How to play old DirectDraw games on Windows 8?

avada

Member
Member
Messages
162
Hello!

Apparently DirectDraw games don't run to well on Windows 8.
I recently wanted to play a Desperados an old isometric tactics game. But it ran like 10% the speed it's supposed to. So it was unplayable.
There are some alternative ddraw stuff out there. Actually one works somewhat: with wine3d-s ddraw.dll (and dependencies) the game runs mostly normally (with occasional crashes), but the game HUD is total garbage. Mostly black sometimes the proper thing flashes when I click on them.

Is there a proper solution for playing old ddraw games?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 1600
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime B350-PLUS
    Memory
    G.SKILL Trident Z 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 3000MHz F4-3000C15D-16GTZB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTS 450 (Asus ENGTS450)
    PSU
    500w FSP
Hello!

Apparently DirectDraw games don't run to well on Windows 8.
I recently wanted to play a Desperados an old isometric tactics game. But it ran like 10% the speed it's supposed to. So it was unplayable.
There are some alternative ddraw stuff out there. Actually one works somewhat: with wine3d-s ddraw.dll (and dependencies) the game runs mostly normally (with occasional crashes), but the game HUD is total garbage. Mostly black sometimes the proper thing flashes when I click on them.

Is there a proper solution for playing old ddraw games?

Desperados Specs:

  • Minimum Requirements
  • Win95/98/ME
  • PII266MHz
  • 64MB RAM
  • 4xCD-ROM
  • SVGA graphics card

  • Supported Functions
  • Number Of Players: 1
  • Memory Card

That should run on Win8 with compatibility mode Win 98/ME and eventually 16bit color mode enabled if needed.

If all fails it would still be playable in a VM in VirtualBox or VMware Player.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
Hello!

Apparently DirectDraw games don't run to well on Windows 8.
I recently wanted to play a Desperados an old isometric tactics game. But it ran like 10% the speed it's supposed to. So it was unplayable.
There are some alternative ddraw stuff out there. Actually one works somewhat: with wine3d-s ddraw.dll (and dependencies) the game runs mostly normally (with occasional crashes), but the game HUD is total garbage. Mostly black sometimes the proper thing flashes when I click on them.

Is there a proper solution for playing old ddraw games?

Desperados Specs:

  • Minimum Requirements
  • Win95/98/ME
  • PII266MHz
  • 64MB RAM
  • 4xCD-ROM
  • SVGA graphics card

  • Supported Functions
  • Number Of Players: 1
  • Memory Card

That should run on Win8 with compatibility mode Win 98/ME and eventually 16bit color mode enabled if needed.

If all fails it would still be playable in a VM in VirtualBox or VMware Player.

Unfortunately the compatibility modes don't help at all.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 1600
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime B350-PLUS
    Memory
    G.SKILL Trident Z 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 3000MHz F4-3000C15D-16GTZB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTS 450 (Asus ENGTS450)
    PSU
    500w FSP

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 1600
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime B350-PLUS
    Memory
    G.SKILL Trident Z 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 3000MHz F4-3000C15D-16GTZB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTS 450 (Asus ENGTS450)
    PSU
    500w FSP

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10.0.10122
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Build - Vorttex Ultimate
    CPU
    Core i7 @ 4500 MHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-Plus
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 @ 1822 MHz (OC)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon R9 280X 3GB @ 1180 / 6800 MHz
    Sound Card
    7.1 HDA
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD LG 22" + CRT LG 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1760 x 1320 / 1280 x 960
    Hard Drives
    1 x 240 GB SSD (System)
    3 x 500 GB HDD (Data/Media)
    1 x 2000 GB e-HDD (Backup)
    PSU
    ThermalTake 1000W PSU
    Case
    Corsair Carbide R300
    Cooling
    Corsair H60 (Push-Pull)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    60 Mbps (Down) 5 Mbps (Up)
    Browser
    IE, FF, Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG Internet Security 2015
    Other Info
    Some wired stuff

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 1600
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime B350-PLUS
    Memory
    G.SKILL Trident Z 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 3000MHz F4-3000C15D-16GTZB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTS 450 (Asus ENGTS450)
    PSU
    500w FSP
Don't install XP natively on a new Win8 pc: the hardware won't take it.

Since apparently there's no real solution I'm thinking something like that. But using VM-s are very tedious.
Is there a win98/2000/xp capable VM that works like xp mode for windows 8 or wine for linux?

Yes, even better than XP Mode: better graphics. VM's like that can be easily installed.

You will need to use VMWare Player especially if you want a Win98 VM (to be able to install the VMware Tools additions for improvements in the VM).

