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

Difference between revisions of "Pharaoh"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
(Re-added cleanup tag (the fixboxes still need work).)
m (updated template usage)
(46 intermediate revisions by 18 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{cleanup}}
 
 
{{Infobox game
 
{{Infobox game
 
|cover        = Pharaoh Coverart.png
 
|cover        = Pharaoh Coverart.png
Line 9: Line 8:
 
|engines      =  
 
|engines      =  
 
|release dates=  
 
|release dates=  
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|1999}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|October 31, 1999}}
|steam appid  =  
+
|reception    =
|gogcom page  = pharaoh_cleopatra
+
{{Infobox game/row/reception|IGDB|pharaoh-plus-cleopatra|80}}
 +
|taxonomy    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres|Building}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes|Egypt}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series|City Building (Sierra)}}
 +
|steam appid  = 564530
 +
|gogcom id    = 1207659046
 +
|strategywiki = Pharaoh
 +
|mobygames    = pharaoh
 
|wikipedia    = Pharaoh (video game)
 
|wikipedia    = Pharaoh (video game)
 
|winehq      = 223
 
|winehq      = 223
 +
|license      = commercial
 
}}
 
}}
{{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) | | Windows }}
+
{{Availability/row| Retail | | disc | The basegame using simple disc-check. <br> The Cleopatra expansion utilize {{DRM|SecuROM|V4}} disc check. | | Windows }}
{{Availability/row| GOG | pharaoh_cleopatra | DRM-free | Pharaoh + Cleopatra | | Windows }}
+
{{Availability/row| GOG.com | pharaoh_cleopatra | DRM-free | Includes expansion Cleopatra | | Windows }}
 +
{{Availability/row| Steam | 564530 | Steam | Includes expansion Cleopatra | | Windows }}
 
}}
 
}}
{{++}} The {{store link|GOG|pharaoh_cleopatra|GOG.com version}} includes the expansion Queen of the Nile: Cleopatra, the latest patch and is fixed to run on modern computers.
+
{{++}} The {{store link|GOG.com|pharaoh_cleopatra|GOG.com version}} includes the expansion Queen of the Nile: Cleopatra, the latest patch and is fixed to run on modern computers.
  
 
{{DLC|
 
{{DLC|
Line 34: Line 43:
 
==Essential improvements==
 
==Essential improvements==
 
===Patches===
 
===Patches===
{{ii}} [http://pharaoh.heavengames.com/downloads/lister.php?category=patches Pharaoh Enhancement Pack 1.2] enables the in-game Mission Editor and fixes various issues.
+
{{ii}} [http://pharaoh.heavengames.com/downloads/lister.php?category=patches Pharaoh Enhancement Pack 1.2] enables the in-game Mission Editor and fixes various issues. (Already included in the GOG and Steam versions).
 +
 
 +
===Skip intro videos===
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Instructions|ref=<ref>Tested by [[User:Nessy|Nessy]]</ref>|fix=
 +
# Go to <code>{{p|game}}\Binks\High</code>
 +
# Rename, move or delete this file:
 +
<pre>
 +
Intro_big.bik
 +
</pre>
 +
}}
  
 
==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}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===[[Glossary:Save game cloud syncing|Save game cloud syncing]]===
 +
{{Save game cloud syncing
 +
|discord                =
 +
|discord notes          =
 +
|epic games store      =
 +
|epic games store notes =
 +
|gog galaxy            = true
 +
|gog galaxy notes      =
 +
|origin                =
 +
|origin notes          =
 +
|steam cloud            = unknown
 +
|steam cloud notes      =
 +
|uplay                  =
 +
|uplay notes            =
 +
|xbox cloud            =
 +
|xbox cloud notes      =
 
}}
 
}}
  
==Video settings==
+
==Video==
 
{{Image|Pharaoh Display Options.png|Video settings}}
 
{{Image|Pharaoh Display Options.png|Video settings}}
{{Video settings
+
{{Video
|wsgf link                  = http://www.wsgf.org/dr/pharaoh/en
+
|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 65: Line 101:
 
|fov                        = n/a
 
|fov                        = n/a
 
|fov notes                  =  
 
|fov notes                  =  
|windowed                  = hackable
+
|windowed                  = true
|windowed notes            = See [[#Windowed|Windowed]].
+
|windowed notes            = Only for 16bit colour depth desktop. Hackable for 32bit see [[#Windowed|Windowed]].
 
|borderless windowed        = false
 
|borderless windowed        = false
 
|borderless windowed notes  =  
 
|borderless windowed notes  =  
Line 79: Line 115:
 
|120 fps                    = unknown
 
|120 fps                    = unknown
 
|120 fps notes              =  
 
|120 fps notes              =  
 +
|hdr                        = unknown
 +
|hdr notes                  =
 
|color blind                = false
 
|color blind                = false
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
|color blind notes          =  
Line 84: Line 122:
  
 
===[[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 (available from GOG or Steam):
 +
# 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 the same folder where {{code|Pharaoh.exe}} is
 +
# Open {{code|PharaohResizer.exe}}, set the desired resolution and save the new executable in the same folder of {{code|Pharaoh.exe}}
 +
# Use the new executable file to play
 +
* If the game crashes you may need to choose another resolution
 +
{{ii}} For Pharaoh '''without''' Cleopatra replace {{code|Pharaoh.exe}} with [https://www.wsgf.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=132063#p132063 this file].
  
