Dark Castle installer

ozymandias · 24 March 2014, 17:36

Hi,

"Dark Castle" installer for WHDLoad is missing so I'm trying to write one, but I'm not expert in assembly (not the 68000).
The game starts from WB with "Dark Castle" executable but it will check a noname file (on the disk appears as an all-spaces file of 29K) whic contains read errors. I can't find the check on the file.
Someone can help?

Regards,
Alessandro

StingRay · 24 March 2014, 17:59

The game is protected (Herndon HLS) so you are out of luck for now. I'll see about creating a patch for this game in the next days.

ozymandias · 24 March 2014, 19:01

Hi,

Thanks!
I spent 7 hours with ReSource to disassemble the main file but I gave in... My asm knowledge is not sufficient to write a slave...
:-(

StingRay · 24 March 2014, 19:17

Well, this one is not suitable for a beginner as the executable is encrypted with Ben Herndon's HLS system which means you need a good understanding of 68000 asm (the encryption uses a few tricks to defeat cracking attempts) otherwise you won't be successful in writing a patch. For an experienced coder this protection isn't hard to crack (took me about 5 minutes to have working decrypter code) but for a beginner it is way too hard! I'll always release my patches with full sources so you can have a look at it (once I have finished the patch that is) and maybe learn a few things.

StingRay · 25 March 2014, 09:09

I have finished the patch for this rather crappy (what's up with the controls?) game. It should be available on the WHDLoad site this evening.

StingRay · 25 March 2014, 15:54

The Dark Castle patch is now available.

ozymandias · 25 March 2014, 16:09

Great!

I looked at your code... It's very complex...
You're a great coder!

I decide to make another try... I will try to modify hammerfist to accept SPS version...

24 March 2014, 17:36	#1
ozymandias Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Italy Age: 48 Posts: 38	Dark Castle installer Hi, "Dark Castle" installer for WHDLoad is missing so I'm trying to write one, but I'm not expert in assembly (not the 68000). The game starts from WB with "Dark Castle" executable but it will check a noname file (on the disk appears as an all-spaces file of 29K) whic contains read errors. I can't find the check on the file. Someone can help? Regards, Alessandro

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24 March 2014, 17:59	#2
StingRay move.l #$c0ff33,throat Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Berlin/Joymoney Posts: 6,865	The game is protected (Herndon HLS) so you are out of luck for now. I'll see about creating a patch for this game in the next days.

24 March 2014, 19:01	#3
ozymandias Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Italy Age: 48 Posts: 38	Hi, Thanks! I spent 7 hours with ReSource to disassemble the main file but I gave in... My asm knowledge is not sufficient to write a slave... :-(

24 March 2014, 19:17	#4
StingRay move.l #$c0ff33,throat Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Berlin/Joymoney Posts: 6,865	Well, this one is not suitable for a beginner as the executable is encrypted with Ben Herndon's HLS system which means you need a good understanding of 68000 asm (the encryption uses a few tricks to defeat cracking attempts) otherwise you won't be successful in writing a patch. For an experienced coder this protection isn't hard to crack (took me about 5 minutes to have working decrypter code) but for a beginner it is way too hard! I'll always release my patches with full sources so you can have a look at it (once I have finished the patch that is) and maybe learn a few things.

25 March 2014, 09:09	#5
StingRay move.l #$c0ff33,throat Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Berlin/Joymoney Posts: 6,865	I have finished the patch for this rather crappy (what's up with the controls?) game. It should be available on the WHDLoad site this evening.

25 March 2014, 15:54	#6
StingRay move.l #$c0ff33,throat Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Berlin/Joymoney Posts: 6,865	The Dark Castle patch is now available.

25 March 2014, 16:09	#7
ozymandias Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Italy Age: 48 Posts: 38	Great! I looked at your code... It's very complex... You're a great coder! I decide to make another try... I will try to modify hammerfist to accept SPS version...

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