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General discussionRelease: The Mansion of the Macabre(73 posts)(73 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted September 02, 2024
Michael Praise and Diana Eden investigate the paranormal in this return to classic survival horror – we’re talking, of course, about The Mansion of the Macabre, now out on GOG with a -40% launch discount until September 10th, 7 AM UTC!

Explore the Crowley Manor and unravel the secrets of the Occult. Inspired by the works of Lovecraft and a love letter to classic 90’s survival horror games. Featuring an ancient evil and occult conspiracy, Cthulhu and his macabre creatures have their grip on the estate in 1920’s Florida Wetlands. You go in freely, but will you leave the same way?

Now on GOG!
Posted September 04, 2024
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Lars2500: As noted in a review on the store page, the game was actually released a month ago on itch.io under the original name, "Alone in the Dark Remastered":
https://web.archive.org/web/20240814201031/teamtatou.itch.io/alone-in-the-dark-remastered
But subsequently taken down for whatever reason.
The plot has become a crab ragoon consomme, because that's some good eating.
Posted September 04, 2024
avatar
Lars2500: As noted in a review on the store page, the game was actually released a month ago on itch.io under the original name, "Alone in the Dark Remastered":
https://web.archive.org/web/20240814201031/teamtatou.itch.io/alone-in-the-dark-remastered
But subsequently taken down for whatever reason.
 
So this is - in fact - a fan project. There's a whole FAQ on the linked archived site.

Some excerpts from this FAQ:

Q. What is this?

A. This is Tatou Team's official answer to a remaster never being developed for the original 1992 classic, 'ALONE IN THE DARK'. A modern remake was released this year but it's not the remake or remaster that fans including ourselves wanted, just another typical over the shoulder shooter with none of the original designs of the original game, mansion, sound effects and pretty much nothing that made Alone in The Dark the masterpiece it really was.

This is a faithful, nearly 1:1 remake of the original game, with remastered soundtrack, completely new graphics and redesign but keeping as faithful as possible to the original game. A walkthrough for the original game will pretty much be able to get you through the game from start to finish in the same way as before.

Q. Why?

A. Because we could and we wanted to. Simple answer!

Q. What's the differences between this and the original?

A. This is a near 1:1 remake in terms of game loop, but graphics and some game mechanics have been completely revamped. It plays in pretty much the same way as the original.

Q. What is Tatou?

A. Tatou is the French name for Armadillo, which was Infogrames' original logo back in the day (add a rat tail!) before the terrible Atari takeover. We adopted Tatou as our dev team's logo and name, and also the original Alone in The Dark's executable in DOS was Tatou.com.

Q. What's the legal status of this?

A. We don't charge anything for downloading and playing this, aside from a remastered soundtrack and sound files (which we are sure are samples from somewhere originally), we haven't used any other original assets of the game. We've remade everything from the ground up. This is a passion project giving fans what they always wanted, gratis and without warranty. Your use of this download and playing the game is down to your own enjoyment and love for the game. We don't benefit in any way from this, other than the fact that we can say we did it first before anyone else. We are hoping this gets the IP owner of AITD's attention or even Bruno Bonnell or Frédérick Raynal himself and release this as a bundle with the new game.

(...)

Q: I paid for this! Have I been ripped off?

Yes! We don't charge for the game, and demand a refund as we don't own the IP to Alone in The Dark, and no one should be charging you for royalty free, fan produced software. Although, you can donate for our hard work and dedication.
 
It seems like they got the IP owner's attention. But not in the way they had hoped. Instead they got the boot.
And at this point, the free fan project suddenly became a commercial product that costs 17.77 € ?
Post edited September 04, 2024 by g2222
Posted September 04, 2024
avatar
Lars2500: As noted in a review on the store page, the game was actually released a month ago on itch.io under the original name, "Alone in the Dark Remastered":
https://web.archive.org/web/20240814201031/teamtatou.itch.io/alone-in-the-dark-remastered
But subsequently taken down for whatever reason.
avatar
g2222:  
So this is - in fact - a fan project. There's a whole FAQ on the linked archived site.

Some excerpts from this FAQ:

Q. What is this?

A. This is Tatou Team's official answer to a remaster never being developed for the original 1992 classic, 'ALONE IN THE DARK'. A modern remake was released this year but it's not the remake or remaster that fans including ourselves wanted, just another typical over the shoulder shooter with none of the original designs of the original game, mansion, sound effects and pretty much nothing that made Alone in The Dark the masterpiece it really was.

