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Difference between revisions of "Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
 
(148 intermediate revisions by 35 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
{{stub}}
 
−
 
 
{{Infobox game
 
{{Infobox game
−
|cover        = Desperados_Wanted_Dead_or_Alive.jpg
+
|cover        = Desperados Wanted Dead or Alive cover.jpg
 
|developers  =  
 
|developers  =  
−
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Spellbound}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Spellbound Entertainment}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/porter|RuneSoft|OS X}}
 
|publishers  =  
 
|publishers  =  
−
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Nordic Games}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Infogrames|2001-2003}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Atari|2003-2013}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Nordic Games|2013-2016}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|THQ Nordic|2016-present}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Sold Out Software|Retail re-release}}
 
|engines      =  
 
|engines      =  
−
{{Infobox game/row/engine|Trinigy Vision Engine}}
 
 
|release dates=  
 
|release dates=  
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|July 23, 2001}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|July 23, 2001}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/date|OS X|March 4, 2015|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://www.rune-soft.com/News/Current_News/News-256/news=Desperados_raiding_the_Appstore-72|title=RuneSoft :: Desperados raiding the Appstore|date=May 2023}}</ref>}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/date|Linux|July 5, 2018|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://steamcommunity.com/games/260730/announcements/detail/1681414719795322682|title=Desperados - Wanted Dead or Alive :: Update: Modern System Compatibility (Win8, Win10, Mac and Linux support) and Demo Level added! - Steam Community|date=}}</ref>}}
 +
|reception    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/reception|Metacritic|desperados-wanted-dead-or-alive|78}}
 +
|taxonomy    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | One-time game purchase }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | Singleplayer }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing            | Real-time }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives      | Bird's-eye view, Isometric }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls          | Multiple select, Point and select }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres            | Stealth, Strategy }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/sports            | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/vehicles          | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/art styles        | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes            | Western }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | Desperados }}
 
|steam appid  = 260730
 
|steam appid  = 260730
−
|gogcom page  = Desperados
+
|gogcom id    = 1207658926
 +
|official site= https://web.archive.org/web/20030207130947/http://www.desperados-game.com:80/html/default.asp
 +
|hltb        = 2469
 +
|igdb        = desperados-wanted-dead-or-alive
 +
|lutris      = desperados-wanted-dead-or-alive
 +
|strategywiki = Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive
 +
|mobygames    = 4726
 
|wikipedia    = Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive
 
|wikipedia    = Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive
 +
|winehq      = 1739
 +
|license      = commercial
 
}}
 
}}
  
 +
{{Introduction
 +
|introduction      =
 +
 +
|release history  =
 +
 +
|current state    =
 +
}}
  
 
'''General information'''
 
'''General information'''
−
{{mm}} [http://www.gog.com/forum/desperados_series#1384614591 Gog.com Community Discussions]
+
{{mm}} [https://discord.gg/desperados Official Discord server] for game series
−
{{mm}} [http://www.gog.com/support/desperados_wanted_dead_or_alive GOG.com Support Page]
+
{{GOG.com links|1207658926|desperados_series|for game series}}
−
{{mm}} [http://steamcommunity.com/app/260730/discussions/ Steam Community Discussions]
+
{{mm}} [https://steamcommunity.com/app/260730/discussions/ Steam Community Discussions]
  
 
==Availability==
 
==Availability==
−
{{Availability Table|
+
{{Availability|
−
{{Availability Table/row| [http://store.steampowered.com/app/260730/ Steam] | {{ID|Steam}} | }}
+
{{Availability/row| Retail | | Disc | {{DRM|LaserLok}} | | Windows }}
−
{{Availability Table/row| [http://www.gog.com/game/desperados_wanted_dead_or_alive Gog.com] | {{ID|DRM-free}} | }}
+
{{Availability/row| GamersGate | desperados-wanted-dead-or-alive | Steam | | | Windows, OS X, Linux }}
 +
{{Availability/row| Gamesplanet | 1311-1 | Steam | | | Windows, OS X, Linux }}
 +
{{Availability/row| GOG.com | desperados_wanted_dead_or_alive | DRM-free | | | Windows, OS X, Linux }}
 +
{{Availability/row| GMG | desperados-wanted-dead-or-alive | Steam | | | Windows, OS X, Linux }}
 +
{{Availability/row| Steam | 260730 | Steam | | | Windows, OS X, Linux }}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Demo===
 +
{{ii}} A free demo can be downloaded from the [https://archive.org/details/desperadosDemo Internet Archive].
 +
{{ii}} It features a mission that was absent from the full version until the digital-only 1.02 patch.
 +
 
