Difference between revisions of "Emulating WormsDC"

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(Option 2: FS-UAE (Windows, MacOS, Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD))
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{{ParentArticle|[[Worms: The Directors Cut]]}}
 
{{ParentArticle|[[Worms: The Directors Cut]]}}
  
:'''''This article is a work-in-progress.''' While this message is at the top of this article, please do not make any edits as [[User:Squirminator2k|Squirminator2k]] is in the process of building the article.''
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''Worms: The Directors Cut'' was only released for the Amiga home computing system. Presently, the easiest way to play the game is to purchase an [[A500 Mini release|A500 Mini]], a micro-console that includes the retail release of the game in its library.
  
''Worms: The Directors Cut'' was only released for the Amiga home computing system and can only be played one of two ways: on an Amiga which means the minimum system requirements, or via emulation. Emulation is the quickest and, arguably, cheapest method of getting the game to run on your PC, Mac or Linux-based hardware.
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However, the A500 Mini's RRP of £119.99 in the UK and $129.99 in the US represents a steep cost-of-entry, and the console does not include a keyboard so the cost of a USB keyboard needs to be factored in as well (the A500 Mini does map controls to the included controller, so it's still playable without one). Additionally, the version of ''WormsDC'' included with the A500 Mini is the unpatched retail release (though sideloading the v1.05 version is easy, as it expanding the A500 Mini to a fully-functional Amiga).
  
This guide aims to make it as easy as possible to emulate ''WormsDC'' on your computer. For the purposes of this guide we will be referring to [[WinUAE]], a Windows-based Amiga emulator. Other emulators are available for other platforms, however WinUAE is still in constant development and receives updates every couple of months or so.
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A more accessible and affordable option is to run the game in an Amiga emulator. While previously setting up an Amiga emulator was a massive, massive pain in the arse, it is now relatively easy to set up an emulator to run ''WormsDC'' with ease.
  
This guide also assumes you meet the minimum system specifications for emulating an Amiga, in this case an Amiga 1200. At the very least you'll need a graphics card that supports DirectX 9 and at least 512MB of RAM. Obviously the higher-spec your computer is the better your emulation experience will be.
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You will, of course, need the ''WormsDC'' floppy disk images. These can be legally downloaded for free from [[Dream17]].
  
:''TO DO: Write additional guide for getting WinUAE running on Linux and OS X based systems.''
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__NOTOC__
  
== The Basics ==
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== Emulating WormsDC==
=== Software + Kickstart ROMs ===
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=== Option 1: Amiga Forever (Windows only) ===
The first thing you will need is [[WinUAE]]. I would recommend a version no lower than 2.3.1, which at time of writing is the latest build and the most compatible with ''WormsDC''. This can be downloaded from [http://www.winuae.net/ the WinUAE website].
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You'll also need Kickstart ROMs, the core of the Amiga operating system. You'll need at least Kicksart 3.1 to be able to successfully run the game. Unfortunately the ROM is still copyrighted to Amiga Technologies and there are only two legal ways of obtaining the ROM - dump the ROM from an Amiga, or purchase [[Amiga Forever]], a fully-licensed emulation package from Cloanto that includes everything you need to successfully emulate an Amiga.
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[[Amiga Forever]] is a fully-licensed, prepackaged Amiga emulation suite for Windows developed by Cloanto. Amiga Forever comes in three editions - Value Edition, Plus Edition, and Premium Edition. ''WormsDC'' is not compatible with the Value Edition, but is compatible with the Plus and Premium Editions. The Plus Edition is $29.95.
  
If you plan to purchase Amiga Forever, you'll need to purchase either the Plus Edition (US$29.95)or the Premium Edition (US$49.95). The Value Edition only includes the '''''1.3''''' Kickstart ROM, which is incompatible with either ''Worms'' or ''WormsDC''. Amiga Forever can be purchased from [http://www.amigaforever.com/ the Amiga Forever website].
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Previous releases of Amiga Forever relied on configurations for WinUAE, which is included in the package. More recently, however, Amiga Forever has developed its own launcher and packages called .rp9s that allow immediate and quick access to an Amiga setup. Current versions also include configurations for a number of different Amiga setups. The package also includes all of the necessary Kickstart ROMs required to emulate an Amiga. These are not legally available elsewhere, though if you own a physical Amiga you can dump the Kickstart ROMs from there (''WormsDC'' is best played on at least Workbench 3.1 or higher).
  
