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Difference between revisions of "The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
 
(48 intermediate revisions by 9 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
{{stub}}
 
 
{{Infobox game
 
{{Infobox game
 
|title        = The Battle for Middle-earth
 
|title        = The Battle for Middle-earth
Line 11: Line 10:
 
|release dates=  
 
|release dates=  
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|December 6, 2004}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|December 6, 2004}}
 +
|reception    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/reception|Metacritic|the-lord-of-the-rings-the-battle-for-middle-earth|82}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/reception|IGDB|the-lord-of-the-rings-the-battle-for-middle-earth|84}}
 +
|taxonomy    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | One-time game purchase }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | Singleplayer, Multiplayer }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing            | Real-time }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives      | Bird's-eye view }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls          | Multiple select, Point and select }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres            | RTS }}
 +
{{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 Battle for Middle-earth }}
 
|steam appid  =  
 
|steam appid  =  
 
|gogcom id    =  
 
|gogcom id    =  
 +
|lutris      = the-lord-of-the-rings-the-battle-for-middle-earth
 
|strategywiki = The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth
 
|strategywiki = The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth
−
|mobygames    = lord-of-the-rings-the-battle-for-middle-earth
+
|mobygames    = 15857
 +
|hltb        = 10063
 
|wikipedia    = The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth
 
|wikipedia    = The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth
 
|winehq      = 1981
 
|winehq      = 1981
 
|license      = commercial
 
|license      = commercial
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{series|The Battle for Middle-earth}}
 
  
−
'''Key points'''
+
{{Introduction
−
{{--}} Frame rate is capped at 30 FPS.
+
|introduction      =
−
{{--}} Not available digitally.
+
 
−
{{--}} GameSpy online server browser deactivated on December 31, 2010 due to Electronic Arts losing the Lord of the Rings license.<ref>[http://www.gamereplays.org/battleformiddleearth/portals.php?show=news&news_id=709520&home Middle-earth Online Server Shutdown Announced]</ref>
+
|release history  = The game received three official patches, the third of which was produced by the [https://www.gamereplays.org/battleformiddleearth/ GameReplays.org ''BFME'' section].
 +
 
 +
As of December 31, 2010, the official [[GameSpy]] service was shut down and all purchases were halted due to [[Company:Electronic Arts|Electronic Arts]]' loss of the ''Lord of the Rings'' license.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gamereplays.org/battleformiddleearth/portals.php?show=news&news_id=709520|title=Middle-earth Online Server Shutdown Announced - Battle for Middle Earth - GameReplays.org|date=2023-08-11}}</ref>
 +
 
 +
|current state    = Same as with immediate technological predecessor, ''[[Command & Conquer: Generals]]'', the game remains playable on modern Windows versions with some major technical hiccups that can be worked around; issues like [[#Exception Access Violation on startup|errors when starting the game]] and [[#Auto-defeat after 3 minutes and 30 seconds|DRM issues]], and [[#Mouse input lag|input lag]]. [[#Unofficial patches|Unofficial patches]] resolve most of the game's problems save for [[#Off-host delay|off-host delay]].
 +
}}
  
 
'''General information'''
 
'''General information'''
−
{{mm}} [http://t3aonline.net T3A:Online] - fan-hosted multiplayer server replacement
+
{{mm}} [https://t3aonline.net T3A:Online] - fan-hosted multiplayer server replacement
 +
{{mm}} [https://www.gamereplays.org/battleformiddleearth/ Battle for Middle-earth section on GameReplays.org]
  
 
==Availability==
 
==Availability==
 
{{Availability|
 
{{Availability|
−
{{Availability/row| Retail |  | Disc, Key | {{DRM|SafeDisc|v4}}. | | Windows }}
+
{{Availability/row| Retail |  | Disc, Key | {{DRM|SafeDisc|v4}}. Released on 4 CDs or 1 DVD. | | Windows }}
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{ii}} This game is not available digitally.
+
{{--}} All versions include custom {{term|DRM}} code which can sabotage the game by destroying all units and structures owned by the player after 3 minutes and 30 seconds, triggering an automatic defeat. It can occur on legitimate copies under certain circumstances - see [[#Auto-defeat after 3 minutes and 30 seconds|Auto-defeat after 3 minutes and 30 seconds]] for instructions to fix this.
  
