Arcanum: EASIEST Widescreen, Resolution, and Bug Fixes for Windows 10 and Windows 11!

Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura is an overlooked RPG classic from 2001, but it's locked to 4:3 ratio and 800x600 resolution. However, there's a FIX! In this video, we show you how to get this old game up and running ~perfectly~ on Windows 10 OR Windows 11 with up to 8k resolution, widescreen, and a variety of bug fixes and optional mods!
Get Drog Blacktooth's Unofficial Arcanum Patch HERE: terra-arcanum....
Don't forget to check out our Arcanum review on the channel HERE: • Why is Arcanum a Flawe...
Like/share/bell thingy if this video helped you out, and drop us a comment! Enjoy Arcanum!
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Some additional music from: Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
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[@adolfoanaya6731]

thank you so much man! this game is so nostalgic and i wasnt able to play it again until this patch

[@2HeadedHero]

Happy to help!

[@Kaaxe]

It's the turning off of the G-sync that makes this tutorial great!

[@2HeadedHero]

Glad to help! ☺️

[@reasonsreasonably]

Really enjoyed this game back in the day. If only there were more years in our lives... Thanks for the nostalgia injection!

[@2HeadedHero]

Glad to help!

[@vvk825]

Thank you for this video! I was having an issue with launching the game. I turned off Nvidia G-Sync and it now worked splendidly :D

[@2HeadedHero]

Glad to help! Enjoy Arcanum!!

[@brutez2127]

This was a big help was feeling a bit lost deciding on the Hi-res settings and this was the only explanation of it I could find thank you

[@diamondknuckle7056]

Thank you that was a very simple and painless guide im excited to finally be able to experience this gem of game. i hope the dev of the patch is doing alright seems like he's in a bad spot with the war and the fact that his health seems to be not the greatest. im hoping for the best for him

[@2HeadedHero]

Same, hope Blacktooth is ok! Glad to help getting this game up and running for you though!

[@kevinliu5066]

Thanks for covering this! Hopefully Drog gets over whatever is ailing him and pushes out the update...within this decade.

[@2HeadedHero]

Very welcome! Even with the remaining glitches I'd say my last 80+ hours in the game was the best it's ever been. Hopefully this helps!

[@RodBatten]

Been a while since I played Arcanum, nice to see the patch has been updated.

[@2HeadedHero]

Game's great!

[@pseudologue5965]

THANK YOU SO MUCH, Its amazing, now it looks as good as i remembered it 20 years ago and not a crappy almost unenjoyable mess when i bought it last month. There times i questioned if the games visuals were that bad in the past

[@2HeadedHero]

Glad to be of help! Hope you enjoy the patched game as much as we did!

[@user-vc8rf3my7g]

my game goes black screen when i don't move my mouse. :/

[@enmunate]

There’s a fix in the gog forums. You have to rename a file

[@kevrosbane]

rename ddraw.dll to anything such as old-ddraw.dll encase u need to revert but that is the fix for black screen when no mouse movement on 10/11

[@ZendorsGamingHub]

Gonna share your video in my stream as a link thanks for the info buddy.

[@2HeadedHero]

Hey thanks! Glad to help! 😃

[@levibci1881]

thank u for showing this. i played arcanum and it ran like trash but i did exactly what u said and now its running smooth as silk

[@2HeadedHero]

Glad to help! Enjoy playing an awesome RPG!!

[@JaCKal_646f67]

i really thank you for the step by step process of this installation, respect

[@tylertheultimatebadass87]

Thanks :3 Now I can watch TV shows while playing in windowed mode

[@2HeadedHero]

Yeeeesss

[@2HeadedHero]

This was entirely the goal 😁

[@Fiolek84]

06:46 - There is already a patch with HD movies. Just look for "Arcanum HD Cinematics" - there are five resolutions to choose from.

[@2HeadedHero]

AWESOME. I honestly was planning to just upscale them myself and slap them on the internet at some point!

[@TAGZ125]

This was super helpful. You are the man! Thanks for the video!

