correct myself: the DOS game was "Knights of
Xentar", not "Xenatar". Which only goes to show how little I remember
that game (and, by association, also how forgettable "Knights of
Legend" was).

"Xentar" was a Japanese RPG designed for PC, and (in)famous for two
things: one, it was very anime in its design, and two, it featured
boobs and sex. It otherwise was not a game worth playing. I really
only remember it because it was the first /raunchy/ video game I
encountered. I didn't acquire it for the obvious prurient reasons

[even in the pre-Internet 90s, it was a lot easier
to acquire more fulfilling porn in other media]

Rather, I just had to see what a 'porn game' on PC would look like. It
was just hard for me to imagine how that would work. (And, honestly,
the anime aspect was probably as --if not more-- interesting.) My
ultimate opinion was that it was a poor game and the 'adult' material
wasn't done any justice by the 320x240 resolution. ;-)

Which only goes to show that back in the 90s even I still thought of video-games as 'kiddie games' to a degree; enough so that even I was
shocked by the idea of sex and boobs showing in a game. Which, on
reflection, makes the moral panic about games like "Night Trap" and
"Doom" by grey-haired legislators feel a bit more justified.

Okay, after that we need a review of Leisure Suit Larry. Your choice as
to which in the series.
--
I've done good in this world. Now I'm tired and just want to be a cranky
dirty old man.
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Mon, 19 Oct 2026 21:24:00 -0700, Dimensional Traveler
<[email protected]> said this thing:

Okay, after that we need a review of Leisure Suit Larry. Your choice as
to which in the series.

I never could get into the Leisure Suit Larry games. I never found
them all that funny... and the gameplay is typical Sierra adventure
annoying. And they only got worse after the IP was sold to other
developers.

My review of the games would be unusually succinct:

"Don't bother".


;-)
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On 10/20/2026 6:16 PM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

On Mon, 19 Oct 2026 21:24:00 -0700, Dimensional Traveler
<[email protected]> said this thing:

Okay, after that we need a review of Leisure Suit Larry. Your choice as
to which in the series.

I never could get into the Leisure Suit Larry games. I never found
them all that funny... and the gameplay is typical Sierra adventure
annoying. And they only got worse after the IP was sold to other
developers.

My review of the games would be unusually succinct:

"Don't bother".

;-)

*razzberry*
--
I've done good in this world. Now I'm tired and just want to be a cranky
dirty old man.
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On 10/20/2026 6:16 PM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

On Mon, 19 Oct 2026 21:24:00 -0700, Dimensional Traveler
<[email protected]> said this thing:

Okay, after that we need a review of Leisure Suit Larry. Your choice as
to which in the series.

I never could get into the Leisure Suit Larry games. I never found
them all that funny... and the gameplay is typical Sierra adventure
annoying. And they only got worse after the IP was sold to other
developers.

My review of the games would be unusually succinct:

"Don't bother".

I played one at a friends house for like an hour, and yeah. "Don't
bother" fits well.
--
-Justisaur

ø-ø
(\_/)\
`-'\ `--.___,
¶¬'\( ,_.-'
\\
^'
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Wed, 21 Oct 2026 09:15:32 -0700, Justisaur <[email protected]>
said this thing:

On 10/20/2026 6:16 PM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

On Mon, 19 Oct 2026 21:24:00 -0700, Dimensional Traveler
<[email protected]> said this thing:

Okay, after that we need a review of Leisure Suit Larry. Your choice as >>> to which in the series.

I never could get into the Leisure Suit Larry games. I never found
them all that funny... and the gameplay is typical Sierra adventure
annoying. And they only got worse after the IP was sold to other
developers.

My review of the games would be unusually succinct:

"Don't bother".

I played one at a friends house for like an hour, and yeah. "Don't
bother" fits well.

The best part of the game for me were the "are you an adult?" tests at
the start, where the game would question you on things only an adult
was expected to know (fail and the game would exit). Not because they
were particularly difficult or challenging; it was just the least
annoying and skeevy part of the game.

It wasn't the strongest form of age-gating a game, but it was a clever
way to do it and --before the advent of the Internet-- it was just
enough to keep the youngest gamers from playing (although I suspect
anybody in the expected age range --12 to 18-- had no problem getting
past the questions)




--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Sun, 11 Oct 2026 20:12:21 -0400, in comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action, Mike
S. wrote:

Ok, there is a new retrospective video out of the old SSI Gold Box
game. But before you click the link, let me first tell you that it is
almost 10 hours long. I really have no idea what one could say about
this game that could take that long to say, but I am going to find
out! -->

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7HXFufaPtA&t=1332s

I've been watching this an hour at a time.

I had no idea EA had a bid in for Gold Box.
--
Zag

Give me the liberty to know, to think, to believe,
and to utter freely according to conscience, above
all other liberties. ~John Milton
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Mon, 12 Oct 2026 14:23:53 -0400, in comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action, Mike
S. wrote:

I plan on revisiting all nine games and probably the Buck Rogers games
at some point. I am very forgiving of older interfaces myself.

The first Buck game is BRUTAL. Everyone gets some freaking virus and
starts passing out and finding the cure is a game of random map seeking.