 
==Essential improvements==
 
==Essential improvements==
−
===Patches===
+
===Official patches===
−
Latest official version: [ftp://ftp.ea.com/pub/eapacific/lotr/lotrbfme/LotrBfMe-65539-english.exe 1.03]. An unofficial 1.05 patch adds several changes: [https://www.moddb.com/mods/bfme-patch-105]
+
{{ii}} The latest official patch for the base game is 1.03, available from [https://www.patches-scrolls.de/patch/4253/7/32883 Patches-Scrolls], [https://www.gamefront.com/games/battle-for-middle-earth/category/v1-03 GameFront], and [https://cncnz.com/downloads/battle-for-middle-earth-downloads/#patches CNCNZ.com].
 +
 
 +
===Unofficial patches===
 +
{{mm}} [https://www.the3rdage.net/item-779?addview Patch 1.05] fixes a lot of bugs and removes the disc requirement. Requires patch 1.03.
 +
{{mm}} [https://www.the3rdage.net/item-787?addview Patch 1.06] fixes more bugs and adds some new maps. Requires patch 1.05. Widescreen interface available [https://www.the3rdage.net/item-788?addview here].
 +
{{mm}} [https://www.gamereplays.org/battleformiddleearth/portals.php?show=page&name=109%20Patch Patch 1.09] fixes bugs and imbalances, adds new visuals and comes with a patch switcher. Designed for multiplayer.
 +
 
 
===Skip intro videos===
 
===Skip intro videos===
−
{{Fixbox|description=Skip intro videos|ref={{cn|date=April 2017}}|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Skip intro videos|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plok|date=2021-09-14|comment=}}</ref>|fix=
−
# Go to <code>{{p|game}}\data\movies\</code>
+
# Go to {{folder|{{p|game}}\data\movies}}
−
# Delete or rename <code>EALogo.vp6</code>, <code>Intel.vp6</code>, <code>NewLineLogo.vp6</code> and <code>THX.vp6</code>.
+
# Delete or rename {{file|EALogo.vp6}}, {{file|Intel.vp6}}, {{file|NewLineLogo.vp6}} and {{file|THX.vp6}}.
−
* Alternatively, install the unofficial 1.05 patch.
+
* Alternatively, install the unofficial 1.05 patch or newer.
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 56: Line 84:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Video settings==
+
==Video==
−
{{Image|TLotR BfMe.png|Display, Audio and Controls settings.}}
+
{{Image|TLotR BfMe.png|General settings menu}}
−
{{Video settings
+
{{Image|LotRBFME1 advanced graphics settings.png|Custom graphics settings menu}}
 +
{{Video
 
|wsgf link                  = https://www.wsgf.org/dr/lord-rings-battle-middle-earth
 
|wsgf link                  = https://www.wsgf.org/dr/lord-rings-battle-middle-earth
 
|widescreen wsgf award      = silver
 
|widescreen wsgf award      = silver
Line 75: Line 104:
 
|fov notes                  =  
 
|fov notes                  =  
 
|windowed                  = hackable
 
|windowed                  = hackable
−
|windowed notes            = See [[#Windowed|Windowed]].
+
|windowed notes            = Use <code>-win</code> [[Glossary:Command line arguments|parameter]].
−
|borderless windowed        = hackable
+
|borderless windowed        = false
−
|borderless windowed notes  = Use [[Glossary:Borderless fullscreen windowed#Borderless Gaming|Borderless Gaming]].
+
|borderless windowed notes  =  
 
|anisotropic                = false
 
|anisotropic                = false
 
|anisotropic notes          =  
 
|anisotropic notes          =  
 
|antialiasing              = false
 
|antialiasing              = false
 
|antialiasing notes        =  
 
|antialiasing notes        =  
 +
|upscaling                  = false
 +
|upscaling tech            =
 +
|upscaling notes            =
 
|vsync                      = hackable
 
|vsync                      = hackable
 
|vsync notes                = Can be forced using Nvidia Control Panel (Manage 3D Settings)
 
|vsync notes                = Can be forced using Nvidia Control Panel (Manage 3D Settings)
 
|60 fps                    = false
 
|60 fps                    = false
−
|60 fps notes              = Frame rate is capped at 30 FPS; removing cap increases game speed.
+
|60 fps notes              = Frame rate is capped at 30 FPS, with game speed tied to frame rate.
 
