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Difference between revisions of "The Elder Scrolls: Arena"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
m (Adding/fixing information.)
 
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{{Infobox game
 
{{Infobox game
−
|cover        = The-elder-scrolls-arena-cover.jpg
+
|cover        = The Elder Scrolls Arena cover.jpg
 
|developers  =  
 
|developers  =  
 
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Bethesda Softworks}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Bethesda Softworks}}
Line 6: Line 6:
 
|engines      =  
 
|engines      =  
 
|release dates=  
 
|release dates=  
−
{{Infobox game/row/date|DOS|1994}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/date|DOS|March 25, 1994}}
−
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|September 10, 2013|ref=<ref>[http://www.bethblog.com/2013/09/10/the-elder-scrolls-anthology-available-tomorrow/ Now Available: The Elder Scrolls Anthology in North America | Bethesda Blog]</ref>}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|September 10, 2013|wrapper=DOSBox|ref=<ref>[http://www.bethblog.com/2013/09/10/the-elder-scrolls-anthology-available-tomorrow/ Now Available: The Elder Scrolls Anthology in North America | Bethesda Blog]</ref>}}
−
|steam appid  =  
+
|reception    =
−
|gogcom page  = the_elder_scrolls_arena
+
|taxonomy    =
−
|strategywiki =  
+
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | Freeware }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | Singleplayer }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing            | Real-time }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives      | First-person }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls          | Direct control }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres            | ARPG, Open world }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/sports            | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/vehicles          | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/art styles        | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes            | Fantasy }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | The Elder Scrolls }}
 +
|steam appid  = 1812290
 +
|gogcom id    = 1435828982
 +
|official site= https://elderscrolls.bethesda.net/en/arena/
 +
|hltb        = 9862
 +
|igdb        = the-elder-scrolls-arena
 +
|lutris      = the-elder-scrolls-arena
 +
|strategywiki = The Elder Scrolls: Arena
 +
|mobygames    = 803
 
|wikipedia    = The Elder Scrolls: Arena
 
|wikipedia    = The Elder Scrolls: Arena
 
|winehq      =  
 
|winehq      =  
 +
|license      = former commercial
 +
}}
 +
 +
{{Introduction
 +
|introduction      =
 +
 +
|release history  =
 +
 +
|current state    =
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{Series|The Elder Scrolls}}
 
  
 
'''Key points'''
 
'''Key points'''
−
{{++}} Floppy disk version re-released as a [http://www.elderscrolls.com/arena/ free download] in 2004 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of [[Series:The Elder Scrolls|The Elder Scrolls]] series.  
+
{{++}} Floppy disk version re-released as a [https://www.elderscrolls.com/arena/ free download] in 2004 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of [[Series:The Elder Scrolls|The Elder Scrolls]] series.  
−
{{++}} [http://wiwiki.wiwiland.net/index.php?title=Arena_:_ArenaSetup_EN ArenaSetup] is a pre-packaged installer for Windows, including the CD version of the game.
+
{{++}} [https://wiwiki.wiwiland.net/index.php?title=Arena_:_ArenaSetup_EN ArenaSetup] is a pre-packaged installer for Windows, including the CD version of the game.
  
 
'''General information'''
 
'''General information'''
−
{{mm}} [http://www.elderscrolls.com/arena/ Official site]
 
 
{{mm}} [https://forums.bethsoft.com/forum/15-past-elder-scrolls-games/ Official forum]
 
{{mm}} [https://forums.bethsoft.com/forum/15-past-elder-scrolls-games/ Official forum]
 
{{mm}} [http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Arena:Arena The Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages]
 
{{mm}} [http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Arena:Arena The Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages]
 
{{mm}} [http://forums.uesp.net/viewforum.php?f=1 UESP forum]
 
{{mm}} [http://forums.uesp.net/viewforum.php?f=1 UESP forum]
−
{{GOG.com links|the_elder_scrolls_arena|elder_scrolls_series|for game series}}
+
{{GOG.com links|1435828982|elder_scrolls_series|for game series}}
 +
{{mm}} [https://steamcommunity.com/app/1812290/discussions/ Steam Community Discussions]
  
