Game Jackal
Game Jackal Pro is an emulation software for Microsoft Windows that helps the most current computer games can be started without the presence of the original volume.
Operation
Unlike other emulation programs like Virtual CD, Alcohol 120 % or DAEMON Tools creates Game Jackal no precise as possible virtual 1:1 images of the original disk, but emulates only those parts that are normally read during the program run from the CD or DVD would. As today's computer games need to be installed completely normally on the hard disk and the original disk is only checked by the copy protection routine on authenticity, is usually sufficient for this purpose the emulation fewer sectors. Unlike virtual 1:1 images, the size of which corresponds approximately to the data stored on the original disks amount of data generated images of Game Jackal are therefore usually only a few kilobytes in size.
Field of application
The purpose of Game Jackal is primarily the more convenient management of your own games, because by the software to look up and frequent changing of disks is not necessary. Although today pressed CDs and DVDs are relatively robust, is the fact that the media can be protected through the use of the program should not be underestimated. The manufacturers have taken various measures to ensure that Game Jackal is not abused for piracy. Thus, the product does not contain routines that can remove the copy of computer games. So, to create a working emulation of the original disk, it must be present at all. Furthermore, each installation of the program receives an individual so-called profile key that can not be changed without further notice. Game Jackal accepted only emulation images that have been created with their own keys stored profile. In this way it is ensured that the image file must be recreated on each computer using the original disk and it is not possible to change once created images between different computers. Despite these precautions, the distribution and commercial use of the program in countries where the so-called " circumvention of technological protection devices " is prohibited (eg Germany ), probably not allowed.
Distribution
By the end of 2006 was Game Jackal from the Australian company " Jacal Consulting Pty.. " Developed and distributed. On offer were three functions in slightly different versions with the names of Game Jackal Game Jackal Game Jackal Enterprise Edition and Professional. Due to a change of the Australian copyright the company had to stop selling the product in early 2007. The resident of the Caribbean island nation of Antigua and Barbuda company SlySoft acquired then all rights to this software and took it into their product range. After a several month hiatus, which was necessary for the development and adaptation, Game Jackal has since June 2007, available again in the future and is sold exclusively by SlySoft and cared for.
In addition to Game Jackal Pro for stand-alone computers the company SlySoft Game Jackal Enterprise has now also on the provision of computer games on the network. This version consists of a server module with which the images are created and managed, and any number individually to be licensed client modules that are installed to the desired working computers and only allow read access to images. Game Jackal Enterprise is mainly for Internet cafes and corporate customers, as at least five client modules must be licensed with the initial purchase. The extension to more jobs at any time by purchasing additional client modules.
Other Features
The program has an open plug-in interface and therefore can be expanded in the framework provided by the manufacturer for more features. Thus arose about the possibility to create also (very small ) images are not copy protected computer games and thus actually be able to manage the complete collection of games over the surface of Game Jackal.