Policenauts Project FAQ

Post by **Marc** » Sat May 12, 2007 3:48 pm

Feel free to ask any other questions and they'll be added here.

What is Policenauts?

Policenauts is a spiritual sequel to Snatcher, the digital comic originally planned and written by Hideo Kojima between Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. It was released in Japan for the PC98 in 1994, with console ports for the 3DO in 1995, and the PlayStation and Saturn in 1996. It features an entirely different setting, plot, and characters from Snatcher, but the two games do share some peripheral details. Its game system is a refined version of Snatcher's, with a point-and-click interface instead of scrolling through menus at the bottom of the screen; "Look" and "Investigate" have been combined into one command; and the shooting scenes feature arcade-style shooting, where you have full control over your aim, instead of a 3x3 grid.

When will the patch be released?

The PlayStation version's patch was released on August 24th, 2009. The Saturn version's patch release date is... (say it with us) when it's done.

What are you working on right now?

The Saturn version's patch, and a small 1.01 update to the PlayStation patch. For details on the Saturn patch's progress, see this thread.

What do I do with the patch?

You first make images of your Policenauts discs with an ISO program, then individually apply the xdelta patches to each disc with another program. For help, check this thread.

Will there be patches for other versions?

Possibly, but we don't know when. The order for future patches would be: PC98, 3DO.

Will you do an English dubbed version?

No. We couldn't provide anywhere near the level of quality that would be necessary to make it a pleasant experience.

On what can I play the patch?

For the PlayStation version, a PlayStation emulator or PlayStation hardware (PS1, PS2, PSP). We recommend hardware, if you can. We'll be providing tips for emulation at release.

For the Saturn version, a Saturn emulator or a Saturn.

Where can I find the game?

The game can be purchased from the following locations:

- Game Choice Club

- NCSX

- eBay

No compensation is received by any team member in exchange for providing these links.

Where can I find a ROM of the game?

You mean ISOs of the game? Not from us! We do not endorse piracy. See the above question and answer.

I heard there are three versions of the PlayStation version of Policenauts. Is this true?

Yes, there's the original '96 release, the The Best re-release, and the PSone Books re-release. The PlayStation patch is compatible with all three versions.

Can I help in any way?

We aren't currently looking for assistance with any aspect of the project.

Do you accept donations?

We do not accept monetary donations. The project is pure fan work. However, if you go all stalker on us and obtain our addresses and send us some sort of gift, we would not return it unless it were money (or maybe a couple other things).

Post by **87th** » Sat May 12, 2007 4:18 pm

The end of "How's the translation going?" threads.

PS- Policenauts + Animals = Great combination!

Post by **Henry Spencer** » Sat May 12, 2007 6:45 pm

Hahaha. That was a great reply to the maoning going on about the translation, Marc. And a golden reply from 87th as well. Haha.

I suppose this FAQ was a way to counter the questions with the obvious answers time after time? I can imagine, it becomes very tiresome, it happened to me on one of my projects, actually.

Post by **DarkTetsuya** » Sun May 13, 2007 12:53 am

87th wrote:The end of "How's the translation going?" threads.

PS- Policenauts + Animals = Great combination!

policenautsonmycat.com?

DT

Post by **Artemio** » Sun May 13, 2007 1:56 pm

DarkTetsuya wrote:
87th wrote:The end of "How's the translation going?" threads.

PS- Policenauts + Animals = Great combination!
policenautsonmycat.com?

DT

hmmm might be a good idea ^^

Post by **87th** » Sun May 13, 2007 3:08 pm

Quick! Someone register it before the joke gets stale!

Post by **HELTER SKELTER 77** » Sun May 13, 2007 8:58 pm

hahhaahahaa. the cat with the gun reminds me of Killer7.

Post by **Arkley** » Sun May 13, 2007 10:29 pm

Ready for some Policenauts on Kitty action?

[/img]

Post by **DarkTetsuya** » Sun May 13, 2007 10:30 pm

Oh god what've I DONE?! LOL

DT

Post by **Artemio** » Sun May 13, 2007 11:46 pm

You might not want to try the domain name....

Post by **DarkTetsuya** » Sun May 13, 2007 11:48 pm

Snatcher wrote:You might not want to try the domain name....

... fuck did someone beat us to it?

DT

Post by **Artemio** » Tue May 15, 2007 10:57 pm

No.. it points to this page =P

Post by **8bitsonic** » Sun May 20, 2007 12:01 pm

Alright, here's a question- say you guys finish the patch for disc 1 before disc 2. Would you release it on its own, or wait until disc 2's patch was done and release them together?

Post by **87th** » Sun May 20, 2007 12:27 pm

8bitsonic wrote:Alright, here's a question- say you guys finish the patch for disc 1 before disc 2. Would you release it on its own, or wait until disc 2's patch was done and release them together?

If the PlayStation version's anything like the Saturn one, I hope it's all released at the same time. You barely spend 30 minutes on disc 1 on the Saturn. I'd hate to have to wait to find out what happens next.