|120 fps                    = false
 
|120 fps                    = false
 
|120 fps notes              =  
 
|120 fps notes              =  
−
|hdr                        = unknown
+
|hdr                        = false
 
|hdr notes                  =  
 
|hdr notes                  =  
−
|color blind                = unknown
+
|color blind                = false
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===[[Glossary:Widescreen resolution|Widescreen resolution]]===
 
===[[Glossary:Widescreen resolution|Widescreen resolution]]===
−
{{Fixbox|description=Instructions|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Instructions|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plok|date=2021-09-14|comment=}}</ref>|fix=
−
# Go to <code>{{p|appdata}}\My Battle for Middle-earth Files\</code>
+
# Go to {{folder|{{p|appdata}}\My Battle for Middle-earth Files}}
 
# Open {{file|Options.ini}}.
 
# Open {{file|Options.ini}}.
 
# Find the following line and set it to the desired value.
 
# Find the following line and set it to the desired value.
Line 105: Line 137:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
{{Fixbox|description=Alternatively|ref={{cn|date=September 2016}}|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Alternatively|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plok|date=2021-09-14|comment=}}</ref>|fix=
 
* Use {{Code|-xres #### -yres ####}} [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line argument]]
 
* Use {{Code|-xres #### -yres ####}} [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line argument]]
 
* Replace #### with the desired width and height respectively
 
* Replace #### with the desired width and height respectively
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
===[[Glossary:Windowed|Windowed]]===
+
==Input==
−
{{Fixbox|description=Use {{Code|-win}} [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line argument]]|ref={{cn|date=December 2016}}}}
+
{{Input
−
 
 
−
==Input settings==
 
−
{{Input settings
 
 
|key remap                = true
 
|key remap                = true
 
|key remap notes          =  
 
|key remap notes          =  
−
|acceleration option      = unknown
+
|acceleration option      = false
 
|acceleration option notes =  
 
|acceleration option notes =  
 
|mouse sensitivity        = true
 
|mouse sensitivity        = true
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|mouse menu                = true
 
|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 =  
 
|touchscreen              = unknown
 
|touchscreen              = unknown
Line 177: Line 206:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Audio settings==
+
==Audio==
−
{{Audio settings
+
{{Audio
 
|separate volume          = true
 
|separate volume          = true
 
|separate volume notes    =  
 
|separate volume notes    =  
Line 185: Line 214:
 
|subtitles                = true
 
|subtitles                = true
 
|subtitles notes          =  
 
|subtitles notes          =  
−
|closed captions          = unknown
+
|closed captions          = false
 
|closed captions notes    =  
 
|closed captions notes    =  
−
|mute on focus lost      = unknown
+
|mute on focus lost      = always on
 
|mute on focus lost notes =  
 
|mute on focus lost notes =  
 
|eax support              = true
 
|eax support              = true
−
|eax support notes        = EAX3
+
|eax support notes         = EAX3
 +
|royalty free audio       = unknown
 +
|royalty free audio notes  =
 
}}
 
}}
  
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  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = true
 
  |audio    = true
−
  |subtitles = unknown
+
  |subtitles = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
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  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = unknown
 
  |audio    = unknown
−
  |subtitles = unknown
+
  |subtitles = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
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  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = unknown
 
  |audio    = unknown
−
  |subtitles = unknown
+
  |subtitles = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
Line 216: Line 247:
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = unknown
 
  |audio    = unknown
−
  |subtitles = unknown
+
  |subtitles = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
Line 222: Line 253:
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = true
 
  |audio    = true
−
  |subtitles = unknown
+
  |subtitles = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
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  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = true
 
  |audio    = true
−
  |subtitles = unknown
+
  |subtitles = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
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  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = true
 
  |audio    = true
−
  |subtitles = unknown
+
  |subtitles = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
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  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = unknown
 
  |audio    = unknown
−
  |subtitles = unknown
+
  |subtitles = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
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  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = unknown
 
  |audio    = unknown
−
  |subtitles = unknown
+
  |subtitles = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
Line 252: Line 283:
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = unknown
 
  |audio    = unknown
−
  |subtitles = unknown
+
  |subtitles = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
Line 258: Line 289:
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = unknown
 
  |audio    = unknown
−
  |subtitles = unknown
+
  |subtitles = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
Line 264: Line 295:
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = unknown
 
  |audio    = unknown
−
  |subtitles = unknown
+
  |subtitles = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
Line 276: Line 307:
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = unknown
 
  |audio    = unknown
−
  |subtitles = unknown
+
  |subtitles = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
Line 282: Line 313:
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = unknown
 
  |audio    = unknown
−
  |subtitles = unknown
+
  |subtitles = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
Line 288: Line 319:
 