 +
==Essential improvements==
 +
===Patches===
 +
{{ii}} The [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/309-desperados-wanted-dead-or-alive-patch/ v1.01 Patch] updates the retail game to the latest version.
 +
{{ii}} The v1.02 patch was released exclusively for Steam and GOG.com releases, which includes an in-game language switch and the demo-exclusive mission, as well as better compatibility for modern systems. Retail versions did not receive this update.
 +
 
 +
===Compatibility on modern systems===
 +
{{ii}} Various DirectX wrappers can be used to improve compatibility on modern systems and prevent issues like crashes or a low framerate.
 +
 
 +
{{Fixbox|description=DXGL|ref=<ref name="Wasch">{{Refcheck|user=Waschbär|date=2018-11-09}}</ref>|fix=
 +
# Download and install [https://www.dxgl.info/ DXGL].
 +
# Add the game's executable {{file|game.exe}} to the application list.
 +
# Make sure '''Vertical sync''' in the display tab is '''disabled'''.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Use dgVoodoo2|ref=<ref name="Wasch" />|fix=
 +
# Download and extract [[dgVoodoo 2]].
 +
# Copy the files inside the {{file|MS\x86|folder}} directory to {{file|{{P|game}}\Game|folder}}.
 +
# Open the dgVoodoo 2 control panel ({{file|dgVoodooCpl.exe}}) and activate '''Fast video memory acess''' in the DirectX tab.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Game data==
 +
===Configuration file(s) location===
 +
{{Game data|
 +
{{Game data/config|Windows|{{P|game}}\Game\Data\Configuration\}}
 +
{{Game data/config|OS X|}}
 +
{{Game data/config|Linux|}}
 +
}}
 +
{{XDG|unknown}}
 +
 
 +
===Save game data location===
 +
{{Game data|
 +
{{Game data/saves|Windows|{{P|game}}\Game\Data\Savegame\}}
 +
{{Game data/saves|Steam|{{P|appdata}}\THQNordic\Desperados\}}
 +
{{Game data/saves|OS X|}}
 +
{{Game data/saves|Linux|}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
===[[Save game cloud syncing]]===
+
===[[Glossary:Save game cloud syncing|Save game cloud syncing]]===
 
{{Save game cloud syncing
 
{{Save game cloud syncing
−
|origin               =  
+
|discord                  =
−
|origin notes         =  
+
|discord notes            =
−
|steam cloud           = unknown
+
|epic games launcher      =
−
|steam cloud notes     =  
+
|epic games launcher notes =
−
|uplay                =  
+
|gog galaxy                = true
−
|uplay notes           =  
+
|gog galaxy notes          =
−
|gamesave manager      =  
+
|origin                   =  
−
|gamesave manager notes=  
+
|origin notes             =  
 +
|steam cloud               = true
 +
|steam cloud notes         =  
 +
|ubisoft connect          =  
 +
|ubisoft connect notes     =  
 +
|xbox cloud                =  
 +
|xbox cloud notes         =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Video settings==
+
==Video==
−
[[File:game settings.png|290px|right|thumb|General settings.]]
+
{{Image|Desperados Graphic Settings.jpg|In-game video settings.}}
−
{{Video settings
+
{{Video
−
|wsgf link                  = http://www.wsgf.org/dr/game_name/en
+
|wsgf link                  = https://www.wsgf.org/dr/desperados-wanted-dead-or-alive/en
−
|widescreen wsgf award      = incomplete
+
|widescreen wsgf award      = limited
−
|multimonitor wsgf award    = incomplete
+
|multimonitor wsgf award    = unsupported
−
|ultrawidescreen wsgf award = incomplete
+
|ultrawidescreen wsgf award = limited
−
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    = incomplete
+
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    = unsupported
−
|widescreen resolution      = false
+
|widescreen resolution      = hackable
−
|widescreen resolution notes=  
+
|widescreen resolution notes= Use the [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/1372-desperados-wanted-dead-or-alive-wsgf-dr-mods/ modified executable] ({{file|game.exe}} for retail, {{file|desperados.exe}} for digital versions).
−
|multimonitor              = unknown
+
|multimonitor              = false
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
−
|ultrawidescreen            = unknown
+
|ultrawidescreen            = hackable
−
|ultrawidescreen notes      =  
+
|ultrawidescreen notes      = Use the [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/1372-desperados-wanted-dead-or-alive-wsgf-dr-mods/ modified executable] ({{file|game.exe}} for retail, {{file|desperados.exe}} for digital versions).
−
|4k ultra hd                = unknown
+
|4k ultra hd                = false
 