VirtualBox work fine too but there are no additions for Win98/Me but XP is working very good here.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
Don't install XP natively on a new Win8 pc: the hardware won't take it.

Since apparently there's no real solution I'm thinking something like that. But using VM-s are very tedious.
Is there a win98/2000/xp capable VM that works like xp mode for windows 8 or wine for linux?

Yes, even better than XP Mode: better graphics. VM's like that can be easily installed.

You will need to use VMWare Player especially if you want a Win98 VM (to be able to install the VMware Tools additions for improvements in the VM).

VirtualBox work fine too but there are no additions for Win98/Me but XP is working very good here.

I think you missed the point: XP mode and wine runs within the native desktop, using the filesystem directly. Only clue that the apps are not native are the app windows, which have different styles and window frames.

With VM-s that I know you have a virtual disk image and a guest desktop running in a window.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 1600
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime B350-PLUS
    Memory
    G.SKILL Trident Z 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 3000MHz F4-3000C15D-16GTZB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTS 450 (Asus ENGTS450)
    PSU
    500w FSP
I think you missed the point: XP mode and wine runs within the native desktop, using the filesystem directly. Only clue that the apps are not native are the app windows, which have different styles and window frames.

With VM-s that I know you have a virtual disk image and a guest desktop running in a window.

Well, you missed a point: XP mode is a VM. :)

VM's CAN integrate in the native desktop (seamless mode, unity...) and you can use real disks if you want.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
You mentioned Wine: yes I like that too but since you need a solution for Win8... I don't think you have "Wine for Windows" as an option.

For now.
There is however a good view looking at some "Wine through Windows". :)

wine4windows.jpg

A VMware Player VM has a pretty good performance and I've already played some older games on it. Red Alert, Red Alert 2, Age of Empires ... also isometric ones... I'm pretty sure Desperados will do just fine. Just install the VM tools for better performance.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
I think you missed the point: XP mode and wine runs within the native desktop, using the filesystem directly. Only clue that the apps are not native are the app windows, which have different styles and window frames.

With VM-s that I know you have a virtual disk image and a guest desktop running in a window.

Well, you missed a point: XP mode is a VM. :)

VM's CAN integrate in the native desktop (seamless mode, unity...) and you can use real disks if you want.

Examples please. Virtualbox's seamless mode seems to be a half-solution only, because it can only use a virtual disk image.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 1600
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime B350-PLUS
    Memory
    G.SKILL Trident Z 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 3000MHz F4-3000C15D-16GTZB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTS 450 (Asus ENGTS450)
    PSU
    500w FSP
You mentioned Wine: yes I like that too but since you need a solution for Win8... I don't think you have "Wine for Windows" as an option.

For now.
There is however a good view looking at some "Wine through Windows". :)

View attachment 23401

A VMware Player VM has a pretty good performance and I've already played some older games on it. Red Alert, Red Alert 2, Age of Empires ... also isometric ones... I'm pretty sure Desperados will do just fine. Just install the VM tools for better performance.

:roflmao:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10.0.10122
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Build - Vorttex Ultimate
    CPU
    Core i7 @ 4500 MHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-Plus
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 @ 1822 MHz (OC)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon R9 280X 3GB @ 1180 / 6800 MHz
    Sound Card
    7.1 HDA
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD LG 22" + CRT LG 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1760 x 1320 / 1280 x 960
    Hard Drives
    1 x 240 GB SSD (System)
    3 x 500 GB HDD (Data/Media)
    1 x 2000 GB e-HDD (Backup)
    PSU
    ThermalTake 1000W PSU
    Case
    Corsair Carbide R300
    Cooling
    Corsair H60 (Push-Pull)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    60 Mbps (Down) 5 Mbps (Up)
    Browser
    IE, FF, Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG Internet Security 2015
    Other Info
    Some wired stuff
I think you missed the point: XP mode and wine runs within the native desktop, using the filesystem directly. Only clue that the apps are not native are the app windows, which have different styles and window frames.

With VM-s that I know you have a virtual disk image and a guest desktop running in a window.

Well, you missed a point: XP mode is a VM. :)

VM's CAN integrate in the native desktop (seamless mode, unity...) and you can use real disks if you want.

Examples please. Virtualbox's seamless mode seems to be a half-solution only, because it can only use a virtual disk image.

VirtualBox: Seamless mode has nothing to do with what disks you use. For gaming, seamless mode is not even recommended. You will need to game in full-screen, in a window or in Scale Mode: best to be able to stretch the screen. Full screen does not stretch and only the host native resolution will look good (older games will most likely not be able to use that and will be small and centered with much of the screen unused).

