Gunboat 1.2.5

Quicksave and quickload, kept even after you quit.

You still need your own copy of the DOS game. Unpack the package, copy the original files into its Game folder and start the game: gunboat.exe on Windows, Gunboat.app on macOS, ./gunboat on Linux. The README.txt in the package has the details.

New

• Quicksave (Ctrl+S) and quickload (Ctrl+L) during a mission, or with the two buttons in the Ctrl+H keyboard reference. You get two saves per mission. Loading takes you back to your latest save, as often as you like. A new mission gives you two saves again.
• Quicksaves survive quitting. The next time you start the game, before the title, it asks whether to resume your quicksave and shows the mission and its mission time. Press Enter (or click Resume) to carry on where you saved; after that mission the game continues as usual. Press Esc (or click Not now) to start normally and keep the save for another time. The save is removed when you finish that mission or start another one.
• Quicksaves need the VGA video card (the default). A save is only resumed with the same music device it was made with (AdLib or PC speaker); otherwise a note says so and the save is kept. The title's demo has no quicksaves.

Checked

The way the game's mission loop is entered changed so that a saved mission can be resumed. Every ported function was verified again against the original machine code (359 differential tests, 193,273 cases, no differences). Saving, quitting, resuming, declining and finishing a resumed mission were tested in the game.

Downloads

• Gunboat-1.2.5-win64.zip: Windows 10/11, 64-bit.
• Gunboat-1.2.5-macos-universal.zip: macOS 11 or later, Apple silicon and Intel. It appears a few minutes after publication.
• Gunboat-1.2.5-linux-x86_64.tar.gz: 64-bit Linux, glibc 2.35 or newer. It appears a few minutes after publication.

No game files are included.

Gunboat 1.2.4

Smoother gun views: the side of the boat now moves with the view.

You still need your own copy of the DOS game. Unpack the package, copy the original files into its Game folder and start the game: gunboat.exe on Windows, Gunboat.app on macOS, ./gunboat on Linux. The README.txt in the package has the details.

Fixed

• The side of the boat in the gun views (enhanced picture): when you turn a gun towards the boat, its side comes into view. It used to come straight from the original's low-resolution picture, stepping along 15 times a second while the world behind it moved smoothly, so its edge seemed to jitter and the picture could stutter. It is now drawn at full resolution and moves together with the view. It matches the original's own drawing exactly at the original size.

Checked

The game's own code is unchanged since 1.2.2, where every ported function was verified against the original machine code (359 differential tests, 193,273 cases, no differences).

Downloads

• Gunboat-1.2.4-win64.zip: Windows 10/11, 64-bit.
• Gunboat-1.2.4-macos-universal.zip: macOS 11 or later, Apple silicon and Intel. It appears a few minutes after publication.
• Gunboat-1.2.4-linux-x86_64.tar.gz: 64-bit Linux, glibc 2.35 or newer. It appears a few minutes after publication.

No game files are included.

Gunboat 1.2.3

An in-game keyboard reference (Ctrl+H), and a tidier launcher.

You still need your own copy of the DOS game. Unpack the package, copy the original files into its Game folder and start the game: gunboat.exe on Windows, Gunboat.app on macOS, ./gunboat on Linux. The README.txt in the package has the details.

New

• Ctrl+H shows every keyboard command over the game: piloting and the guns, switching stations, orders to the crew, time compression, and the port's own keys.
  • The game pauses while it is open, and Ctrl+H again picks up exactly where you left off.
  • It can also be put on a controller button with the controller mapping tool.

Fixed

• Launcher: the "Hills stop bullets" label no longer runs into its setting.

Checked

The game's own code is unchanged since 1.2.2, where every ported function was verified against the original machine code (359 differential tests, 193,273 cases, no differences).

Downloads

• Gunboat-1.2.3-win64.zip: Windows 10/11, 64-bit.
• Gunboat-1.2.3-macos-universal.zip: macOS 11 or later, Apple silicon and Intel. It appears a few minutes after publication.
• Gunboat-1.2.3-linux-x86_64.tar.gz: 64-bit Linux, glibc 2.35 or newer. It appears a few minutes after publication.