[@2HeadedHero]

Glad to help!

[@dpetersz]

Very nice, quick guide. Thank you!

[@2HeadedHero]

Glad to help! Enjoy

[@NotHarpoGroucho]

Worked for me on Windows 11, very cool thanks 👍

[@alekseyzhuravlov]

Thanks so much for the tutorial! Because of G-sync my copy with this patch was just constantly crashing and I couldn't figure out the problem.

[@mmentho6575]

best explanation of this ive found i had the game on gog but refunded it due to it not being as fun as i thought it would be so a week ago i got it on steam and ran the game and it looked strange completely diffrent from how it was on gog went throught this tut and it runs how i want it to now

[@2HeadedHero]

Glad to help! Enjoy exploring Arcanum!

[@tstone1874]

Thank you,great tutorial

[@2HeadedHero]

You're welcome! Enjoy Arcanum!

[@inquisitormaddox8581]

For some reason it just doesn’t load up now I tried every resolution in the book and nothing I think my pc is too shit to run it

[@Maiqthelair0]

Thanks i have the gog version and disc just in case

[@casasworks6350]

THANK YOU! you made it work!

[@2HeadedHero]

Glad to help! Enjoy Arcanum!

[@davidintel]

Thanks for the great video!!

[@2HeadedHero]

Glad to help!

[@80bccaveman87]

my game screen is flickering after I done everything mentioned in the video. What's going on?

[@TheIncredibleShrimpolino]

Thank you so much!

[@2HeadedHero]

Glad to help!

[@bigboybastard7162]

Ive followed all the steps but my game keeps crashing on launch. I dont have an Nvidia so i dont think its the g sync

[@Shaka_Zulu]

1-Go to the HighRes folder again 2-Open the config.ini 3-Disable the DDrawWrapper by changing its value to 0 4-Save and close the config.ini 5-Run the _install.exe 6-Run the game, it should work without any issues now. copied this from Asim's post. My game had your problem where it crashed on launch but when I implemented the fix the game ran perfectly

[@bigboybastard7162]

@@Shaka_Zulu ill try this when i get home

[@MrMichaelBCurtis]

two years ago ...I tired it, i don't have nvidea, so nothing to uncheck, but it crashed on start up I am sad, was really looking forward to this (steam version, i turned off overlay)

[@dmacbta]

Not sure what I did wrong. Running on windows 11 with the steam version. Followed all steps but everytime I launch I get a black blip on my screen but nothing else.

[@2HeadedHero]

Hey! I would double check that you disabled whatever vsync/freesync you might have running, and also make sure to start from the exec file shortcut that the patch creates rather than starting it from Steam in order to ensure the patch is running.

[@Shaka_Zulu]

Try Asim's fix, I had the issue you have until I followed these steps 1-Go to the HighRes folder again 2-Open the config.ini 3-Disable the DDrawWrapper by changing its value to 0 4-Save and close the config.ini 5-Run the _install.exe 6-Run the game, it should work without any issues now.

[@mrpotaehead]

@@Shaka_Zulu Doing so starts the game, with the video trailer being a little to far to the lower right. After that, i see the menu, but dont have a mouse and cant click anything.

[@winsucks]

After clicking launch in launcher it tries to open but then closes((

[@yollabolly7944]

I have a G-sync monitor but my graphics card is AMD would I still be able to play the game because you said the game would crash on launch with g-sync

[@DecimusEX]

So Nvidia isn't a thing on my laptop, and my game crashes on opening after installing the patch up to that step. Any ideas what the issue could be? More accurately, I don't have a nvida graphics card.

[@MrHillsidestrangler]

In the INVIDIA control panel i don't see any of the "Display" Options i see on your video

[@DankDovahKiin]

everything works fine except i get a black screen whenever im not moving my mouse and idk how to fix this

[@Marshmallow-RNG]

same

[@Undeadhalfelf]

you made my day with the nod to the before times, made me want to find an (.img) for the first Age Of Empires

[@2HeadedHero]

Glad we could make your day!

