Simon the Sorcerer 1 ECS (french) - Saved game issue

[malko]

Hello,

My kids came to me with a strange issue regarding Simon the Sorcerer 1 ECS.

The game is launched from the HD under Amilator 4.9.3.
Disks used for the HD installation : SimonTheSorcerer_(1994)(Adventure Soft)(Fr)(Disk_x_of_9)[cr-GOD]-amiga.adf
Same FS-UAE config as usual.

Problem : after loading a saved game, it's impossible to move Simon. When we click somewhere on the screen to move only the following text is displayed : "That's completely stupid!" ("C'est complétement idiot !")

Simon will move only if there is an object or character that we can click on.

Therefore it's impossible to move to another screen.

Two screenshots are attached :
On the 1st one : clicked in the middle of the room to move.
On the 2nd one : clicked on a character (frog)

I searched the support.Games forum and on the net but did not see any clue to such issue.

Is it a known issue here in EAB ?
Maybe a bad crack ?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Don_Adan]

Seems to be bad cracked version. This game has smart protection. Exist a few bad cracked versions.

[malko]

Just in case it can be useful, here is one of the faulty savegame (the one used for the previous screenshots)

[esel]

Better use the WHDLoad version so you will have no problem

[StingRay]

It's most probably caused by a bad crack indeed as Don Adan said. Another thing to check would be the MaxTransfer settings of your HD. To easily rule out that as the problem, copy everything to RAM: and create a save game. If that can be loaded without a problem you need to check your MaxTransfer settings.

[malko]

Originally Posted by StingRay

It's most probably caused by a bad crack indeed as Don Adan said. [...]

Thank you StingRay and Don Adan for your replies.
Most probably this will happen to be the final conclusion :

Another thing to check would be the MaxTransfer settings of your HD. To easily rule out that as the problem, copy everything to RAM: and create a save game. If that can be loaded without a problem you need to check your MaxTransfer settings.

Don't know...
In fact not all saved games are giving this "C'est complétement idiot !" result. Out of 5 saved games, 3 are giving the described result (on various place of the game).
Also savegames made on the same screen (after a reset and playing from the beginning) leads to different result : 1 savegame is playable and the other not.

So it's random and thus make the game unplayable...

As far as my kids played it, Simon never gets stuck if we never save the game (playing continuously).

I also tried to load the game from:
- RAM:
- Floppy
and loaded the provided savegame -> Simon does not move.

Will give a try to create fresh savegame from RAM: as you advised StingRay. Will let you know.

Just in case, here is the HDF config. And if someone has a working French unprotected copy, feel free to PM .

[dlfrsilver]

Originally Posted by malko

Thank you StingRay and Don Adan for your replies.
Most probably this will happen to be the final conclusion :

Don't know...
In fact not all saved games are giving this "C'est complétement idiot !" result. Out of 5 saved games, 3 are giving the described result (on various place of the game).
Also savegames made on the same screen (after a reset and playing from the beginning) leads to different result : 1 savegame is playable and the other not.

So it's random and thus make the game unplayable...

As far as my kids played it, Simon never gets stuck if we never save the game (playing continuously).

I also tried to load the game from:
- RAM:
- Floppy
and loaded the provided savegame -> Simon does not move.

Will give a try to create fresh savegame from RAM: as you advided StingRay. Will let you know.

Just in case, here is the HDF config. And if someone has a working French unprotected copy, feel free to PM .

there is a french correctly cracked set

[malko]

Originally Posted by dlfrsilver

there is a french correctly cracked set

You naughty boy : telling me it exists without further information...
May I ask where to find it or the name of the set ?

[dlfrsilver]

Originally Posted by malko

You naughty boy : telling me it exists without further information...
May I ask where to find it or the name of the set ?

fixed release, look on grandis.nu

[malko]

Originally Posted by dlfrsilver

fixed release, look on grandis.nu

Thanks dlfrsilver.
There I found one French ECS version (9 disks - cr GOD) but it looks like to be the same disks set as the one in use on my side . Is it the one you mention as "fixed" ?

[DamienD]

I too can only find the set you've mentioned malko.

Guess you could try the .IPFs: Simon the Sorcerer (1994)(Adventure Soft)(FR)[2370].zip

...but might need the manual; haven't checked.

[malko]

Thanks Damien.

I thought about it too but what is holding me back right now is that the risk of finding the manual "boneless" in a corner of the room is too high with my "mini-Godzilla" .

But of course, it there is no other choice, this may be the way to go

For now, waiting dlfrsilver answer.

[malko]

Originally Posted by malko

[...] Will give a try to create fresh savegame from RAM: as you advised StingRay. Will let you know... [...]

Hummm... the QUIT option is not working .

Thus playing the game from RAM: cannot be considered as we can only quit the game with a computer RESET -> so impossible to return to WB to copy the savegame from RAM: to HD for a re-use.

[DamienD]

Originally Posted by malko

I thought about it too but what is holding me back right now is that the risk of finding the manual "boneless" in a corner of the room is too high with my "mini-Godzilla" .

Who said anything about printing out the manual?

...just use the digital copy linked to on HOL.

Again, I haven't checked, but maybe you just need to enter in some "word protection" before starting the game? Do so and then make a "Save State" after this point

Then again, maybe you don't need to do this at all, and there is no "word protection"...

[dlfrsilver]

Originally Posted by malko

Hummm... the QUIT option is not working .

Thus playing the game from RAM: cannot be considered as we can only quit the game with a computer RESET -> so impossible to return to WB to copy the savegame from RAM: to HD for a re-use.

Pick the AGA version

Simon the Sorcerer (1993)(Adventure Soft)(AGA)(FR)(Disk 1 of 9)[cr Amiga Dump].zip

There seems to be no good ECS cracked version.

[DamienD]

Ok, I just had to test...

I didn't install the game but just booted the French floppy disks. Indeed the first thing you see is a "word protection" screen x 3:



Just use the manual to pass these and then immediately make a "Save State", job done

Edit: I just installed the game using the French .IPFs; same deal as above.

[malko]

Originally Posted by dlfrsilver

Pick the AGA version [...]
There seems to be no good ECS cracked version.

Unfortunately config on Amilator USB stick is only ECS actually
(and as far as I remember, it was not possible to make several config on Amilator (boot time) - didn't had the time to check it this is still the case)

Originally Posted by DamienD

[...] Do so and then make a "Save State" after this point [...]

Never used this facility before. Looks an interesting idea . Will give a try.


Thank you guys

[DamienD]

Originally Posted by DamienD

[...] Do so and then make a "Save State" after this point [...]

Originally Posted by malko

Never used this facility before. Looks an interesting idea . Will give a try.

Thank you guys

All I'd say in regards to "Save States" is that they're not supposed to be reliable when running games from hard drive (especially if the drive is being read / written to; but the same goes when running from floppy).

...just get to the 3rd "word protection" screen, look up the required code in the manual, select the correct compass direction, immediately bring up the GUI and create the save state.

Worked for me; ah the beauty of emulation

[malko]

@dlfrsilver :
Do you remember/know if the "GOD" (1st line in s/startup-sequence of the French ECS version (9 disks - cr GOD) disks set) is part of the copy protection removal ? or is it only a text display prg ?
I only kept line 2 & 3 of the startup-sequence to launch the game (IconX) but now I am wondering if maybe 1st line was useful as well...
Any idea ?
Forget my question.

[DamienD]

Just check malko; the file "GOD" is just the cracktro