View source for File formats for PC-98

The following is an alphabetically ordered list of known file formats used by PC-98 games and applications.

Note: support for PC-98 era formats in modern development tools and editors is sporadic at best. Recommend editing with PC-98 applications if possible.


== CG ==

Encoding for 3D raytraced scenes created with Login CG Maker 3D, a companion app for Dante II/RPG Maker.

== COM ==

Extension denoting behavioral scripts used by NPCs/AI. Do not confuse with the MS-DOS executable format for small programs.

== MAG ==

Maki-chan Image, a derivative of Microsoft BMP specialized for 12-bit color, created for Multi-Paint. Uses an encryption scheme intended to deter support by other painting apps. Ultimately failed, as Dante II had adopted the format by the mid-90s. Easily
discernible by the presence of "MAKI" at the beginning of the file. Two versions exist, 1.0 and 2.0; the version is stated in the header at the beginning of the file. Most editors only support one of the formats; recommend mag2png and png2mag for editing, or else editing thru PC-98 apps.

== PAS ==

Extension for source code created with Turbo Pascal's IDE. In the PC-98 era Turbo Pascal provided a runtime that could interpret source code in real time (compare with Dante II/RPG Maker). Although infrequently used by professionals (as this enabled IP lifting), some doujin made use of it.

== RGB ==

Palette information for high resolution modes (640x400 and 640x200). 16 colors are coded in 12-bit RGB, with four bits each for
red, blue, and green components (compare with Gameboy Color, Game Gear, and Commodore Amiga 500 series). Each component takes 1 byte, for a total of 48 bytes. Only the lower nybble is used. To convert to 16-bit hi-color, multiply the component values by 4; to convert to true color used by Windows/Linux, multiply by 16.