[@Undeadhalfelf]

@@2HeadedHero not only that, you showed me how to do this, so thank you again it worked like a boss; had a lil issue with the patch not showing it was finished but i blame my laptop for that

[@2HeadedHero]

@@Undeadhalfelf good to hear! Enjoy Arcanum!

[@blablabla72]

There is a probleme when opening the map is not working good as default resolution

[@gamingforever9121]

I’m suffering from the flashing screen on start up when the intro video plays

[@2HeadedHero]

Check the pinned comment for the flickering issue!

[@gamingforever9121]

@@2HeadedHero I have the gog version of the game will this fix work their as well ? regardless sir you are a saint do you take money for these guides I’d gladly pay you

[@2HeadedHero]

Looks like a simple INI file edit, so it appears this should work for GOG or Steam versions. @@gamingforever9121 If you want to help us offset our channel costs, you can always buy us a Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/2headedhero Thanks for watching!

[@gamingforever9121]

@@2HeadedHero and thank you for all your help

[@jamiemorton5485]

Im still not getting full screen with this. Im using a samsung frame and its only using half the screen but centred.

[@2HeadedHero]

PC guide, can't really vouch for how it will work on a tablet. I'd recommend asking on the patch forums

[@slug3856]

Thank you.

[@2HeadedHero]

You are welcome!

[@DerDelo]

worked for me on windows 11

[@2HeadedHero]

Thanks for letting us know! Updating the description

[@user-zf4nq1dy2n]

Great voice!

[@2HeadedHero]

Aww thanks!

[@shodanargie1574]

How do you make the text not be too small?

[@2HeadedHero]

Try changing the font size in the config file (check the forum and patch readme.txt for more info). Or, try a lower resolution like 1366x768

[@Bearvalid]

I loved it, I followed every step to the letter buuuuuut I got a black screen 😢 so yeah

[@aesopnonymous2664]

I followed the instructions to a t (bar the g-sync part since I don't have it), but when I boot the game up I just get a black screen with Task Manager saying that it's not responding immediately. Does anyone have any ideas on what might be happening? I saw a thread about something similar happening due to extra monitors, but even when I unplug my second one, it still doesn't have an effect.

[@aesopnonymous2664]

On a whim I had GOG verify my files and that got it working.

[@2HeadedHero]

Make sure you're running the game from the exe provided by the patch! Also make sure that the resolution you enter into the ini for the hires patch is a valid one, after recalling similar problems when experimenting with different resolutions.

[@Shaka_Zulu]

@@aesopnonymous2664 Verifying the files removes the patch. Try Asim's fix, I had the issue you have until I followed these steps 1-Go to the HighRes folder again 2-Open the config.ini 3-Disable the DDrawWrapper by changing its value to 0 4-Save and close the config.ini 5-Run the _install.exe 6-Run the game, it should work without any issues now.

[@petunia69rubius41]

gracias causa ;D

[@knapenmael4937]

why does the green bar dont move and it say that arcanium not found the installation aborted plz

[@2HeadedHero]

Hi, make sure you're pointing the installer to the correct directory!

[@yollabolly7944]

Did you read my reply from 4 months ago.

[@comedyTVforLife]

You the man

[@2HeadedHero]

Glad to help!

[@DavidBouy]

Do you happen to have a fix for windowed mode? I've been searching everywhere but the same link to the guide on all the posts has not been working.

[@DavidBouy]

Actually I was able to fix it! There was also some sort of graphical issue that was stuck on the previous screen graphic wise and if you moused over that little bit changes to the next screen, if that makes any sense. I have a fix for that that I was not able to find anywhere if anyone wants that.

[@2HeadedHero]

@@DavidBouy couldn't hurt to post it here in the comments! I preferred playing in fullscreen but didn't have issues when running it in windowed.

