Difference between revisions of "The Elder Scrolls: Arena"
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===Version differences=== | ===Version differences=== | ||
| − | {{ii}} The CD version has voice acting during cutscenes, removes the Shift Gate copy protection questions,<ref name="Shift Gate"/> | + | {{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> | {{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> | ||
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{{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> | + | * Change <code>fullresolution=original</code> to <code>fullresolution=desktop</code> |
| − | {{ | + | * Change <code>cycles=auto</code> to <code>cycles=max</code> or (OPTIONAL) <code>cycles=fixed 20000</code> |
| − | {{ii}} Changing the | + | * Change <code>output=surface</code> to <code>output=opengl</code> or <code>output=ddraw</code> |
| − | {{ | + | {{--}} If <code>output=</code> isn't changed from surface and the <code>aspect=</code> command is turned to true, the game will become unplayable. |
| + | {{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. | + | When installing the game under DOSBox, the guide provided by Bethesda recommends Sound Blaster 16 (or 16 Pro) for the music and sound emulation. The musical quality is worse, but it will sound like how it originally released if chosen. For increased musical quality, one must go through the installer and set the settings to equal: |
* <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> | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{--}} While improving musical fidelity, General Midi will make many parts of various ambient dungeon music sound awkward, as crucial instruments are upgraded in quality. The game will run indifferent, however. |
===Source ports=== | ===Source ports=== | ||
Revision as of 15:53, 24 March 2018
| Cover image missing, please upload it | |
| Developers | |
|---|---|
| Bethesda Softworks | |
| Release dates | |
| DOS | 1994 |
| Windows | September 10, 2013[1] |
 |
|
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 site
- Official forum
- The Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages
- UESP forum
- GOG.com Community Discussions for game series
- GOG.com Support Page
Availability
| Source | DRM | Notes | Keys | OS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail | |
Floppy version: requires manual to answer Shift Gate copy protection questions.[2] Use DOSBox. | |
|
| Retail | |
CD version: disc check. Use DOSBox. | |
|
| Official website | |
This is the CD version pre-packaged with DOSBox. | |
|
| Official website | |
The floppy disk version from the official site (without DOSBox). | |
- The GOG.com version is available by purchasing any other game on GOG.com published by Bethesda Softworks.
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=autotocore=dynamic - Change
aspect=falsetoaspect=true - Change
fullresolution=originaltofullresolution=desktop - Change
cycles=autotocycles=maxor (OPTIONAL)cycles=fixed 20000 - Change
output=surfacetooutput=opengloroutput=ddraw
- If
output=isn't changed from surface and theaspect=command is turned to true, the game will become unplayable. - 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 Sound Blaster 16 (or 16 Pro) for the music and sound emulation. The musical quality is worse, but it will sound like how it originally released if chosen. For increased musical quality, one must go through the installer and set the settings to equal:
SOUND: Sound Blaster or SB16 (or compatible) - I0:220 IRQ:7 DMA:1MUSIC: General Midi or MPU-401 - I0:330 IRQ:2 DMA:1
- While improving musical fidelity, General Midi will make many parts of various ambient dungeon music sound awkward, as crucial instruments are upgraded in quality. The game will run indifferent, however.
Source ports
OpenTESArena is an early developed user-made port of the game based on SDL2 which supports Linux and Windows. However, the software must be compiled for now and the instructions & requirements are available.
Game data
Configuration file and save game data location
- Each save is comprised of multiple
*.0*files, with the extension's number matching the slot it was saved to.[5] -
NAMES.DATstores the save file names (saves can still be loaded without it). - In-game settings are stored in each save rather than shared.
Save game cloud syncing
- No save game cloud syncing information; you can edit this page to add it.
Video settings
General settings.
Input settings
Audio settings
Localizations
| Language | UI | Audio | Sub | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | Only cutscenes are voiced. | |||
| French |
Other information
API
| Technical specs | Supported | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DOS video modes | VGA |
| Executable | 32-bit | 64-bit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows |
System requirements
| DOS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Minimum | ||
| Operating system (OS) | 5.0 | |
| Processor (CPU) | Intel 386 25 MHz | |
| System memory (RAM) | 4 MB | |
| Hard disk drive (HDD) | 25 MB | |
| Video card (GPU) | VGA | |
References
- ↑ Now Available: The Elder Scrolls Anthology in North America | Bethesda Blog
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Arena:Escape From Prison - UESPWiki
- ↑ Now Available: The Elder Scrolls Anthology in North America | Bethesda Blog
- ↑ Settings recommended by Gemini in Ancient DOS Games --- Episode 48: The Elder Scrolls I: Arena
- ↑ Arena:Save Games - UESPWiki
Categories:
- Pages needing cover images
- DOS
- Windows
- Invalid template usage (Infobox game)
- Games
- Invalid template usage (Series)
- Invalid section order
- Invalid template usage (Save game cloud syncing)
- Invalid template usage (Localizations)
- Invalid template usage (API)
- Missing section (Video)
- Missing section (Input)
- Missing section (Audio)