=== Configuring WinUAE ===
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Within Amiga Forever, ''WormsDC'' is most compatible with their Workbench 3.X configuration. The immediate benefits here are, as the 3.X setup emulates a Hard Drive, you can install ''WormsDC'' on the emulated Amiga without having to worry about inserting or removing the virtual disks. This also allows you to easily add additional content — soundbanks, maps, DIY terrains, and so on — to the game from within Windows without having to launch Amiga Forever.
Once you have WinUAE and the necessary Kickstart ROM, you'll have to configure the emulator to these specifications:
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==== Hardware ====
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Amiga Forever can be purchased physically or digitally from [https://www.amigaforever.com/ AmigaForever.com].
===== CPU and FPU =====
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*'''CPU:''' 68020
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**''JIT:'' Enabled
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*''FPU:'' 68881
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*'''CPU Emulation Speed:''' Fastest possible, but maintain chipset timing
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** ''A "CPU" slider should be greyed out, but if not set to zero (slider to far left)
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**''Chipset:'' Zero (slider to far left)
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*'''Advanced JIT Settings'''
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**''Cache size:'' 8 MB (slider to far right)
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**''Hard flush:'' Disabled
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**''Constant jump:'' Enabled
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**'FPU support:'' Enabled
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**''No Flags:'' Enabled
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**''Direct/Indirect:'' Direct
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===== Chipset =====
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=== Option 2: FS-UAE (Windows, MacOS, Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD) ===
*'''Chipset:''' AGA
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[[FS-UAE]] has a number of advantages over Amiga Forever, but also some flaws. The biggest advantage is that FS-UAE is multiplatform, with builds for OS X, Linux, and a number of other operating systems. This emulator also features cross-platform online play, allowing ''WormsDC'' to be played online for the first time. Finally, FS-UAE is free, and relatively simple to set up.
**''NTSC:'' Disabled
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***''Worms and WormsDC require a PAL display mode. The FPS should be at or around 50FPS.''
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**''Chipset Extra:'' Generic
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*'''Options'''
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**''Immediate Blitter:'' Disabled
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**''Cycle-exact:'' Disabled
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**''Genlock connected:'' Disabled
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*'''Collision level:''' Sprites and Sprites Vs. Playfield
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===== Adv. Chipset =====
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There are some downsides, however. FS-UAE does not come with any of the Amiga Kickstart ROMs, though it does have a feature that allows you to quickly import them from Amiga Forever — either from an install on your computer, or from the CD-ROM if you own a physical copy. FS-UAE does allow you to set up a virtual Hard Drive, but you will need to configure it manually. Crucially, you will have to install the Workbench OS yourself first before you can install ''WormsDC'' on a virtual Hard Drive (disk images for the OS are included with Amiga Forever). Unfortunately, online play does not support Hard Drives and so the emulated floppy disks must be used instead.
Just tick "Compatible Settings". You needn't adjust any of the settings here.
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===== ROM =====
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Finally, FS-UAE does not appear to have fully-implemented subpixel emulation, resulting in an [[Horizontal graphics distortion|unfortunate visual bug]] which, while not game-breaking, can be annoying.
*'''System ROM Settings'''
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**''Main ROM file:'' This should point to the Kickstart ROM
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**''Extended ROM file:'' Should remain blank
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**''MapROM emulation:'' Disabled
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**''ShapeShifter support:'' Disabled
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*'''Miscellaneous'''
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**''Cartridge ROM file:'' Should remain blank
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**''Flash RAM file:'' Should remain blank
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===== RAM =====
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FS-UAE can be downloaded from the website, [https://fs-uae.net/ FS-UAE.net].
*'''Memory Settings'''
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**''Chip:'' 2MB
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**''Fast:'' 8MB
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**''Slow:'' None
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**''Z3 Fast:'' 8 MB
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**''32-bit Chip:'' None
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*'''A3000/A4000 Advanced Memory Settings'''
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**''Motherboard Fast:'' None
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**''Processor Slot Fast:'' None
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===== Floppy Drives =====
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=== Option 3: UAE4All (PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch) ===
If you're planning on running ''WormsDC'' from an emulated hard drive, you can leave these fields blank and skip to the next category.
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Additionally, the PlayStation Vita and Nintendo Switch consoles have a port of the UAE emulator called [https://github.com/rsn8887/uae4all2 UAE4All2]. You will, however, need a [https://vita.hacks.guide/ PlayStation Vita] or [https://nh-server.github.io/switch-guide/ Nintendo Switch] with custom firmware, but note that [https://nh-server.github.io/switch-guide/user_guide/getting_started/ certain models of the Switch] are currently unhackable. Setup is similar to FS-UAE, and you can run ''WormsDC'' off the floppy images, but if you intend to install the game on a virtual hard drive, creating a hardfile will require you to use a version of UAE on a personal computer. However, once you've transferred the hardfile to your console's SD card, you can proceed to install the Workbench OS and ''WormsDC'' from the console itself.
  
