Running my DOS game with DOSBox (a few questions) \ VOGONS

Running my DOS game with DOSBox (a few questions)

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First post, by manrollex

Posted on 2011-09-23, 08:28

manrollex Offline

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Joined: 2011-09-23, 08:17

Hello,
I am making game which runs in DOS, but is launched from Windows. Unfortunately Windows 7 can't run DOS apps in fullscreen, so I probably need to use DOSBox to launch my DOS game. My questions are:
1. Can I distribute my game with DOSBox as a launcher for my game if I'd like to sell my game? Can I use DOSBox for free? Is it legal?
2. Should I mention anywhere in application or documentation that my game uses DOSBox?
3. I think that gog.com releases their games with DOSBox, but I haven't seen DOSBox executable, anyone knows how they hide it?

Maybe someone can help me with these questions. Thank you in an advance!

Reply 1 of 5, by wd

Posted on 2011-09-23, 08:59

wd Offline

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DOSBox is released under the GPL license so be sure to check this out in detail.

Reply 2 of 5, by Dominus

Posted on 2011-09-23, 09:03

Dominus Offline

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1. As wd said
2. As wd said and common courtesy should have given you that answer right away
3. Not so sure, probably they install dosbox and use the extensive command line options to launch it. Inspect the Setups from gog to learn more...

Windows 3.1x guide for DOSBox
60 seconds guide to DOSBox
DOSBox SVN snapshot for macOS (10.4-11.x ppc/intel 32/64bit) notarized for gatekeeper

Reply 3 of 5, by bloodbat

Posted on 2011-09-23, 20:28

bloodbat Offline

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Gog.com don't "hide" DosBox...they just don't open the console.
Look at, say, Ultima 4, recent release, free too...so you can check it out; if you click on "options" while installing you can see DosBox with a checkbox next to it; once done, if you look at the created links you'll see:
"<whereveryouinstalled>\DOSBOX\dosbox.exe" -conf dosboxULTIMA4F.conf -noconsole -c "exit"
If you execute it you'll see the DosBox splash and all that.

Reply 4 of 5, by manrollex

Posted on 2011-09-23, 21:43

manrollex Offline

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Joined: 2011-09-23, 08:17

Thank you all for your answers. I'll look into GPL license soon. I'll make it clear on my website that game uses DOSBox.
I've checked Ultima 4 just now, and now I see that DOSBox is installed with the game. Thanks for giving this example. Earlier I was looking at Raptor, and I didn't see DOSBox folder there. Maybe Raptor is a different case.
Thanks again, and big thanks to DOSBox's authors for allowing us to play DOSBox games on modern systems! 😀

Reply 5 of 5, by bloodbat

Posted on 2011-09-24, 01:13

bloodbat Offline

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Yeah, I kinda guessed you saw Raptor...which is now a native Windows executable...hence, no need for DosBox.

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