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Difference between revisions of "Pharaoh"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
(→‎Game freezes / movies not playing: added link to downloadable file)
 
(107 intermediate revisions by 32 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{stub}}
+
{{disambig|the original release|the remaster|[[Pharaoh: A New Era]]}}
{{cleanup}}
 
 
{{Infobox game
 
{{Infobox game
 
|cover        = Pharaoh Coverart.png
 
|cover        = Pharaoh Coverart.png
 
|developers  =  
 
|developers  =  
 
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Impressions Games}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Impressions Games}}
{{Infobox game/row/developer|BreakAway Games}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/developer|BreakAway Games|Expansion}}
 
|publishers  =  
 
|publishers  =  
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Sierra Entertainment}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Sierra On-Line|Retail}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Activision|Digital}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Sold Out Software|Re-release}}
 
|engines      =  
 
|engines      =  
 
|release dates=  
 
|release dates=  
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|1999}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|November 5, 1999}}
|steam appid  =  
+
|reception    =
|gogcom page  = pharaoh_cleopatra
+
|taxonomy    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | One-time game purchase, Expansion pack }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | }}
 +
{{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          | Point and select }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres            | Building }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/sports            | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/vehicles          | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/art styles        | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes            | Egypt, Classical }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | City Building (Sierra) }}
 +
|official site= https://web.archive.org/web/20010405205522/http://www.pharaoh1.com/main_index.shtml
 +
|steam appid  = 564530
 +
|gogcom id    = 1207659046
 +
|hltb        = 7019
 +
|igdb        = pharaoh
 +
|lutris      = pharaoh-cleopatra
 +
|strategywiki = Pharaoh
 +
|mobygames    = 538
 
|wikipedia    = Pharaoh (video game)
 
|wikipedia    = Pharaoh (video game)
 
|winehq      = 223
 
|winehq      = 223
 +
|license      = commercial
 +
}}
 +
 +
{{Introduction
 +
|introduction      =
 +
 +
|release history  = The game received the '''''Queen of the Nile: Cleopatra''''' expansion pack in July 2000, including new campaigns, structures and units.
 +
 +
|current state    =
 
}}
 
}}
{{Series|City Building Series}}
 
  
 
'''General information'''
 
'''General information'''
 
{{mm}} [http://pharaoh.heavengames.com Pharaoh Heaven] community site
 
{{mm}} [http://pharaoh.heavengames.com Pharaoh Heaven] community site
{{GOG.com links|pharaoh_cleopatra|pharaoh_cleopatra}}
+
{{GOG.com links|1207659046|pharaoh_cleopatra}}
 +
{{mm}} [https://steamcommunity.com/app/564530/discussions/ Steam Community Discussions]
  
 
==Availability==
 
==Availability==
 
{{Availability|
 
{{Availability|
{{Availability/row| amazon.co.uk | B000C05XRI | unknown | Pharaoh Gold (Pharaoh + Cleopatra)}}
+
{{Availability/row| Retail | | disc | The base game uses a simple disc check. <br> The Cleopatra expansion utilizes {{DRM|SecuROM|v4}} disc check. | | Windows }}
{{Availability/row| GOG | pharaoh_cleopatra | DRM-free | Pharaoh + Cleopatra}}
+
{{Availability/row| GOG.com | pharaoh_cleopatra | DRM-free | Pharaoh: Gold | | Windows }}
 +
{{Availability/row| Steam | 564530 | Steam | Pharaoh: Gold |  | Windows }}
 +
}}
 +
{{ii}} A free demo version is available from [https://www.gamefront.com/games/pharaoh-cleopatra/file/pharaoh-demo GameFront].
 +
 
 +
===Version differences===
 +
{{ii}} '''Pharaoh: Gold''' includes both Pharaoh and Cleopatra.
 +
 
 +
==Monetization==
 +
{{DLC|
 +
{{DLC/row| Queen of the Nile: Cleopatra |  | Windows }}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Essential improvements==
 +
===Patches===
 +
{{ii}} Pharaoh Enhancement Pack 1.2 enables the in-game mission editor and fixes various issues. The Cleopatra Enhancement Pack 2.1 fixes the expansion's issues. Both are available [http://pharaoh.heavengames.com/downloads/lister.php?category=patches here]. They are already included in the digital releases.
 +
 
 +
===Skip intro videos===
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Instructions|ref=<ref>Tested by [[User:Nessy|Nessy]]</ref>|fix=
 +
# Go to {{file|{{p|game}}\Binks\High|folder}}
 +
# Rename, move or delete {{file|Intro_big.bik}}.
 