|4k ultra hd notes          =  
 
|4k ultra hd notes          =  
−
|fov                        = unknown
+
|fov                        = n/a
 
|fov notes                  =  
 
|fov notes                  =  
 
|windowed                  = hackable
 
|windowed                  = hackable
−
|windowed notes            =  
+
|windowed notes            = Use [https://sourceforge.net/projects/dxwnd/ DxWnd].
−
|borderless windowed        = unknown
+
|borderless windowed        = false
 
|borderless windowed notes  =  
 
|borderless windowed notes  =  
−
|anisotropic                = unknown
+
|anisotropic                = n/a
 
|anisotropic notes          =  
 
|anisotropic notes          =  
−
|antialiasing              = unknown
+
|antialiasing              = n/a
 
|antialiasing notes        =  
 
|antialiasing notes        =  
−
|vsync                      = unknown
+
|vsync                      = false
 
|vsync notes                =  
 
|vsync notes                =  
−
|oculus rift                = unknown
+
|60 fps                    = false
−
|oculus rift notes         =  
+
|60 fps notes              = Retail release is capped at 21 FPS and digital version at 25 FPS. Game speed is tied to frame rate.
−
|120hz                      = unknown
+
|120 fps                    = false
−
|120hz notes               =  
+
|120 fps notes             =  
−
|color blind                = unknown
+
|hdr                        = false
 +
|hdr notes                 =  
 +
|color blind                = false
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Input settings==
+
==Input==
−
{{Input settings
+
{{Image|Desperados Wanted Dead or Alive controls.jpg|In-game input settings.}}
 +
{{Input
 
|key remap                = true
 
|key remap                = true
 
|key remap notes          =  
 
|key remap notes          =  
−
|acceleration option      = unknown
+
|acceleration option      = false
 
|acceleration option notes =  
 
|acceleration option notes =  
−
|mouse menu                = unknown
+
|mouse sensitivity        = false
 +
|mouse sensitivity notes  =
 +
|mouse menu                = true
 
|mouse menu notes          =  
 
|mouse menu notes          =  
−
|invert mouse y-axis      = unknown
+
|invert mouse y-axis      = n/a
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 +
|touchscreen              = unknown
 +
|touchscreen notes        =
 
|controller support        = false
 
|controller support        = false
 
|controller support notes  =  
 
|controller support notes  =  
Line 92: Line 183:
 
|controller remap          = unknown
 
|controller remap          = unknown
 
|controller remap notes    =  
 
|controller remap notes    =  
 +
|controller sensitivity    = unknown
 +
|controller sensitivity notes=
 
|invert controller y-axis  = unknown
 
|invert controller y-axis  = unknown
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
−
|touchscreen               = unknown
+
|xinput controllers        = unknown
−
|touchscreen notes        =  
+
|xinput controllers notes  =
 +
|xbox prompts              = unknown
 +
|xbox prompts notes        =
 +
|impulse triggers          = unknown
 +
|impulse triggers notes    =
 +
|dualshock 4               = unknown
 +
|dualshock 4 notes        =
 +
|dualshock prompts        = unknown
 +
|dualshock prompts notes  =
 +
|light bar support        = unknown
 +
|light bar support notes   =
 +
|dualshock 4 modes         = unknown
 +
|dualshock 4 modes notes  =
 +
|tracked motion controllers= unknown
 +
|tracked motion controllers notes =
 +
|tracked motion prompts    = unknown
 +
|tracked motion prompts notes =
 +
|other controllers        = unknown
 +
|other controllers notes  =
 +
|other button prompts      = unknown
 +
|other button prompts notes=
 +
|controller hotplug        = unknown
 +
|controller hotplug notes  =
 +
|haptic feedback          = unknown
 +
|haptic feedback notes    =
 +
|simultaneous input        = unknown
 +
|simultaneous input notes  =
 +
|steam input api          = unknown
 +
|steam input api notes    =
 +
|steam hook input          = unknown
 +
|steam hook input notes    =
 +
|steam input presets      = unknown
 +
|steam input presets notes =
 +
|steam controller prompts  = unknown
 +
|steam controller prompts notes =
 +
|steam cursor detection    = unknown
 +
|steam cursor detection notes =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Audio settings==
+
==Audio==
−
{{Audio settings
+
{{Image|Desperados Sound Settings.jpg|In-game audio settings.}}
 +
{{Audio
 
|separate volume          = true
 
|separate volume          = true
 
|separate volume notes    =  
 
|separate volume notes    =  
−
|surround sound          = unknown
+
|surround sound          = n/a
 
|surround sound notes    =  
 
|surround sound notes    =  
 
|subtitles                = true
 
|subtitles                = true
−
|subtitles notes          =  
+
|subtitles notes          = {{term|FMV}}s are not subtitled.
 
