View source for King's Quest IV: The Perils of Rosella Technical

{{SubpageTechLinks}}

==<br /> General Information ==

<blockquote>
As hardware began to advance beyond what AGI could utilize, Sierra began development on its next engine, '''SC'''ript '''I'''nterpreter or later [[sciw:Sierra Creative Interpreter|'''S'''ierra '''C'''reative '''I'''nterpreter (SCI)]]. A year before the last official AGI game, ''[[Manhunter 2: San Francisco]]'' in 1989, Sierra released the first SCI (SCI0) game, [[King's Quest IV: The Perils of Rosella]] in 1988. In keeping with [[w:Moore's Law|Moore's Law]], SCI could take advantage of the constantly increasing capabilities of the new hardware. As with AGI in its day, SCI was a big leap forward in technology. SCI's 200px x 320px [[w:Vector graphics|vector graphics]] allowed for noticeably better graphics over AGI's 160px x 200px. While still just 16 colors, but SCI0 introduced [[Dithering|dithering]], which mixed pixels of different colors into the same fill areas that gave the effect of more than 16 colors. See [[Differences Between AGI and SCI| the Differences Between Sierra's AGI and SCI Engines]].

{| align="center" width="80%"
|-
| align="center"|[[Image:KQ4AGIFishermansShack.png|320px]]<br />
KQ4AGI Fisherman's Shack
| align="center"|[[Image:KQ4SCIFishermansShack.png|320px]]<br />
KQ4SCI Fisherman's Shack
|}

=== Sound ===

SCI introduced support for the new sound cards. This expanded its audio capabilities over that of AGI's  [[Tandy Sound|three voice with noise channel sound PCjr/Tandy sound]]. With the advent of SCI, music became an inseparable part of Sierra games. Even though the first exposure most had was with [[AdLib|AdLib's]] hoots and honks, it also supported the [[MPU-401]], which allowed Sierra's composers to create some amazing [[Roland MT-32]] sound tracks. KQ4's MT-32 track gave a quality to the game's music that at the time was unsurpassed.

{| align="center" width="80%"
|-
|[[File:KQ4AGITandyIntro.ogg|center]]||[[File:KQ4MT32Intro.ogg|center]]
|-
|<div align="center">KQ4AGI Intro</div>||<div align="center">KQ4SCI Intro</div>
|-
|[[File:KQ4AGITandyDwarvesMine.ogg|center]]||[[File:KQ4MT32DwarvesMine.ogg|center]]
|-
|<div align="center">KQ4AGI Dwarves's Mine</div>||<div align="center">KQ4SCI Dwarves's Mine</div>
|}

=== Requirements ===

====<br /> MS-DOS ====

<blockquote>
{|
|- valign="top"
| width="150" | '''Minimum&nbsp;CPU:''' || Intel 8088 / 8086 8mhz
|- valign="top"
| '''Minimum&nbsp;RAM:''' || 512 KB
|- valign="top"
| '''Graphics&nbsp;Modes:''' || Hercules, CGA, EGA, VGA 
|- valign="top"
| '''Audio&nbsp;Hardware:''' || PC Speaker, Tandy/PCjr Sound, AdLib, Roland MT-32, Sound Blaster, IBM Music Feature Card 
|- valign="top"
| '''Input&nbsp;Devices:''' || Keyboard, Mouse, Joystick (Analog)
|- valign="top"
| '''Media:''' || 4 3½" floppy diskettes
|}
</blockquote>

====<br /> Apple II ====

<blockquote>
{|
|- valign="top"
| width="150" | '''Minimum&nbsp;OS:''' || None (bootable game disk)
|- valign="top"
| '''Minimum&nbsp;CPU:''' ||  Apple IIe
|- valign="top"
| '''Minimum&nbsp;RAM:''' || 128 KB
|- valign="top"
| '''Graphics&nbsp;Modes:''' || Double Hi-Res
|- valign="top"
| '''Input&nbsp;Devices:''' || Keyboard, Joystick (Analog)
|- valign="top"
| '''Media:''' || 5.25" floppy diskettes
|}
</blockquote>

====<br /> Apple IIgs ====

<blockquote>
{|
|- valign="top"
| width="150" | '''Minimum&nbsp;RAM:''' || 512 KB
|- valign="top"
| '''Input&nbsp;Devices:''' || Keyboard, Mouse, Joystick (Analog)
|- valign="top"
| '''Media:''' || 3.5" floppy diskettes<ref>Game can be installed on HDD.</ref>
|}
</blockquote>

====<br /> Amiga ====

<blockquote>
{|
|- valign="top"
| width="150" | '''Minimum&nbsp;OS:''' || Kickstart 1.2
|- valign="top"
| '''Minimum&nbsp;CPU:''' || Amiga 500/2000
|- valign="top"
| '''Minimum&nbsp;RAM:''' || 1 MB
|- valign="top"
| '''Graphics&nbsp;Modes:''' || OCS/ECS
|- valign="top"
| '''Input&nbsp;Devices:''' || Keyboard, Mouse, Joystick (Digital)
|- valign="top"
| '''Media:''' || 3.5" floppy diskettes
|}
</blockquote>