VMWare Player cannot stretch the screen (the same problem with small centered image as mentioned above). VMWare Workstation has something called Exclusive Mode which is best for full screen games: they will look natively. Storage is not important; Real disks in VM's are for advanced users only: one small mistake and you will format the wrong disk or loose data (on VirtualBox is even more difficult on this aspect since you assign real disks through command line). Use virtual disks and they're safer.

This theoretic discussion won't solve this thread's problem: is best to test things out and choose what works best for you.
I've seen some games work better in VMware Player (Dune 2000, Age of Empires) and others on VirtualBox (Red Alert 2). Testing it out is necessary.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
VirtualBox: Seamless mode has nothing to do with what disks you use. For gaming, seamless mode is not even recommended. You will need to game in full-screen, in a window or in Scale Mode: best to be able to stretch the screen. Full screen does not stretch and only the host native resolution will look good (older games will most likely not be able to use that and will be small and centered with much of the screen unused).

VMWare Player cannot stretch the screen (the same problem with small centered image as mentioned above). VMWare Workstation has something called Exclusive Mode which is best for full screen games: they will look natively. Storage is not important; Real disks in VM's are for advanced users only: one small mistake and you will format the wrong disk or loose data (on VirtualBox is even more difficult on this aspect since you assign real disks through command line). Use virtual disks and they're safer.

This theoretic discussion won't solve this thread's problem: is best to test things out and choose what works best for you.
I've seen some games work better in VMware Player (Dune 2000, Age of Empires) and others on VirtualBox (Red Alert 2). Testing it out is necessary.

Actually both full screen mode and scale mode sucks. Stupidly full screen doesn't go full screen. Scale mode scales without keeping the aspect ratio (well, you can play around in non maximized mode to keep the ratio), also I prefer not to see the window frame and desktop elements while playing....
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 1600
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime B350-PLUS
    Memory
    G.SKILL Trident Z 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 3000MHz F4-3000C15D-16GTZB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTS 450 (Asus ENGTS450)
    PSU
    500w FSP
VirtualBox: Seamless mode has nothing to do with what disks you use. For gaming, seamless mode is not even recommended. You will need to game in full-screen, in a window or in Scale Mode: best to be able to stretch the screen. Full screen does not stretch and only the host native resolution will look good (older games will most likely not be able to use that and will be small and centered with much of the screen unused).

VMWare Player cannot stretch the screen (the same problem with small centered image as mentioned above). VMWare Workstation has something called Exclusive Mode which is best for full screen games: they will look natively. Storage is not important; Real disks in VM's are for advanced users only: one small mistake and you will format the wrong disk or loose data (on VirtualBox is even more difficult on this aspect since you assign real disks through command line). Use virtual disks and they're safer.

This theoretic discussion won't solve this thread's problem: is best to test things out and choose what works best for you.
I've seen some games work better in VMware Player (Dune 2000, Age of Empires) and others on VirtualBox (Red Alert 2). Testing it out is necessary.

Actually both full screen mode and scale mode sucks. Stupidly full screen doesn't go full screen. Scale mode scales without keeping the aspect ratio (well, you can play around in non maximized mode to keep the ratio), also I prefer not to see the window frame and desktop elements while playing....

Yeah, I know that. :(
Fullscreen isn't fullscreen... but just because the virtualizartion software isn't able to tell the host graphics or OS to switch to stretching, something that Workstation's exclusive mode does.

So in order to achieve what you want for instance on VirtualBox (yes full screen is still possible: some extra clicks are needed) you will need to:

1. look at the game's resolution when in fullscreen.
example: older game has 800x600

2. note that game's resolution (here in example 800x600) and set the host system to that.
now, if still needed stretch the screen (some newer systems don't do that anymore by default
Here's what I see: fullscreen is not fullscreen neither on the host. :)
scaling-off.png
Fix for Intel HD cards: go to a lower resolution (800x600 works for this) and then the stretch option will be available in the picture above.

3. now that the host resolution is set and you are in real fullscreen, go to the VM and set it to fullscreen.

4. Since the fullscreen on the host (can be even lower than 800x600 if needed) is the game's resolution => the game will be in real fullscreen even in the VM.

5. Recommended:
disable the mini toolbar in VirtualBox so it will not pop up and annoy you when the cursor is on that screen position.
toolbar.png

Exiting the fullscreen will still be possible with the (default) shortcut: Right-Ctrl + F

This works very well and is not hard to do (what I don't like is that the Desktop icons get messed up on lower resolutions but that's just temporary).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
Back
Top