If you plan to run ''WormsDC'' from emulated floppy disks, you'll want to enable the first three drives - DF0:, DF1: and DF2: - and set the paths to each respective disk image. The first disk should always go in DF0:. If you intend to be able to save team names, graffiti maps and option sets, "Write-protected" must NOT be enabled for DF0:. You can have this enabled for DF1: and DF2:.
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== Playing WormsDC Online ==
  
Finally, ''Floppy Drive Emulation Speed'' must be set to 100% (Compatible). You may experiment with increasing the floppy load speed, however some games experience issues when the disk load speed is in any way altered.
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As mentioned above, FS-UAE supports online play, however several emulator-specific bugs, as well as the lack of hard drive support (and thus a lack of support for custom content) make this a less than fulfilling experience. This also requires each player has FS-UAE, and Amiga Kickstart ROMs, and the WormsDC disk images.
  
===== Hard Drives =====
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Alternatively, players may play online with the use of [http://parsec.app/ Parsec], a remote-access tool that allows remote multiplayer in a fashion similar to Steam Remote Play. For this, one player will need to be running WinUAE/FS-UAE with WormsDC set up and ready to go, and will also need to have Parsec running. Other players can remote in by installing Parsec on their device.
If you wish to play ''WormsDC'' from an emulated hard drive, you'll need to configure the drive here. We will cover this in a later section of the guide.
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===== Expansions =====
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The key advantage of this is that Parsec is available for Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, and Android, and can be set up relatively easily - as a result, only one person needs to really know their way around the Amiga emulator. Input lag is negligible - with a good connection, a host can easily support as many as 7 additional players for tournament play, if desired.
*'''RTS Graphics Card'''
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**''Memory:'' 8 MB
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**''Match host and RTG color depth if possible:'' Enabled
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**''Scale if smaller than display size setting:'' Enabled
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**''Always scale in windowed mode:'' Disabled
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**''Refresh rate:'' Chipset
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**''Aspect Ratio:'' Automatic
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The drop-down
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Revision as of 05:49, 21 February 2024

Worms: The Directors Cut was only released for the Amiga home computing system. Presently, the easiest way to play the game is to purchase an A500 Mini, a micro-console that includes the retail release of the game in its library.

However, the A500 Mini's RRP of £119.99 in the UK and $129.99 in the US represents a steep cost-of-entry, and the console does not include a keyboard so the cost of a USB keyboard needs to be factored in as well (the A500 Mini does map controls to the included controller, so it's still playable without one). Additionally, the version of WormsDC included with the A500 Mini is the unpatched retail release (though sideloading the v1.05 version is easy, as it expanding the A500 Mini to a fully-functional Amiga).

A more accessible and affordable option is to run the game in an Amiga emulator. While previously setting up an Amiga emulator was a massive, massive pain in the arse, it is now relatively easy to set up an emulator to run WormsDC with ease.

