ScummVM allows you to run certain classic graphic adventure and role-playing games
After 6 months of development, the release of the new version of the cross-platform game engine ScummVM 2.7.0, which replaces game executable files and allows many classic games to run on platforms for which they were not originally intended.
For those who are unaware of ScummVM (Scumm Virtual Machine), you should know that this is software that allows you to run graphic adventures originally created for the LucasArts SCUMM engine. ScummVM also supports a variety of games that do not use the SCUMM engine, made by companies like Revolution Software or Adventure Soft.
As its name suggests, ScummVM runs the games through a virtual machine, using only its data files, so it replaces the executables the game was originally released with. This allows games to run on systems they were never designed for, such as wii, pocketPCs, PalmOS, Nintendo DS, PSP, PlayStation 3, Linux, Xbox or cell phones.
In total, more than 320 missions are provided, including games from LucasArts, Humongous Entertainment, Revolution Software, Cyan and Sierra, such as Maniac Mansion, Monkey Island, Broken Sword, Myst, Blade Runner, King's Quest 1-7, Space Quest 1-6, Discworld, Simon the Sorcerer, Bass a sky of steel, the allure of the temptress and the legend of Kyrandia.
The games are compatible with Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, PS Vita, Switch, Dreamcast, AmigaOS, Atari/FreeMiNT, RISC OS, Haiku, PSP, PS3, Maemo, GCW Zero, etc.
Main new features of ScummVM 2.7.0
In this new version of ScummVM 2.7.0 that is presented, it stands out that a output scaling system using shaders. the new system allows older games to run on high-resolution displays with high visual fidelity that mimics the behavior of CRT displays, plus improved cursor scaling in OpenGL mode.
Another change that stands out in the new version is that the ability to set predefined data to initialize the pseudo-random number generator was provided, allowing for repeatable behavior across different releases of the game.
In addition to this, we can also find that the ability to run games in auto detect mode (You can rename the executable file to scummvm-auto or create a scummvm-autorun file to enable it.)
It also stands out in this new version of ScummVM 2.7.0 that added lto ability to set parameters predefined command line (The parameters must be written to the scummvm-autorun file.)
Of the other changes that stand out from this new version:
- Added support for overriding the default settings by specifying a file
- configuration in the “–initial-cfg=FILE” or “-i” options.
- Added the --output-channels=CHANNELS option to set the audio output to mono.
- The number of platforms for which game resource downloads larger than 2 GB are available has been expanded.
- Added game support:
- soldier boyz.
- Interactive Fiction Games GLK Scott Adams (C64 and ZX Spectrum versions).
- GLK Scott Adams missions 1-12 in TI99/4A format.
- obsidian.
- Pink Panther: Passport to Peril.
- Pink Panther: Hokus Pokus Pink.
- Adibou 2 «Environment», «Read/Count 4 & 5» and «Read/Count 6 & 7».
- Driller/Space Station Oblivion (version for DOS/EGA/CGA, Amiga, AtariST, ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC).
- Halls of the Dead: Faery Tale Adventure II.
- Chop Suey, Eastern Mind and 16 other games on Director 3 and Director 4 engines.
- Improved support for the Broken Sword series of games, redesigned code to detect game versions.
- Platform support added:
- RetroMini RS90 console running the OpenDingux distribution.
- First generation of Miyoo consoles (New BittBoy, Pocket Go and PowKiddy Q90-V90-Q20) with
- TriForceX Miyoo CFW .
- Miyoo mini app.
- Kolibri OS operating system.
- 26-bit versions of RISC OS.
Finally, if you are interested in being able to learn more about it, you can do it from the following link.
The project code is distributed under the GPLv3+ license and the installation files for the different supported platforms can be obtained, which in the case of Linux deb, Snap and Flatpak packages are offered from the following link.