[@DavidBouy]

@@2HeadedHero For the windowed mode you aren't able to launch it through steam so I had to make a shortcut of the exe and I just left it in my folder(It can be anywhere like on the desktop it doesn't matter). I went into properties of the shortcut and in the first subsection that opens up look for Target and in there I added -window(with a space at the end of what was already there), and it worked but I encountered a weird graphic problem whenever I launched the game where it "uncovered" the next screen where ever I moved my mouse. I was not able to find a fix anywhere but I figured out the solution which is in the config.ini file located in the HighRes folder I disabled the DoubleBuffer(by replacing the 1 with a 0) and it worked like new.

[@2HeadedHero]

@@DavidBouy thanks for replying with your windowed mode fix! I used a shortcut to the exe for my playthrough, but didn't run into problems running through the Steam launcher because I was using fullscreen mode. Good catch!

[@easterneurope451]

is it me or this patch removes multiplayer from the game? I would like to play with my siblings.

[@2HeadedHero]

Multiplayer is removed from the Steam version

[@easterneurope451]

No, multiplayer is there in the steam version. I have just checked and multiplayer is gone after uap installation.

[@2HeadedHero]

Clarification - MP requires the use of additional software since it was based on a service that no longer exists. Recommend checking the patch forums for more info! Also - multiplayer in Arcanum is just not very good or well implemented. You cannot play the main campaign in MP, and it's restricted to realtime combat.

[@alexandredelarge1901]

turning off gsynch worked!

[@TheBladeKnight12]

uhm, an issue I am having is the game launch fine after doing those, but the game is flickering a lot

[@asm5712]

This fix worked on Windows 11, Steam version of the game. 1-Go to the HighRes folder again 2-Open the config.ini 3-Disable the DDrawWrapper by changing its value to 0 4-Save and close the config.ini 5-Run the _install.exe 6-Run the game, it should work without any issues now.

[@Fokssify]

@@asm5712 Thx alot bro.

[@Mark19805.]

How do you access the Virgil debug?

[@2HeadedHero]

There's a Readme text file included with the patch with instructions

[@majortom5299]

no way to zoom in closer?

[@2HeadedHero]

Only by changing the resolution as far as I know. Might be worth checking the forum.

[@shodanargie1574]

Text looks fine on 1080p but the UI is waaay to small

[@2HeadedHero]

Hey! For larger fonts, you could try enabling larger fonts in the patch config file (check the patch forums or the patch readme.txt for details). Since the UI doesn't seem to have scaling settings, you could try a lower resolution like 1366x768.

[@dusanstevanovic1895]

I'm getting an error when I try to install High resolution patch, is there any workaround? Edit. I managed to install but the screen is pitch black.

[@2HeadedHero]

Black screen would happen when I attempted to run the game in fullscreen without disabling gsync, I would double check that. Also- Are you using the version of UAP linked in the video or a different version? Is the patch installed in the proper directory based on whether you have the Steam or GOG version?

[@dusanstevanovic1895]

@@2HeadedHero Yes, I'm using the UAP version from the description, I have a GOG version of the game, but I don't have G-Sync option on my PC. The only thing I did differently is that I checked all the boxes i.e miscellaneous, race mod etc. After reinstalling the patch I tried not to upscale the resolution and upon starting the game got stuck on loading screen. Of course I installed the patch in the proper directory.

[@2HeadedHero]

@@dusanstevanovic1895 I'd try uninstalling the game and patch, deleting all files, beginning from scratch, then install each component separately to narrow the problem issue. If you have freesync or similar it might be needed to disable that too since the game does janky stuff when attempting to alter the frame rate. If I think of anything else I'll be sure to post it! -bawss

[@2HeadedHero]

Help our channel by buying the game through our GOG Affiliate link: adtr.co/YS6X6K Don't forget to check out our Arcanum review on the channel HERE: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5vSkJKpr5aDe5I Like/share/bell thingy if this video helped you out, and drop us a comment! Enjoy Arcanum!