|closed captions          = false
 
|closed captions          = false
 
|closed captions notes    =  
 
|closed captions notes    =  
−
|mute on focus lost      = true
+
|mute on focus lost      = always on
 
|mute on focus lost notes =  
 
|mute on focus lost notes =  
 
|eax support              =  
 
|eax support              =  
 
|eax support notes        =  
 
|eax support notes        =  
 +
|royalty free audio      = always on
 +
|royalty free audio notes =
 +
}}
 +
 +
{{L10n|content=
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = English
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Czech
 +
|interface = hackable
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = hackable
 +
|notes    = Fan translation - [http://mrazikovycestiny.cz/preklady/doc_download/35-desperados #1]
 +
|fan      = true
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = French
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = German
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Italian
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Polish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    = Local retail version only. For digital versions download [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/2020-desperados-wanted-dead-or-alive-polish-translation this]
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Russian
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    = 1C-Softclub
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Spanish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Turkish
 +
|interface = hackable
 +
|audio    = unknown
 +
|subtitles = hackable
 +
|notes    = Fan translation with partial voice-over, [https://sinnerclownceviri.com/konu/desperados-wanted-dead-or-alive-kismi-tuerkce-dublajli-ai-tuerkce-yama.5504/#gsc.tab=0 Sinnerclownceviri]
 +
|fan      = true
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
 +
==Issues fixed==
 +
===Crashes===
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Enable the following [[Windows Compatibility Mode|compatibility settings]] for the {{file|game.exe}} file: <code>Compatibility mode (Windows XP SP 3).</code>|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gog.com/forum/desperados_series/constant_crash/post12|title=Constant crash!?, page 1 - Forum - GOG.com|date=2018-11-16}}</ref>}}
 +
 +
{{ii}} Sometimes the game crashes when loading a new level or a different save file.
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Delete SpriteBank.tmp|ref=<ref name="Wasch" />|fix=
 +
# Go to {{file|{{P|game}}\Game|folder}}.
 +
# Delete the file {{file|SpriteBank.tmp}}.
 +
}}
 +
 +
===Strange mouse movement===
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Change settings in control panel|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/260730/discussions/0/648812304898105175/|title=This is how to fix the Mouse :: Desperados - Wanted Dead or Alive General Discussions|date=2018-11-09}}</ref>|fix=
 +
# Go to Computer → Control Panel → Mouse Properties → Pointer Options
 +
# Deactivate "Enhance pointer precision".
 +
}}
 +
 +
===FMVs do not play (retail only)===
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Copy video files from the disc to game directory|ref=<ref name="Wasch" />|fix=
 +
# Open the disc and go to {{file|GAME\Data|folder}}.
 +
# Copy the folder {{file|Cinematics|folder}} to {{file|{{P|game}}\Game\Data|folder}}.
 +
}}
 +
 +
===Tearing when panning camera===
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Add launch parameters|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/260730/discussions/0/1728701877508676691/|title= Technical information & support|date=2021-05-03}}</ref>|fix=
 +
{{ii}} The game files offer a readme file in which the developers describe several launch parameters.
 +
# Add the following launch parameters: <code>NOSMOOTHMOUSE MOUSEFACTOR 0.5</code>
 +
# Enable V-Sync from your video card provider.
 +
 +
{{ii}} If that does not work WGSF offers a 60 fps patch. However, this will make the gameplay faster. See the [https://www.wsgf.org/dr/desperados-wanted-dead-or-alive/en WSGF entry].
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==Other information==
 