====<br /> Atari ST ====

<blockquote>
{|
|- valign="top"
| width="150" | '''Minimum&nbsp;OS:''' || 520 ST
|- valign="top"
| '''Minimum&nbsp;RAM:''' || 512KB
|-''' valign="top"
| '''Sound&nbsp;Devices:''' || Roland MT-32 (and LAPC-I)
|-''' valign="top"
| '''Input&nbsp;Devices:''' || Keyboard, Mouse, Joystick (Digital)
|- valign="top"
| '''Media:''' || 3.5", 5.25" Double-sided floppy diskettes
|}
</blockquote>
</blockquote>

==<br /> Exploring Game Resources ==

<blockquote>
<!-- Resources notes here -->

===<br /> Resources Used ===

* [[VIEW Resource (SCI)#VIEW|VIEW.*]] — View resources; 16 color sprite graphics. Location: RESOURCE.00*, RESSCI.00*, patchDir.
* [[Picture Resource (SCI)#PIC|PIC.*]] — Picture resources; 16 color background graphics. Location: RESOURCE.00*, RESSCI.00*, patchDir.
* [[Script Resource (SCI)#SCRIPT|SCRIPT.*]] — Script resources; the game logic. Location: RESOURCE.00*, RESSCI.00*, patchDir.
* [[Text Resource (SCI)#TEXT|TEXT.*]] — Text resources; series of ASCII strings. Location: RESOURCE.00*, RESSCI.00*, patchDir.
* [[Sound Resource (SCI)#SOUND|SOUND.*]] — Sound resources; MIDI music and some sound effects. Location: RESOURCE.00*, patchDir.
* [[Vocabulary Resource (SCI)#VOCAB|VOCAB.*]] — Vocabulary resources; Internal dictionary for the parser. Location: RESOURCE.00*, RESSCI.00*, patchDir.
* [[Font Resource (SCI)#FONT|FONT.*]] — Font resources; graphics to display text. Location: RESOURCE.00*, patchDir.
* [[CURSOR Resource (SCI)#CURSOR|CURSOR.*]] — Cursor resources; graphics for the cursor or pointer. Location: RESOURCE.00*, patchDir.
* [[Patch Resource (SCI)#PATCH|PATCH.*]] — Patch resources; Audio patch files. Location: RESOURCE.00*, patchDir.

====<br /> External Resources ====

* 

====<br /> Resource Tools ====

* [[Sierra Resource Viewer]] - Opens, views, and exports [[AGI]] and [[SCI]] game resources
</blockquote>

== Patches ==

<blockquote>
Note that the first version of the game did not recognize resources outside of the resource archive. This made patching the game more difficult as new resource patches cannot simply be dropped into the game's folder. To be accessible to the game the patch needs to be packed and [[Resource MAP File (SCI)|mapped]] in the game's [[RESOURCE Volume (SCI)|resource volume]] to be accessible to the game.
</blockquote>

* [[File:ZIP.png]] [[SHPBin:Patches/KingsQuest/KQ4(KQ4FIX).zip|Official KQ4FIX Patch]] &nbsp; <span class="DLInfo"> ZIP File [2.74 KB]</span><br />Fixes:
:: Lockups or errors at the waterfall scene (for version 1.003.006 only)

== New Installers ==

* [[File:Setup.png]] [[SHPBin:NewInstallers/KQ4ForDOSBox.zip|SHP New King's Quest 4 DOSBox Installer]] &nbsp; <span class="DLInfo"> Setup File [742 KB]</span>
::Requires files from the original distribution media. Works with all versions of the game.
* [[File:Setup.png]] [[SHPBin:NewInstallers/KQ4ForDOSBoxMunt.zip|SHP New King's Quest 4 DOSBox with Munt Installer]] &nbsp; <span class="DLInfo"> Setup File [1.84 MB]</span>
::This new installer includes a Munt enabled build of DOSBox for MT-32 sound. It requires that the "MT32_CONTROL.ROM" and "MT32_PCM.ROM" ROMs be present on installation. Requires files from the original distribution media.
* [[File:Setup.png]] [[SHPBin:NewInstallers/KQ4AmigaForDOSBoxMunt.zip|SHP Ultimate Kings Quest 4 with Amiga sounds and Munt Installer]] &nbsp; <span class="DLInfo"> Setup File [3.29 MB]</span>
::This installer not only includes the Munt enabled  build of DOSBox for MT-32 sound, but also adds sounds from the Amiga versions with a patch by NewRisingSun. Requires files from the original distribution media.