==Network==
 
==Network==
 
{{Network/Multiplayer
 
{{Network/Multiplayer
−
|local play          =  
+
|local play          = false
 
|local play players  =  
 
|local play players  =  
 
|local play modes    =  
 
|local play modes    =  
 
|local play notes    =  
 
|local play notes    =  
 
|lan play            = true
 
|lan play            = true
−
|lan play players    =  
+
|lan play players    = 8
−
|lan play modes      =  
+
|lan play modes      = Versus
 
|lan play notes      =  
 
|lan play notes      =  
−
|online play          = unknown
+
|online play          = hackable
−
|online play players  =  
+
|online play players  = 8
−
|online play modes    =  
+
|online play modes    = Versus
−
|online play notes    = GameSpy online server browser has been shut down.
+
|online play notes    = The official [[GameSpy]] service has been shut down on December 31, 2010 due to Electronic Arts losing the Lord of the Rings license.<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://www.gamereplays.org/battleformiddleearth/portals.php?show=news&news_id=709520&home|title=Middle-earth Online Server Shutdown Announced|date=May 2023}}</ref>. Replaced by [https://t3a-online.net/ T3A:Online].
 
|asynchronous        =  
 
|asynchronous        =  
 
|asynchronous notes  =  
 
|asynchronous notes  =  
 
}}{{Network/Connections
 
}}{{Network/Connections
−
|matchmaking        =  
+
|matchmaking        = false
 
|matchmaking notes  =  
 
|matchmaking notes  =  
−
|p2p                =  
+
|p2p                = true
 
|p2p notes          =  
 
|p2p notes          =  
−
|dedicated          =  
+
|dedicated          = false
 
|dedicated notes    =  
 
|dedicated notes    =  
−
|self-hosting      =  
+
|self-hosting      = true
 
|self-hosting notes =  
 
|self-hosting notes =  
−
|direct ip          =  
+
|direct ip          = false
 
|direct ip notes    =  
 
|direct ip notes    =  
 
}}{{Network/Ports
 
}}{{Network/Ports
 
|tcp  =  
 
|tcp  =  
−
|udp  =  
+
|udp  = 16000
−
|upnp =  
+
|upnp = unknown
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Issues fixed==
+
==Issues unresolved==
−
 
 
 
===Out of Memory===
 
===Out of Memory===
 
{{--}} This error has no proper workaround and is a symptom of the game engine's limitations (restricted RAM indexing)
 
{{--}} This error has no proper workaround and is a symptom of the game engine's limitations (restricted RAM indexing)
−
{{ii}} Lower graphical settings, and avoid memory-heavy mods.}}
+
{{ii}} Lower graphical settings, and avoid memory-heavy mods.
−
{{ii}} Any mod that uses high-resolution textures (such as the Edain mod) are highly susceptible to this crash.
+
{{ii}} Any mod that uses high-resolution textures are highly susceptible to this crash.
 
{{ii}} Some users report reinstallation fixes the issue.
 
{{ii}} Some users report reinstallation fixes the issue.
  
 +
===Off-host delay===
 +
{{--}} All games in this series suffer from a delay when giving commands, measured in seconds, if the player is not the host of the multiplayer match.
 +
{{--}} For ''Battle for Middle-earth'', there is no known fix.
 +
 +
==Issues fixed==
 
===Exception Access Violation on startup===
 
===Exception Access Violation on startup===
−
{{--}} This is caused when the options.ini file has not been found (installation had no administration right to properly install your game and failed to create options.ini)<ref>[http://www.neoseeker.com/forums/6654/t1580573-exception-access-violation-opening-game-halp-bfme-1/ Exception Access Violation]</ref>
+
{{ii}} When first starting the game after the installation, the game instantly crashes with an error.
 +
{{ii}} Caused by the installer not creating a crucial {{file|options.ini}} file automatically.<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://www.neoseeker.com/forums/6654/t1580573-exception-access-violation-opening-game-halp-bfme-1/|title=Exception Access Violation|date=May 2023}}</ref>
 +
{{--}} If the game is uninstalled and reinstalled on the same system, the file is always deleted and has to be created anew every time the game is installed.
  
