Anonymous edits have been disabled on the wiki. If you want to contribute please login or create an account.

Warning for game developers: PCGamingWiki staff members will only ever reach out to you using the official press@pcgamingwiki.com mail address.
Be aware of scammers claiming to be representatives or affiliates of PCGamingWiki who promise a PCGW page for a game key.

Difference between revisions of "Desert Thunder"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
Line 25: Line 25:
 
|steam appid side  =  
 
|steam appid side  =  
 
|gogcom id    = 1094951883
 
|gogcom id    = 1094951883
 +
|official site= https://web.archive.org/web/20051119073939/http://www.groovegames.com/Games/DesertThunder/index.php
 
|hltb        = 17529
 
|hltb        = 17529
 +
|lutris      = desert-thunder
 +
|igdb        = desert-thunder
 
|strategywiki =  
 
|strategywiki =  
 
|mobygames    = 19673
 
|mobygames    = 19673
Line 42: Line 45:
  
 
'''General information'''
 
'''General information'''
 +
{{mm}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20051119073939/http://www.groovegames.com/Games/DesertThunder/index.php Official site] - retrieved with Wayback machine from November 19, 2005.
 
{{GOG.com links|1094951883|desert_thunder}}
 
{{GOG.com links|1094951883|desert_thunder}}
 
{{mm}} [https://steamcommunity.com/app/283330/discussions/ Steam Community Discussions]
 
{{mm}} [https://steamcommunity.com/app/283330/discussions/ Steam Community Discussions]
Line 133: Line 137:
 
{{Fixbox|description=Edit ini file|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=AlphaYellow|date=2023-06-07}}</ref>|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Edit ini file|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=AlphaYellow|date=2023-06-07}}</ref>|fix=
 
# Launch the game at least once then close it.
 
# Launch the game at least once then close it.
−
# Open {{file|[[#Game data|DT.ini]]}}.
+
# Open {{file|{{p|game}}/System/DT.ini}}.
 
# Go to the <code>[WinDrv.WindowsClient]</code> section.
 
# Go to the <code>[WinDrv.WindowsClient]</code> section.
 
# Set <code>FullscreenViewportX</code> and <code>FullscreenViewportY</code> to the desired resolution.
 
# Set <code>FullscreenViewportX</code> and <code>FullscreenViewportY</code> to the desired resolution.
Line 157: Line 161:
 
{{Fixbox|description=Edit ini file|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=AlphaYellow|date=2023-06-07}}</ref>|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Edit ini file|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=AlphaYellow|date=2023-06-07}}</ref>|fix=
 
# Launch the game at least once then close it.
 
# Launch the game at least once then close it.
−
# Open {{file|[[#Game data|User.ini]]}}.
+
# Open {{file|{{p|game}}/System/User.ini}}.
 
# Search for the line 34 and change the line to (change <code>x</code> to the desired value):<pre>Aliases[27]=(Command="fov x",Alias=SetFOV)</pre>
 
# Search for the line 34 and change the line to (change <code>x</code> to the desired value):<pre>Aliases[27]=(Command="fov x",Alias=SetFOV)</pre>
 
# Add <code>SetFOV</code> in front of one of the keyboard letters that says <code><Keyname>=</code>.
 
# Add <code>SetFOV</code> in front of one of the keyboard letters that says <code><Keyname>=</code>.
Line 169: Line 173:
 
{{Fixbox|description=Edit ini file|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=AlphaYellow|date=2023-06-07}}</ref>|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Edit ini file|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=AlphaYellow|date=2023-06-07}}</ref>|fix=
 
# Launch the game at least once then close it.
 
# Launch the game at least once then close it.
−
# Open {{file|[[#Game data|DT.ini]]}}.
+
# Open {{file|{{p|game}}/System/DT.ini}}.
 
# Find the section <code>[WinDrv.WindowsClient]</code>.  
 
# Find the section <code>[WinDrv.WindowsClient]</code>.  
 
# In that section, find an entry <code>WindowedViewportX=</code> and set its value to your desired window width.
 
# In that section, find an entry <code>WindowedViewportX=</code> and set its value to your desired window width.
Line 179: Line 183:
 
{{Fixbox|description=Edit ini file|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=AlphaYellow|date=2023-06-07}}</ref>|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Edit ini file|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=AlphaYellow|date=2023-06-07}}</ref>|fix=
 
# Launch the game at least once then close it.
 
# Launch the game at least once then close it.
−
# Open {{file|[[#Game data|DT.ini]]}}.
+
# Open {{file|{{p|game}}/System/DT.ini}}.
 