I never found the cure. I just rage quit.
--
Zag

Give me the liberty to know, to think, to believe,
and to utter freely according to conscience, above
all other liberties. ~John Milton
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Tue, 20 Oct 2026 21:16:18 -0400, in comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action,
Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

On Mon, 19 Oct 2026 21:24:00 -0700, Dimensional Traveler
<[email protected]> said this thing:

Okay, after that we need a review of Leisure Suit Larry. Your choice as >>to which in the series.

I never could get into the Leisure Suit Larry games. I never found
them all that funny... and the gameplay is typical Sierra adventure
annoying. And they only got worse after the IP was sold to other
developers.

My review of the games would be unusually succinct:

"Don't bother".

;-)

The new ones are okay. The second new one is buggy af though.

And #2 got to a section at the end where it thinks it's funny to imitate
the old AGI engine games, and I just couldn't bear it and quit. My eyes
were bleeding.

The first one was quite fun/funny though. The second one... to a point.
--
Zag

Give me the liberty to know, to think, to believe,
and to utter freely according to conscience, above
all other liberties. ~John Milton
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Thu, 22 Oct 2026 14:12:20 -0500, Zaghadka <[email protected]>
said this thing:

On Sun, 11 Oct 2026 20:12:21 -0400, in comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action, Mike
S. wrote:

Ok, there is a new retrospective video out of the old SSI Gold Box
game. But before you click the link, let me first tell you that it is >>almost 10 hours long. I really have no idea what one could say about
this game that could take that long to say, but I am going to find
out! -->

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7HXFufaPtA&t=1332s

I've been watching this an hour at a time.

I had no idea EA had a bid in for Gold Box.

You can't just drop something like that here without a follow-up.
Argh, I'm going to have to watch the whole thing now, aren't I?

Well, if I speed it up to 1.75x playback speed that's only 6 hours.


--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Thu, 22 Oct 2026 14:13:36 -0500, Zaghadka <[email protected]>
wrote:

The first Buck game is BRUTAL. Everyone gets some freaking virus and
starts passing out and finding the cure is a game of random map seeking.

I never found the cure. I just rage quit.

It has been so long since I played the Buck Rogers games that I just
don't remember this... or much else about them. If or when I do play
them, it will be almost like playing them for the first time.
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Thu, 22 Oct 2026 14:12:20 -0500, Zaghadka <[email protected]>
wrote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7HXFufaPtA&t=1332s

I've been watching this an hour at a time.

I had no idea EA had a bid in for Gold Box.

I haven't started it yet. Maybe this weekend. I will likely watch it
one or maybe two hours at a time. The EA thing is news to me as well.
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On 10/22/2026 4:41 PM, Mike S. wrote:

On Thu, 22 Oct 2026 14:13:36 -0500, Zaghadka <[email protected]>
wrote:

The first Buck game is BRUTAL. Everyone gets some freaking virus and
starts passing out and finding the cure is a game of random map seeking.

I never found the cure. I just rage quit.

It has been so long since I played the Buck Rogers games that I just
don't remember this... or much else about them. If or when I do play
them, it will be almost like playing them for the first time.

I forgot I even played it until you brought this up!
--
-Justisaur

ø-ø
(\_/)\
`-'\ `--.___,
¶¬'\( ,_.-'
\\
^'
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Thu, 22 Oct 2026 19:41:27 -0400, Mike S. <[email protected]> said
this thing:

On Thu, 22 Oct 2026 14:13:36 -0500, Zaghadka <[email protected]>
wrote:

The first Buck game is BRUTAL. Everyone gets some freaking virus and
starts passing out and finding the cure is a game of random map seeking.

I never found the cure. I just rage quit.

It has been so long since I played the Buck Rogers games that I just
don't remember this... or much else about them. If or when I do play
them, it will be almost like playing them for the first time.

Same. It's been a long, long time since I played them and I've never
gone back. They just never impressed me enough to want to replay them.
It didn't help that I bought them years after they released; even when
new in 1990, the "GoldBox" engine was already showing its age and by
the time I got my hands on them (maybe 1993? 1995? Somewhere around
there) they were significantly behind the curve. Nor was I a
particular fan of the pulp-scifi theme of the franchise. I struggled
through the first game and never finished the second.

I can still enjoy "Pool of Radiance" for its nostalgic and historic
value; for the memories it dredges up and seeing how "Pool" laid the
foundation for a host of future CRPGs. The Buck Rogers games offer
none of that. Honestly, I don't think they're really any worse than
"Pool" or "Curse" or "Silver Blades" and if you were only going to
play one goldbox game in your life, you won't do too badly picking
"Buck Rogers" (especially if you prefer scifi to fantasy). But if
you've already played any of the others, the Buck Rogers games have
little new to offer.

IMHO, YMMV, etc.


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From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Thu, 22 Oct 2026 19:43:16 -0400, Mike S. <[email protected]> said
this thing:

On Thu, 22 Oct 2026 14:12:20 -0500, Zaghadka <[email protected]>
wrote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7HXFufaPtA&t=1332s

I've been watching this an hour at a time.

I had no idea EA had a bid in for Gold Box.

I haven't started it yet. Maybe this weekend. I will likely watch it
one or maybe two hours at a time. The EA thing is news to me as well.

I knew EA and others were in the running for the D&D license prior to
SSI unexpectedly winning it, but I didn't know they were after goldbox
itself. Or maybe SSI was struggling for funds and was considering
turning to EA to get Pool out the door?

<sigh> No way to know unless I watch the video, I guess.

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