}}
 
}}
{{++}} The GOG.com version includes the expansion Queen of the Nile: Cleopatra, the latest patch and is fixed to run on modern computers.
 
  
 
==Game data==
 
==Game data==
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
{{Game data/row|Windows|}}
+
{{Game data/config|Windows|{{p|game}}\}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===Save game data location===
 
===Save game data location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
{{Game data/row|Windows|{{p|game}}\Save}}
+
{{Game data/saves|Windows|{{p|game}}\Save}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
==Video settings==
+
===[[Glossary:Save game cloud syncing|Save game cloud syncing]]===
{{Video settings
+
{{Save game cloud syncing
|wsgf link                  = http://www.wsgf.org/dr/pharaoh/en
+
|discord                  =
 +
|discord notes            =
 +
|epic games launcher      =
 +
|epic games launcher notes =
 +
|gog galaxy                = true
 +
|gog galaxy notes          =
 +
|origin                    =
 +
|origin notes              =
 +
|steam cloud              = false
 +
|steam cloud notes        =
 +
|ubisoft connect          =
 +
|ubisoft connect notes    =
 +
|xbox cloud                =
 +
|xbox cloud notes          =
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Video==
 +
{{Image|Pharaoh Display Options.png|Video settings}}
 +
{{Video
 +
|wsgf link                  = https://www.wsgf.org/dr/pharaoh/en
 
|widescreen wsgf award      = limited
 
|widescreen wsgf award      = limited
 
|multimonitor wsgf award    = unsupported
 
|multimonitor wsgf award    = unsupported
Line 51: Line 119:
 
|multimonitor              = false
 
|multimonitor              = false
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
|ultrawidescreen            = unknown
+
|ultrawidescreen            = false
 
|ultrawidescreen notes      =  
 
|ultrawidescreen notes      =  
|4k ultra hd                = unknown
+
|4k ultra hd                = false
 
|4k ultra hd notes          =  
 
|4k ultra hd notes          =  
|fov                        =  
+
|fov                        = n/a
 
|fov notes                  =  
 
|fov notes                  =  
 
|windowed                  = true
 
|windowed                  = true
|windowed notes            = See [[#Windowed|Windowed]].
+
|windowed notes            = Only for 16-bit colour depth desktop. Hackable for 32-bit; see [[#Windowed|Windowed]].
|borderless windowed        = unknown
+
|borderless windowed        = false
 
|borderless windowed notes  =  
 
|borderless windowed notes  =  
|anisotropic                =  
+
|anisotropic                = n/a
 
|anisotropic notes          =  
 
|anisotropic notes          =  
|antialiasing              =  
+
|antialiasing              = n/a
 
|antialiasing notes        =  
 
|antialiasing notes        =  
 +
|upscaling                  = unknown
 +
|upscaling tech            =
 +
|upscaling notes            =
 
|vsync                      = unknown
 
|vsync                      = unknown
 
|vsync notes                =  
 
|vsync notes                =  
|high frame rate            = unknown
+
|60 fps                    = unknown
|high frame rate notes     =  
+
|60 fps notes               =
|color blind                = unknown
+
|120 fps                    = unknown
 +
|120 fps notes              =
 +
|hdr                        = unknown
 +
|hdr notes                  =  
 +
|color blind                = false
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===[[Glossary:Widescreen resolution|Widescreen resolution]]===
 
===[[Glossary:Widescreen resolution|Widescreen resolution]]===
{{ii}} Replace Pharaoh.exe with the appropriate version: [http://www.wsgf.org/forums/viewtopic.php?p=132063#p132063 Pharaoh], [http://www.wsgf.org/forums/viewtopic.php?p=132064#p132064 Cleopatra].
+
{{ii}} For Pharaoh '''with''' Cleopatra:
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Use Pharaoh Resizer|ref=|fix=
 +
# Download [https://www.wsgf.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=14149&p=165662#p165662 Pharaoh Resizer] ([https://www.wsgf.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=166514#p166514 French version])
 +
# Place it in {{folder|{{p|game}}}}.
 +
# Open {{file|PharaohResizer.exe}}, set the desired resolution and save the new executable in {{folder|{{p|game}}}}.
 +
# Use the new executable file to play
 +
* If the game crashes, choose another resolution
 +
}}
 +
{{ii}} For Pharaoh '''without''' Cleopatra:
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Replace {{file|Pharaoh.exe}} with [https://www.wsgf.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=132063#p132063 this file].|ref=|fix=
 +
}}
  