[@rollinkunz]

Touch bell or no treats

[@lukaskubinec9608]

Doesn't work for me 😕😕My screen starts to make flashes during the intro movie and the main menu is black 😔😔

[@2HeadedHero]

Try starting the game from a shortcut to the exe rather than Steam! Some other stuff covered in the vid that you might want to check: -make sure that your resolution settings are valid for your display -turn off gsync/freesync -In HighRes>config.ini, try disabling DoubleBuffer by replacing the 1 with a 0 If all else fails, I'd recommend deleting/uninstalling everything (patch and game files) and starting from step one with the guide.

[@lukaskubinec9608]

@@2HeadedHero Thank you for reply, sadly still does not work. The main menu is still flickering violently. Btw I have GOG version, not Steam. I have 4k monitor with FreeSync (not G-sync, but the technology should be the same) - I tried res 1920x1080 with disabling the DoubleBuffer. Oh well, seems I won't be playing this game then.

[@asm5712]

@@lukaskubinec9608 I have the exact same problem. May I ask if you find any solution to that?

[@299orange]

hi this work for W7 ?

[@karcistvahlae1207]

Steam version is fucked. TL;DR too much fiddling and random patches needed to make it even run, let alone make pretty. GOG version works flawless.

[@raza031]

ty dog

[@2HeadedHero]

Welcome! Enjoy Arcanum

[@mikicerise6250]

The Before Times. 😁😂

[@llss6539]

Not on Windows11, Steam version. Any ideas?

[@2HeadedHero]

Hi! Can't be sure what the problem is since you didn't include much info here, but you could try checking the other comments below, and the patch site linked in the description has good forum posts as well!

[@sisi5675]

It Is good for no english version?

[@2HeadedHero]

I believe so but would definitely check the modpage for further notes

[@sisi5675]

@@2HeadedHero thx:)

[@Santi-vr6rm]

If you are wondering, it works with translation patches, spanish in my case, you just need to execute "install.bat" after installing the patch ;)

[@SciMultimedia]

Does it remove the unlimited followers exploit?

[@2HeadedHero]

@@SciMultimedia guess you know better than I!

[@SciMultimedia]

@@2HeadedHero Hopefully it can be an optional exploit in the installation. I really love demolishing the area with 20 followers lol.

[@2HeadedHero]

@@SciMultimedia the patch does provide an optional cheat menu 😜

[@SciMultimedia]

@@2HeadedHero Would you know if there are good character editors?

[@2HeadedHero]

@@SciMultimedia I don't offhand but it's possible to just give yourself a ton of xp through the cheat menu, spawn items, add money, etc

[@jimmydesouza4375]

I really want to try this game, but at the same time since my comp is new I am hesitant about downloading sketchy mods from random websites... If only I had a second PC.

[@2HeadedHero]

Nothing sketchy about it, but you can always virus scan the files before installing if you're worried 😊

[@jimmydesouza4375]

@@2HeadedHero A virus scan doesn't catch everything suspect, just what is in thier library. Additionally the mod does set off some antiviruses (Norton and IIRC MB).

[@andrzejwysocki609]

bought it off steam and it runs super slow, of all things i never thought an old game would run SLOW on my pc, 3070, 32 gigs of ram, it glitches out when i alt tab n turns into rainbow barf, i figured out i can set its core afinity to 1 that fixes the lag, but i need to alt tab to do it, which causes other glitches

[@2HeadedHero]

Patch will fix the game to run better in a borderless window. There are plenty of tips on the site forum as well if you're still having problems with the fix patch!

[@andrzejwysocki609]

@@2HeadedHero i got it working with the patch, i didnt download it for a while cuz i read several times that the steam version was OK, cuz it had the patch with it, but seeing how i was getting 5 fps i figured id download it cuz i had nothing to lose

[@2HeadedHero]

@@andrzejwysocki609 ahh, point taken! I had a similar experience pre-patch. Good thing there's a fanatical fanbase for this game that's willing to bring it into the current century!

[@andrzejwysocki609]

@@2HeadedHero yeah, im glad i downloaded the patch that fixed it, i was super close to giving up my 1st run, a human escaped lunatic paladin build.