IBM PC compatible Guide
Attribution: VC&G, Public domain, via vintagecomputing.com
Definition
IBM PC compatible refers to any computer derivative of the original IBM PC released in 1981. IBM PC compatible computers use an x86-based architecture and are in modern day ubiquitous with the definition of "PC." IBM PC compatible software has been released on a wide range of media, however Redump.info is only concerned about game-related software released on optical media. Floppy disks, flash drives, and other non-optical media can find a home with other preservation projects such as TOSEC and No-Intro.
General Notes
- Most of the IBM PC Legacy Guide still applies.
- DAT includes both MS-DOS, Windows, Linux, FreeBSD and OS/2 games. Hybrid discs with Mac, Amiga, FM-Towns or content from other computers on top of PC also goes here unless it's primary.
- Arcade machines with PC based hardware go under their own DAT.
- Multimedia PC (MPC) branded discs go under this DAT and follow regular PC rules.
- When a DVD-ROM version of a multi CD-ROM game is added, add "DVD-ROM" to both edition and datname. Example
- If two titles from different developers share the same name, add the developer name to the less common title's datname. Example
- If a demo happens to share the same name as a retail release, add "Demo" to the datname.
- When adding Dual Sided discs. Unless each side have a unique title, add Side A or B to datname.
Notes on eligibility
- Multimedia discs are eligible if they contain some kind of videogame related content (Trailers, screenshots, etc). Does not have to be primary content.
- Print studios are not eligible unless they also contain games/demos, fall under rules such as PC-Game bundle or tie into a specific videogame property such as Rayman.
- Discs containing operating systems (Windows, Linux, etc) are not eligible even if they contain demos or minor videogame related content. Exceptions are when they fall under rules such as PC-Game bundle and Mandrake Linux is a special exception.
- Coverdiscs from series where majority of discs are eligible but where a few happens to not be, can be added despite this. By contrast, if a few discs are from a series where the majority of discs are not eligible, Redump.info will only take the eligible ones and not the rest.
- Dual sided discs (both DVDs and DualDiscs) are always eligible if one side is.
Dat Conflicts
Dat Conflicts on PC can be a very complex affair where one often has to go with one's gut feeling. Having dat modifiers stacked on-top of each other is also common.
- "OEM" = Used when the name of an OEM disc matches another. If a normal retail release verifies the OEM though don't use this dat modifier. See also notes on specific editions.
- "Covermount" = Used when the name of a covermount disc matches another. If a normal retail release verifies the Covermount though, don't use this dat modifier
- Edition = Used when two discs of the same name have unique editions. If another edition verifies one of the discs though, don't use this dat modifier.
- Version number = Used when two discs of the same name have unique version numbers. Only use this if said version number is truly unique though. And not when 5 releases of the same game are listed as "1.0" in the DB.
- "Rev" and "Rerelease" = Used in addition to the above as a secondary dat modifier or primary if none of them apply. If a disc has a PVD date less than 6 months after the first. Add "Rev 1" to the datname (Rev 2 if another also within 6 months show up but later than the one marked rev 1). If more than 6 months add "Rerelease" to the datname.
- PVD date: Used as a secondary or tertiary modifier to "Rerelease" if more than two discs sharing the same name and are released more than 6 months afterwards exist.
- Alt = Used in addition to the above as a tertiary modifier if a dat conflict still exists. Alternatively as a secondary or primary last resort if none of them apply. If a Dat conflict somehow still shows up add it as "Alt 2", "3" and so forth. The first Alt becoming "Alt 1".
Notes on specific editions
OEM Bundle
When a disc was bundled with a computer at retail, it gets labeled as the edition "Bundle Version OEM"
If the distributor is known, add their name to the edition: e.g. "Bundle Version Gateway OEM"
Add (OEM) to the datfile name of the disc, if there is more than one OEM for that disc, you may add the distributor too (e.g. Gateway OEM). If distributor is not known, (OEM) (Alt) or (OEM) (PVD Date) can be used instead.
Regions can be tricky to determine for OEM discs. If none can be tied to a specific disc, then use the same as where the dumper found it.
Sold Out Software
Dumpers will occasionally mistakenly add e.g. "SOV. 2.5.4" to either the serial or version fields. This should be removed, as this is an internal publisher reference and is not a serial nor does it relate to the true version number of the software.
Ubisoft Exclusive
Ubisoft Exclusive releases with the large "X" logo gets added as "Ubisoft eXclusive". As to differentiate them with those without.
Disney's Hot Shots and Game Shots
Disney used the Hot Shots and Game Shots label for both original releases, compilations and rereleases depending on region. Both the original ones and the compilations get "Disney's Hot Shots" as part of the main title. While the rereleases get "Disney's Hot Shots" in edition.
Spelling also varies slightly be region. On some they are called "Disney Hot Shots".
Shareware
Discs containing games distributed as shareware are considered Demos by Redump. This also applies to shareware compilations unless they fall under another category such as Coverdiscs.
Notes on specific copy protections
Moved to: Copy Protection and Other DRM
As a general guideline, for multi disc releases please add the protection only to the disc that actually contains the protected executable file, usually it's just the first or the last disc. For example, on a 3 disc release, if the main executable is on the first disc, only the first disc should have the protection field filled.
Specific Regions rules
OEM Discs
These are often distributed all over the world and without any specific identifying marks tying them to a region. If none indeed can be determined, then use the region of where the dumper is located or where he bought the disc from.
Mail Order Discs
Discs sold through Mail order gets the region of where they were sold from, often the same country as that of the publisher. This also applies to Crowdfunded releases such as through Kickstarter. Which get the region of where the disc was sent from.