No game files are included.

Gunboat 1.2.2

Fixes the "R6003" crash to desktop, and a glitch at the edge of the boat's side in the gun views.

You still need your own copy of the DOS game. Unpack the package, copy the original files into its Game folder and start the game: gunboat.exe on Windows, Gunboat.app on macOS, ./gunboat on Linux. The README.txt in the package has the details.

Fixed

• Crash with "R6003 - integer divide by 0" (issues #1, #2, #3). Whenever you leave the pilot's seat (a gun station or the map), the captain takes the wheel and follows the river. In Vietnam the river runs off the top edge of the map, past the bridge. When the captain's route reached that edge, the game divided by zero and quit. The original 1990 game has the same bug; the port reproduced it faithfully. Now the captain turns the boat around at the map's edge instead.
• The gun views when you turn a gun to the side: a strip along the edge of the boat's side could show blocky, low-resolution pixels while the gun was turning. The enhanced view now always lines up with the frame the game just drew.

Checked

Every ported function of the original is still verified against the original machine code (359 differential tests, 193,273 cases, no differences). The crash fix only changes the game where the original would have crashed.

Downloads

• Gunboat-1.2.2-win64.zip: Windows 10/11, 64-bit.
• Gunboat-1.2.2-macos-universal.zip: macOS 11 or later, Apple silicon and Intel. It appears a few minutes after publication.
• Gunboat-1.2.2-linux-x86_64.tar.gz: 64-bit Linux, glibc 2.35 or newer. It appears a few minutes after publication.

No game files are included.

Gunboat 1.2.1

New AdLib sound effects, AdLib as the default for sound effects, and hills that stop grenades too.

You still need your own copy of the DOS game. Unpack the package, copy the original files into its Game folder and start the game: gunboat.exe on Windows, Gunboat.app on macOS, ./gunboat on Linux. The README.txt in the package has the details.

New

• AdLib sound effects are now the default. Music was already AdLib when the game folder has ADLIB.COM, and that is unchanged. You can still switch the effects back to the PC speaker in the launcher; if you already chose the speaker, your setting is kept.
• More AdLib sounds:
  • the grenade launcher and the mortar each have their own firing sound (the original reuses the explosion's);
  • grenades and mortar shells burst with a sound where they land (the original is silent there);
  • bullet impacts now sound like what they hit: metal, wood, trees, bridges, stone, sandbags or flesh.
• Retuned sound effects, some of them with pitch that bends as they ring out.
• Hills stop bullets (gameplay option, off by default) now covers grenades and mortar shells too: one that would land behind a hill bursts at the hill's foot on your side, and nothing behind the hill is hit.

Checked

Every ported function of the original is still verified against the original machine code (359 differential tests, 193,273 cases, no differences). With the gameplay option off and the PC speaker chosen for sound effects, the game is exactly the original.

Downloads

• Gunboat-1.2.1-win64.zip: Windows 10/11, 64-bit.
• Gunboat-1.2.1-macos-universal.zip: macOS 11 or later, Apple silicon and Intel. It appears a few minutes after publication.
• Gunboat-1.2.1-linux-x86_64.tar.gz: 64-bit Linux, glibc 2.35 or newer. It appears a few minutes after publication.

No game files are included.

Gunboat 1.2.0

Now on macOS, plus Ctrl+Q to quit from anywhere, debris that hides behind hills, and a screenshot key.

You still need your own copy of the DOS game. Unpack the package, copy the original files into its Game folder and start the game: gunboat.exe on Windows, Gunboat.app on macOS, ./gunboat on Linux. The README.txt in the package has the details.