# Change the line <code>LevelOfAnisotropy=1</code> to any value desired (between 1 and 16).
 
# Change the line <code>LevelOfAnisotropy=1</code> to any value desired (between 1 and 16).
 
}}
 
}}
Line 186: Line 190:
 
{{Fixbox|description=Edit ini file|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=AlphaYellow|date=2023-06-07}}</ref>|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Edit ini file|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=AlphaYellow|date=2023-06-07}}</ref>|fix=
 
# Launch the game at least once then close it.
 
# Launch the game at least once then close it.
−
# Open {{file|[[#Game data|DT.ini]]}}.
+
# Open {{file|{{p|game}}/System/DT.ini}}.
 
# Change the line <code>UseVSync=False</code> to <code>UseVSync=True</code>.
 
# Change the line <code>UseVSync=False</code> to <code>UseVSync=True</code>.
 
}}
 
}}
Line 201: Line 205:
 
|mouse menu notes          =  
 
|mouse menu notes          =  
 
|invert mouse y-axis      = always on
 
|invert mouse y-axis      = always on
−
|invert mouse y-axis notes = Enabled by default. To disable, set <code>bInvertMouse=</code> in {{file|[[#Game data|User.ini]]}} to True.
+
|invert mouse y-axis notes = Enabled by default. To disable, set <code>bInvertMouse=</code> in {{file|{{p|game}}/System/User.ini}} to True.
 
|touchscreen              = false
 
|touchscreen              = false
 
|touchscreen notes        =  
 
|touchscreen notes        =  
 
|controller support        = hackable
 
|controller support        = hackable
−
|controller support notes  = Set <code>UseJoystick=True</code> in {{file|[[#Game data|DT.ini]]}} under <code>[WinDrv.WindowsClient]</code>.
+
|controller support notes  = Set <code>UseJoystick=True</code> in {{file|{{p|game}}/System/DT.ini}} under <code>[WinDrv.WindowsClient]</code>.
 
|full controller          = unknown
 
|full controller          = unknown
 
|full controller notes    =  
 
|full controller notes    =  
 
|controller remap          = hackable
 
|controller remap          = hackable
−
|controller remap notes    = Edit in {{file|[[#Game data|User.ini]]}}.
+
|controller remap notes    = Edit in {{file|{{p|game}}/System/User.ini}}.
 
|controller sensitivity    = hackable
 
|controller sensitivity    = hackable
−
|controller sensitivity notes= Edit in {{file|[[#Game data|User.ini]]}}.
+
|controller sensitivity notes= Edit in {{file|{{p|game}}/System/User.ini}}.
 
|invert controller y-axis  = hackable
 
|invert controller y-axis  = hackable
−
|invert controller y-axis notes= Edit in {{file|[[#Game data|User.ini]]}}.
+
|invert controller y-axis notes= Edit in {{file|{{p|game}}/System/User.ini}}.
 
|xinput controllers        = unknown
 
|xinput controllers        = unknown
 
|xinput controllers notes  =  
 
|xinput controllers notes  =  
Line 257: Line 261:
 
{{Fixbox|description=Edit ini file<ref>{{Refcheck|user=AlphaYellow|date=2023-07-24}}</ref>|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Edit ini file<ref>{{Refcheck|user=AlphaYellow|date=2023-07-24}}</ref>|fix=
 
# Launch the game at least once then close it.
 
# Launch the game at least once then close it.
−
# Open {{file|[[#Game data|User.ini]]}}.
+
# Open {{file|{{p|game}}/System/User.ini}}.
 
# Change the line <code>MouseAccelThreshold=</code> to <code>0</code>.
 
# Change the line <code>MouseAccelThreshold=</code> to <code>0</code>.
  
Line 272: Line 276:
  
 
{{Fixbox|description=Edit ini file<ref>{{Refcheck|user=AlphaYellow|date=2023-07-24}}</ref>|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Edit ini file<ref>{{Refcheck|user=AlphaYellow|date=2023-07-24}}</ref>|fix=
−
# Open {{file|[[#Game data|User.ini]]}}.
+
# Open {{file|{{p|game}}/System/User.ini}}.
 