−
{{Fixbox|description=Make missing options.ini|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Make missing options.ini|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plok|date=2021-09-14|comment=}}</ref>|fix=
−
# Go to <code>{{p|appdata}}\My Battle for Middle-earth Files</code>
+
# Go to {{folder|{{p|appdata}}\My Battle for Middle-earth Files}}
 
# If the folder is empty, make a new text file called {{file|Options.ini}}.
 
# If the folder is empty, make a new text file called {{file|Options.ini}}.
 
# In that file, place this data:
 
# In that file, place this data:
−
 
+
<pre>
 
  AudioLOD = Low
 
  AudioLOD = Low
 
  HasSeenLogoMovies = yes
 
  HasSeenLogoMovies = yes
Line 341: Line 378:
 
  StaticGameLOD = VeryLow
 
  StaticGameLOD = VeryLow
 
  TimesInGame = 1
 
  TimesInGame = 1
 +
</pre>
 +
}}
  
 +
===Auto-defeat after 3 minutes and 30 seconds===
 +
{{ii}} Is triggered by DRM, even on legitimate installations.
 +
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Use [[#Unofficial patches|unofficial patches]]|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plok|date=2022-08-10|comment=}}</ref>|fix=
 +
{{ii}} Circumvents DRM causing this issue.
 +
}}
 +
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Check game's serial key registry entries|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plok|date=2022-08-10|comment=}}</ref>|fix=
 +
}}
 +
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Clean reinstall of the game as administrator|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plok|date=2022-08-10|comment=}}</ref>|fix=
 +
{{ii}} Fully re-install the game with administrator privileges in hopes the registry keys will be correctly created.
 +
}}
 +
 +
===Mouse input lag===
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Install [[#Unofficial patches|unofficial patch 1.06 or newer]]|ref=|fix=
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 347: Line 402:
 
===API===
 
===API===
 
{{API
 
{{API
−
|direct3d versions      = 9.0c
+
|direct3d versions      = 9.0b
 
|direct3d notes        =  
 
|direct3d notes        =  
 
|directdraw versions    =  
 
|directdraw versions    =  
Line 369: Line 424:
 
|windows 32-bit exe    = true
 
|windows 32-bit exe    = true
 
|windows 64-bit exe    = false
 
|windows 64-bit exe    = false
 +
|windows arm app        = false
 
|windows exe notes      =  
 
|windows exe notes      =  
−
|macos 32-bit app       =  
+
|macos intel 32-bit app =  
−
|macos 64-bit app       =  
+
|macos intel 64-bit app =  
 +
|macos arm app          = unknown
 
|macos app notes        =  
 
|macos app notes        =  
 
|linux 32-bit executable=  
 
|linux 32-bit executable=  
 
|linux 64-bit executable=  
 
|linux 64-bit executable=  
 +
|linux arm app          = unknown
 
|linux executable notes =  
 
|linux executable notes =  
 
}}
 
}}
Line 388: Line 446:
 
|input            =  
 
|input            =  
 
|input notes      =  
 
|input notes      =  
−
|cutscenes        = VP6
+
|cutscenes        = On2 VP6
 
|cutscenes notes  =  
 
|cutscenes notes  =  
 
|multiplayer      = GameSpy
 
|multiplayer      = GameSpy
 
|multiplayer notes= Shut down in 2011.
 
|multiplayer notes= Shut down in 2011.
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
===[[Glossary:Command line arguments|Command line arguments]]===
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Command !! Description
 +
|-
 +
| -win || Runs the game in windowed mode
 +
|-
 +
| -mod [path to .big file] || Runs the game with the selected mod
 +
|-
 +
| -xres [number] || Sets resolution width
 +
|-
 +
| -yres [number] || Sets resolution height
 +
|-
 +
| -noaudio || Disables the game audio
 +
|-
 +
| -noshellmap || Disables the main menu animation
 +
|}
 +
 +
===Modifications===
 +
{{mm}} [https://www.moddb.com/mods/bfme1-hd-edition BFME: HD Edition]
 +
{{mm}} [https://www.moddb.com/mods/shadow-and-flame Shadow and Flame]
 +
{{mm}} [https://www.moddb.com/mods/blue-wizard-mod Legends of the 3rd Age]
  