New

• macOS: Gunboat.app and the controller mapping tool Gunboat Controller.app, for Apple silicon and Intel Macs (macOS 11 or later).
  • The apps aren't notarized by Apple, so macOS blocks them the first time. The README explains how to allow them.
  • The Game folder goes next to Gunboat.app.
• Ctrl+Q quits from anywhere: the launcher, the title, the menus, headquarters or a mission. The original only allowed it during a mission. As before, quitting saves nothing.
• Impact debris (enhanced view):
  • hills now hide debris from shots that land behind them;
  • shots that land on a hillside throw their debris up from the hill's surface;
  • debris still shows over trees, buildings and targets.
• Screenshots (F12): saves the picture as you see it, the game's own 320 x 200 picture, and the game's memory at that moment, which helps with bug reports.
  • They go in the Screenshots folder next to your settings.
  • A note in the corner confirms each one, also in full screen.
• AdLib sound effects: updated instruments.

Checked

Every ported function of the original is still verified against the original machine code (359 differential tests, 193,273 cases, no differences). A report of a bunker that "won't blow up" was checked against the original: it was a mortar nest, which the bow's .50s can only damage slightly, as in the original game and its manual ("go for your own mortar"). Use the midship gun's mortar (one hit) or the stern's grenade launcher (seven hits).

Downloads

• Gunboat-1.2.0-win64.zip: Windows 10/11, 64-bit.
• Gunboat-1.2.0-macos-universal.zip: macOS 11 or later, Apple silicon and Intel. It appears a few minutes after publication.
• Gunboat-1.2.0-linux-x86_64.tar.gz: 64-bit Linux, glibc 2.35 or newer. It appears a few minutes after publication.

No game files are included.

Gunboat 1.1.3

Xbox controller support with a mapping tool, new icons, a "hills stop bullets" option, and sound and haze tweaks.

You still need your own copy of the DOS game. Unpack the package, copy the original files into its Game folder and start gunboat.exe (on Linux, ./gunboat). The README.txt in the package has the details.

New

• Controller support: play with an Xbox controller, or any controller your system recognises.
  • Each button, trigger and stick direction presses one of the game's keys, so anything the keyboard does can go on the controller. The keyboard still works.
  • The default layout:
    • the sticks and D-pad steer, throttle, aim and move through menus;
    • A fires or selects, B continues;
    • Y opens the map, X tells the crew to open or cease fire;
    • the bumpers make the pilot look left or right;
    • the right stick picks a gun station or the chase view;
    • RT fast-forwards, LT is time compression;
    • View is the damage report, Menu pauses.
• gunboat_controller, the controller mapping tool (included):
  • it shows the controller with the key each control presses, and lights up what you press;
  • it lets you pick any of the game's functions for any control, and set the stick dead zone;
  • your mapping is saved next to your settings.
• Icons: the programs have their own icon, a gunboat on a jungle river at dusk. Once you've started the game, the window and taskbar icon becomes a small copy of the title screen, made from your own game files.
• Hills stop bullets (a gameplay change, off by default): in the original, a shot hits whatever it lands on, even behind a hill. With this option on in the launcher, hills stop your shots. The Original preset keeps it off.
• AdLib sound effects:
  • bullets hitting bridges make a deep metal clang;
  • impacts on the dead, destroyed or inanimate play at 75% volume.
• Horizon haze (enhanced view): now closer to the water's colour, and no longer a dark stripe under darker skies.

Checked

Every ported function of the original is still verified against the original machine code, including whole missions on every video card. With the gameplay option off, the game is exactly the original.

Downloads

• Gunboat-1.1.3-win64.zip: Windows 10/11, 64-bit.
• Gunboat-1.1.3-linux-x86_64.tar.gz: 64-bit Linux, glibc 2.35 or newer. It appears a few minutes after publication.

No game files are included.

Gunboat 1.1.2

Impact debris, and quieter impacts on what's already dead or destroyed.

You still need your own copy of the DOS game: unpack the package, copy the original files into its Game folder and start gunboat.exe (Linux: ./gunboat). README.txt in the package has the details.

New

• Impact debris (an enhancement, set by "Impact debris" in the launcher or --debris on|off): small debris flies wherever your shots land.
  • It depends on what the shot hits: sparks off metal, wood chips and pale splinters off trees and huts, blood from people, stone chips off forts and rocks, sand off sandbags.
  • On the ground it depends on the surface: a splash on water, leaves and twigs from brush and jungle, dust in the ground's own colour elsewhere.
  • Grenades and mortar shells throw more of it.
  • It is part of the Enhanced preset, and the Original preset shows the picture exactly as the original drew it. It needs the high-resolution 3D view (VGA).
• AdLib impacts: bullet impacts play at half volume on anything dead, destroyed or inanimate (bodies, wrecks, buoys, trees, rocks, statues), and at full volume on live targets.