This is a faithful, nearly 1:1 remake of the original game, with remastered soundtrack, completely new graphics and redesign but keeping as faithful as possible to the original game. A walkthrough for the original game will pretty much be able to get you through the game from start to finish in the same way as before.

Q. Why?

A. Because we could and we wanted to. Simple answer!

Q. What's the differences between this and the original?

A. This is a near 1:1 remake in terms of game loop, but graphics and some game mechanics have been completely revamped. It plays in pretty much the same way as the original.

Q. What is Tatou?

A. Tatou is the French name for Armadillo, which was Infogrames' original logo back in the day (add a rat tail!) before the terrible Atari takeover. We adopted Tatou as our dev team's logo and name, and also the original Alone in The Dark's executable in DOS was Tatou.com.

Q. What's the legal status of this?

A. We don't charge anything for downloading and playing this, aside from a remastered soundtrack and sound files (which we are sure are samples from somewhere originally), we haven't used any other original assets of the game. We've remade everything from the ground up. This is a passion project giving fans what they always wanted, gratis and without warranty. Your use of this download and playing the game is down to your own enjoyment and love for the game. We don't benefit in any way from this, other than the fact that we can say we did it first before anyone else. We are hoping this gets the IP owner of AITD's attention or even Bruno Bonnell or Frédérick Raynal himself and release this as a bundle with the new game.

(...)

Q: I paid for this! Have I been ripped off?

Yes! We don't charge for the game, and demand a refund as we don't own the IP to Alone in The Dark, and no one should be charging you for royalty free, fan produced software. Although, you can donate for our hard work and dedication.
avatar
g2222:  
It seems like they got the IP owner's attention. But not in the way they had hoped. Instead they got the boot.
And at this point, the free fan project suddenly became a commercial product that costs 17.77 € ?
Great, so this is now officially a scam! Seriously GoG, delist this crap NOW!
Posted September 04, 2024
So, seems someone has scored a goal to Gog?
Posted September 04, 2024
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g2222: And at this point, the free fan project suddenly became a commercial product that costs 17.77 € ?
I was wondering about that too: did the itch developer take it down for copyright infringement as the review suggests, and the Spacefarer "team" decided to simply upload it to commercial sites as their own; are these two entities one and the same?; or did Spacefarer simply buy it from them for a few bucks so they could then release it "commercially"?
Well, seems it's some shady mix of the latter two, as `teamtatou`'s (the "original" developer) itch page now states that "This studio has been acquired by another game studio, our game will be coming soon!", and the person listed as the "developer and designer" on the itch page is none other than Spacefarer's director.
Go figure, what are all those seemingly useless shenanigans about… Publicity?

Still, amazing feat from Spacefarer to have managed to crack through GOG's stringent curation!
How have they possibly achieved this?

By the way, copyrighting is automatic and there is no "copyright registration" procedure, let alone a number nor a time associated to it. It's only enforced by suing when it's infringed, Spacefarer may ironically learn this the hard way soon…
Although I'm sure they do know, their Twitter feed indicates they adamantly chase pirate copies of their games, and this looks like a typical "hey we're lawyered up as these legal sounding scary words we just made up suggest, so don't you think of stealing what we stole first".

