Anybody know if the Quake 2 remaster is coming to GoG?

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2023/08/quake-ii-gets-a-remaster-for-pc-and-consoles-and-its-exactly-what-it-needs-to-be/



ah, did it come out on release day? never mind.

The announcement thread if anyone else can't find it:
https://www.gog.com/forum/general/update_quake_ii_with_its_enhanced_version_0482d/post1

Aside from upgrading models and textures, i don't see what you'd want to change from a classic game.

Compatibility with modern computers from scratch without external tweaks and for new consoles. Official new content as a plus.

Anyways the option to keep playing the original version is still there.

Except people already did engine rewrites. GLQuake was released in 2009 on sourceforge which is a drop-in replacement for the executable, and when i tried it, it was quite nice. Though i do suppose having official support/update vs fans doing it.

Again I'm not sure 'remake' is necessary, simply recompiling and swapping out the 3D functions to use GL or DirectX or Vulkan, and fix any compile errors due to change in int sizes (unless you force them to all stay 32bit, then it just stays the same, though instructions may be larger for no benefit except guaranteed compatibility). Guess it depends on how much is changing.

Indeed, a lot of source ports and engine rewrites because the source code was published time ago as they used to do with every IDTech iteration.

But these official remasters/Enhanced versions are also intended for last gen consoles. The source ports, rewrites were more a PC thing. traditionally.

All of this also makes the developers/Publishers of the franchise be involved in maintaining officially an old classic.

This remaster is great for console users, casual gamers and people who are either unaware of various sourceports, or can't be bothered to set them up and tweak the settings to perfection.

Other than that, it's a decent approximation running in kex engine with a select fan-content offered as official expansion, etc. +1 point for keeping the original available in some shape or form though, that's always welcome.

Looks pretty nice from a quick playthrough of the first few levels - some pointless changes to maps which don't add anything which is a bit jarring, and the recoil on the machinegun is gone which is also jarring. But new textures look nice and you can always go back and play the old version.

I'd say don't turn down free stuff but they increased the base price of the game by +100% last week so unless you already own it, then you're getting a texture DLC for an extra $5.

Now we just need Source Ports like Yamagi and others to add support for the new Quake 2 Remastered content - i.e. Quake II: 64 and also the new Call of the Machine episode.

A formal ticket has been opened for the expansion pack Call of the Machine:

https://github.com/yquake2/yquake2/issues/1048

Yamagi has not replied yet.

On a semi-related note, Quakespasm, the Quake 1 source port, fully supports Dimension of the Machine from Quake Enhanced.

I use IronWail for Quake 1 Remastered - and that one's fine for Q1 for me.

I’m sure a few people out there somewhere want a full blown remake that appeals to mOdErN aUdIeNcEs

Maybe be like 'typing of the dead' except instead of words it's pronouns...

Why do you sound like the child that has walked into an adult conversation?

Currently, I'm playing Q1 "enhanced" (as it is sold by GoG).
Searching Google for IronWail, I found this extremely helpful and well done YT video explaining the benefits and improvements of a modernized Quake engine. (OpenGL 1/2 vs 4, graphics capabilities, QoL features, mod support...)

(Youtube) Ironwail is amazing!

I'm positively thrilled for some of the level mods and graphics that were showcased there! *whoop, whoop*