Checked

• Boat "bouncing" in turns: this is the original game's own pitch motion. The bow lifts when the boat speeds up and dips when it slows down, as it does in a turn. The enhanced view's smooth motion adds no jumps of its own.
• Tests: every ported function is still verified against the original machine code, whole missions included, on every video card.

Downloads

• Gunboat-1.1.2-win64.zip: Windows 10/11, 64-bit
• Gunboat-1.1.2-linux-x86_64.tar.gz: 64-bit Linux, glibc 2.35 or newer. It appears a few minutes after publication.

No game files are included.

Gunboat 1.1.1

AdLib sound effects: every effect on its own channel, plus explosions, kill and impact sounds.

You still need your own copy of the DOS game: unpack the package, copy the original files into its Game folder and start gunboat.exe (Linux: ./gunboat). README.txt in the package has the details. All of these changes affect only the AdLib sound effects: set "Sound effects: AdLib" in the launcher, or use --effects adlib. The PC speaker stays exactly as the original.

New

• Separate channels: the original's effects driver plays one sound at a time, so every machine-gun burst cut off the engine, explosions and hits. On AdLib every effect now plays on its own channel, so the engine keeps running under the gunfire. The game itself is unchanged.
• Explosions for destroyed targets: the original makes no sound when you destroy a ship, a helicopter or most other targets. On AdLib they now explode.
• Soldier killed: a new sound when enemy infantry are killed.
• Bullet impacts: a plink when your bullets hit metal (boats, vehicles, guns, helicopters, mines, buoys), and a duller knock on wood and stone (huts, docks, forts, bridges, trees, rocks).
• New instruments: every effect has a new AdLib instrument.

Verification

The whole game is still checked against the original machine code, including every mission on every video card.

Downloads

• Gunboat-1.1.1-win64.zip: Windows 10/11, 64-bit
• Gunboat-1.1.1-linux-x86_64.tar.gz: 64-bit Linux, glibc 2.35 or newer. It appears a few minutes after publication.

No game files are included.

Gunboat 1.1.0

Every graphics card of the original, AdLib sound effects, and a Linux build.

You still need your own copy of the DOS game: unpack the package, copy the original files into its Game folder and start gunboat.exe (Linux: ./gunboat). README.txt in the package has the details.

New

• All five video cards of the original: VGA, EGA, Tandy, CGA and Hercules (monochrome 640 x 300). Choose one under "Video card" in the launcher, or use --video ega|tandy|cga|hercules. Each card draws the game exactly as the original did on it. The 3D-view enhancements are for VGA only.
• AdLib sound effects (optional): each of the 13 sound effects plays its original notes on its own FM instrument instead of the PC speaker. Set "Sound effects: AdLib" in the launcher, or use --effects adlib. The PC speaker stays the default, as in the original.
• Linux build (x86-64, glibc 2.35 or newer: Ubuntu 22.04, Debian 12, Fedora 36 and later). GitHub builds Gunboat-1.1.0-linux-x86_64.tar.gz automatically and attaches it here a few minutes after this release is published.
• Horizon: the enhanced view draws the horizon line as a soft blue haze instead of a grey bar.

Verification

Every ported function of the original game is tested against the original machine code: 359 differential tests and 193,273 cases, with 0 mismatches. On the EGA, CGA, Tandy and Hercules cards, whole runs are compared too: the title, the demo, missions touring every station and the whole front end. The original runs untouched next to the port, and all memory plus the video card's state are compared.

Downloads

• Gunboat-1.1.0-win64.zip: Windows 10/11, 64-bit
• Gunboat-1.1.0-linux-x86_64.tar.gz: 64-bit Linux, appearing a few minutes after publication

No game files are included.