 
===[[Glossary:Windowed|Windowed]]===
 
===[[Glossary:Windowed|Windowed]]===
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Change color depth|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gog.com/support/pharaoh_cleopatra/windowed_mode|title=Support for Pharaoh + Cleopatra - GOG.com|date=May 2023}}</ref>|fix=
{{Fixbox/fix|Change color depth|ref=<ref>[http://www.gog.com/support/pharaoh_cleopatra/windowed_mode Support for Pharaoh + Cleopatra - GOG.com]</ref>}}
+
# Change the colour depth of the display to 16-bit
To enable windowed mode, first change the color depth to 16bit.
+
#* For Windows 8 and newer, enable the following [[Windows Compatibility Mode|compatibility settings]] to the {{file|Pharaoh.exe}} file: {{code|Reduced color mode (16-bit color)}}.
* On Windows XP, right-click your desktop, select Properties -> Display, select the 16-bit color mode and confirm by clicking OK.
+
#* For Windows Vista and 7, change the colour mode through the Screen resolution settings in the Control Panel.
* On Windows Vista and 7, right-click your desktop, select Screen resolution, select the 16-bit color mode and confirm by clicking OK.
+
#* For Windows XP, change the colour mode through the Display settings in the Control Panel.
* On Windows 8, right-click the game's shortcut, select Properties -> Compatibility -> Reduced color mode -> 16-bit. Confirm by clicking OK.
+
# Download [http://files.gog.com/support/Pharaoh_windowed.zip the patched files] and extract them into {{file|{{p|game}}|folder}}.
 
+
# Launch the game.
Now, download [http://files.gog.com/support/Pharaoh_windowed.zip this file], and extract into the installation folder, replacing the existing files. with the ones found in the ZIP file. You can maximize the window afterwards.
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Use the Pharaoh Starter|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gog.com/forum/pharaoh_cleopatra/q_is_there_a_way_to_activate_the_windowed_mode/post6|title=gog.com|date=May 2023}}</ref>|fix=
{{Fixbox/fix|PharaohStarter.exe}}
+
{{ii}} An application that automatically changes the colour depth to 16-bit and starts Pharaoh in a window. After the game is closed, the color depth returns to 32-bit.
An application that automatically changes the color depth to 16 bit and starts Pharaoh in a window. After the game is closed the color depth returns to 32 bit.<ref>http://www.gog.com/forum/pharaoh_cleopatra/q_is_there_a_way_to_activate_the_windowed_mode/post6</ref>
+
# Download [https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1420135/PharaohStarter.zip the launcher].
* Download [https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1420135/PharaohStarter.zip this file]
+
# Extract the contents of the download to {{folder|{{p|game}}}}.
* Extract the .zip, and place PharaohStarter.exe in your game's folder.
+
# Run the game using {{file|PharaohStarter.exe}}.
* Run the game using PharaohStarter.exe. Change your game shortcut to open PharaohStarter.exe instead of Pharaoh.exe
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
==Input settings==
+
==Input==
{{Input settings
+
{{Input
|key remap                = unknown
+
|key remap                = false
 
|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      = false
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
|controller support        = unknown
+
|touchscreen              = unknown
 +
|touchscreen notes        =
 +
|controller support        = false
 
|controller support notes  =  
 
|controller support notes  =  
 
|full controller          = unknown
 
|full controller          = unknown
Line 111: Line 198:
 
|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|Pharaoh Sound Options.png|Audio settings}}
|separate volume          = unknown
+
{{Audio
|separate volume notes    =  
+
|separate volume          = true
|surround sound          = unknown
+
|separate volume notes    = Sliders for Music, Speech, Effects and City Ambient.
 +
|surround sound          = false
 
|surround sound notes    =  
 
|surround sound notes    =  
|subtitles                = unknown
+
|subtitles                = true
|subtitles notes          =  
+
|subtitles notes          = Not during cutscenes
|closed captions          = unknown
+
|closed captions          = true
 
|closed captions notes    =  
 
|closed captions notes    =  
|mute on focus lost      = unknown
+
|mute on focus lost      = false
 
|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  = French
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    = Retail only; [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1522702617 download for digital versions].
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = German
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Hungarian
 +
|interface = hackable
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = hackable
 +
|notes    = [https://magyaritasok.hu/magyaritasok/pharaoh/3128 Fan translation.]
 +
|fan      = true
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Italian
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = unknown
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Korean
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    = Retail only
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Polish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    = Retail release; [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2052703738 download for digital versions]. [https://dubbingpedia.pl/wiki/Faraon_(gra) Details]
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Brazilian Portuguese
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = unknown
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    = Retail only. ''Faraó''.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010209050240/http://www.brasoft.com.br/farao/index.htm|title=BraSoft (archived, 2001).|date=May 2023}}</ref>
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Spanish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = unknown
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    = Retail only; [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1294403584 download for digital versions].
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Swedish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    = Retail only.
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==Issues fixed==
 
