Verify Space Quest VI: Roger Wilco in The Spinal Frontier

[tomojira]

Verifying Space Quest VI - Roger Wilco in The Spinal Frontier (1995) (Sierra On-Line)

Checklist

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.

Space Quest VI is found on Disc 2: Space Quest - Collection Series (USA, Israel) (Disc 2)

Have adequate installation instructions been provided to match any config files in the DOSZ?
I added instructions for recreating RESOURCE.CFG. It needs to be in the DOSZ because it includes paths which are edited for the no-CD setup. There are also instructions for creating SQ6.BAT, needed to point SIERRA.EXE towards RESOURCE.CFG. Formerly it was only in the DOSC, but I added it to the DOSZ so it's more playable on its own.

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?
All files are installed for the no-CD setup.

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 and SQ6.BAT.

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?
Yes, with certain files and folders copied from the disc, and with paths in RESOURCE.CFG edited, and SQ6.BAT to make use of it. I went by this: https://www.sierragamers.com/forums/topic/space-quest-6-without-cd/#post-24196

Can the game benefit from using CHDtoOGG?
No, there are no audio tracks.

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 cpu_year to cpu_max_year: 1995 since it's dynamic. Hopefully no speed bugs later in the game.
https://sierrahelp.com/Games/SpaceQuest/SQ6Help.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 for MT-32 since it takes much longer to load.

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". However, it was still using the old .dosz extension, so I updated to .dosx.

Does the game have General MIDI support?
Yes, but it was missing, I added it.

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?
No, it doesn't seem needed with this one.

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 2)
• Added RESOURCE.CFG and SQ6.BAT to DOSZ with embedded data
• Changed to cpu_max_year: 1995
• Increased WAIT for MT-32
• Updated MT-32 extension to .dosx
• Added General MIDI option
• Edited comments and links

Not mentioned in the checklist:

• Added the Installation variants for both discs and replaced the old collection CD