Hoyle Classic Games

Hoyle Classic Games
First release	1995
Also known as	Hoyle 5
Developed by	Sierra
Published by	Sierra
Distributed by	Sierra
Platforms	Windows, Macintosh
Resolution	640x480, 256 colors
Engine	SCI
Support	Since ScummVM 2.1.0
Available for Purchase	No

Hoyle Classic Games is the fifth in the Hoyle series of licensed computer game simulations of popular non-electronic games. This volume is a collection of card games (Draw Poker, Bridge, Cribbage, Gin Rummy, Hearts, Solitaire, Old Maid, and Crazy 8's) and board games (Backgammon, and Checkers). There are different opponents to compete against and they can be selected from a list of business or icons pictures. Each opponent has a bio and a different skill level (beginner, average, or expert). Some games are single-player, while others are played by two or four players.

The pace and response time can be adjusted with a slider, games can be replayed, and there is a help button that explains the interface. The game keeps tracks of your score through an 'average' rating, based on the points. There is a button to explain each of the game's rules and and arrow shows who's turn it is.

Along with Hoyle Classic Games, Sierra released 2 derived collections: Hoyle Bridge and Hoyle Children's Collection (which includes Crazy 8's, Old Maid, and Checkers).

Here's the blurb from the game:

The Sierra Original Hoyle games, Bridge and Children's Collection, are derived from Hoyle Classic Games. Whatever your favorite, you just might find it in Hoyle Classic Games. This latest in the Hoyle series includes eight card games (Poker, Bridge, Crazy Eights, Gin, Hearts, Old Maid, Cribbage, and Solitaire) and two board games (Backgammon and Checkers). What's more, Hoyle Classic Games provides opponents when you want to play, not when you can get four people to agree on a time and place. Draw Poker is the new card in the Hoyle hand. You can ante, bet, fold, and bluff against characters with their own habits and quirks (developed especially for this edition of Hoyle). You can even change the atmosphere: customize the screen to set the game in the Old West, for example, without having to worry about cigar smoke and bullet holes in your living room. Hoyle Classic Games also introduces the Attitude Meter: set the tone of the opposition, from serious to absurd. In serious mode you get intense opposition and good manners. In the absurd game you get sore losers and a breakdown in sportsmanship! Don't let conflicting schedules stop you. When you want to play backgammon you want to roll the dice now, not a week from Thursday. Hoyle Classic Games is just what the classic game player has been looking for.

Hoyle Classic Games shares the same game engine with Hoyle Solitaire which was released a year later.

Installation

Required data files

For more information on how ScummVM uses game data files, see the user documentation.

WARNING: Unlike other games, SCI games have significant variation in the naming of required files.

They also can load supplementary files by resource maps, so it is recommended to keep all files in the game data directory from the CD.

Unless otherwise specified, do NOT remove any file from the directory, even if it does not appear on the following list, since this will likely cause weird bugs.

Copy all files from each disk or CD to the game directory. Some games need additional work:

Games with multiple CDs

• Directories that exist on multiple discs (e.g. ROBOT and VMD directories) must be merged together, not replaced.

• Rename the RESOURCE.SFX from each CD to RESSFX.00<cdnumber>, and the RESOURCE.AUD from each CD to RESAUD.00<cdnumber>, to match the corresponding RESSCI.00<cdnumber> file that exists on each CD.

• It should be safe to replace any other files from later CDs that were copied already from earlier CDs.

External links

• Wikipedia article on Hoyle's Official Book of Games series
• MobyGames entry on Hoyle Classic Games
• Screenshots (Hoyle's Official Book of Games Series)