So, it's been a while since I've played the older KQ games, and I've yet to play IV (it's the only one that I could just never get to work on my older computers). I've lost my copy of the KQ Collection on CD years ago and I really only have my disc for VI. I saw that Steam has the collection available for download, priced at $20, but I'm not sure how exactly Steam works (someone said you have to be perpetually connected to the internet to play any of the games, and that they run through the application rather than straight off your computer) and I'd want to know that they could run on my current computer (Windows 7) before I tried buying them there. Any advice?
Ok a little warning about that collection its incomplete, its missing the KQ1 original, KQ6 enhanced, and 8. The version of KQ7 is the original 32-bit windows version, so you'll have problems if you have a 64 bit windows (there may be a way to patch it into a dos KQ7 but I don' t know for sure).
It's also kinda buggy, with graphic glitches in KQ2 version in the pack (the dialogue boxes are a bit screwed up).
The perpetual internet connection depends on the game. Some games require it, some don't. I believe the King's Quest Collection is the latter.
That said, it would be better to buy the CD-ROM again. There are patches available that fix problems I discovered running KQ6 (choppy cutscenes, discoloration) and KQ7 (no movies and lack of transparency in cursor) in Windows 7, and while these patches are easily applied to the Collection installed from a CD, I don't know how Steam would handle them messing about with the game files. I'm guessing it wouldn't be pretty.
The fixes I mentioned are included in the King's Quest Collection DosBox update here (http://sierrahelp.com/Patches-Updates/Patches-Updates-Games/KingsQuestUpdates.html#KQCollection).
Oh, and another reason to not buy it from Steam: it's cheaper on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Kings-Quest-Collection-Pc/dp/B000AYFPKG).
I use STEAM a lot and I have had some problems with the older games, if they don't run right they pawn the problem off on third parties. Steam works great for the newer games, I am playing Boarderlands right now and it runs perfectly. Most of what you do through Steam apart from playing needs an internet connection, buying, checking the specials of the day, forums multiplayer games etc. but to play regular games you can play off-line, when you download a game from Steam it goes into your Steam account, but is on your computer files.
Might check out GOG (Good Old Games) I really like this site and they have all DRM free games and will stand behind and help fix any problem you may have. I know they have KQ 4, 5 and 6 in a package for $9.99. Anyone from Steam would call me a troll for saying this there, but GOG is by far better for quality and ease of use for the older games.
Good Luck,
Zounds.
Methinks I'll be buying it from Amazon XP
Thanks, everyone :)
Believe me I own several version of the King's Quest Collections in order to compare them, and for various exclusives that were included with each one.
I think I have 15th anniversery Collection, the Collection 2, Roberta Williams Collection, and the VU 2006/Steam version.
Most I payed a couple of dollers for to add to my collection, so I wasn't really losing money. I only picked up the last version, since I was living out of state, and didn't have access to my cds. Otherwise I probably would have avoided it, due to the fact its a very incomplete collection.