any tips on purchasing the rights to a computer game?

There is a game I really liked when I was a kid on the pc. It was always one of my favorite games. I recently tried to download it and to my dismay I realized it would only run efficiently on windows95. However, if you install windows 95 on a virtual platform I can play this game with its full functionality. Lots of other random internet people were disappointed too.


I looked up who created the game and he is living in the USA and still makes software. I need a linkedin account that will allow me to send messages and don't want to pay $49.99 to contact him.

As a project I would like to ideally re-code this game and maybe make it available on different pc platforms. I can fund this all on my own dime but not sure the best way to navigate this. Surely a forgotten game from the 1990's should not cost me a lot and he should be flattered to receive any $$.

I first need to maybe get the full source code and then someone familiar with coding (win95) who could modernize it. But there is also the issue of negotiating with the original creator and drafting up some sort of agreement. In terms of monetizing the game and going from there I can figure that out later (as its important). The cost benefit analysis of buying rights to the game versus monetizing from the game needs to be considered. But I'd be happy to give this a shot and if nothing comes of it that's fine. If anyone has experience or any kind of advice let me know because I am a bit confused on how to proceed with this project.

You are going to fund all the development costs of modernizing a game from the 90s but you balk at spending $50 to contact the original developer?

How much do you think developers make per hour?

Hi Henry,

If there are no viable alternatives to contacting him and I am forced to use linkedin to contact him then so be it. I will suck it up and pay for the privilege. I can maybe do some snooping and track down an email or easier way before I pay linkedin. Paying fees is something I try to avoid if I can.

As per the 2nd question, anyone making computer software in the early 90's probably has done pretty well for themselves. Did you have the luxury of having a pc w/ Windows 95? Cheers.

Is it a Dos game? If so you can use DosBox to make it playable on modern machines. I am under the assumption it would be trivial for them to repackage it this way or another similar way for distribution on modern computers. GoG.com is the best site for that sort of distribution.

What are you actually proposing, distribute it for them? Repackage it? Remake it? What exactly are you trying to do and who's going to pay for it?

Is it a Dos game? If so you can use DosBox to make it playable on modern machines.
DosBox will not work as the game requires windows.

distribute it for them?
No. Some levels of the game can be downloaded for free right now but you need to run it on an older version of windows for it to be compatible. People are looking for the full version but can not find it.

Repackage it?
No

Remake it?
Possibly if it requires that while trying to recode. This would make the project more expensive but could be a possibility.

What exactly are you trying to do...
I am trying to bring back an old game for 1) my enjoyment 2) for other people who are looking for this same game 3) potentially new people who play and try out this game 4) ability to say i own a game 5) interesting side project

who's going to pay for it?
its my own side project and I will incur all costs but I hope I can keep costs down while still doing a good job

If you right click the EXE in Windows, go to the compatibility tab and select "Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows 95" does it work? Play with the other settings in the compatibility tab as well, it should be playable on modern machines.

Other than that, if you want to purchase the rights to the game I'm not sure how much luck you'll have unless you have experience in making games. The authors could have the same nostalgia and fond memories of it as you do so they probably wouldn't want to see it remade badly or remade what they would see as a high chance of failure. Or maybe they would happily sell it off for the right amount.

There was an old game I used to play back in the 90's, which I have attempted to start remaking myself, and found others attempting to do the same. It's really hard though, and might be a ton more work and more of an investment than you think. If it's single player that's better, if it involves any networking it starts getting really complicated.

Also the person who created the game might not be the rights holder, you might find it's with a publishing company and they will be a lot harder to deal with.

And I'm not sure what you're plan to market it would be if you're looking to profit from this all. Is the name enough?

If you right click the EXE in Windows, go to the compatibility tab and select "Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows 95" does it work?
Nope. It keeps saying check with the developer windows can not open this file. Despite clicking this checkbox.

Play with the other settings in the compatibility tab as well, it should be playable on modern machines.
Yeah, no luck.

Other than that, if you want to purchase the rights to the game I'm not sure how much luck you'll have unless you have experience in making games. The authors could have the same nostalgia and fond memories of it as you do so they probably wouldn't want to see it remade badly or remade what they would see as a high chance of failure. Or maybe they would happily sell it off for the right amount.
The author made this game in 1992 and since then has undergone 3 job changes for different software companies according to linkedin. During this time he offered $15 a full version of this game if you sent him a check/moneyorder/cash to a po box and he would send a back copy via CD-rom most likely. 10-15yrs later no one is talking about this game anymore, except a few random game forum posts nostalgia saying remember this game etc. and then some random college professor who made a webpage looking for more information in regards to this game but clearly has not done proper research on finding the developer.

you might find it's with a publishing company and they will be a lot harder to deal with.
im about 98% sure I am not dealing with a publishing company and have the direct rights holder given 1) credits of game 2) po box to get full version 10+ yrs ago.


And I'm not sure what you're plan to market it would be if you're looking to profit from this all. Is the name enough?
no clear plan to market it. I just feel like I would be doing a small community a great service to restore an old classic game and also who knows sometimes these old games become popular especially if the stars align. I think this game is lot more fun then what I see out there now and its relatively simple in design but keeps you wanting to play it.

Are you scared someone else will buy a Linkedin membership and contact him if you say what game it was? Spill the beans - the 90's was when I had time to play video games.

Developers are busy people and it's possible you can pick up very cheaply. They're also sometimes nostalgic about code and usually well off. If he won't outright sell it, offer a percentage of any future profits (10%?)

95% of the time, without the source code, an experienced developer could make this work in later Windows without emulation software. Try that route first if you just want to play it. 99.9% of the rest of the time it would be trivial to make it work in later Windows if you had the source code.

wouldn't you make more money if you turned the game into an app instead for PCs.

Thanks for the replies. I enjoyed reading each and everyone of them.

Update: I've realized some people have already transformed this game into modern windows but only one level. i think now the direction is to talk to the person who did that and proceed from there as the complete game consist of 22 levels.

I should not immediately worry about buying the rights to the game (with no clear plan) ...if I really care enough and it becomes an issue I can have it remade with better upgrades.

The game is best utilized with a desktop computer or laptop that also has a mouse. While a mouse is not required to play this game I think it makes experience a little more enjoyable.