 
==System requirements==
 
==System requirements==
Line 405: Line 486:
 
|minGPU2  = ATI Radeon 7500
 
|minGPU2  = ATI Radeon 7500
 
|minVRAM  = 32 MB
 
|minVRAM  = 32 MB
 +
|minDX    = 9.0b
  
 
|recOS    = XP
 
|recOS    = XP

Latest revision as of 03:45, 30 January 2024

The Battle for Middle-earth
The Battle for Middle-earth cover
Developers
EA Los Angeles
Publishers
Electronic Arts
Engines
SAGE
Release dates
Windows December 6, 2004
Reception
Metacritic 82
IGDB 84
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase
Modes Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives Bird's-eye view
Controls Multiple select, Point and select
Genres RTS
Themes Fantasy
Series The Battle for Middle-earth
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth on HowLongToBeat
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth on IGDB
Icon overlay.png
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth guide on StrategyWiki
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth on MobyGames
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth on Wikipedia
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
The Battle for Middle-earth
Subseries of Middle-earth
The Battle for Middle-earth 2004
The Battle for Middle-earth II 2006

Warnings

SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows Vista and later (see Availability for affected versions).
GameSpy online services have been shut down (see Network for solutions).

The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth is a singleplayer and multiplayer bird's-eye view RTS game in the The Battle for Middle-earth series.

The game received three official patches, the third of which was produced by the GameReplays.org BFME section.

As of December 31, 2010, the official GameSpy service was shut down and all purchases were halted due to Electronic Arts' loss of the Lord of the Rings license.[1]

Same as with immediate technological predecessor, Command & Conquer: Generals, the game remains playable on modern Windows versions with some major technical hiccups that can be worked around; issues like errors when starting the game and DRM issues, and input lag. Unofficial patches resolve most of the game's problems save for off-host delay.

General information

T3A:Online - fan-hosted multiplayer server replacement
Battle for Middle-earth section on GameReplays.org

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
CD key
 SafeDisc v4 DRM[Note 1]. Released on 4 CDs or 1 DVD.
Windows
SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows Vista and later (see above for affected versions).
All versions include custom DRM code which can sabotage the game by destroying all units and structures owned by the player after 3 minutes and 30 seconds, triggering an automatic defeat. It can occur on legitimate copies under certain circumstances - see Auto-defeat after 3 minutes and 30 seconds for instructions to fix this.

Essential improvements

Official patches

The latest official patch for the base game is 1.03, available from Patches-Scrolls, GameFront, and CNCNZ.com.

Unofficial patches

Patch 1.05 fixes a lot of bugs and removes the disc requirement. Requires patch 1.03.
Patch 1.06 fixes more bugs and adds some new maps. Requires patch 1.05. Widescreen interface available here.
Patch 1.09 fixes bugs and imbalances, adds new visuals and comes with a patch switcher. Designed for multiplayer.

Skip intro videos

Skip intro videos[4]
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\data\movies
  2. Delete or rename EALogo.vp6, Intel.vp6, NewLineLogo.vp6 and THX.vp6.
  • Alternatively, install the unofficial 1.05 patch or newer.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows %APPDATA%\My Battle for Middle-earth Files\

Save game data location

System Location
Windows %APPDATA%\My Battle for Middle-earth Files\

Video

General settings menu
General settings menu
Custom graphics settings menu
Custom graphics settings menu

Graphics feature State WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
 
 See Widescreen resolution.
Multi-monitor
 
Ultra-widescreen
 
4K Ultra HD
 
Field of view (FOV)
Windowed
Use -win parameter.
Borderless fullscreen windowed
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anti-aliasing (AA)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
High-fidelity upscaling
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
Can be forced using Nvidia Control Panel (Manage 3D Settings)
60 FPS and 120+ FPS
Frame rate is capped at 30 FPS, with game speed tied to frame rate.
High dynamic range display (HDR)
See the glossary page for potential alternatives.