 
===[[Glossary:Windowed|Windowed]]===
 
===[[Glossary:Windowed|Windowed]]===
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Change color depth|ref=<ref>[https://www.gog.com/support/pharaoh_cleopatra/windowed_mode Support for Pharaoh + Cleopatra - GOG.com]</ref>|fix=
{{Fixbox/fix|Change color depth|ref=<ref>[https://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]] for the {{code|Pharaoh.exe}} file (located in {{code|{{p|game}}}}: {{code|Reduced color mode (16-bit color)}}.
* On Windows 8 and later, right-click the game's shortcut, select Properties -> Compatibility -> Reduced color mode -> 16-bit. 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 XP, right-click your desktop, select Properties -> Display, select the 16-bit color mode and confirm by clicking OK.
+
# Download [http://files.gog.com/support/Pharaoh_windowed.zip the patched files] and extract them into {{code|{{p|game}}}}.
 
+
# 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=PharaohStarter.exe|ref=<ref>https://www.gog.com/forum/pharaoh_cleopatra/q_is_there_a_way_to_activate_the_windowed_mode/post6</ref>|fix=
{{Fixbox/fix|PharaohStarter.exe}}
+
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>https://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  {{code|{{p|game}}}}.
* Extract the .zip, and place PharaohStarter.exe in your game's folder.
+
# Run the game using {{code|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                = false
 
|key remap                = false
 
|key remap notes          =  
 
|key remap notes          =  
Line 117: Line 159:
 
|invert mouse y-axis      = false
 
|invert mouse y-axis      = false
 
|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 127: Line 171:
 
|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  =
|button prompts           = unknown
+
|xbox prompts              = unknown
|button prompts notes     =  
+
|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        = unknown
 
|controller hotplug notes  =  
 
|controller hotplug notes  =  
 
|haptic feedback          = unknown
 
|haptic feedback          = unknown
 
|haptic feedback notes    =  
 
|haptic feedback notes    =  
|light bar support        = unknown
+
|simultaneous input        = unknown
|light bar support notes   =  
+
|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==
 
{{Image|Pharaoh Sound Options.png|Audio settings}}
 
{{Image|Pharaoh Sound Options.png|Audio settings}}
{{Audio settings
+
{{Audio
 
|separate volume          = true
 
|separate volume          = true
 
|separate volume notes    = Sliders for Music, Speech, Effects and City Ambient.
 
|separate volume notes    = Sliders for Music, Speech, Effects and City Ambient.
Line 159: Line 231:
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = English
 
  |language  = English
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
  |audio    = yes
+
  |audio    = true
  |subtitles = yes
+
  |subtitles = true
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
  |fan notes =  
+
}}
 +
{{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  = 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  = Polish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    = Local retail version only
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Spanish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = unknown
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Swedish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    = Local retail version only
 +
|fan      =  
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
Line 170: Line 297:
 
==Issues fixed==
 
==Issues fixed==
 
===Unable to load function; Ft_thunk (Kernell32.dll)===
 
===Unable to load function; Ft_thunk (Kernell32.dll)===
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Enable Compatibility mode|ref=<ref>Instructions from the Sold Out Software release.</ref>|fix=
{{Fixbox/fix|Compatibility Mode|ref=<ref>Instructions from the Sold Out Software release.</ref>}}
+
# Enable the following [[Windows Compatibility Mode|compatibility settings]] for the {{code|Pharaoh.exe}} file (located in {{code|{{p|game}}}}: {{code|Compatibility mode (Windows 2000)}}.
* 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.
+
# Launch the game.
* 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>https://www.gog.com/forum/pharaoh_cleopatra/fix_for_freezes_andor_movies_not_playing_on_multicore_cpus</ref>|fix=
{{Fixbox/fix|Multi-core fix|ref=<ref>https://www.gog.com/forum/pharaoh_cleopatra/fix_for_freezes_andor_movies_not_playing_on_multicore_cpus</ref>}}
+
# Download [https://web.archive.org/web/20080721084339/http://www16.brinkster.com/salvage/thief/imagecfg.zip ImageCFG].
* Download [https://web.archive.org/web/20080721084339/http://www16.brinkster.com/salvage/thief/imagecfg.zip ImageCFG]
+
# Extract the contents of the download to {{code|{{p|game}}}}.
* Extract the .zip and place imagecfg.exe in your game's folder.
+
# Open a text editor (ex. Notepad) and paste in the following:
* Create a batch file. First, open up notepad and paste the following.
 
