Game Jackal
| Game Jackal Pro | |
|---|---|
| Basic data
|
|
| developer | SlySoft |
| Current version | 5.2.0.0 (October 29, 2013) |
| operating system | Windows 98 SE upwards |
| category | program |
| License | proprietary ( shareware ) |
| German speaking | Yes |
| www.slysoft.com/de/gamejackal.html | |
Game Jackal is an emulation software for Microsoft Windows with the help of which most current computer games can be started without the original data carrier being present. After almost 3 years no updates had been published, the development was stopped in March 2016 with the closure of the SlySoft company.
functionality
In contrast to other emulation programs such as Virtual CD , Alcohol 120% or DAEMON Tools , Game Jackal does not create virtual 1: 1 images of the original data carrier that are as accurate as possible, but only emulates those parts that are normally read from the CD or DVD during the program run would. Since today's computer games usually have to be installed completely on the hard drive and the original data carrier is only checked for authenticity by the copy protection routine, the emulation of a few sectors is usually sufficient for this. In contrast to virtual 1: 1 images, the size of which roughly corresponds to the amount of data stored on the original data carrier, images generated by Game Jackal are usually only a few kilobytes in size.
field of use
The main purpose of Game Jackal is to make it easier to manage your own game collection, as the software eliminates the need to search for and frequently change data carriers. Although today's pressed CDs and DVDs are relatively robust, the fact that the data carriers can be protected by using the program should not be underestimated. The manufacturers have taken various measures to ensure that Game Jackal is not used for software piracy. The product does not contain any routines that can remove the copy protection from computer games. In order to create a functioning emulation of the original data carrier, it must be available at all. Furthermore, each installation of the program receives an individual so-called profile key, which cannot be changed easily. Game Jackal only accepts emulation images created with its own saved profile key. This ensures that the image file has to be recreated on each computer using the original data carrier and that it is not possible to exchange images that have been created between different computers. Despite these precautions, the distribution and commercial use of the program in countries in which so-called "bypassing technical protective devices" is prohibited (e.g. Germany) are probably not permitted.
distribution
By the end of 2006, Game Jackal was developed and sold by the Australian company "Jacal Consulting Pty.". On offer were three versions with slightly different functions, named Game Jackal , Game Jackal Professional and Game Jackal Enterprise Edition . Due to a change in Australian copyright law, the company had to stop selling the product in early 2007. SlySoft , based in the Caribbean island state of Antigua and Barbuda , then acquired all rights to this software and added it to its product range. After a break of several months, which was necessary for further development and adaptation, Game Jackal has been available again since June 2007 and was sold and looked after by SlySoft until it was closed in March 2016.
In addition to Game Jackal Pro for single-user computers, SlySoft also offered Game Jackal Enterprise for making computer games available in the network. This version consists of a server module with which the images are generated and managed, and any number of individually licensed client modules that are installed on the desired workstations and only allow read access to images. Game Jackal Enterprise is mainly aimed at Internet cafés and corporate customers, as at least five client modules must be licensed when purchasing the first time. The expansion to additional workplaces was possible at any time during the sales period by purchasing additional client modules.
After the closure of SlySoft in March 2016, the successor Red Fox announced that Game Jackal would not be further developed and would no longer be sold in the future. The most recently published version, dated October 2013, can be downloaded from the Red Fox homepage as an "end-of-life" product. However, activation of the full version is only possible with an existing license key.
More functions
The program has an open plug-in interface and can therefore be expanded with additional functions within the framework provided by the manufacturer. This created the possibility of creating (very small) images of non-copy-protected computer games and thus actually being able to manage the entire game collection via the Game Jackal interface.
Web links
- http://www.slysoft.com/de/gamejackal.html - Former product information page of the manufacturer (no longer available)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Red Fox homepage , on which the most recently published version is offered for download as a "no longer sold product"