Low FPS / Lag in Windows 7 (Solution)

[Ratty]

Hello,

For all you fans that noticed that these old gems runs horrible on your new fancy maschines I got a solution for ya!

The reason the game runs slow is that they are designed for Direct Draw so you need to force it on all the old Spiderweb games.

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Step 1,
Download, Run and install the Application Compatibility Toolkit:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=7352

The only file you really need:
ApplicationCompatibilityToolkitSetup.exe

Step 2,
Run Compatibility Administrator (32-bit)
(Start -> Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit)

Step 3,
Create a new Custom Database under 'Custom Databases', name it to something good like Geneforge.
(Right click, New)

Step 4,
Right click your new database and click 'Create New' followed by 'Application Fix...'.

Step 5,
Put a good name in, then click 'Browse' and go to the .exe file you want to fix.
For Example:
****\Steam\steamapps\common\Geneforge\Geneforge.exe

Step 6,
Find:
Layer_ForceDirectDrawEmulation under 'Additional compatibility modes' and check it.
Click next, next, next, finish.

Step 7,
Save your new database anywhere you like, then right click the database and choose "Install".

Step 8,
Enjoy a lag free Spiderweb game!
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Repeat on whatever old Spiderweb game you have FPS issues with.

Hope it help you all :)

Br.
Ratty

[Mikali]

Note that you need to be an administrator to install the database and apply the fix, but that the fix subsequently works for everyone.

[Hesmah]

Thanks for this guide! Over two years since your post, but still very helpful :)

[GutCushion]

For windows 10:

I have solved the problem!

-Go to your default Geneforge directory in your computer (C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Geneforge)

-Right click on the Geneforge application (.exe) and click on properties.

-Click on the compatibility tab

-In the 'Compatibility mode' sub-window, tick the box that reads 'Run this program in compatibility mode for:'

- In the drop-down box, select 'Windows XP (Service Pack3)'

-Click 'Apply' and then 'OK'

-Run Geneforge from Steam and the stuttering should be gone.

I assume this will also work for the saga (Geneforeg 1 - 5). Hope it works for you too!