Originally, many years ago, I purchased a copy of Planescape: Torment & Soulbringer from a bargain bin in a Sam Goody for $10. I lost my copy of those games and wanted to get another copy of Torment. When I saw the price had risen from $5 new to $50 used, I decided to hold off until I had more money. Eventually, I heard that GoGamer was selling copies of the original 4-CD US version brand new for $15~. I purchased a copy and when it came in the mail it turned out to be a DVD-Rom version and was an import. I was a little upset by this and sent GoGamer an email asking them why they sent me the DVD-Rom version and if it was possible to still get the original US 4-CD version.

So, that's the back story. Now, I've got some questions about this version that I currently hold in my hand. I never knew that a DVD-Rom version even existed. I'm looking at the requirements and it says it's Vista compatible. Is this an updated or modified version of the game? When was this version released and specifically where? Does anyone know if it's fully compatible with Window 7? The original version doesn't seem to be according to many people I've talked to.

Thanks for any replies,
Bustaballs

We did not publish a DVD version of Planescape Torment and we no longer have the rights to do so. I haven't seen the DVD version and I have no idea what's on it. Sorry.

pax,
-Chris

This is odd. Do you happen to know who currently holds the rights to these AD&D games?

Here, I made some scans:






I've tested it on Vista 32bit and 7 32 & 64 bit. The game runs great. However, other than this, absolutely nothing noticeable is changed. All of the contents of the DVD are the same down to the readme, the license agreement during install, and it even shows the Icewind Dale trailer at the end and asks if you want to register with Black Isle. The only thing on the box that's changed is a DVD-Rom logo and the system requirements. There's zero mention of who released this version. It still gives complete credit to gamesas and Black Isle.

This doesn't seem to be the only game being released like this. A search for "gamesas" in UK amazon shows more DVD version results:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s?ie=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=video-games-uk&field-keywords=gamesas

There's also been rumors around the internet that you guys were the ones doing the re-release but that's not possible:

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/10/27/planescape-torment-re-release/

We released the original Planescape: Torment before the PEGI ratings. The original box did not have the rating graphic.

If you go to the PEGI site:

http://www.pegi.info/en/index/

And search for Torment, you'll find the publisher is some game retailer/distributor in Sweden. That's as far as I searched.

I see. Thanks for taking the time to help answer my questions.

This DVD version is really buggy. For example when you switch between thief to mage if you try to level up your mage you won't be able to. IT is really frustrating. I remember to 2 disk version very well and this is nothing like that one. I too am disappointed slightly with this new version. It has several things wrong that I have noticed but the major one is not being able to level up my mage after being a thief. After level 8 on some of the characters specifically Anna the game likes to make an Assertion Error from a file on Drive F. Well I don't have a drive F: that I am aware of. There are several points in the game where I have had wondering sprites that aren't really animated. They just followed the wall and went to where they were supposed to be standing and after that they are fine. Then there are periods where you want to talk to people like at the Smoldering Corpse Bar if you try to talk to Barkis and you can't because it won't open up the conversation.

IF there was a patch to fix the problems I would be appreciative. But as far as I can tell there have been no patches or new DVD versions officially licensed since 2007. All the previous patches required you to copy files into game folders which I could see as possibly making the game even more buggy. If anyone else has had any experience with these problems let me know. IF you have fixed them I would like to know exactly word for word what you did.

We can't make a new patch for Torment. We no longer have access to the source code, build files, etc...

pax,
-Chris

This isn't helpful to your problem, and for that I am sorry, but out of curiosity does it actually register in your computer as a DVD? I noticed the requirements list an 8X-CD-ROM not a DVD-rom.

Yes, he bought the DVD re-release which I think has gone out of print now.

I think Atari owns a lot of the AD&D stuff due to the debt settlements with gamesas in 2006 I think?

Edit: Yup, in 2008 actually, I believe the sales of other titles started before that but this was the final big one.

http://news.bigdownload.com/2008/08/07/gamesas-and-atari-settle-dispute-over-dandd-game-rights/

Cool, just wondering. It wouldn't be the first time something was deceptively labeled.