==Issues fixed==
 
===Unable to load function; Ft_thunk (Kernell32.dll)===
 
===Unable to load function; Ft_thunk (Kernell32.dll)===
{{ii}} The Sold Out Software release came with instructions on how to run Pharaoh & Queen of the Nile on Windows XP, which can also work on Windows Vista / 7
+
{{Fixbox|description=Run the game in [[Windows Compatibility Mode|compatibility mode]] for Windows 2000.|ref=<ref>Instructions from the Sold Out Software release.</ref>|fix=
{{Fixbox|1=
+
}}
{{Fixbox/fix|Compatibility Mode}}
 
* Install Pharaoh to a location on your hard drive.  If you are using Windows Vista / 7 it may be best to install to a location outside of Program Files.  Choose a full install.
 
* Install Queen of the Nile: Cleopatra.
 
* Download and install the [http://pharaoh.heavengames.com/downloads/lister.php?category=patches lastest patch] for your version of the game.
 
* Go to where you have installed the game and find the game .exe.  Right click on it and choose "Properties".  Click on the compatibility tab, tick the box next to "Run this program in compatibility mode for:" and select "Windows 2000". Click on the OK button.}}
 
  
 
===Game freezes / movies not playing===
 
===Game freezes / movies not playing===
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Force only one CPU core to run the game|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gog.com/forum/pharaoh_cleopatra/fix_for_freezes_andor_movies_not_playing_on_multicore_cpus|title=gog.com|date=May 2023}}</ref>|fix=
{{Fixbox/fix|Multi-core fix}}
+
# Download [https://web.archive.org/web/20080721084339/http://www16.brinkster.com/salvage/thief/imagecfg.zip ImageCFG].
This is from a guide posted on the GOG.com Pharaoh forum.<ref>http://www.gog.com/forum/pharaoh_cleopatra/fix_for_freezes_andor_movies_not_playing_on_multicore_cpus</ref>
+
# Extract the contents of the download to {{folder|{{p|game}}}}.
* Download [http://web.archive.org/web/20080721084339/http://www16.brinkster.com/salvage/thief/imagecfg.zip ImageCFG]
+
# Open a text editor and paste in the following:
* Extract the .zip and place imagecfg.exe in your game's folder.
 
* Create a batch file.  First, open up notepad and paste the following.
 
 
<pre>
 
<pre>
 
@echo off
 
@echo off
Line 160: Line 364:
 
:end
 
:end
 
</pre>  
 
</pre>  
*Save as a .bat file and place it in your Pharaoh installation folder.
+
4. Save the file with the {{file|.bat}} extension and place it in {{folder|{{p|game}}}}.<br />
*Run the batch file.
+
5. Run this file to launch the game.
 +
}}
  
This will change the CPU affinity of Pharaoh so it will run on one CPU core.
+
{{Fixbox|description=Update the mss32.dll file|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gog.com/forum/pharaoh_cleopatra/instafreeze/post15|title=gog.com|date=May 2023}}</ref>|fix=
 +
# In {{folder|{{p|game}}}}, rename the {{file|mss32.dll}} file to {{file|oldmss32.dll}}.
 +
# Download [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/514-miles-sound-system-mss-v60m/ Miles Sound System (MSS) v6.0m].
 +
# Extract the contents of the download to {{folder|{{p|game}}}}.
 +
# Launch the game.
 
