Topic: For playing older AGS games on new computers

[Saurabh]

I hope I am not posting something that is already been posted.

Here is a very simple way to make most if not all old games that use DirectDraw renderer to work on newer operating systems, just extract this archive in the directory of game with the game executable and voila, problems like screen not updating, slow downs or game simply refusing to start will go away. These files are actually ddraw implementation of Wine, that is used to run windows software on linux. Hope this helps.

[Baron]

Nice!  It took me a while to figure out how to extract the archive, but this definitely works.  I've been 4 months on a new Win7 system that would not run anything pre-AGS v3.0 (i.e. anything without the Direct3D option in winsetup).  Now I'm back in the saddle, baby!  Thanks!

[Gilbert]

I've just requested this to be moved to the Beginners' Tech. Forum, since this may fix a problem many players could run into.

Initially I was curious about this, but as I couldn't test whether it was authentic (AGS games work under DirectX on this office Win7 system I'm using) I was waiting until someone had tried it and gave some positive feedback.

[Niclas]

I am trying to unzip the file in the directory of a game (where the .exe file is), but i just keep getting error messages. What do I do wrong? Cheers in advance

[Khris]

WHAT IS THE ERROR MESSAGE?

Ahem, sorry.
Do you get an error when you try to unpack the archive or run the game?
If it's the former: get the latest version of 7zip or try a zip archive: ddraw(wine).zip

[lordixi]

not work on "Prodigal 0" and "Trilby's Notes". when you run this games with this dll's it writes:

There was a problem initializing graphics mode 640x400 (8-bit)
(Problem: 'Unable to find suitable graphic driver')

changing resolution (320x200) does not helps

edited some minutes later:
just found solution. use DXWnd (OG Edition) from russian old-games site. extract this into directory with game. use "dxwnd.exe" to setup. in "target setup" window (edit -> add, modify):
1. choose executable game file
2. check boxes: "Hook DirectDraw", "Colour Convert", "Use GDI", "Fullscreen"
3. set "Resolution" to "640x400" or "320x200" (like in "winsetup.exe")
4. set "Surface Location" to "System Memory"
5. use "launch.exe" to launch the game

[m0ds]

I'm looking for any clues on how to solve sound issues with DirectX 11. I have a player who says the game works fine but no sound/music. Has anyone else run into this issue with DX11 and if so how solved? Many thanks

[Satanic_Slayer]

I hope I am not posting something that is already been posted.

Here is a very simple way to make most if not all old games that use DirectDraw renderer to work on newer operating systems, just extract this archive in the directory of game with the game executable and voila, problems like screen not updating, slow downs or game simply refusing to start will go away. These files are actually ddraw implementation of Wine, that is used to run windows software on linux. Hope this helps.

Produces that:

---------------------------
Illegal exception
---------------------------
An exception 0xC0000005 occurred in ACWIN.EXE at EIP = 0x62B5EB59 ; program pointer is -199, ACI version 3.21.1115, gtags (0,0)

[Crimson Wizard]

There's also a way to run many older AGS games using new development version of engine. It now allows to run games from v. 2.5 and up, and you may select Direct3D renderer for them (there might be still a problem with certain plugins, that require DirectDraw), as well as scaling filters.
Not all versions are fully compatible, but I know that numerous old games were successfully tested.

You may get the preliminary release here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?spm2y64et0r2dfz
Unpack the archive, then copy "acwin.exe" file to your game's directory.
To start the game - run acwin.exe (NOT game exe).
You won't be able to use winsetup.exe to set new settings, because winsetup.exe will run original game's setup. To configure game new way you should run acwin.exe with "--setup" parameter from command line.
If you don't know how to use command line in Windows, just download this batch file, copy it to game's directory too, and run anytime you want to change game settings:
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?66373m22i8pa6b8


Please tell, if there are any problems.

NOTE: I should underline again, this unfortunately won't work if the game uses plugin, that requires DirectDraw (meaning, there will be no difference).

EDIT: explained how to run setup having acwin.exe.