==Other information==
 +
===API===
 +
{{API
 +
|direct3d versions      =
 +
|direct3d notes        =
 +
|directdraw versions    = 7
 +
|directdraw notes      =
 +
|opengl versions        = true
 +
|opengl notes          =
 +
|glide versions        =
 +
|glide notes            =
 +
|software mode          =
 +
|software mode notes    =
 +
|mantle support        =
 +
|mantle support notes  =
 +
|metal support          =
 +
|metal support notes    =
 +
|vulkan versions        =
 +
|vulkan notes          =
 +
|dos modes              =
 +
|dos modes notes        =
 +
|shader model versions  =
 +
|shader model notes    =
 +
|windows 32-bit exe    = true
 +
|windows 64-bit exe    = false
 +
|windows arm app        = false
 +
|windows exe notes      =
 +
|mac os x powerpc app  = unknown
 +
|macos intel 32-bit app = true
 +
|macos intel 64-bit app = false
 +
|macos arm app          = unknown
 +
|macos app notes        =
 +
|linux 32-bit executable= true
 +
|linux 64-bit executable= false
 +
|linux arm app          = false
 +
|linux executable notes =
 +
}}
 +
 +
===Middleware===
 +
{{Middleware
 +
|physics          =
 +
|physics notes    =
 +
|audio            = FMOD
 +
|audio notes      =
 +
|interface        =
 +
|interface notes  =
 +
|input            =
 +
|input notes      =
 +
|cutscenes        = Bink Video
 +
|cutscenes notes  =
 +
|multiplayer      =
 +
|multiplayer notes=
 +
}}
  
 
==System requirements==
 
==System requirements==
Line 120: Line 410:
 
|OSfamily = Windows
 
|OSfamily = Windows
  
−
|minOS    = Windows 95
+
|minOS    = 95, 98, Me, 2000 (only as administrator)
−
|minproc  = 2MHz CPU
+
|minCPU  = Intel Pentium II 233 MHz MMX
−
|minmem   = 64 MB RAM
+
|minRAM   = 64 MB
 
|minHD    = 600 MB
 
|minHD    = 600 MB
−
|minGPU  = DirectX 7.1
+
|minGPU  = No 3D card necessary, incompatible with Permedia 2
 +
|minVRAM  = 4 MB
 +
|minDX    = 7.1 or higher
 +
 
 +
|recDX    = 8
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{System requirements
 +
|OSfamily = OS X
 +
|minOS    = 10.7
 +
|minCPU  = 1.0 GHz
 +
|minRAM  = 256 MB
 +
|minHD    = 2 GB
 +
|minGPU  =
 +
|minOGL  = 2.0
 +
 
 +
|recOS    =
 +
|recCPU  =
 +
|recRAM  =
 +
|recHD    =
 +
|recGPU  =
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{System requirements
 +
|OSfamily = Linux
 +
|minOS    = Ubuntu, SteamOS
 +
|minCPU  = Intel 1.4 GHz
 +
|minRAM  = 256 MB
 +
|minHD    = 2 GB
 +
|minGPU  =
 +
|minOGL  = 2.0
  
 
|recOS    =  
 
|recOS    =  
−
|recproc  =  
+
|recCPU  =  
−
|recmem   =  
+
|recRAM   =  
 
|recHD    =  
 
|recHD    =  
 
|recGPU  =  
 
|recGPU  =  

Latest revision as of 10:35, 3 June 2024

Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive
Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive cover
Developers
Spellbound Entertainment
macOS (OS X) RuneSoft
Publishers
2001-2003 Infogrames
2003-2013 Atari
2013-2016 Nordic Games
2016-present THQ Nordic
Retail re-release Sold Out Software
Release dates
Windows July 23, 2001
macOS (OS X) March 4, 2015[1]
Linux July 5, 2018[2]
Reception
Metacritic 78
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase
Modes Singleplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives Bird's-eye view, Isometric
Controls Multiple select, Point and select
Genres Stealth, Strategy
Themes Western
Series Desperados
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Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive on HowLongToBeat
Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive on IGDB
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Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive guide on StrategyWiki
Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive on MobyGames
Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive on Wikipedia
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Desperados
Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive 2001
Desperados 2: Cooper's Revenge 2006
Helldorado 2007
Desperados III 2020

Warnings

The macOS (OS X) version of this game does not work on macOS Catalina (version 10.15) or later due to the removal of support for 32-bit-only apps.

Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive is a singleplayer bird's-eye view and isometric stealth and strategy game in the Desperados series.

General information

Official Discord server for game series
GOG.com Community Discussions for game series
GOG.com Support Page
Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
 LaserLock DRM
Windows
GamersGate
Icon overlay.png
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Linux
Gamesplanet logo.svg
Icon overlay.png
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Linux
GOG.com
DRM-free
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Linux
Green Man Gaming
Icon overlay.png
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Linux
Steam
Icon overlay.png
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Linux

Demo

A free demo can be downloaded from the Internet Archive.
It features a mission that was absent from the full version until the digital-only 1.02 patch.