Widescreen resolution

Instructions[5]
  1. Go to %APPDATA%\My Battle for Middle-earth Files
  2. Open Options.ini.
  3. Find the following line and set it to the desired value.
Resolution = YourWidth YourHeight
Alternatively[6]
  • Use -xres #### -yres #### command line argument
  • Replace #### with the desired width and height respectively

Input

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
Mouse acceleration
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
Controller types

Audio

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Surround sound
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
EAX support
EAX3
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Dutch
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Norwegian
Polish
Russian
Spanish
Swedish
Thai

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
Local play
LAN play
8 Versus
Online play
8 Versus
The official GameSpy service has been shut down on December 31, 2010 due to Electronic Arts losing the Lord of the Rings license.[7]. Replaced by T3A:Online.

Connection types

Type Native Notes
Matchmaking
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated
Self-hosting
Direct IP

Ports

Protocol Port(s) and/or port range(s)
UDP 16000
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.

Issues unresolved

Out of Memory

This error has no proper workaround and is a symptom of the game engine's limitations (restricted RAM indexing)
Lower graphical settings, and avoid memory-heavy mods.
Any mod that uses high-resolution textures are highly susceptible to this crash.
Some users report reinstallation fixes the issue.

Off-host delay

All games in this series suffer from a delay when giving commands, measured in seconds, if the player is not the host of the multiplayer match.
For Battle for Middle-earth, there is no known fix.

Issues fixed

Exception Access Violation on startup

When first starting the game after the installation, the game instantly crashes with an error.
Caused by the installer not creating a crucial options.ini file automatically.[8]
If the game is uninstalled and reinstalled on the same system, the file is always deleted and has to be created anew every time the game is installed.
Make missing options.ini[9]
  1. Go to %APPDATA%\My Battle for Middle-earth Files
  2. If the folder is empty, make a new text file called Options.ini.
  3. In that file, place this data:
 AudioLOD = Low
 HasSeenLogoMovies = yes
 IdealStaticGameLOD = VeryLow
 Resolution = 800 600
 StaticGameLOD = VeryLow
 TimesInGame = 1

Auto-defeat after 3 minutes and 30 seconds

Is triggered by DRM, even on legitimate installations.
Use unofficial patches[10]
Circumvents DRM causing this issue.
Check game's serial key registry entries[11]
Clean reinstall of the game as administrator[12]
Fully re-install the game with administrator privileges in hopes the registry keys will be correctly created.

Mouse input lag

Install unofficial patch 1.06 or newer

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 9.0b
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Cutscenes On2 VP6
Multiplayer GameSpy Shut down in 2011.

Command line arguments

Command Description
-win Runs the game in windowed mode
-mod [path to .big file] Runs the game with the selected mod
-xres [number] Sets resolution width
-yres [number] Sets resolution height
-noaudio Disables the game audio
-noshellmap Disables the main menu animation

Modifications

BFME: HD Edition
Shadow and Flame
Legends of the 3rd Age

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 2000 XP
Processor (CPU) 1.3 GHz
System memory (RAM) 256 MB 512 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 3.5 GB
Video card (GPU) Nvidia GeForce2 GTS
ATI Radeon 7500
32 MB of VRAM
DirectX 9.0b compatible 		Nvidia GeForce 6800
ATI Radeon X800


Notes

  1. ↑ SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows 10[2] or Windows 11 and is disabled by default on Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 when the KB3086255 update is installed.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Middle-earth Online Server Shutdown Announced - Battle for Middle Earth - GameReplays.org - last accessed on 2023-08-11
  2. ↑ Not Loading in Windows 10; this will break thousands of - Microsoft Community - last accessed on 2017-01-16
  3. ↑ Microsoft - MS15-097: Description of the security update for the graphics component in Windows: September 8, 2015 - last accessed on 2018-02-16
  4. ↑ Verified by User:Plok on 2021-09-14
  5. ↑ Verified by User:Plok on 2021-09-14
  6. ↑ Verified by User:Plok on 2021-09-14
  7. ↑ Middle-earth Online Server Shutdown Announced - last accessed on May 2023
  8. ↑ Exception Access Violation - last accessed on May 2023
  9. ↑ Verified by User:Plok on 2021-09-14
  10. ↑ Verified by User:Plok on 2022-08-10
  11. ↑ Verified by User:Plok on 2022-08-10
  12. ↑ Verified by User:Plok on 2022-08-10