DarkSeed Floppy NTSC Fix Please

[Nibbler]

Hi Folks.

Darkseed needs really a NTSC Fix.
If you use the NTSC Tooltype with WHDLoad the Screen is waaaay down at the Bottom of the Screen. ( very ugly )

No matter what setting is in Data/Devs/System-Configuration.

Darkseed is unplayable in NTSC which is a shame because the Game would Flicker Less in NTSC and also would run better.

Besides, Cyberdreams where a Californian Software Developer, so why is there no Amiga NTSC version for Darkseed ???
It was made for Amiga and PC in 640x400. That is NTSC and the reason why the Amiga version looks so squished.
Same with the CD32 Version, it has the wrong Aspect Ratio
Sombody ,

[Retro-Nerd]

Huh? The CD32 version doesn't run in interlace. WHDLoad version is flicker free in PAL.

[Nibbler]

The Floppy version is interlaced ( best version ) and the CD32 in Progessive, BUT
none of them run in NTSC as they should.

Nearly unplayable in NTSC
A Fix would be awesome. Please, anybody ?

[Retro1234]

In workbench theres a way to position the screen does this have any effect on the game non-whdload installed?

[Nibbler]

Originally Posted by Retro1234

In workbench theres a way to position the screen does this have any effect on the game non-whdload installed?

No.

[Retro1234]

I really cant be bothered to check this but if it doesnt I suspect unless a NTSC version exists no patch for you.

[Nibbler]

No, it´s not for me , its for everyone who wants to play this game how it was designed.
Why butcher the WHDload version? I say, No Sir !!

StingRay or somebody, plz help.

[Retro-Nerd]

I've never seen a NTSC version. And without you can't fix it. Well whatever you think what needs to be fixed. It's just fine as it is.

[Nibbler]

The aspect ratio isnt right, the original game was developed for a full 4:3 screen. The Main benefit would be the reduced flicker in the floppy version. If i use Ntsc in the tooltypes the ntsc screen of the game is to low. A shame, really

[Retro-Nerd]

Why you do think it was designed for 4:3 full screen? Most of the Amiga games weren't designed for a real fullscreen. Dark Seed is an original PAL game as it seems. The 320x200 viewable image is centered on a PAL monitor/TV. Of course you cut the bottom then in lower NTSC resolution.

And for the flicker. NTSC doesn't fix it properly anyway. Play the CD32 version or use a flickerfixer for the disk version.

Based on 1992 Cyberdreams PC (DOS) release.
PC versions: EGA, VGA

Don't know if that's true. But it would explain the 320x200 viewable Amiga image. A lot of PC games used this resolution back then.

[Amiga1992]

Originally Posted by Retro-Nerd

Why you do think it was designed for 4:3 full screen? Most of the Amiga games weren't designed for a real fullscreen. Dark Seed is an original PAL game as it seems..

But that doesn't seem entirely, or possibly, accurate, since the developers are based in the US. So I am not 100% sure this is a PAL game. Graphics always looked really squishy to me honestly.

[DrBong]

Originally Posted by Nibbler

The Floppy version is interlaced ( best version ) and the CD32 in Progessive, BUT
none of them run in NTSC as they should.

The Screen is waaaayyyy off down at the bottom. Nearly unplayable in NTSC
A Fix would be awesome. Please, anybody ?

What set-up are you using? If you have ECS and KS2.x/3.x on your set-up, then try PatchLace (readme, download) on Aminet with the WHDLoad version or the original HD version. Good luck! Let us know how you go......

[Retro-Nerd]

It's a PC DOS port. But honestly, where are the NTSC Amiga versions? Never seen one. And the PC DOS screens looks a bit squished too. Of course they are US developer. But i think the Amiga game version was developed on PAL Amigas from a european team.

http://www.mobygames.com/game/dark-seed/screenshots

edit: The manual lists a Cyberdreams UK Ltd too.

[Amiga1992]

I'm very intrigued by this whole thing now. I also have never seen an NTSC Dark Seed.

[Nibbler]

The Game was original developed for Amiga and PC with a 640x400 pixel count in mind. It was the First high Resolution Adventure in that sense, because H.R Giger wanted the Higher Resolution.
But we never got this Full Screen version with correct aspect ratio ;and the semi forced 50hz mode was really hurting the eyes as well as the artworks

@Dr.Bong . I am always happy to hear from you.
I tried PatchLace on a ECS & AGA orignial Amiga. But no luck.

@ Retro-Nerd. If you would read the readme from PATHCHLACE you would know why a NTSC mode is so desireable, especially in flicker modes. Besides, the Retro-Nerd i know always tried to help, but something tells me, you are not really into it, somehow. But thats ok too.

@ Akira - Ohh, now it gets real !!!!!

Yeah Folks. Really Odd what happend to Darkseed on the Amiga, which is sad, because the Amiga version has the best musik n stuff. I also prefer the Floppy version over the Talkie release AND the Talkie has no Mouse support. WTF,
besides the lower resolution.

I know there are a few people here that could fix that, maybe someday.

[ross]

Fast patch (untested) in The Zone.

Bye,
ross

[Retro-Nerd]

Originally Posted by Nibbler

@ Retro-Nerd. If you would read the readme from PATHCHLACE you would know why a NTSC mode is so desireable, especially in flicker modes. Besides, the Retro-Nerd i know always tried to help, but something tells me, you are not really into it, somehow. But thats ok too.

Well, but 60Hz NTSC interlace without flickerfixer is still unbearable for the eyes. Besides that the music plays too fast in NTSC mode and for a real PAL fullscreen you have to redraw the graphics in 320x256. Not worth the trouble imo. Play the PC DOS version than, it's the original. I'v played the CD32 version some years ago on my A1200 btw, so i WAS into it.

[Nibbler]

Interlace, especially 60hz is not unbearable for the eyes. Remember, the hole dreamcast,ps2,camecube xbox era was interlace only. So why do you think that? The problem that music plays to fast depends on the software. Some are to fast, some dont. Play the PC version, why do you say that in an amiga forum? Besides, the amiga version has the best music.

[Retro-Nerd]

Dreamcast has VGA out via box/cable too for more many games. And the older Game Cubes and the PS2 also have a progressive scan output for NTSC games. Interlace in 60Hz/15KHz is still horrible, compared with a proper 31KHz video output. Especially if you play games with a lot of text. You will ruin your eyes.

I've played Dark Seed CD32 version on my CRT and it was fine. Anyway. You want to force a PAL Amiga game into NTSC, that's it. Good luck with it.

[Amiga1992]

Originally Posted by Nibbler

Remember, the hole dreamcast,ps2,camecube xbox era was interlace only.

The way the Amiga does interlace is a lot different and flickers a damn lot, just go ahead and compare the output of a PS2 and an Amiga on Interlace mode on the same display.