Wondering, if/when the IP owner wakes up to this and takes action, if the company won't just disappear or file for bankruptcy and leave GOG holding the bag…
Posted September 04, 2024
This game must be played alone in the dark ^_^
Posted September 04, 2024
Okay, as I understand, "Mansion of the Macabre" was a fan-remake of "Alone in the Dark" (it really looks similar, first sight). It was meant for free to bypass copyright-issues, and is now sold for nearly 20 € on GOG. To be honest, this is case #100 when I'm not very satisfied with GOG's development. It was meant to get back the nostalgic times of gaming on modern PC. But it more and more becomes an arbitrary selection of indie titles that where on Steam for years already. I love the indie scene, but GOG is not the place I look for it. I can not repeat enough: I would love to see old titles on GOG - and the existing library running! "Incubation" is one of many examples that I bought - and that don't run. Get back to your roots, GOG, please!
Posted September 04, 2024
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Pixelwikinger: I love the indie scene, but GOG is not the place I look for it. I can not repeat enough: I would love to see old titles on GOG - and the existing library running! "Incubation" is one of many examples that I bought - and that don't run. Get back to your roots, GOG, please!
Well, none of us make the rules. I prefer new games on GoG, indie -and- AAA. So what now? To me, GoG s not only for old games but rather DRM-free ones.
Posted September 04, 2024
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Pixelwikinger: I love the indie scene, but GOG is not the place I look for it. I can not repeat enough: I would love to see old titles on GOG - and the existing library running! "Incubation" is one of many examples that I bought - and that don't run. Get back to your roots, GOG, please!
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Atreyu666: Well, none of us make the rules. I prefer new games on GoG, indie -and- AAA. So what now? To me, GoG s not only for old games but rather DRM-free ones.
I get your point and agree in some ways. DRM-free was never a topic for me, because, honestly, I don't care if I can download the game and play without GOG Galaxy. Times of having a game in a shelf are over, in my opinion :) . In fact, I own some really new titles on GOG, too. Indie (although there are tons of good indie games that are still not on GOG, although they are there for years) and AAA. And if you ask me, GOG can do both (although, of course, I don't make rules). What I cannot accept is that a lot of games don't run anymore (Incubation, Final Liberation, Fallen Haven, I could list far more). And - to be honest - the main mission of G(ood)O(ld)G(ames) is far from over. They started to list Amiga games, PSX-ports, but I'm afraid it will not continue in this fascinating and enriching direction.
Posted September 04, 2024
avatar
Pixelwikinger: I get your point and agree in some ways. DRM-free was never a topic for me, because, honestly, I don't care if I can download the game and play without GOG Galaxy. Times of having a game in a shelf are over, in my opinion :) . In fact, I own some really new titles on GOG, too. Indie (although there are tons of good indie games that are still not on GOG, although they are there for years) and AAA. And if you ask me, GOG can do both (although, of course, I don't make rules). What I cannot accept is that a lot of games don't run anymore (Incubation, Final Liberation, Fallen Haven, I could list far more). And - to be honest - the main mission of G(ood)O(ld)G(ames) is far from over. They started to list Amiga games, PSX-ports, but I'm afraid it will not continue in this fascinating and enriching direction.
I can understand that but I want to be able to play my games in the future without the need of a server or client. So DRM-free is a huge thing to me and I will stay true to that!

And I must confess: I'm NOT an oldgame fan, I'm like a nostalgic player who only plays the same old games he enjoyed in his childhood. To be honest, my childhood was a much better era in my life than the "now". So sometimes I enjoy some good old games from back then, when there were (almost) no worries and all that. By the way, GoG HAS TO add Xargon to the catalogue, that one was amazing, the main menu music alone sends shivers of joy down my spine :D

So I'm not saying, GoG shouldn't add more old games - keep 'em coming, GoG! But I'm also looking forward to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 and probably another Sony AAA (?). Plus a lot of new Indies, of course :)
Posted September 04, 2024
avatar
Pixelwikinger: I get your point and agree in some ways. DRM-free was never a topic for me, because, honestly, I don't care if I can download the game and play without GOG Galaxy. Times of having a game in a shelf are over, in my opinion :) . In fact, I own some really new titles on GOG, too. Indie (although there are tons of good indie games that are still not on GOG, although they are there for years) and AAA. And if you ask me, GOG can do both (although, of course, I don't make rules). What I cannot accept is that a lot of games don't run anymore (Incubation, Final Liberation, Fallen Haven, I could list far more). And - to be honest - the main mission of G(ood)O(ld)G(ames) is far from over. They started to list Amiga games, PSX-ports, but I'm afraid it will not continue in this fascinating and enriching direction.
avatar
Atreyu666: I can understand that but I want to be able to play my games in the future without the need of a server or client. So DRM-free is a huge thing to me and I will stay true to that!

And I must confess: I'm NOT an oldgame fan, I'm like a nostalgic player who only plays the same old games he enjoyed in his childhood. To be honest, my childhood was a much better era in my life than the "now". So sometimes I enjoy some good old games from back then, when there were (almost) no worries and all that. By the way, GoG HAS TO add Xargon to the catalogue, that one was amazing, the main menu music alone sends shivers of joy down my spine :D

So I'm not saying, GoG shouldn't add more old games - keep 'em coming, GoG! But I'm also looking forward to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 and probably another Sony AAA (?). Plus a lot of new Indies, of course :)
Glad we could agree so much! Really. Thanks for being honest with your childhood, too. I respect that.
Let's look forward to Xargon, Stalker 2 - and, if you ask me, "Daedalus Encounter" should be on GOG's list top 10 to get in the catalogue ;) And if I can name another, get everything done to integrate "Vandal Hearts" (the PSX game).
Posted September 04, 2024
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Pixelwikinger: Glad we could agree so much! Really. Thanks for being honest with your childhood, too. I respect that.
Let's look forward to Xargon, Stalker 2 - and, if you ask me, "Daedalus Encounter" should be on GOG's list top 10 to get in the catalogue ;) And if I can name another, get everything done to integrate "Vandal Hearts" (the PSX game).
Wasn't the Daedalus Encounter one of the very few good FMV games? I totally skipped those FMV games as a kid because back then I never had the money for a PC that could run these kind of games. Hell, I didn't even have the money for the games! :D

