A fix for lag and bad performance on newer systems

[tms]

Unfortunately, this game seems to have a lot of lag and performance problems on newer systems. The most widespread solution seems to be placing a modified d3d8.dll file from some random link in the game's folder. Although this solution works, it is never a desirable solution to put some random dll on our system. In this case it is not clear how it works and where does it comes from (I tried searching on Google the author or the original source but no luck).

Another solution for the bad performance is to use the DxWrapper project, available in https://github.com/elishacloud/dxwrapper. This projects allows converting Direct3D 8 to Direct3D 9, which will solve the performance issues of this game. To install it, download DxWrapper.zip from https://github.com/elishacloud/dxwrapper/releases, and put the files dxwrapper.dll, dxwrapper.ini, and d3d8.dll inside the game's folder. Open the file dxwrapper.ini and change the option "D3d8to9" from 0 to 1 to enable the conversion of Direct3D 8 to 9. Now you can launch the game and it should be running fine.

I searched about this solution for this game on Google and found nothing, so I'm leaving my two cents here. Hope it helps.

[REEEEEEEEEEEEE!]

Many thanks for your advice. The game is working very smoothly on Windows 10 v1909 following your dxwrapper settings with max settings 1080p on my Nvidia GT 750m at 50% gpu 30fps fixed with riva tuner rtss.

I changed the d39d section as follows to enable smooth switching between game and windows.
[d3d9]
AntiAliasing = 0
EnableVSync = 0
EnableWindowMode = 1
FullscreenWindowMode = 1
WindowModeBorder = 1

In the game I was getting white blotches on the ground - setting grass to none fixed this.

[Sebasta]

I appreciate this. However, I do wonder how this is any different from the original solution. You still have to put some random .dll file and some mlre files on your computer. It would be nice if the developers verified this and facilitate it for those in needs. 😕

[tms]

Originally posted by Sebasta:

I appreciate this. However, I do wonder how this is any different from the original solution. You still have to put some random .dll file and some mlre files on your computer. It would be nice if the developers verified this and facilitate it for those in needs. 😕

Well, I think this is different, In this case you know what you are downloading and what it does, it is well explained in the github page by the author itself, it is open source and you may be able to compile it by yourself if you want.

[Sebasta]

Originally posted by Tom:

Originally posted by Sebasta:

I appreciate this. However, I do wonder how this is any different from the original solution. You still have to put some random .dll file and some mlre files on your computer. It would be nice if the developers verified this and facilitate it for those in needs. 😕

Well, I think this is different, In this case you know what you are downloading and what it does, it is well explained in the github page by the author itself, it is open source and you may be able to compile it by yourself if you want.

Mhm. I am always on guard. Anyways, I trusted you and tried this method.
It works as promised, as it seems now. Thanks! Let's hope it does not become worse in a later stadium. ;)
I can confirm this is a legit fix.

Originally posted by playerdav:

Many thanks for your advice. The game is working very smoothly on Windows 10 v1909 following your dxwrapper settings with max settings 1080p on my Nvidia GT 750m at 50% gpu 30fps fixed with riva tuner rtss.

I changed the d39d section as follows to enable smooth switching between game and windows.
[d3d9]
AntiAliasing = 0
EnableVSync = 0
EnableWindowMode = 1
FullscreenWindowMode = 1
WindowModeBorder = 1

In the game I was getting white blotches on the ground - setting grass to none fixed this.

This also works. Makes my regular resolution adapt to that of the game tho. I guess that can be fixed by changing the resolution of the game. Is it possible to play the game in wide screen resolution? I have 1366x768.
EDIT: works by editing the preferences .txt file.

The only thing is that the battle map has some graphical glitches, most notably the units appearing as white squares from a distance. Anyone got ideas as to fix this?

[_______LANDO_____]

Do you have a cdversion of rome ? install it on your computer and copy the exe to the steam folder (replace).If not i can give you a link with the exe of gamebuild from 2009. You wont have any problems.(you just cant play online)

[Belphegor The Sloth]

Originally posted by Tom:

Unfortunately, this game seems to have a lot of lag and performance problems on newer systems. The most widespread solution seems to be placing a modified d3d8.dll file from some random link in the game's folder. Although this solution works, it is never a desirable solution to put some random dll on our system. In this case it is not clear how it works and where does it comes from (I tried searching on Google the author or the original source but no luck).

Another solution for the bad performance is to use the DxWrapper project, available in https://github.com/elishacloud/dxwrapper. This projects allows converting Direct3D 8 to Direct3D 9, which will solve the performance issues of this game. To install it, download DxWrapper.zip from https://github.com/elishacloud/dxwrapper/releases, and put the files dxwrapper.dll, dxwrapper.ini, and d3d8.dll inside the game's folder. Open the file dxwrapper.ini and change the option "D3d8to9" from 0 to 1 to enable the conversion of Direct3D 8 to 9. Now you can launch the game and it should be running fine.

I searched about this solution for this game on Google and found nothing, so I'm leaving my two cents here. Hope it helps.

it worked. thank you

[holotagjr]

For me, it crashes the game at the moment when the main intro is over.

[Sebasta]

Originally posted by holotagjr:

For me, it crashes the game at the moment when the main intro is over.

Which files did you put in the game folder?

Did you open the .ini file (aka asi if I am correct)? If not, do this and change the d3d8to9 value from 0 to 1 and save.

[Sebasta]

Originally posted by _______LANDO______:

Do you have a cdversion of rome ? install it on your computer and copy the exe to the steam folder (replace).If not i can give you a link with the exe of gamebuild from 2009. You wont have any problems.(you just cant play online)

Thanks. I prefer not to fiddle with .exe files though. Isn't this considered cracking? Anyways, I don't have the issue with Alexander, so I guess it has to do with unit detail draw distance stuff an anti-aliasing.

[holotagjr]

Yes, I did change ir, and I completed all of the other instructions as well.

[holotagjr]

*it

[Sebasta]

Originally posted by holotagjr:

Yes, I did change ir, and I completed all of the other instructions as well.

Could you post a screenshot of your game folder please? Which files did you put in there? Try removing the files and starting the game. Maybe the game files have some other problem.

[holotagjr]

ctrl v doesn't work...

[_______LANDO_____]

Originally posted by Sebasta:

Originally posted by _______LANDO______:

Do you have a cdversion of rome ? install it on your computer and copy the exe to the steam folder (replace).If not i can give you a link with the exe of gamebuild from 2009. You wont have any problems.(you just cant play online)

Thanks. I prefer not to fiddle with .exe files though. Isn't this considered cracking? Anyways, I don't have the issue with Alexander, so I guess it has to do with unit detail draw distance stuff an anti-aliasing.

its just a copy/paste workaround, steam is not recognizing the difference. Big advantage is you have the optimized version of the game without any pathfinding problems etc. But of course its your choice.

[Sebasta]

So, now I am trying on some other laptop that has Windows 10 and Intel i5 processor.
I put the files in the folder the same way I did before for my other laptop.
Result: game freezes after playing the intro movies. Pressing esc during these movies also ends up with the same result. Loading the loading screen clearly freezes it.

Looking in the dxwrapper logfile, I find the following anomaly:
12756 17:26:22.233 Loading d3dx9_xx.dll
12756 17:26:22.330 Failed to load d3dx9_xx.dll!

Quite puzzled. Sounds like it's related to holotagjr's issue. Not sure how to fix it though.
Any tips WITHOUT needing me to download some other .dll file?

UPDATE: Fixed it. I indeed was missing some DirectX files (d3dx9_43.dll). Downloaded them via Microsoft DirectX® End-User Runtime on https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35
Works like a charm now.