 
==Availability==
 
==Availability==
 
{{Availability|
 
{{Availability|
−
{{Availability/row| Retail | | physical | Floppy version: requires manual to answer Shift Gate copy protection questions.<ref name="Shift Gate">[http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Arena:Escape_From_Prison Arena:Escape From Prison - UESPWiki]</ref> Use [[DOSBox]]. | | DOS }}
+
{{Availability/row| Retail | | physical | Floppy version: Requires manual to answer Shift Gate copy protection questions.<ref name="Shift Gate">[http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Arena:Escape_From_Prison Arena:Escape From Prison - UESPWiki]</ref> Use [[DOSBox]]. | | DOS }}
−
{{Availability/row| Retail | | disc | CD version: disc check. Use DOSBox. | | DOS }}
+
{{Availability/row| Retail | | disc | CD version: Disc check. Use DOSBox. | | DOS }}
 
{{Availability/row|1= official |2= http://wiwiki.wiwiland.net/index.php?title=Arena_:_ArenaSetup_EN |3= DRM-free |4= This is the CD version pre-packaged with DOSBox. |5= |6= Windows }}
 
{{Availability/row|1= official |2= http://wiwiki.wiwiland.net/index.php?title=Arena_:_ArenaSetup_EN |3= DRM-free |4= This is the CD version pre-packaged with DOSBox. |5= |6= Windows }}
−
{{Availability/row| official | http://www.elderscrolls.com/arena/ | DRM-free | The floppy disk version from the official site (without DOSBox). | | DOS }}
+
{{Availability/row| GOG.com | the_elder_scrolls_arena | DRM-free | Prepackaged with DOSBox. | | Windows }}
−
{{Availability/row| Amazon | B00E9I1FPI | unknown | The Elder Scrolls Anthology; includes Arena (floppy version<ref>[http://www.bethblog.com/2013/09/10/the-elder-scrolls-anthology-available-tomorrow/comment-page-1/#comment-336585 Now Available: The Elder Scrolls Anthology in North America | Bethesda Blog]</ref>), [[The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall|Daggerfall]], [[The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind|Morrowind]], [[The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion|Oblivion]] and [[The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim|Skyrim]] plus their expansions. | | Windows }}
+
{{Availability/row| Microsoft Store | 9mxtnlfvx3mx | Microsoft Store | Free download. | | Windows }}
 +
{{Availability/row| Steam | 1812290 | DRM-free | Free download and bundled with DOSBox. | | Windows }}
 +
{{Availability/row| official | https://www.elderscrolls.com/arena/ | DRM-free | The floppy disk version from the official site (without DOSBox). | | DOS | unavailable }}
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{ii}} The GOG.com version is available by purchasing any other game on GOG.com [https://www.gog.com/games?devpub=bethesda_softworks_llc published by Bethesda Softworks].
 
  
 
===Version differences===
 
===Version differences===
−
{{ii}} The CD version has voice acting during cutscenes, removes the Shift Gate copy protection questions,<ref name="Shift Gate"/> and has a remastered ending. The two versions are otherwise identical.
+
{{ii}} The CD version has voice acting during cutscenes, removes the Shift Gate's copy protection questions,<ref name="Shift Gate"/> a remastered ending, and small graphical changes to items like shields. The two versions are otherwise identical.
 +
{{ii}} The Elder Scrolls Anthology includes the floppy version.<ref>[http://www.bethblog.com/2013/09/10/the-elder-scrolls-anthology-available-tomorrow/comment-page-1/#comment-336585 Now Available: The Elder Scrolls Anthology in North America | Bethesda Blog]</ref>
  
 
==Essential improvements==
 
==Essential improvements==
 
===Patches===
 
===Patches===
−
[http://www.patches-scrolls.com/the_elder_scrolls_arena.php Patch 1.06] is the latest patch for the retail floppy version. The CD version and the freeware floppy version are already fully patched.
+
[https://www.patches-scrolls.com/the_elder_scrolls_arena.php Patch 1.06] is the latest patch for the retail floppy version. The CD version and the freeware floppy version are already fully patched.
  