Essential improvements

Patches

The v1.01 Patch updates the retail game to the latest version.
The v1.02 patch was released exclusively for Steam and GOG.com releases, which includes an in-game language switch and the demo-exclusive mission, as well as better compatibility for modern systems. Retail versions did not receive this update.

Compatibility on modern systems

Various DirectX wrappers can be used to improve compatibility on modern systems and prevent issues like crashes or a low framerate.
DXGL[3]
  1. Download and install DXGL.
  2. Add the game's executable game.exe to the application list.
  3. Make sure Vertical sync in the display tab is disabled.
Use dgVoodoo2[3]
  1. Download and extract dgVoodoo 2.
  2. Copy the files inside the MS\x86 directory to <path-to-game>\Game.
  3. Open the dgVoodoo 2 control panel (dgVoodooCpl.exe) and activate Fast video memory acess in the DirectX tab.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\Game\Data\Configuration\[Note 1]
macOS (OS X)
Linux
It's unknown whether this game follows the XDG Base Directory Specification on Linux. Please fill in this information.

Save game data location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\Game\Data\Savegame\[Note 1]
Steam %APPDATA%\THQNordic\Desperados\
macOS (OS X)
Linux

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
GOG Galaxy
Steam Cloud

Video

In-game video settings.
In-game video settings.

Graphics feature State WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
 
 Use the modified executable (game.exe for retail, desperados.exe for digital versions).
Multi-monitor
 
Ultra-widescreen
 
 Use the modified executable (game.exe for retail, desperados.exe for digital versions).
4K Ultra HD
 
Field of view (FOV)
Windowed
Use DxWnd.
Borderless fullscreen windowed
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Anti-aliasing (AA)
Vertical sync (Vsync)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
60 FPS and 120+ FPS
Retail release is capped at 21 FPS and digital version at 25 FPS. Game speed is tied to frame rate.
High dynamic range display (HDR)
See the glossary page for potential alternatives.

Input

In-game input settings.
In-game input settings.

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
Mouse acceleration
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
Controller types

Audio

In-game audio settings.
In-game audio settings.

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Surround sound
Subtitles
FMVs are not subtitled.
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
Czech
Fan translation - #1
French
German
Italian
Polish
Local retail version only. For digital versions download this
Russian
1C-Softclub
Spanish
Turkish
Fan translation with partial voice-over, Sinnerclownceviri

Issues fixed

Crashes

Enable the following compatibility settings for the game.exe file: Compatibility mode (Windows XP SP 3).[4]
Sometimes the game crashes when loading a new level or a different save file.
Delete SpriteBank.tmp[3]
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\Game.
  2. Delete the file SpriteBank.tmp.

Strange mouse movement

Change settings in control panel[5]
  1. Go to Computer → Control Panel → Mouse Properties → Pointer Options
  2. Deactivate "Enhance pointer precision".

FMVs do not play (retail only)

Copy video files from the disc to game directory[3]
  1. Open the disc and go to GAME\Data.
  2. Copy the folder Cinematics to <path-to-game>\Game\Data.

Tearing when panning camera

Add launch parameters[6]
The game files offer a readme file in which the developers describe several launch parameters.
  1. Add the following launch parameters: NOSMOOTHMOUSE MOUSEFACTOR 0.5
  2. Enable V-Sync from your video card provider.
If that does not work WGSF offers a 60 fps patch. However, this will make the gameplay faster. See the WSGF entry.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
DirectDraw 7
OpenGL
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows
macOS (OS X)
This 32-bit-only macOS game does not work on macOS Catalina (10.15) or later.
Linux

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Audio FMOD
Cutscenes Bink Video

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 95, 98, Me, 2000 (only as administrator)
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium II 233 MHz MMX
System memory (RAM) 64 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 600 MB
Video card (GPU) No 3D card necessary, incompatible with Permedia 2
4 MB of VRAM
DirectX 7.1 or higher compatible 		DirectX 8 compatible
macOS (OS X)
Minimum
Operating system (OS) 10.7
Processor (CPU) 1.0 GHz
System memory (RAM) 256 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 2 GB
Video card (GPU) OpenGL 2.0 compatible
Linux
Minimum
Operating system (OS) Ubuntu, SteamOS
Processor (CPU) Intel 1.4 GHz
System memory (RAM) 256 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 2 GB
Video card (GPU) OpenGL 2.0 compatible


Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMDATA%, or %WINDIR% might be redirected to %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore on Windows Vista and later (more details).

References