You will, of course, need the WormsDC floppy disk images. These can be legally downloaded for free from Dream17.


Emulating WormsDC

Option 1: Amiga Forever (Windows only)

Amiga Forever is a fully-licensed, prepackaged Amiga emulation suite for Windows developed by Cloanto. Amiga Forever comes in three editions - Value Edition, Plus Edition, and Premium Edition. WormsDC is not compatible with the Value Edition, but is compatible with the Plus and Premium Editions. The Plus Edition is $29.95.

Previous releases of Amiga Forever relied on configurations for WinUAE, which is included in the package. More recently, however, Amiga Forever has developed its own launcher and packages called .rp9s that allow immediate and quick access to an Amiga setup. Current versions also include configurations for a number of different Amiga setups. The package also includes all of the necessary Kickstart ROMs required to emulate an Amiga. These are not legally available elsewhere, though if you own a physical Amiga you can dump the Kickstart ROMs from there (WormsDC is best played on at least Workbench 3.1 or higher).

Within Amiga Forever, WormsDC is most compatible with their Workbench 3.X configuration. The immediate benefits here are, as the 3.X setup emulates a Hard Drive, you can install WormsDC on the emulated Amiga without having to worry about inserting or removing the virtual disks. This also allows you to easily add additional content — soundbanks, maps, DIY terrains, and so on — to the game from within Windows without having to launch Amiga Forever.

Amiga Forever can be purchased physically or digitally from AmigaForever.com.

Option 2: FS-UAE (Windows, MacOS, Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD)

FS-UAE has a number of advantages over Amiga Forever, but also some flaws. The biggest advantage is that FS-UAE is multiplatform, with builds for OS X, Linux, and a number of other operating systems. This emulator also features cross-platform online play, allowing WormsDC to be played online for the first time. Finally, FS-UAE is free, and relatively simple to set up.

There are some downsides, however. FS-UAE does not come with any of the Amiga Kickstart ROMs, though it does have a feature that allows you to quickly import them from Amiga Forever — either from an install on your computer, or from the CD-ROM if you own a physical copy. FS-UAE does allow you to set up a virtual Hard Drive, but you will need to configure it manually. Crucially, you will have to install the Workbench OS yourself first before you can install WormsDC on a virtual Hard Drive (disk images for the OS are included with Amiga Forever). Unfortunately, online play does not support Hard Drives and so the emulated floppy disks must be used instead.

Finally, FS-UAE does not appear to have fully-implemented subpixel emulation, resulting in an unfortunate visual bug which, while not game-breaking, can be annoying.

FS-UAE can be downloaded from the website, FS-UAE.net.

Option 3: UAE4All (PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch)

Additionally, the PlayStation Vita and Nintendo Switch consoles have a port of the UAE emulator called UAE4All2. You will, however, need a PlayStation Vita or Nintendo Switch with custom firmware, but note that certain models of the Switch are currently unhackable. Setup is similar to FS-UAE, and you can run WormsDC off the floppy images, but if you intend to install the game on a virtual hard drive, creating a hardfile will require you to use a version of UAE on a personal computer. However, once you've transferred the hardfile to your console's SD card, you can proceed to install the Workbench OS and WormsDC from the console itself.

Playing WormsDC Online

As mentioned above, FS-UAE supports online play, however several emulator-specific bugs, as well as the lack of hard drive support (and thus a lack of support for custom content) make this a less than fulfilling experience. This also requires each player has FS-UAE, and Amiga Kickstart ROMs, and the WormsDC disk images.

Alternatively, players may play online with the use of Parsec, a remote-access tool that allows remote multiplayer in a fashion similar to Steam Remote Play. For this, one player will need to be running WinUAE/FS-UAE with WormsDC set up and ready to go, and will also need to have Parsec running. Other players can remote in by installing Parsec on their device.

The key advantage of this is that Parsec is available for Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, and Android, and can be set up relatively easily - as a result, only one person needs to really know their way around the Amiga emulator. Input lag is negligible - with a good connection, a host can easily support as many as 7 additional players for tournament play, if desired.

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