 
===Run in DOSBox===
 
===Run in DOSBox===
 
{{ii}} To play Arena properly under [[DOSBox]], make the following changes to the DOSBox configuration file<ref>Settings recommended by Gemini in [http://www.pixelships.com/adg/ep0048.html Ancient DOS Games --- Episode 48: The Elder Scrolls I: Arena]</ref>):
 
{{ii}} To play Arena properly under [[DOSBox]], make the following changes to the DOSBox configuration file<ref>Settings recommended by Gemini in [http://www.pixelships.com/adg/ep0048.html Ancient DOS Games --- Episode 48: The Elder Scrolls I: Arena]</ref>):
 
* Change <code>core=auto</code> to <code>core=dynamic</code>
 
* Change <code>core=auto</code> to <code>core=dynamic</code>
−
* Change <code>cycles=auto</code> to <code>cycles=max</code>
+
* Change <code>aspect=false</code> to <code>aspect=true</code>
−
* Change <code>aspect=true</code> to <code>aspect=false</code>
+
* (OPTIONAL) Change <code>scaler=normal2x</code> to <code>scaler=normal3x</code>
−
{{++}} Changing the "core=" command to "dynamic" will allow the game to run at a much higher framerate when using high detail settings, as opposed to "auto".
+
* Change <code>fullresolution=original</code> to <code>fullresolution=desktop</code>
−
{{ii}} Changing the "cycles=" command to max will force the game to a framerate above 5 FPS (making the game playable), but animations will be heavily sped up, making some essential NPCs very hard to talk to, as they move too fast.
+
* Change <code>cycles=auto</code> to <code>cycles=max</code> or (OPTIONAL) <code>cycles=fixed 20000</code>
−
{{--}} The "aspect=" command, when set to true, will make the game unplayable by forcing the game's disintegration effect in menus to stop working. This is noticeable on lower end PCs.
+
* Change <code>output=surface</code> to <code>output=opengl</code> or <code>output=ddraw</code> (Windows)
 +
{{--}} If <code>output=</code> isn't changed from surface and the <code>aspect=</code> command is turned to true, the game will become unplayable.
 +
{{++}} Changing <code>scaler=</code> to "normal3x" will emulate the game in windowed mode at twice the resolution, staying faithful to the original's size. Paired well with <code>aspect=true</code>.
 +
{{ii}} Changing the <code>cycles=</code> command to max will force DOSBox to emulate the game at a higher framerate with high detail settings, but animations will be sped up, making NPCs very hard to talk to, as they move too fast. This also applies to enemies.
 +
{{ii}} Changing the <code>cycles=</code> command to "fixed 20000" will force the game to play as it should on release, but will become unplayable on higher detail levels due to slowdown.
 +
{{ii}} Changing the <code>core=</code> command to "dynamic" will allow the game to run at a higher framerate when using high detail settings, as opposed to "auto."
  
 
===Enhanced Music===
 
===Enhanced Music===
−
When installing the game under DOSBox, the guide provided by Bethesda recommends Sound Blaster 16 (or 16 Pro) for the music and sound emulation. This will provide terrible sounding musical-quality. For increased musical quality, one must go through the installer and set the settings to equal:
+
When installing the game under DOSBox, the guide provided by Bethesda recommends SoundBlaster 16 for the music and sound emulation. This provides faithful, but worse musical-quality. For increased musical quality, the Soundcard settings must match these:
 