 
<pre>
 
<pre>
 
@echo off
 
@echo off
Line 193: Line 317:
 
:end
 
:end
 
</pre>  
 
</pre>  
*Save as a .bat file and place it in your Pharaoh installation folder.
+
4. Save the file with the {{code|.bat}} extension and place it in {{code|{{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>https://www.gog.com/forum/pharaoh_cleopatra/instafreeze/post15</ref>|fix=
 +
# In {{code|{{p|game}}}}, rename the {{code|mss32.dll}} file to {{code|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 {{code|{{p|game}}}}.
 +
# Launch the game.
 
}}
 
}}
  
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Stop Pharaoh from freezing|ref=<ref>https://www.gog.com/forum/pharaoh_cleopatra/fix_for_freezes_andor_movies_not_playing_on_multicore_cpus</ref>|fix=
{{Fixbox/fix|mss32.dll|ref=<ref>https://www.gog.com/forum/pharaoh_cleopatra/instafreeze/post15</ref>}}
+
# Download the "Pharaoh v1.2 [ENGLISH] No-CD/Fixed EXE" from "http://www.gamecopyworld.eu/games/pc_pharaoh.shtml" (or in your language from the list)
* Download [http://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/514-miles-sound-system-mss-v60m/ Miles Sound System (MSS) v6.0m]
+
# Add it the installation folder and double-click it - this will patch your Pharaoh.EXE file to play the game without the CD and Fix the .EXE to stop freezing (in my case it worked over all other work-arounds)
* Extract <code>mss32.dll</code> from the .zip file.
+
# Hopefully this fixed your problem as it did me. Play and enjoy!
* 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 exe notes      =
 +
|macos 32-bit app      =
 +
|macos 64-bit app      =
 +
|macos app notes        =
 +
|linux 32-bit executable=
 +
|linux 64-bit executable=
 +
|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
 +
|cutscenes notes  =
 +
|multiplayer      =
 +
|multiplayer notes=
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 209: Line 385:
 
{{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}}

Revision as of 09:10, 11 May 2020

Pharaoh
Pharaoh cover
Developers
Impressions Games
BreakAway Games
Publishers
Sierra Entertainment
Release dates
Windows October 31, 1999
Reception
IGDB 80
Taxonomy
Genres Building
Themes Egypt
Series City Building (Sierra)
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

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 basegame using simple disc-check.
The Cleopatra expansion utilize SecuROM V4 DRM disc check.
Windows
GOG.com
DRM-free
Includes expansion Cleopatra
Windows
Steam
Icon overlay.png
Includes expansion Cleopatra
Windows
The GOG.com version includes the expansion Queen of the Nile: Cleopatra, the latest patch and is fixed to run on modern computers.

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. (Already included in the GOG and Steam versions).

Skip intro videos

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

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

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

Save game data location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\Save[Note 1]
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-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 (available from GOG or Steam):
  1. Download Pharaoh Resizer (French version)
  2. Place it in the same folder where Pharaoh.exe is
  3. Open PharaohResizer.exe, set the desired resolution and save the new executable in the same folder of Pharaoh.exe
  4. Use the new executable file to play
  • If the game crashes you may need to 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 for the Pharaoh.exe file (located in <path-to-game>: 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.
PharaohStarter.exe[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

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
French
German
Hungarian
Fan translation.
Italian
Polish
Local retail version only
Spanish
Swedish
Local retail version only

Issues fixed

Unable to load function; Ft_thunk (Kernell32.dll)

Enable Compatibility mode[4]
  1. Enable the following compatibility settings for the Pharaoh.exe file (located in <path-to-game>: Compatibility mode (Windows 2000).
  2. Launch the game.

Game freezes / movies not playing

Force only one CPU core to run the game[5]
  1. Download ImageCFG.
  2. Extract the contents of the download to <path-to-game>.
  3. Open a text editor (ex. Notepad) 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[6]
  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.
Stop Pharaoh from freezing[7]
  1. Download the "Pharaoh v1.2 [ENGLISH] No-CD/Fixed EXE" from "http://www.gamecopyworld.eu/games/pc_pharaoh.shtml" (or in your language from the list)
  2. Add it the installation folder and double-click it - this will patch your Pharaoh.EXE file to play the game without the CD and Fix the .EXE to stop freezing (in my case it worked over all other work-arounds)
  3. Hopefully this fixed your problem as it did me. Play and enjoy!

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[8]
Cutscenes Bink Video, Smacker

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 File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data (use Wine regedit to access Windows registry paths). Games with Steam Cloud support may store data in ~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/564530/ in addition to or instead of this directory. The app ID (564530) may differ in some cases. Treat backslashes as forward slashes. See the glossary page for details.

References