Verify Gateway to the Savage Frontier

[tomojira]

Verifying Gateway to the Savage Frontier (1991) (Beyond Software)

Checklist

Have adequate installation instructions been provided to match any config files in the DOSZ?
The config file isn't needed in the DOSZ. It can be created by GO.BAT or START.BAT.

Note that the game doesn't start properly after running GAME.EXE, START.BAT, or START1.EXE. For some reason you have to run "game UseStart" from a BAT file (it didn't work as the run_path in DOS.YML). GO.BAT does this, but also disables sound in the first line (???). So I put it in the DOSC with that line removed. The default one is still in the DOSZ to make it playable on its own.

Have any official patches been applied, if necessary?
No official patches mentioned by 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?
Yes, I made GOG match and eliminated the variant by adding a small embedded patch to GAME.EXE, adding embedded data to GO.BAT and START.BAT, and removing the default characters, which unfortunately GOG doesn't include. I added them to the DOSC instead.

Can the game benefit from using embedded data or embedded patches in the datfile?
Other than making GOG match, no.

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?
Yes.

Is the game running at the correct speed? Is CPU year specified?
cpu_year: 1991 was set, but I changed to 1985 to slow it down.

Is the DOSC auto-running and skipping past any obstructions? Is it updated to use WAITMODECHANGE if possible?
Yes.

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?
No.

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?
I added a series .savename. There are 7 Forgotten Realms games that can transfer saves between each other - Pool of Radiance, Curse of the Azure Bonds, Secret of the Silver Blades, Pools of Darkness, Hillsfar, Gateway to the Savage Frontier, and Treasures of the Savage Frontier.

Like most of the other games, Gateway to the Savage Frontier has C:\SAVE\ set as the save path in its config file for this purpose. Note that it uses the same file formats as Azure Bonds, so it will be imported as if it's that game.

Summary of changes

• Added modified GO.BAT to DOSC with sound enabled
• To eliminate the GOG variant, added embedded patch/data to multiple files, and removed default characters. Added default characters to DOSC instead
• Changed to cpu_year: 1985
• Enabled direct mouse
• Added Forgotten Realms series .savename
• Edited comments and links