* <code>SOUND: Sound Blaster or SB16 (or compatible) - I0:220 IRQ:7 DMA:1</code>
 
* <code>SOUND: Sound Blaster or SB16 (or compatible) - I0:220 IRQ:7 DMA:1</code>
 
* <code>MUSIC: General Midi or MPU-401 - I0:330 IRQ:2 DMA:1</code>
 
* <code>MUSIC: General Midi or MPU-401 - I0:330 IRQ:2 DMA:1</code>
−
{{ii}} While improving musical fidelity, General Midi will make some parts of the ambient dungeon music sound awkward, as it changes few crucial instruments. The game will run indifferent, however.
+
{{--}} While improving musical fidelity, GeneralMIDI will make various dungeon tracks sound "awkward" due to the new instrument sounds.
 +
{{--}} Some dungeon music won't play if GeneralMIDI or SoundBlaster is used, as both modes have special music. GeneralMIDI seems to have the most variation.
 +
{{--}} When using SoundBlaster, some overworld music, like the snowing music, will have odd, warping-sounding instruments in the background.
 +
 
 +
===Increase View Distance===
 +
By editing your save file, you can set the view distance ("Detail" in the game menu) to well above the max setting of 19.
 +
 
 +
# Back up your game save.
 +
# In the in-game menu, change the "Detail" slider to 0 and save the game in the top slot of the save menu.
 +
# Close the game.
 +
# Open SAVEENGN.00 with a hex-editor and change line 186 from:
 +
7ef8 e8c6 6080 e566 050a 152a 57ad 58b0 (default)
 +
    to
 +
cf90 36fa 6080 e566 050a 152a 57ad 58b0
 +
 
 +
Save and launch the game. When you load that save, the detail bar should be extremely long and wrap around your screen. Further saves created will preserve this new setting, so long as you don't change the detail setting.
 +
* The example setting here is one that is arbitrarily high enough that you cannot see any more details given the 320x200 resolution.
  
 
==Game data==
 
==Game data==
−
===Configuration file and save game data location===
+
===Save game data location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
−
{{Game data/row|DOS|{{p|game}}\*.0*}}
+
{{Game data/saves|DOS|{{p|game}}\*.0*|{{p|game}}\NAMES.DAT}}
−
{{Game data/row|Windows|{{p|game}}\*.0*}}
+
{{Game data/saves|Windows|}}
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{ii}} Each save is comprised of multiple <code>*.0*</code> files, with the extension's number matching the slot it was saved to.<ref>[http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Arena:Save_Games Arena:Save Games - UESPWiki]</ref>
+
{{ii}} Each save is comprised of multiple <code>*.0*</code> files, with the extension's number matching the slot it was saved to.<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Arena:Save_Games|title=Arena:Save Games - UESPWiki|date=May 2023}}</ref>
−
{{ii}} <code>NAMES.DAT</code> stores the save file names (saves can still be loaded without it).
+
{{ii}} {{file|NAMES.DAT}} stores the save file names (saves can still be loaded without it).
 
{{ii}} In-game settings are stored in each save rather than shared.
 
{{ii}} In-game settings are stored in each save rather than shared.
 +
{{ii}} GOG version places save files in <code>{{p|game}}\cloud_saves</code> instead if cloud saves are enabled.
 +
 +
===[[Glossary:Save game cloud syncing|Save game cloud syncing]]===
 +
{{Save game cloud syncing
 +
|discord                  =
 +
|discord notes            =
 +
|epic games launcher      =
 +
|epic games launcher notes =
 +
|gog galaxy                = true
 +
|gog galaxy notes          =
 +
|origin                    =
 +
|origin notes              =
 +
|steam cloud              = true
 +
|steam cloud notes        =
 +
|ubisoft connect          =
 +
|ubisoft connect notes    =
 +
|xbox cloud                = false
 +
|xbox cloud notes          =
 +
}}
  
−
==Video settings==
+
==Video==
 
{{Image|The Elder Scrolls Arena settings.png|General settings.}}
 
{{Image|The Elder Scrolls Arena settings.png|General settings.}}
−
{{Video settings
+
{{Video
 
|wsgf link                  =  
 
|wsgf link                  =  
 
|widescreen wsgf award      =  
 
|widescreen wsgf award      =  
Line 78: Line 147:
 