# Change the line <code>MouseSensitivity=</code> to the desired value.
 
# Change the line <code>MouseSensitivity=</code> to the desired value.
 
}}
 
}}
Line 300: Line 304:
 
{{Fixbox|description=Restore surround sound<ref>{{Refcheck|user=AlphaYellow|date=2023-06-07}}</ref>|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Restore surround sound<ref>{{Refcheck|user=AlphaYellow|date=2023-06-07}}</ref>|fix=
 
# Launch the game at least once then close it.
 
# Launch the game at least once then close it.
−
# Open {{file|DT.ini}}.
+
# Open {{file|{{p|game}}/System/DT.ini}}.
 
# Set <code>Use3DSound=True</code> and <code>UseDefaultDriver=False</code>, and save.
 
# Set <code>Use3DSound=True</code> and <code>UseDefaultDriver=False</code>, and save.
 
}}
 
}}
Line 317: Line 321:
 
==Issues fixed==
 
==Issues fixed==
 
===Game's Vsync doesn't work on Windows 8/8.1/10/11===
 
===Game's Vsync doesn't work on Windows 8/8.1/10/11===
−
{{Fixbox|description=Install [http://dege.freeweb.hu/dgVoodoo2/dgVoodoo2/ dgVoodoo2].}}
+
{{Fixbox|description=Use [[dgVoodoo 2]]}}
  
 
{{Fixbox|description=Use crosire's d3d8to9 wrapper|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Use crosire's d3d8to9 wrapper|fix=
 
# Download {{file|d3d8.dll}} from [https://github.com/crosire/d3d8to9/releases here].
 
# Download {{file|d3d8.dll}} from [https://github.com/crosire/d3d8to9/releases here].
−
# Place it in {{folder|{{p|game}}\System}}.
+
# Place it in {{folder|{{p|game}}\System\}}.
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===Poor performance on Windows 8/8.1/10/11===
 
===Poor performance on Windows 8/8.1/10/11===
−
{{Fixbox|description=Install [http://dege.freeweb.hu/dgVoodoo2/dgVoodoo2/ dgVoodoo2].}}
+
{{Fixbox|description=Use [[dgVoodoo 2]]}}
  
−
{{Fixbox|description=Use crosire's d3d8to9 wrapper<ref>{{Refcheck|user=AlphaYellow|date=2023-06-07}}</ref>|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Use crosire's d3d8to9 wrapper|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=AlphaYellow|date=2023-06-07}}</ref>|fix=
 
# Download {{file|d3d8.dll}} from [https://github.com/crosire/d3d8to9/releases here].
 
# Download {{file|d3d8.dll}} from [https://github.com/crosire/d3d8to9/releases here].
 
# Place it in {{folder|{{p|game}}\System\}}.
 
# Place it in {{folder|{{p|game}}\System\}}.
Line 333: Line 337:
  
 
===Run the game at screen refresh rate===
 
===Run the game at screen refresh rate===
−
{{--}} Maximum selectable refresh rate is 60&nbsp;Hz. This does not limit FPS, but may set your monitor's refresh rate to 100&nbsp;Hz, which may result in screen tearing on a 120&nbsp;Hz or 144&nbsp;Hz monitor.
+
{{--}} Maximum selectable refresh rate is 60 Hz. This does not limit FPS, but may set your monitor's refresh rate to 100 Hz, which may result in screen tearing on a 120 or 144 Hz monitor.
  
−
{{Fixbox|description=Set fullscreen refresh rate<ref>{{Refcheck|user=AlphaYellow|date=2023-06-07}}</ref>|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Set fullscreen refresh rate|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=AlphaYellow|date=2023-06-07}}</ref>|fix=
 
# Launch the game at least once then close it.
 
# Launch the game at least once then close it.
−
# Open {{file|[[#Game data|DT.ini]]}}.
+
# Open {{file|{{p|game}}/System/DT.ini}}.
 
# Find the line <code>DesiredRefreshRate=60</code>.
 
# Find the line <code>DesiredRefreshRate=60</code>.
 
# Change the value to set your monitor's refresh rate. For example, 120 or 144.
 
# Change the value to set your monitor's refresh rate. For example, 120 or 144.

Revision as of 16:47, 22 March 2024

Desert Thunder
Desert Thunder cover
Developers
Brainbox Games
Publishers
Retail Groove Games
Hip Games
Funbox Media
Russia Russobit-M
Engines
Unreal Engine 2
Release dates
Windows November 19, 2003
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase
Modes Singleplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives Third-person
Controls Direct control
Genres Action, Shooter, TPS, Vehicle combat
Vehicles Tank
Art styles Realistic
Themes Contemporary, Middle East
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Desert Thunder on HowLongToBeat
Desert Thunder on IGDB
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Desert Thunder on MobyGames
Icon overlay.png

Desert Thunder is a singleplayer third-person action, shooter, TPS and vehicle combat game.

