Verify Ravenloft: Strahd's Possession

[tomojira]

Verifying Ravenloft - Strahd's Possession (1994) (DreamForge Intertainment)

Checklist

Have adequate installation instructions been provided to match any config files in the DOSZ?
The config file isn't needed in the DOSZ. It can be created by SOUND.BAT.

Have any official patches been applied, if necessary?
This is already the latest version, v1.2.

Is the game data in the root of the ZIP (unless game does not work that way)?
No, it's in C:\RLOFT, but this is helpful for transferring saves to the sequel.

For games which include CD images, is there a smaller installation variant that offers the same features but needs less files?
All files are installed for a no-CD setup.

Is the entry in the right variant file (i.e. Freeware)?
Yes.

Have digital versions (Steam, GOG) been checked for matching?
A GOG variant was added, but I removed it because it can actually match with the main variant with some embedded data. However, it also requires game.gog to be renamed to game.iso so DoDAT can extract from it.

Can the game benefit from using embedded data or embedded patches in the datfile?
I added embedded data to INFO.DAT.

Can DoDAT build the game from the install media?
Yes.

If the game requires a yml in the DOSZ, has it been added to the yml folder in the repo?
Not applicable.

Are there .PIF or .ICO or Win32 .EXE files that could be excluded?
No.

Do the file timestamps match the installation media?
No, I added them.

Does the DOSZ run standalone?
Yes.

For CD games, can the game be set up to run without a CD mounted?
Yes, I changed to a no-CD setup by editing the path in INFO.DAT.

Can the game benefit from using CHDtoOGG?
There are no audio tracks.

Is the game creating a swap file in the .pure.zip that could be avoided by increasing memory size? Or is it creating other bloated files that could be prevented by adding them in the DOSZ?
No.

Does the DOSC contain problematic data (i.e. copyright issue)?
No.

Does the DOSC have copy protection removed, if possible?
There is no copy protection according to PCGamingWiki.

Is the game running at the correct speed? Is CPU year specified?
cpu_year: 1994 was set, but I changed to cpu_max_year since it's dynamic.

Is the DOSC auto-running and skipping past any obstructions? Is it updated to use WAITMODECHANGE if possible?
Yes.

Does the game have MT-32 support? If so, is it correctly using MT-32 (old) or CM-32L (new), going by the Vogons Wiki?
No.

Does the game have General MIDI support?
Yes, I added it.

Is the game set up to run with the best quality graphics options by default?
Not applicable.

For certain old games only - are the graphics/audio improved by specifying video_card: pcjr, tandy, or generic_cga?
Not applicable.

Does the game have a mouse cursor that benefits from enabling input_directmouse?
Yes, I enabled it.

Does a game with separate episodes/executables have the options named and ordered properly in the DOSZ? Do they use the run_utility feature?
Not applicable.

Does the game share saves with a sequel, expansion, etc? If so, is it updated to use the .savename feature?
Yes, I added a Ravenloft series .savename. Stone Prophet can browse anywhere in the drive to find the saves. I kept their files separate in C:\RLOFT and C:\PROPHET to make it straightforward.

Summary of changes

• Changed to no-CD setup with path edited in INFO.DAT
• Eliminated GOG variant with embedded data for INFO.DAT (game.gog must also be renamed to game.iso for DoDAT)
• Added file timestamps
• Changed to cpu_max_year
• Added General MIDI option
• Enabled direct mouse
• Added Ravenloft series .savename
• Edited comments and links