Post by **epitaph** » Sun May 20, 2007 4:28 pm

87th wrote:
8bitsonic wrote:Alright, here's a question- say you guys finish the patch for disc 1 before disc 2. Would you release it on its own, or wait until disc 2's patch was done and release them together?
If the PlayStation version's anything like the Saturn one, I hope it's all released at the same time. You barely spend 30 minutes on disc 1 on the Saturn. I'd hate to have to wait to find out what happens next.

You spend a bit more time on disc 1 in the PSX version. The FMV in the Saturn version has a higher frame rate (very noticeable if you go from playing the Saturn version to the PSX version) and was possibly compressed using a different algorithm than the one used for the PSX version (I can't confirm this), resulting in larger files (hence the need for more discs). I was actually thinking I'd make a comparison video, just haven't been assed to do it yet.

Post by **Kojima_Devotee** » Sun May 20, 2007 9:04 pm

Just to reiterate, both the original and The Best versions will definitely work with the patch?

Post by **Artemio** » Sun May 20, 2007 10:57 pm

8bitsonic wrote:Alright, here's a question- say you guys finish the patch for disc 1 before disc 2. Would you release it on its own, or wait until disc 2's patch was done and release them together?

That would be almost impossible to happen. You see, the process is not linear. Maybe you need to grasp what is being done in a simpler way. View it as a program that puts text on screen. It either does it correctly, it doesn't at all or it has problems with some parts. When hacking it, the process goes something like fixing general problems and trhen fixing particular problems. Because the text printing routine is very general, it is a more normal case to fix everything at the exact same time. It is not like going from a non existant start until the end id found.

I understand you'd like to receive the game sooner, we all do. But in reality it is not because we don't want to provide it, it ie because we can't just yet.

Post by **Marc** » Sun May 20, 2007 11:19 pm

8bitsonic wrote:Alright, here's a question- say you guys finish the patch for disc 1 before disc 2. Would you release it on its own, or wait until disc 2's patch was done and release them together?

We'll wait until everything is ready. As Snatcher said, it wouldn't happen like that anyway. The coding work is a non-linear process.

epitaph wrote:
87th wrote:
8bitsonic wrote:Alright, here's a question- say you guys finish the patch for disc 1 before disc 2. Would you release it on its own, or wait until disc 2's patch was done and release them together?
If the PlayStation version's anything like the Saturn one, I hope it's all released at the same time. You barely spend 30 minutes on disc 1 on the Saturn. I'd hate to have to wait to find out what happens next.
You spend a bit more time on disc 1 in the PSX version. The FMV in the Saturn version has a higher frame rate (very noticeable if you go from playing the Saturn version to the PSX version) and was possibly compressed using a different algorithm than the one used for the PSX version (I can't confirm this), resulting in larger files (hence the need for more discs). I was actually thinking I'd make a comparison video, just haven't been assed to do it yet.

The reason the first disc of the Saturn version is so short gameplay-wise is because it contains extra movies that open up after completing the game -- an interview with Karen Hojo's actress, game trailers, and short making of videos, which aren't found in the PS version and take up space.

Kojima_Devotee wrote:Just to reiterate, both the original and The Best versions will definitely work with the patch?

Yeah, as will the PSone Books version.

Post by **Kojima_Devotee** » Sun May 20, 2007 11:38 pm

I see. I was just double-checking because the copy I've obtained is the "The Best" version. On the website, it says both the original and "The Best" versions would definitely handle the patch without issue. Unfortunately, I tend to get nervous easily, so I thought I'd ask you guys directly. :razz:

Speaking of the website's FAQ, it says there might have been some uncertainties due to the different Konami logo screen in the "The Books" version. Have those potential issues been resolved? (If you don't mind me asking.)

Sorry, I just like learning about the whole process you guys are going through. I know it's not fun, but at least you guys get some publicity and fans from the project.

Post by **Crowley** » Thu May 01, 2008 10:27 am

Aww, the puppy picture is down!

Post by **JimboKudo** » Fri May 02, 2008 7:40 pm

Crowley wrote:Aww, the puppy picture is down!

Uh oh, they better get it back up soon. How else will we soothe our souls as we wait for the patch to come out?

Post by **Crowley** » Wed May 14, 2008 12:35 pm

Judging by the file name and my memory, this is the image that was linked:
http://www.breederretriever.com/photopo ... RIEVER.JPG

Post by **dhaosdante** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 1:18 am

I'm kinda a big deal around the internet if you didn't know already.

So yeah I would actually be a great way to promote the patch, my face sells people. It sells.

Post by **JimboKudo** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:47 pm

dhaosdante wrote:I'm kinda a big deal around the internet if you didn't know already.

So yeah I would actually be a great way to promote the patch, my face sells people. It sells.

Did you even work on the patch? I think I've heard your username somewhere before (almost positive), but you shouldn't get a place in any credits if you haven't done any work for the patch team.

Post by **The Spoony Hou** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 12:13 pm

JimboKudo wrote:Did you even work on the patch? I think I've heard your username somewhere before (almost positive), but you shouldn't get a place in any credits if you haven't done any work for the patch team.

Well, he did make a topic telling everyone on the project to fuck themselves because he was tired of waiting for the patch

.

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