==<br /> Debug Modes ==

<blockquote>
====== Internal Debugger ======

The internal debugger can be activated at any point during the game by simultaneously pressing ['''SHIFT''' + '''SHIFT''' + '''MINUS'''] (the MINUS key located at the NUMERIC keypad). The debugger is/was mainly useful for programmers, but some things like changing variables can be easily done. To exit this mode, press '''Shift''' and '''D'''.

<blockquote>[[File:KQ4Debug.png|350px]]</blockquote>

The following options are available:

{| class="wikitable sortable" width="700"
! width="100" | Command !! width="600" | Action
|- valign="top"
| '''Q''' ||Quit game
|- valign="top"
| '''B''' ||Set Breakpoint
|- valign="top"
| '''A''' ||Inspect ID in accumulator
|- valign="top"
| '''C''' || 	Inspect Current Set of Objects<br /><br />Press '''C''' to see all of the objects within that set. Press '''I''' to inspect the selector. Press '''E''' to edit that selector. 
|- valign="top"
| '''I''' ||Inspect Object/Memory<br /><br />Press cursor '''Up/Down''' to go up/down through the memory by 16 bytes and '''Left/Right'''
to go up/down the memory by 2 bytes. 
|- valign="top"
| '''F''' ||Show free heap
|- valign="top"
| '''S''' ||Show sends
|- valign="top"
| '''R''' ||Show resource types
|- valign="top"
| '''O''' ||Show objects in heap
|- valign="top"
| ['''SHIFT + O'''] ||Show objects with addresses
|- valign="top"
| ['''SHIFT + S'''] ||Show stack usage
|- valign="top"
| '''G''' ||Change global variable
|- valign="top"
| '''L''' ||Change local variable
|- valign="top"
| '''T''' ||Change temp variable
|- valign="top"
| '''ENTER''' ||Proceed single step through script.
|- valign="top"
| '''TAB''' ||Step across send
|- valign="top"
| ['''SHIFT + /'''] ||Help; shows list (incomplete) of shortcuts.
|}

Note that these are case sensitive, so [CAPS LOCK] should be deactivated.

Example: The room number is controlled by global variable 13. When the debug is activated, push [G]. It will ask which global variable should be changed. Enter "13". Now it will show the current value of the variable. Change this to your preferred, valid room number. Exit the debugger ([SHIFT + SHIFT + MINUS] or [SHIFT + SHIFT + D]) to see the effect.

====== In-Game Debugger ======

To activate the debug mode, type: "overtime nosleep". An extra menu item will be activated on room change.

<blockquote>[[File:KQ4DebugMenu.png|350px]]</blockquote>

The following options are available:

{| width="700"
| align="center" | '''General commands'''
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" width="700"
|- valign="top"
! width="115" | Command !!  width="560" | Action
|- valign="top"
| TP|| colspan="2" | Teleport (change room/scene/script)<ref>See the [[King's Quest IV Room Maps]] page for room numbers.</ref>
|- valign="top"
| ENTER NIGHT|| Changes game state into night on room change
|- valign="top"
| GET MEMORY|| Show memory
|- valign="top"
| [CTRL + D]|| Internal debug will pop up when entering a new room
|}

{| width="700"
| align="center" | '''Menu Items'''
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" width="700"
|- valign="top"
! width="150" | Menu Item !! width="150" | Command !! width="550" | Action
|- valign="top"
| Ego info || [ALT + E]||Show ego information
|- valign="top"
| Free Mem || [ALT + F]||Show memory
|- valign="top"
| Show Room || [ALT + R]||Show current room number
|- valign="top"
| Show ATPs || [ALT + P]||Show ATPs (Add-To-Pic)
|- valign="top"
| Set Inv || [ALT + S]||Gives inventory item
|- valign="top"
| Set Var || [ALT + V]||Set global variable
|- valign="top"
| Get All || [ALT + G]||Gives all inventory items
|- valign="top"
| Log || [ALT + L]||Log information
|- valign="top"
| Control || [F4]||Show control lines
|- valign="top"
| Priority || [F6]||Show priority screen
|- valign="top"
| Visual || [F10]||Show visual screen
|- valign="top"
| Clicks || &nbsp; || &nbsp;
|- valign="top"
| &nbsp; || [ALT + Left click]||Show ego information
|- valign="top"
| &nbsp; || [CTRL + Left click]||Moves ego instantly to point of click
|}

Most options are also available in the debug menu item. The menu option "Clicks" will (de-)activate the debug options triggered by mouse.
</blockquote>

==<br /> References ==

<references />

==<br /> Related Links ==

* [[King's Quest Series]]
* [[Princess Rosella]]
* [[Exploring Game Resources]]

&nbsp;

[[Category:Technical Pages]]
[[Category:Game Resources]]
[[Category:Patch Pages]]
[[Category:Games with a Debug Mode]]