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    =  
 
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    =  
 
|widescreen resolution      = false
 
|widescreen resolution      = false
−
|widescreen resolution notes= Upscaled 320x200 only.
+
|widescreen resolution notes= 320x200 only, see [[DOSBox#Game appears stretched horizontally|the DOSBox page]] for more information.
 
|multimonitor              = false
 
|multimonitor              = false
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
Line 87: Line 156:
 
|fov                        = false
 
|fov                        = false
 
|fov notes                  =  
 
|fov notes                  =  
−
|windowed                  = true
+
|windowed                  = false
−
|windowed notes            = Toggle with {{key|Alt|Enter}} (when using [[DOSBox]]).
+
|windowed notes            =  
 
|borderless windowed        = false
 
|borderless windowed        = false
 
|borderless windowed notes  =  
 
|borderless windowed notes  =  
Line 95: Line 164:
 
|antialiasing              = false
 
|antialiasing              = false
 
|antialiasing notes        =  
 
|antialiasing notes        =  
 +
|upscaling                  = unknown
 +
|upscaling tech            =
 +
|upscaling notes            =
 
|vsync                      = false
 
|vsync                      = false
 
|vsync notes                =  
 
|vsync notes                =  
Line 101: Line 173:
 
|120 fps                    = false
 
|120 fps                    = false
 
|120 fps notes              = Capped at 70 FPS.
 
|120 fps notes              = Capped at 70 FPS.
 +
|hdr                        = false
 +
|hdr notes                  =
 
|color blind                = false
 
|color blind                = false
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Input settings==
+
==Input==
−
{{Input settings
+
{{Input
 
|key remap                = true
 
|key remap                = true
−
|key remap notes          = Key remapping only available while pressing <code>ALT+F1</code> in DOSBox.
+
|key remap notes          = Key remapping only available while pressing {{key|ALT|F1}} in DOSBox. Also see the [https://www.nexusmods.com/tesarena/mods/1 "TES Arena Remapped" mod], which supplies a Dosbox control file enabling modern WASD controls.
 
|acceleration option      = false
 
|acceleration option      = false
 
|acceleration option notes =  
 
|acceleration option notes =  
Line 117: Line 191:
 
|invert mouse y-axis      = false
 
|invert mouse y-axis      = false
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 +
|touchscreen              = false
 +
|touchscreen notes        = Touchscreen rarely works, and only for menus.
 
|controller support        = false
 
|controller support        = false
 
|controller support notes  =  
 
|controller support notes  =  
−
|full controller          = false
+
|full controller          = unknown
 
|full controller notes    =  
 
|full controller notes    =  
−
|controller remap          = false
+
|controller remap          = unknown
 
|controller remap notes    =  
 
|controller remap notes    =  
−
|controller sensitivity    = false
+
|controller sensitivity    = unknown
 
|controller sensitivity notes=  
 
|controller sensitivity notes=  
−
|invert controller y-axis  = false
+
|invert controller y-axis  = unknown
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
−
|touchscreen              = false
 
−
|touchscreen notes        = Touchscreen rarely works, and only for menus.
 
−
|button prompts            = false
 
−
|button prompts notes      =
 
 
|controller hotplug        = false
 
|controller hotplug        = false
 
|controller hotplug notes  =  
 
|controller hotplug notes  =  
 
|haptic feedback          = false
 
|haptic feedback          = false
 
|haptic feedback notes    =  
 
|haptic feedback notes    =  
−
|light bar support        = false
+
|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==
−
{{Audio settings
+
{{Image|ARENA Soundcards.png|Supported SoundCards for MIDI}}
 +
{{Audio
 
|separate volume          = true
 
|separate volume          = true
 
|separate volume notes    = Sound and Music.
 
|separate volume notes    = Sound and Music.
 
|surround sound          = false
 
|surround sound          = false
−
|surround sound notes    =  
+
|surround sound notes    = mono; only one sound can be played at the same time.
 
|subtitles                = true
 
|subtitles                = true
 
|subtitles notes          = All dialogue is text.
 
|subtitles notes          = All dialogue is text.
Line 153: Line 236:
 
|eax support              = false
 
|eax support              = false
 
|eax support notes        =  
 
|eax support notes        =  
 +
|red book cd audio        =
 +
|red book cd audio notes  =
 +
|general midi audio      = true
 +
|general midi audio notes =
 +
|royalty free audio      = always on
 +
|royalty free audio notes =
 
}}
 
}}
 +
{{++}} This game supports the MT-32 and General MIDI for music.
  
