Getting W:A to work on Windows 8
From Worms Knowledge Base
If you're on this page, it means that you're running Windows 8 and trying to make the W:A 3.8.1 to work.
Contents
It worked on Windows 7! Why doesn't it work properly on Windows 8?
Well, the Microsoft is to blame. In Windows 8, they have implemented an emulation of the 8-bit (256-colour) and 16-bit applications in a 32-bit window, most likely to prevent any of the colour issues. As a result, some games which were made a long time ago without knowing about Windows 8, can behave unusually inside that 32-bit window. WA is an example.
Methods to solve
We need to know how deep does the problem touch you. It may be possible that graphic drivers could get an update to better support the aforementioned technology, but for now it's all how we see it.
- If you haven't yet, install WormKit or WormKitDS at your choice. This will be needed for the further steps.
- Download this WormKit module and extract it to your W:A folder. The frontend's white fields should be fixed, but nothing is done to the in-game, and nothing is done to the speed of frontend. If you see that the game is lagging so much that it's unplayable, proceed to the next step.
- Delete the wkFrontendFix.dll installed previously, and download the windowed mode libraries. Put them all into your W:A folder, and launch the game. This windowed mode adds its own rendering to replace the one used by Windows 8 to improve performance. Please consult the readme, as it's not bug-free! If everything in-game is fine for you, you may stop here. Otherwise, proceed to the next step.
- Download and install Project X. Follow the instructions on the site. Assuming you have an average modern PC, there should be no problems during the game for you (the system requirements in Project X are higher than the default ones). Project X adds DirectX-9 rendering during the game, which completely bypasses all the crappy methodics of Windows 8. Combined with the windowed mode mentioned above, it gives the best effect.
For now these are the only methods known to resolve the performance and frontend issues on Windows 8, except emulating W:A. If you have anything to add, feel free to discuss on the talk page.
I can't start the game! An error "Unable to set desired video mode" pops up!
This is because your Windows 8 failed to install some compatibility manifests (during installation?), so you will have to set them up yourself.
Make a .reg file with the content below. This can be done by unhiding the file extensions in the "Folder Properties" settings, and then creating a text file, renaming its extension to .reg.
| Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
|
Where the default path is C:\Team17\Worms Armageddon\WA.exe.
If you want to specify another path, replace the words accordingly. Note that there have to be two slashes instead of one, since we edit the registry by text. This is for both 32-bit and 64-bit systems.
Note: if your system doesn't support the 640x480 resolution, you will need windowed mode (see above).
Another way to set this manifest is by enabling "256-color mode" in the WA.exe settings' Compatibility tab, launching the game, and then removing the "256-color mode" checkbox. (The system doesn't become 256-colored because of what is said above).
When I go into settings, there are no resolutions in the drop-down list!
See the previous paragraph.
