Could not initialize graphics system, DirectDraw error

[Duneraider]

I've seen this pop up in discussions going back to 2016 with varied results but none of the answers I'm seeing seem possible with the new Steam interface. Has anyone been able to solve this problem recently? I was able to open it and play for three hours right after buying it but now I can't get past the opening cutscenes without getting the error message "could not initialize graphics system. Make sure that your video card and driver are compatible with DirectDraw" I love this game and don't want to just get a refund but since there's still no patch after 7 years I know you guys are my only hope to play this game again. Please help!

[A Cup of Liber-Tea]

I was playing just fine until yesterday, now I'm recieveing the same error. I didn't even change anything. Any help would be appreciated.

[Duneraider]

Originally posted by A Cup of Chief:

I was playing just fine until yesterday, now I'm recieveing the same error. I didn't even change anything. Any help would be appreciated.

I spoke with disney gaming support and they kinda threw their hands up after a while and told me it kinda is what it is. I Put it down for a while feeling defeated but went back to it a few weeks later and it worked. Basically what I've found is that restarting the computer and launching it fresh works to fix it about a third of the time but if it doesn't work by the second restart it usually won't work that day. I wait a few days and try again. I tried all the fixes people suggested but what disney support thinks is going on is that it's occasionally having an issue recognizing a graphics engine, they said the code was ''delicate'' because it's so old and that even background updates can destabilize it and cause this problem. I figured if a background update can break it, then it could also fix it, and that's seemed to be the case. I still can't get it to run 100% reliably but I can tell you once it starts working it should continue to work until you close the game, so keep at it and when you get in play your fill. Also I recommend getting in the habit of saving regularly, I've experienced some crashing (fortunately it restarts just fine 99% of the time when this happens but you do lose your progress so save often)

[The Juggler]

I would be interested in seeing how this game patch works with the steam version. I know it will work with the CD version most likely but I still need to test it. I found one forum online saying this worked but other steam users couldn’t get it. My thoughts are steam is forcing the game to run with the old exe but you can test it. You do need both the exe and data patch

https://www.voobly.com/gamemods/mod/766/EXE-Patch

If all else fails, you could try copying the game to a new location, patch it, then run that

Do note that this may require voobly but I am unsure. That is what I have found is the best multiplayer system for these older games

[A Cup of Liber-Tea]

Thank you both!

[Strangeone]

I had the same problem. Downloaded numerous mods, changed, copied, and renamed files all to no end. The game still would not launch. Then I remembered someone talking about reducing their resolution settings, so decided to try it. I went to the lowest resolution I could go, and it worked!
I also experimented a little by slowly going back up to my original resolution settings, and the game launched every single time flawlessly.
I am running Windows 11. Hope this helps someone.

[The Juggler]

Originally posted by Strangeone:

I had the same problem. Downloaded numerous mods, changed, copied, and renamed files all to no end. The game still would not launch. Then I remembered someone talking about reducing their resolution settings, so decided to try it. I went to the lowest resolution I could go, and it worked!
I also experimented a little by slowly going back up to my original resolution settings, and the game launched every single time flawlessly.
I am running Windows 11. Hope this helps someone.

Yeah, the game doesn't like the default resolution for some larger screens. In Voobly I can resize the game window or force different settings and is hard to do before you launch the game normally.