 
{{L10n|content=
 
{{L10n|content=
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = English
 
  |language  = English
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
−
  |audio    = yes
+
  |audio    = true
−
  |subtitles = yes
+
  |subtitles = true
 
  |notes    = Only cutscenes are voiced.
 
  |notes    = Only cutscenes are voiced.
 +
|fan      =
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = French
 
  |language  = French
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = hackable
−
  |audio    = no
+
  |audio    = false
−
  |subtitles = yes
+
  |subtitles = hackable
−
  |notes    =
+
  |notes    = Use [http://www.projet-french-arena.org/wiki/index.php?n=Main.Fichiers Projet French Arena] or [http://wiwiki.wiwiland.net/index.php?title=Arena_:_ArenaSetup_EN ArenaSetup]. Some text is English.
−
|fan      = yes
+
|fan      = true
−
|fan notes = Use [http://www.projet-french-arena.org/wiki/index.php?n=Main.Fichiers Projet French Arena] or [http://wiwiki.wiwiland.net/index.php?title=Arena_:_ArenaSetup_EN ArenaSetup]. Some text is English.
+
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Russian
 +
|interface = hackable
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = hackable
 +
|notes    = Fan translation [https://elderscrolls.net/arena/ru/ download]
 +
|fan      = true
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Spanish
 +
|interface = hackable
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = hackable
 +
|notes    = Fan translation by ''Clan Dlan'', [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AAsjWVZeYVvjIpTVFomzljnDMwWIOzyp/view?usp=drive_link download].
 +
|fan      = true
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Turkish
 +
|interface = hackable
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = hackable
 +
|notes    = Fan translation [https://www.nexusmods.com/tesarena/mods/31 download].
 +
|fan      = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
==Other information==
 +
===API===
 +
{{API
 +
|direct3d versions      =
 +
|direct3d notes        =
 +
|directdraw versions    =
 +
|directdraw notes      =
 +
|opengl versions        =
 +
|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              = VGA
 +
|dos modes notes        =
 +
|shader model versions  =
 +
|shader model notes    =
 +
|windows 32-bit exe    = unknown
 +
|windows 64-bit exe    = unknown
 +
|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 =
 +
}}
 +
 +
===[https://github.com/afritz1/OpenTESArena OpenTESArena]===
 +
Reverse engineered multi-platform reimplementation of the game. currently in early development.
  
 
==System requirements==
 
==System requirements==
 
{{System requirements
 
{{System requirements
 
|OSfamily = DOS
 
|OSfamily = DOS
−
|minOS    = DOS 5.0
+
|minOS    = 5.0
−
|minCPU  = 386/25 MHZ
+
|minCPU  = i386 25MHz
 
|minRAM  = 4 MB
 
|minRAM  = 4 MB
 
|minHD    = 25 MB
 
|minHD    = 25 MB
−
|minGPU  = VGA graphics card
+
|minGPU  = VGA-capable card
 +
|minaudio = MT-32, General Midi, Sound Blater, Ultrasound, Aria, Ensoniq, ESS, Wave Blaster, Roland
 +
 
 +
|recCPU  = i486 33MHz+
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
{{References}}
 