[Giraffadon]

I'm having this exact same problem.

I followed the steps and downloaded the archives instructed.

Got the same message:
An exception 0xC0000005 occurred in ACWIN.EXE at EIP = 0x62B5EB59 ; program pointer is -199, ACI version 3.21.1115, gtags (0,0)

Tried to follow crimson wizard's solution but it no longer works.

I've just upgraded to windows 7 and am running the 32 bit version.

Is there an updated remedy for this issue?
I also can't run AGS' Test mode due to the same problem.

I'm sure there's got to be an easy fix that maybe someone can point me in the right direction of.

[selmiak]

hey giraffadon, I'm not easily frightened (no really not) but your avatar is haunting

[Giraffadon]

I know...it's the moustache...right?

[selmiak]

absolutely, especially the 666° angle it forms with the teeth

[Giraffadon]

Who needs a comb when you can carry a protractor.

Oh and can anyone help me?

[Crimson Wizard]

Tried to follow crimson wizard's solution but it no longer works.

The link in my post above was directing to very early 3.3.0 build. You do not need that anymore, since we have official 3.3.0 release. You may take acwin.exe right from there:
http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=50021.0

Not sure if that will help in your case though... my solution was for very old games which did not provided Direct3D support.

[Giraffadon]

Hey Crimson.

Thanks for the response.
I have the latest build as i have only just discovered AGS.
I can't run the games or the editor due to the blank screen appearing, which strangely
enough updates when i move the window.

Now it just tells me the run-time engine has stopped working in the editor.
I've tried running the program as an admin and in compatability mode.
Not been able to play anyone's games

[Muyfa666]

There's also a way to run many older AGS games using new development version of engine. It now allows to run games from v. 2.5 and up, and you may select Direct3D renderer for them (there might be still a problem with certain plugins, that require DirectDraw), as well as scaling filters.
Not all versions are fully compatible, but I know that numerous old games were successfully tested.

You may get the preliminary release here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?spm2y64et0r2dfz
Unpack the archive, then copy "acwin.exe" file to your game's directory.
To start the game - run acwin.exe (NOT game exe).
You won't be able to use winsetup.exe to set new settings, because winsetup.exe will run original game's setup. To configure game new way you should run acwin.exe with "--setup" parameter from command line.
If you don't know how to use command line in Windows, just download this batch file, copy it to game's directory too, and run anytime you want to change game settings:
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?66373m22i8pa6b8


Please tell, if there are any problems.

NOTE: I should underline again, this unfortunately won't work if the game uses plugin, that requires DirectDraw (meaning, there will be no difference).

EDIT: explained how to run setup having acwin.exe.

Sorry if this is reviving an old thread, but I am having some issues with an old game...

I have downloaded AGS v3.3.3 and followed Crimson Wizards instructions. With this, the game actually runs again (hooray!) but I can't seem to get it to go into fullscreen.

The game is Maniac Mansion Deleuxe, and I'm on Win8.1. Can this be solved at all? MMD is one of my favorite games, and I would love to play it again.

[Babar]

Not really related to the problem here (and the solution here doesn't work for me), but I figured I'd ask here since it seems the place.
What's the command for turning the AGS exe file into the setup? I seem to remember it was something like "game.exe -setup", but that doesn't work. neither does -winsetup.
I'm trying to run an older game, and it is having that issue of not being able to render in 320x200. I figured I'd change the settings to have it in 640x400 (I remember older setups had that option), but the game doesn't come with a winsetup.exe.

EDIT: Looking over some of my older AGS game files, seems it WAS -setup, but that doesn't seem to work in this case. The game was from the DOSdays of 2002, so I downloaded the ACWIN.exe from the relevant AGS download, but then got the error about the resolution. Using Saurabh's files (someone should really back them up to something better than mediafire!) didn't give any error when I clicked ACWIN.exe, but it didn't run the game either, just it popped up on my startbar, but when I clicked on it, it doesn't show up.

[Gilbert]

"game.exe -setup"

game.exe --setup

[Babar]

game.exe --setup

That worked, thanks!