General information

Official site - retrieved with Wayback machine from November 19, 2005.
GOG.com Community Discussions
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)
 StarForce 3 DRM[Note 1]
Windows
Amazon.com
Icon overlay.png
Windows
GamersGate
Icon overlay.png
Windows
GOG.com
DRM-free
Windows
Green Man Gaming
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Steam
Icon overlay.png
Windows
ZOOM Platform
DRM-free
Windows
StarForce DRM for this game does not work on modern versions of Windows (see above for affected versions).

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>/System/*.ini[Note 2]
Steam Play (Linux) <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/283330/pfx/[Note 3]
DT.ini contains general settings.
User.ini contains camera FOV, mouse, keyboard/controller bindings and other settings.

Save game data location

System Location
Windows
Steam Play (Linux) <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/283330/pfx/[Note 3]

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
GOG Galaxy
Steam Cloud

Video

Graphics feature State Notes
Widescreen resolution
See Widescreen resolution.
Multi-monitor
See Widescreen resolution.
Ultra-widescreen
See Widescreen resolution.
4K Ultra HD
See Widescreen resolution.
Field of view (FOV)
See Field of view (FOV).
Windowed
You can toggle between fullscreen and windowed mode with Alt+↵ Enter. See Windowed.
Borderless fullscreen windowed
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
See Anisotropic filtering (AF).
Anti-aliasing (AA)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
Off by default. To turn it on, see Vertical sync (Vsync).
60 FPS and 120+ FPS
See Run the game at screen refresh rate.
High dynamic range display (HDR)

Widescreen resolution

Custom resolutions can be set manually. Note that image is Vert-, and FOV should be increased to compensate for the first two options.
Set custom resolution in-game[5]
  1. While in game, open the console with ~.
  2. Enter setres XXXXxYYYY (for example setres 1920x1080).
Edit ini file[6]
  1. Launch the game at least once then close it.
  2. Open <path-to-game>/System/DT.ini.
  3. Go to the [WinDrv.WindowsClient] section.
  4. Set FullscreenViewportX and FullscreenViewportY to the desired resolution.

Notes

HUD is stretched.
Use the Widescreen Fix[7]

Notes

Camera FOV is fixed.
Menu elements are no longer cropped.
HUD and menus are stretched.

Field of view (FOV)

Set default FOV in-game[8]
  1. While in game, open the console with ~.
  2. Type fov x, where x is the desired FOV.
Edit ini file[9]
  1. Launch the game at least once then close it.
  2. Open <path-to-game>/System/User.ini.
  3. Search for the line 34 and change the line to (change x to the desired value):
    Aliases[27]=(Command="fov x",Alias=SetFOV)
  4. Add SetFOV in front of one of the keyboard letters that says <Keyname>=.
  5. While in-game press the key to activate the new FOV.

Notes

Game could start to randomly reset those values. If so, edit those values in <path-to-game>\System\DefUser.ini too.

Windowed

Edit ini file[10]
  1. Launch the game at least once then close it.
  2. Open <path-to-game>/System/DT.ini.
  3. Find the section [WinDrv.WindowsClient].
  4. In that section, find an entry WindowedViewportX= and set its value to your desired window width.
  5. In that section, find an entry WindowedViewportY= and set its value to your desired window height.
  6. Set StartupFullscreen= to False to start the game in windowed mode.

Anisotropic filtering (AF)

Edit ini file[11]
  1. Launch the game at least once then close it.
  2. Open <path-to-game>/System/DT.ini.
  3. Change the line LevelOfAnisotropy=1 to any value desired (between 1 and 16).

Vertical sync (Vsync)

Edit ini file[12]
  1. Launch the game at least once then close it.
  2. Open <path-to-game>/System/DT.ini.
  3. Change the line UseVSync=False to UseVSync=True.

