Getting it to work on Linux

[gluon]

Hi All

Originally when i booted this up it crashes when it tries to load the map. After some work I added the line
KeepRes=1
into the conquests.ini file located in the game files and it no longer crashes however the map itself is completely black. Other UI elements in the game seem to work but just the map doesnt show making the game unplayable of course. Has anyone managed to get further than this with a fix? Can you confirm what you did to rectify this?

[gluon]

Oh FYI I have tried a number of different proton versions including 5.0-10 which seems to have the best rating but the game crashed on this version for me.

[Adam Beckett]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4DH0JBGlRI

See the YT comments.

// This is a common issue. You can spend hours reading civ fan-websites and different 'solutions' for different people. Use at your own risk. No way around reading a lot.

I remember having that same issue 1-2 months ago, remember I 'solved' it - but cannot remember how. Game is no longer installed. Might have to do with disabling compositor or switching from wayland to xorg (XFCE4 = error, Gnome /v XOrg = fine ).

[Diet Depressoh]

Any remedies to stop Civ 3 from crashing every 5 to 10 minutes playing from proton? The constant crashing makes the game nearly unplayable, there are at least solutions to the black map bug.

[Adam Beckett]

I just installed the game again and tinkered around, to find out, how I made it work with Linux (Steam Version) and Proton.

[RESOLUTION PROBLEMS]
-- solvable with Proton (any version) and KeepRes=1 - also, not a genuine Linux issue, but an old game, being forced to run on more modern hardware, bigger screens and new drivers, it never expected.

(additional info can be found on PCGamingWiki, ProtonDB, WineHQ, moddb, civfanatics forums, etc)

[BLACK TILE PROBLEMS]
... I could not figure it out (3 hours spent ... again) with Proton any versions and different protontricks and DLL overrides.

One way to solve this is: install the C3X mod (civfanatics website). Sadly, this mod needs Windows OS environment compiling and that will need a Windows OS version to work. Theoretically, one 'could' try to WINE the compilation into the game ... I did not try that.

https://forums.civfanatics.com/resources/c3x.28759/updates

Another suggestion - on the ProtonDB Civ3 website - is to replace a known 'bugged' dgi32.dll.so version in the WINE folders. This did not solve the black tiles issue. I just tested it in multiple Proton versions. Also, with dll pre-load injections and simultaneous multi-prefix loading. No go.

-----

[WHAT WORKED = STEAM INSTALL USING LUTRIS]

Using 'Lutris' (default Runner: wine-ge-8-25-x86-64) to start and run the Steam installed Civ3 version.

No extra configuration! No settings fondling! Quick setup and go!

INSTALL LUTRIS
btw do not use Lutris Installers to install CIV3! Those are outdated Install scripts and/or do nothing of value. Use your already installed Linux Steam version. Or install Civ3 via Steam

Open Lutris:
Add Game -> Add locally installed game

TAB: GAME INFO
Fill out: Name = Civ3 *(or name it whatever you want)
(Choose) Runner = "Wine (Runs Windows games)"

TAB: GAME OPTIONS
Executable: /home/zer0/.steam/steam/steamapps/common/Sid Meier's Civilization III Complete/Conquests/Civ3Conquests.exe

Wine prefix: /home/zer0/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/3910/pfx

#replace 'zer0' with YOUR Linux user name!! zer0 is mine on this Distro

THAT'S IT!
Other config options can be adjusted, but the game will run with only these settings, if you are unsure what to do.

- no DX9 or DirectPlay wine/protontricks install needed
- no Proton/Wine launch arguments needed (dll overrides, etc)

Did it work for you?

Additional Info:
I am running a 64-bit CPU/Linux Distro. WINE and WINEPREFIX are also 64-bit (which has conflicts with 32-bit games, as WINE devs keep saying for decades now. I suspect, this is part of the problem here).

PC: AZW Beelink Mini S10
Intel Alder-Lake-N (4 e-cores)
Intel UHD N95 iGPU intergrated low-end graphic chip
Monitor ViewSonic 1440p@144Hz (reduced to 1600x900@60Hz) Civ3 does upscale to fullscreen.
Gnome v.43.9 GTK v.3.24.38 
Linux Distro: MX Linux 23.4 - Debian v.12.8
Linux Kernel 6.1.0-28-amd64

[gluon]

Amazing that worked perfectly Zero thank you!!!! I was messing around amending Hex files and changing proton settings and it was as simple as using Lutris!!!!

I have no idea what made you try that but I am so grateful to you for the fact you not only looked into it but shared your solution. Thanks Zero you are a star!

[Diet Depressoh]

I resorted to making a Windows Xp vm and getting a drm-free version off Gog since it's a pain to get steam working on Windows Xp since valve stopped supporting it. This does work but good luck trying to do this on a steam deck.

[YarDude]

Try using a lower proton version that does not include the OSMesa driver. I forced it to use Proton 5.0-10 and I have no black screen issues. Can't confirm the dialog issues yet. Do have sound repeat issues still. Going into the settings and clicking the music or sound fx on and off stops it for a time.

For high resolution displays, you need to disable the intros along with the keepres setting.

PlayIntro=0
SkipIntro=1
KeepRes=1

Good luck