{{References}}
 +
{{GOG.com Enhancement Project}}

Latest revision as of 15:30, 2 May 2024

The Elder Scrolls: Arena
The Elder Scrolls: Arena cover
Developers
Bethesda Softworks
Release dates
DOS March 25, 1994
Windows (DOSBox) September 10, 2013[1]
Taxonomy
Monetization Freeware
Modes Singleplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives First-person
Controls Direct control
Genres ARPG, Open world
Themes Fantasy
Series The Elder Scrolls
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The Elder Scrolls: Arena on HowLongToBeat
The Elder Scrolls: Arena on IGDB
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The Elder Scrolls: Arena guide on StrategyWiki
The Elder Scrolls: Arena on MobyGames
The Elder Scrolls: Arena on Wikipedia
⤏ Go to series page
The Elder Scrolls: Arena 1994
The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall 1996
An Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire 1997
The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard 1998
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind 2002
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion 2006
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim 2011
The Elder Scrolls Online 2014
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition 2016
The Elder Scrolls: Legends 2017
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR 2018
The Elder Scrolls: Blades TBA
The Elder Scrolls VI TBA

The Elder Scrolls: Arena is a singleplayer first-person ARPG and open world game in the The Elder Scrolls series.

Key points

Floppy disk version re-released as a free download in 2004 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Elder Scrolls series.
ArenaSetup is a pre-packaged installer for Windows, including the CD version of the game.

General information

Official forum
The Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages
UESP forum
GOG.com Community Discussions for game series
GOG.com Support Page
Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Prompts for answers from manual, code wheel, etc.
 Floppy version: Requires manual to answer Shift Gate copy protection questions.[2] Use DOSBox.
DOS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
 CD version: Disc check. Use DOSBox.
DOS
Official website
DRM-free
 This is the CD version pre-packaged with DOSBox.
Windows
GOG.com
DRM-free
 Prepackaged with DOSBox.
Windows
Microsoft Store
Microsoft Store
 Free download.
Windows
Steam
DRM-free after installation through Steam client (notes may include more details)
 Free download and bundled with DOSBox.
Windows
Official website (unavailable)
DRM-free
 The floppy disk version from the official site (without DOSBox).
DOS

Version differences

The CD version has voice acting during cutscenes, removes the Shift Gate's copy protection questions,[2] a remastered ending, and small graphical changes to items like shields. The two versions are otherwise identical.
The Elder Scrolls Anthology includes the floppy version.[3]

Essential improvements

Patches

Patch 1.06 is the latest patch for the retail floppy version. The CD version and the freeware floppy version are already fully patched.

Run in DOSBox

To play Arena properly under DOSBox, make the following changes to the DOSBox configuration file[4]):
  • Change core=auto to core=dynamic
  • Change aspect=false to aspect=true
  • (OPTIONAL) Change scaler=normal2x to scaler=normal3x
  • Change fullresolution=original to fullresolution=desktop
  • Change cycles=auto to cycles=max or (OPTIONAL) cycles=fixed 20000
  • Change output=surface to output=opengl or output=ddraw (Windows)
If output= isn't changed from surface and the aspect= command is turned to true, the game will become unplayable.
Changing scaler= to "normal3x" will emulate the game in windowed mode at twice the resolution, staying faithful to the original's size. Paired well with aspect=true.
Changing the cycles= command to max will force DOSBox to emulate the game at a higher framerate with high detail settings, but animations will be sped up, making NPCs very hard to talk to, as they move too fast. This also applies to enemies.
Changing the cycles= command to "fixed 20000" will force the game to play as it should on release, but will become unplayable on higher detail levels due to slowdown.
Changing the core= command to "dynamic" will allow the game to run at a higher framerate when using high detail settings, as opposed to "auto."

Enhanced Music

When installing the game under DOSBox, the guide provided by Bethesda recommends SoundBlaster 16 for the music and sound emulation. This provides faithful, but worse musical-quality. For increased musical quality, the Soundcard settings must match these:

  • SOUND: Sound Blaster or SB16 (or compatible) - I0:220 IRQ:7 DMA:1
  • MUSIC: General Midi or MPU-401 - I0:330 IRQ:2 DMA:1
While improving musical fidelity, GeneralMIDI will make various dungeon tracks sound "awkward" due to the new instrument sounds.
Some dungeon music won't play if GeneralMIDI or SoundBlaster is used, as both modes have special music. GeneralMIDI seems to have the most variation.
When using SoundBlaster, some overworld music, like the snowing music, will have odd, warping-sounding instruments in the background.