But looking back (and watching reviews) I have to say, I didn't miss that much. I don't think most of those FMV games had much to offer BUT: I'd buy them anyway (Johnny Mnemonic, pls GoG) because they deserve to be saved for the future! I even bought Plumbers don't wear Ties here on GoG and I've seen the AVGN's video about it years ago! :D
Posted September 05, 2024
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Pixelwikinger: I get your point and agree in some ways. DRM-free was never a topic for me, because, honestly, I don't care if I can download the game and play without GOG Galaxy. Times of having a game in a shelf are over, in my opinion :) . In fact, I own some really new titles on GOG, too. Indie (although there are tons of good indie games that are still not on GOG, although they are there for years) and AAA. And if you ask me, GOG can do both (although, of course, I don't make rules). What I cannot accept is that a lot of games don't run anymore (Incubation, Final Liberation, Fallen Haven, I could list far more). And - to be honest - the main mission of G(ood)O(ld)G(ames) is far from over. They started to list Amiga games, PSX-ports, but I'm afraid it will not continue in this fascinating and enriching direction.
avatar
Atreyu666: I can understand that but I want to be able to play my games in the future without the need of a server or client. So DRM-free is a huge thing to me and I will stay true to that!

And I must confess: I'm NOT an oldgame fan, I'm like a nostalgic player who only plays the same old games he enjoyed in his childhood. To be honest, my childhood was a much better era in my life than the "now". So sometimes I enjoy some good old games from back then, when there were (almost) no worries and all that. By the way, GoG HAS TO add Xargon to the catalogue, that one was amazing, the main menu music alone sends shivers of joy down my spine :D

So I'm not saying, GoG shouldn't add more old games - keep 'em coming, GoG! But I'm also looking forward to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 and probably another Sony AAA (?). Plus a lot of new Indies, of course :)
I'm sort of a mix of both of you:

DRM-free means a lot to me, and is the primary reason I'm here.
The ability to download and play old games is my secondary reason for being here, and it's almost as important as my primary reason. I'm all about nostalgia, and I adore PC games from the 1990s, as that's when I bought my first PC (1993).

That said, I also buy a ton of newer games here. Lately I've become very patient waiting for those newer games to show up, and if they never arrive here, I simply don't buy elsewhere anymore. With so many backlogged games, it has become much easier to not care about any publisher that refuses to give up their beloved DRM, or that refuse to come here because they might not sell enough copies, which to me is a horrible reason. Any copy sold is a copy sold. If a publisher is making so much money that they can't be bothered with the smaller amount of sales they get, then they certainly don't need my money.

But GOG really needs to do better when it comes to which games they allow in here. I have no clue as to what their curation process is, because from what I can tell, it makes very little sense. I've talked with devs (via email) of some good games who have told me that GOG will not allow their game in the store because it doesn't meet their criteria. And on the other hand, we get games like this one. Or another example is the entire Whale Rock catalog. We can get those things somehow, when other far better games seem to have trouble getting in the door at all. It's puzzling.
Posted September 05, 2024
avatar
g2222: So this is - in fact - a fan project. There's a whole FAQ on the linked archived site.

Some excerpts from this FAQ:

Q. What's the legal status of this?

A. We don't charge anything for downloading and playing this, aside from a remastered soundtrack and sound files (which we are sure are samples from somewhere originally), we haven't used any other original assets of the game. We've remade everything from the ground up. This is a passion project giving fans what they always wanted, gratis and without warranty. Your use of this download and playing the game is down to your own enjoyment and love for the game. We don't benefit in any way from this, other than the fact that we can say we did it first before anyone else. We are hoping this gets the IP owner of AITD's attention or even Bruno Bonnell or Frédérick Raynal himself and release this as a bundle with the new game.

Q: I paid for this! Have I been ripped off?

Yes! We don't charge for the game, and demand a refund as we don't own the IP to Alone in The Dark, and no one should be charging you for royalty free, fan produced software. Although, you can donate for our hard work and dedication.
avatar
g2222:  
It seems like they got the IP owner's attention. But not in the way they had hoped. Instead they got the boot.
And at this point, the free fan project suddenly became a commercial product that costs 17.77 € ?
How is this game on GOG?
Posted September 05, 2024
$20 for this copy-right-infringement scam? Never!
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This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussionRelease: The Mansion of the Macabre(73 posts)(73 posts)
(73 posts)