Wing Commander III is now free (opens in new tab)

(pcworld.com)

5 pointsrjohnk11y ago8 comments

8 comments

6 comments · 2 top-level

logfromblammo11y ago· 2 in thread

I suppose it has to be asked. Will installing Origin or this specific title result in the installation of intrusive and undisclosed DRM software on my computer? If so, can the game title still be played after removing Origin and any bundled DRM?

ewzimm11y ago

Yes it requires DRM. It also scans every file on your PC and sends info back to EA. No, you can't play it without Origin installed.

logfromblammo11y ago

Then it is not free as in speech. It is not free as in beer. It is available at the small, non-monetary cost of all of your privacy plus some of your control over your computer.

EA has failed its race. It has failed itself. It has failed the human it knows as the customer. The gamer, its playmate, it has failed. Its heart has not been valiant enough, its marketing has not been skilled enough, and it has failed the true gamers.

1 more reply

rpwilcox11y ago· 2 in thread

Was wishing for the Mac version to be free, but then remembered the Mac version is probably 68K (instruction set).

But still, had so much fun playing this on my 68030 back in the day (just before Apple made the 68K to PowerPC transition...)

DerekL11y ago

For $6 you can get a Mac-compatible version from GOG.com. The Windows version on GOG.com is just the DOS version running inside DOSBox, and I'd be surprised if the Mac version isn't too.

That's the irony of the Mac processor switch: it's usually easier to run an old game in DOSBox or a Windows VM than to run a classic MacOS or PowerPC OS X game.

lewispollard11y ago

Yes, I believe most GOG games on Mac run in Boxer, which is DOSBox with a slightly more intuitive frontend/setup process - http://boxerapp.com/

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