Increase View Distance

By editing your save file, you can set the view distance ("Detail" in the game menu) to well above the max setting of 19.

  1. Back up your game save.
  2. In the in-game menu, change the "Detail" slider to 0 and save the game in the top slot of the save menu.
  3. Close the game.
  4. Open SAVEENGN.00 with a hex-editor and change line 186 from:
7ef8 e8c6 6080 e566 050a 152a 57ad 58b0 (default)
    to
cf90 36fa 6080 e566 050a 152a 57ad 58b0

Save and launch the game. When you load that save, the detail bar should be extremely long and wrap around your screen. Further saves created will preserve this new setting, so long as you don't change the detail setting.

  • The example setting here is one that is arbitrarily high enough that you cannot see any more details given the 320x200 resolution.

Game data

Save game data location

System Location
DOS <path-to-game>\*.0*
<path-to-game>\NAMES.DAT
Windows <path-to-game> (mounted in DOSBox)[Note 1]
Steam Play (Linux) <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/1812290/pfx/[Note 2]
Each save is comprised of multiple *.0* files, with the extension's number matching the slot it was saved to.[5]
NAMES.DAT stores the save file names (saves can still be loaded without it).
In-game settings are stored in each save rather than shared.
GOG version places save files in <path-to-game>\cloud_saves instead if cloud saves are enabled.

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
GOG Galaxy
Steam Cloud
Xbox Cloud

Video

General settings.
General settings.

Graphics feature State Notes
Widescreen resolution
320x200 only, see the DOSBox page for more information.
Multi-monitor
Ultra-widescreen
4K Ultra HD
Field of view (FOV)
Windowed
For DOSBox toggle with Alt+↵ Enter (see the glossary page for other workarounds).
Borderless fullscreen windowed
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Anti-aliasing (AA)
Vertical sync (Vsync)
For DOSBox use an unofficial build (see the glossary page for other workarounds).
60 FPS
Capped at 70 FPS.
120+ FPS
Capped at 70 FPS.
High dynamic range display (HDR)

Input

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
Key remapping only available while pressing Alt+F1 in DOSBox. Also see the "TES Arena Remapped" mod, which supplies a Dosbox control file enabling modern WASD controls.
Mouse acceleration
Mouse sensitivity
For DOSBox set in the DOSBox configuration file.
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Touchscreen optimised
Touchscreen rarely works, and only for menus.
Controller
Controller support
For DOSBox use the DOSBox Mapper (see the glossary page for other workarounds).

Audio

Supported SoundCards for MIDI
Supported SoundCards for MIDI

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Sound and Music.
Surround sound
mono; only one sound can be played at the same time.
Subtitles
All dialogue is text.
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
For DOSBox change the priority background value in the DOSBox configuration file.
Royalty free audio
General MIDI audio
This game supports the MT-32 and General MIDI for music.

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
Only cutscenes are voiced.
French
Use Projet French Arena or ArenaSetup. Some text is English.
Russian
Fan translation download
Spanish
Fan translation by Clan Dlan, download.
Turkish
Fan translation download.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
DOS video modes VGA

OpenTESArena

Reverse engineered multi-platform reimplementation of the game. currently in early development.

System requirements

DOS
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 5.0
Processor (CPU) i386 25MHz i486 33MHz+
System memory (RAM) 4 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 25 MB
Video card (GPU) VGA-capable card
Sound (audio device) MT-32, General Midi, Sound Blater, Ultrasound, Aria, Ensoniq, ESS, Wave Blaster, Roland


Notes

  1. ↑ File/folder structure within the installation folder reflects the path(s) listed for DOS game data. For the GOG.com release, file changes in DOSBox are redirected to <path-to-game>/cloud_saves/ even if GOG Galaxy is not used (this folder contains all redirected files, so some files in the cloud_saves folder might be temporary files or other files that do not contain saves or settings).
  2. ↑ Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:

References