}}
 
}}
  
{{Fixbox|1=
+
===Game speed/map scroll rate issue===
{{Fixbox/fix|mss32.dll|ref=<ref>http://www.gog.com/forum/pharaoh_cleopatra/instafreeze/post15</ref>}}
+
{{Fixbox|description=Set the slider in-game|ref=<ref>https://www.gog.com/forum/pharaoh_cleopatra/game_runs_at_superhigh_speed/?search=fast</ref><ref>https://www.gog.com/forum/pharaoh_cleopatra/some_animations_not_showing/?search=fast</ref>|fix=
* Download the updated version of the Miles Sound System library from [http://moddingpark.altervista.org/mss32.zip here]
+
While in-game, press options and press speed option and move the game speed slider to adjust the game speed or scroll rate slider to adjust the scroll speed.
{{ii}} Should you have [[Zeus: Master of Olympus]], you can find <code>mss32.dll</code> in the installation folder and copy it from there.
+
}}
* Extract <code>mss32.dll</code> from the .zip file.
+
 
* Paste it into the Pharaoh folder, overwriting the existing <code>mss32.dll</code>.
+
==Other information==
 +
===API===
 +
{{API
 +
|direct3d versions      =
 +
|direct3d notes        =
 +
|directdraw versions    = 6
 +
|directdraw notes      = {{cn|date=April 2016}}
 +
|opengl versions        =
 +
|opengl notes          =
 +
|glide versions        =
 +
|glide notes            =
 +
|software mode          =
 +
|software mode notes    =
 +
|mantle support        =
 +
|mantle 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        = unknown
 +
|windows exe notes      =
 +
|macos intel 32-bit app =
 +
|macos intel 64-bit app =
 +
|macos arm app          = unknown
 +
|macos app notes        =
 +
|linux 32-bit executable=
 +
|linux 64-bit executable=
 +
|linux arm app          = unknown
 +
|linux executable notes =
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Middleware===
 +
{{Middleware
 +
|physics          =
 +
|physics notes    =
 +
|audio            = Miles Sound System
 +
|audio notes      = 5.0r<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Nessy|date=2020-01-19|comment=Version number found in Mss32.dll in the game installation folder.}}</ref>
 +
|interface        =
 +
|interface notes  =
 +
|input            =
 +
|input notes      =
 +
|cutscenes        = Bink Video, Smacker Video Technology
 +
|cutscenes notes  =
 +
|multiplayer      =
 +
|multiplayer notes=
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 177: Line 434:
 
{{System requirements
 
{{System requirements
 
|OSfamily = Windows
 
|OSfamily = Windows
 
+
|minOS    = 95
|minOS    = 95, 98
+
|minCPU  = Intel Pentium 133 MHz
|minCPU  = 133 MHz
 
 
|minRAM  = 32 MB
 
|minRAM  = 32 MB
 
|minHD    = 360 MB
 
|minHD    = 360 MB
 +
|minGPU  =
 
|minVRAM  = 1 MB
 
|minVRAM  = 1 MB
 +
|minDX    = 6
  
 +
|recOS    = 98
 +
|recCPU  = Intel Pentium 166 MHz
 +
|recRAM  =
 
|recHD    = 630 MB
 
|recHD    = 630 MB
|recCPU   = 200 MHz
+
|recGPU   =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
{{References}}
 
{{References}}

Latest revision as of 23:41, 8 April 2024

This page is for the original release. For the remaster, see Pharaoh: A New Era.

Pharaoh
Pharaoh cover
Developers
Impressions Games
Expansion BreakAway Games
Publishers
Retail Sierra On-Line
Digital Activision
Re-release Sold Out Software
Release dates
Windows November 5, 1999
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase, Expansion pack
Modes Singleplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives Bird's-eye view, Isometric
Controls Point and select
Genres Building
Themes Egypt, Classical
Series City Building (Sierra)
Pharaoh on HowLongToBeat
Pharaoh on IGDB
Pharaoh guide on StrategyWiki
Pharaoh on MobyGames
Pharaoh on Wikipedia
City Building (Sierra)
Caesar (series)
Pharaoh 1999
Zeus: Master of Olympus 2000
Emperor: Rise of the Middle Kingdom 2002
Children of the Nile 2004
Pharaoh: A New Era 2023

Pharaoh is a singleplayer bird's-eye view and isometric building game in the City Building (Sierra) series.

The game received the Queen of the Nile: Cleopatra expansion pack in July 2000, including new campaigns, structures and units.

General information

Pharaoh Heaven community site
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)
The base game uses a simple disc check.
The Cleopatra expansion utilizes SecuROM v4 DRM disc check.
Windows
GOG.com
DRM-free
Pharaoh: Gold
Windows
Steam
Icon overlay.png
Pharaoh: Gold
Windows
A free demo version is available from GameFront.

Version differences

Pharaoh: Gold includes both Pharaoh and Cleopatra.

Monetization

DLC and expansion packs

Name Notes
Queen of the Nile: Cleopatra
Windows

Essential improvements

Patches

Pharaoh Enhancement Pack 1.2 enables the in-game mission editor and fixes various issues. The Cleopatra Enhancement Pack 2.1 fixes the expansion's issues. Both are available here. They are already included in the digital releases.