Input

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
Mouse acceleration
Enabled by default. To disable it, see Mouse acceleration.
Mouse sensitivity
See Mouse sensitivity.
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Enabled by default. To disable, set bInvertMouse= in <path-to-game>/System/User.ini to True.
Controller
Controller support
Set UseJoystick=True in <path-to-game>/System/DT.ini under [WinDrv.WindowsClient].
Full controller support
Controller remapping
Edit in <path-to-game>/System/User.ini.
Controller sensitivity
Edit in <path-to-game>/System/User.ini.
Controller Y-axis inversion
Edit in <path-to-game>/System/User.ini.
Controller types
XInput-compatible controllers
PlayStation controllers
Generic/other controllers
Additional information
Controller hotplugging
Haptic feedback
Digital movement supported
Simultaneous controller+KB/M

Mouse acceleration

Edit ini file[13]
  1. Launch the game at least once then close it.
  2. Open <path-to-game>/System/User.ini.
  3. Change the line MouseAccelThreshold= to 0.

Notes

[Engine.PlayerInput] entries are created upon inverting mouse y-axis or adjusting sensitivity.

Mouse sensitivity

[Engine.PlayerInput] entries are created upon inverting mouse y-axis or adjusting sensitivity in the game settings.
Set custom sensitivity in-game[14]
  1. While in game, open the console with ~.
  2. Enter setsensitivity x (for example setsensitivity 5).
Edit ini file[15]
  1. Open <path-to-game>/System/User.ini.
  2. Change the line MouseSensitivity= to the desired value.

Audio

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Music, Effects.
Surround sound
Up to 7.0 output with DirectSound3D restoration software or OpenAL. See Surround sound.
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
EAX support
EAX 3.
Royalty free audio

Surround sound

By default the game ouput to stereo on modern versions of Windows. This will force the game to use the system OpenAL device as ouput and restore surround sound.
Forcing the game to use system OpenAL device may lead to audio dropouts, missing and substituted audio samples.
Restore surround sound[16]
  1. Launch the game at least once then close it.
  2. Open <path-to-game>/System/DT.ini.
  3. Set Use3DSound=True and UseDefaultDriver=False, and save.

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English

Issues fixed

Game's Vsync doesn't work on Windows 8/8.1/10/11

Use dgVoodoo 2
Use crosire's d3d8to9 wrapper
  1. Download d3d8.dll from here.
  2. Place it in <path-to-game>\System\.

Poor performance on Windows 8/8.1/10/11

Use dgVoodoo 2
Use crosire's d3d8to9 wrapper[17]
  1. Download d3d8.dll from here.
  2. Place it in <path-to-game>\System\.

Run the game at screen refresh rate

Maximum selectable refresh rate is 60 Hz. This does not limit FPS, but may set your monitor's refresh rate to 100 Hz, which may result in screen tearing on a 120 or 144 Hz monitor.
Set fullscreen refresh rate[18]
  1. Launch the game at least once then close it.
  2. Open <path-to-game>/System/DT.ini.
  3. Find the line DesiredRefreshRate=60.
  4. Change the value to set your monitor's refresh rate. For example, 120 or 144.

Notes

Modifying any video options will undo the custom refresh rate.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 8
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 98 2000, XP, ME
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium III 750 MHz Intel Pentium III 1.4 GHz
System memory (RAM) 128 MB 256 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD)
Video card (GPU) 32 MB of VRAM
DirectX 8 compatible 		64 MB of VRAM


Notes

  1. ↑ This version of StarForce DRM does not work on Windows Vista or later.[1][2][3][4] For supported versions of Windows the StarForce driver may need to be updated manually using SFUPDATE.
  2. ↑ 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).
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:

References

  1. ↑ Windows Vista support - StarForce Support
  2. ↑ Windows 7 support - StarForce Support
  3. ↑ Windows 8.1 support - StarForce Support
  4. ↑ Windows 10 support - StarForce Support
  5. ↑ Verified by User:AlphaYellow on 2023-07-24
  6. ↑ Verified by User:AlphaYellow on 2023-06-07
  7. ↑ Verified by User:AlphaYellow on 2023-07-15
  8. ↑ Verified by User:AlphaYellow on 2023-07-24
  9. ↑ Verified by User:AlphaYellow on 2023-06-07
  10. ↑ Verified by User:AlphaYellow on 2023-06-07
  11. ↑ Verified by User:AlphaYellow on 2023-06-07
  12. ↑ Verified by User:AlphaYellow on 2023-06-07
  13. ↑ Verified by User:AlphaYellow on 2023-07-24
  14. ↑ Verified by User:AlphaYellow on 2023-07-24
  15. ↑ Verified by User:AlphaYellow on 2023-07-24
  16. ↑ Verified by User:AlphaYellow on 2023-06-07
  17. ↑ Verified by User:AlphaYellow on 2023-06-07
  18. ↑ Verified by User:AlphaYellow on 2023-06-07