DM2 V1 Overview — Source-Locked
Sources
- SKULL.ASM (522,128 lines IDA disassembly, sha256: a2a04b0ea7c05fd2b2a7a8da5197cdfcccd7d4d0167943caf3a21a079462e099)
- skproject (github.com/gbsphenx/skproject) HEAD 2c59a2c5a7978923ff5c822c15c3479e4d448493
- Original archive: Dungeon-Master-II-Skullkeep_DOS_EN.zip (sha256: d9ef03aff70dfe432cfc9906397bd992cb5cb6e23407d51fbc7f5b3b6ba7f929)
- firestaff include/dm2_v1_game.h, include/dm2_v1_outdoor_renderer.h
What is Dungeon Master II: The Legend of Skullkeep?
Dungeon Master II (DM2), released 1993 by FTL Games, is the direct sequel to Dungeon Master (1987). The game is set in the Skullkeep - a mysterious fortress guarded by a dragon that protects a legendary artifact of great power.
Developer: FTL Games (Christophe Fontanel) Platform: DOS (primary), also PC-9821 (Japan), Sega CD
Engine: Completely new engine, NOT derived from DM1/CSB codebase.
- skproject/SKWIN/README.md: SKWIN = PC-9821 version, SKWINDOS = PC-DOS version
- Engine variants (v0/v4/v5) reflect platform ports, not version differences
How DM2 Differs from DM1
| Aspect | DM1 (1987) | DM2 (1993) |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | DM1 engine (FTL) | New Skullkeep engine |
| Setting | Chaos Horde dungeon | Skullkeep fortress + outdoor |
| World | Indoor only | Indoor + outdoor exploration |
| GRAPHICS.DAT | 363 KB | ~8.6 MB |
| DUNGEON.DAT | 33 KB | 39 KB |
| Creatures | 42 AI slots | 64 AI slots |
| Weapons | Melee + thrown | Melee + ranged (crossbow/gun) |
| Magic | 16 spells | 34 original, 255 custom via GDAT |
| NPCs | None | Companions, shops |
| Weather | None | Rain, fog, storm |
| Day/night | None | Time-of-day cycle |
| Multi-floor | Single dungeon | Outdoor + buildings + dungeon |
DM2 Engine Architecture
DM2 is architecturally distinct from DM1. The SKULL.EXE implements:
- Outdoor renderer - sky, ground, trees, buildings (dm2_v1_outdoor_renderer.h)
- Indoor dungeon renderer - first-person perspective similar to DM1
- Combat system - ranged combat, tech weapons (dm2_v1_combat.h)
- Tech/Magic hybrid system (dm2_v1_tech_magic.h)
- Companion system (dm2_v1_companion.h)
- Save/Load (dm2_v1_save_load.h)
Source: include/dm2_v1_game.h:7 - DM2 has a different engine with outdoor areas, shops, NPCs.
Versions
- DM2 DOS EN/Legend - English DOS release (primary reference)
- DM2 Sega CD - Enhanced audio/visuals, DUNGEON.DAT 37,957 bytes
- skproject v4 - PC-9821 (Japan) version source
- skproject v5 - PC-DOS version source
- DM2GDED - graphics editor tool for DM2 GRAPHICS.DAT format