Skip intro videos

Instructions[1]
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\Binks\High
  2. Rename, move or delete Intro_big.bik.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\[Note 1]
Steam Play (Linux) <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/564530/pfx/[Note 2]

Save game data location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\Save[Note 1]
Steam Play (Linux) <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/564530/pfx/[Note 2]

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
GOG Galaxy
Steam Cloud

Video

Video settings
Video settings

Widescreen resolution

For Pharaoh with Cleopatra:
Use Pharaoh Resizer
  1. Download Pharaoh Resizer (French version)
  2. Place it in <path-to-game>.
  3. Open PharaohResizer.exe, set the desired resolution and save the new executable in <path-to-game>.
  4. Use the new executable file to play
  • If the game crashes, choose another resolution
For Pharaoh without Cleopatra:
Replace Pharaoh.exe with this file.

Windowed

Change color depth[2]
  1. Change the colour depth of the display to 16-bit
    • For Windows 8 and newer, enable the following compatibility settings to the Pharaoh.exe file: Reduced color mode (16-bit color).
    • For Windows Vista and 7, change the colour mode through the Screen resolution settings in the Control Panel.
    • For Windows XP, change the colour mode through the Display settings in the Control Panel.
  2. Download the patched files and extract them into <path-to-game>.
  3. Launch the game.
Use the Pharaoh Starter[3]
An application that automatically changes the colour depth to 16-bit and starts Pharaoh in a window. After the game is closed, the color depth returns to 32-bit.
  1. Download the launcher.
  2. Extract the contents of the download to <path-to-game>.
  3. Run the game using PharaohStarter.exe.

Input

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Mouse acceleration
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
Controller types

Audio

Audio settings
Audio settings

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Sliders for Music, Speech, Effects and City Ambient.
Surround sound
Subtitles
Not during cutscenes
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
French
Retail only; download for digital versions.
German
Hungarian
Fan translation.
Italian
Korean
Retail only
Polish
Retail release; download for digital versions. Details
Brazilian Portuguese
Retail only. Faraó.[4]
Spanish
Retail only; download for digital versions.
Swedish
Retail only.

Issues fixed

Unable to load function; Ft_thunk (Kernell32.dll)

Run the game in compatibility mode for Windows 2000.[5]

Game freezes / movies not playing

Force only one CPU core to run the game[6]
  1. Download ImageCFG.
  2. Extract the contents of the download to <path-to-game>.
  3. Open a text editor and paste in the following:
@echo off
if not exist Pharaoh.exe goto end
if exist Pharaoh.exe.bak goto end
copy Pharaoh.exe Pharaoh.exe.bak
imagecfg -u Pharaoh.exe
imagecfg -a 0x1 Pharaoh.exe
pause
:end

4. Save the file with the .bat extension and place it in <path-to-game>.
5. Run this file to launch the game.

Update the mss32.dll file[7]
  1. In <path-to-game>, rename the mss32.dll file to oldmss32.dll.
  2. Download Miles Sound System (MSS) v6.0m.
  3. Extract the contents of the download to <path-to-game>.
  4. Launch the game.

Game speed/map scroll rate issue

Set the slider in-game[8][9]

While in-game, press options and press speed option and move the game speed slider to adjust the game speed or scroll rate slider to adjust the scroll speed.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
DirectDraw 6 [citation needed]
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Audio Miles Sound System 5.0r[10]
Cutscenes Bink Video, Smacker Video Technology

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 95
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium 133 MHz
System memory (RAM) 32 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 360 MB
Video card (GPU) 1 MB of VRAM
DirectX 6 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).
  2. 2.0 2.1 Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:

References

  1. Tested by Nessy
  2. Support for Pharaoh + Cleopatra - GOG.com - last accessed on May 2023
  3. gog.com - last accessed on May 2023
  4. BraSoft (archived, 2001). - last accessed on May 2023
  5. Instructions from the Sold Out Software release.
  6. gog.com - last accessed on May 2023
  7. gog.com - last accessed on May 2023
  8. https://www.gog.com/forum/pharaoh_cleopatra/game_runs_at_superhigh_speed/?search=fast
  9. https://www.gog.com/forum/pharaoh_cleopatra/some_animations_not_showing/?search=fast
  10. Verified by User:Nessy on 2020-01-19
    Version number found in Mss32.dll in the game installation folder.