I can't zoom in or out with either the mouse wheel or +/- keys. Any suggestions?

[*A-B* *StAtiC*9*]

As above.

[*A-B* *StAtiC*9*]

I did solve this by running the Configuration and checking the Direct3D box and unchecking the DirectSound box. Works like a charm now.

[Authentic Mikutard]

Oh awesome, this was giving me a headache. Make a shortcut for AoWSM.exe and make sure that the file is on compatibility for xp sp3. Don't worry, steam will still count your game time, you just don't have overlay, minimizing, fullscreen, d3d on, ZOOMING in game, everything working, just-don't-launch-by-steam (it will fudge even if you have in launch options overlay off

TL:DR: turn compatibility on the AoWSM.exe (windows xp sp3) and make your shortcut instead of launching by steam

[MiyabiSFG]

I have just encountered the same problem as above. I tried all the above solutions, but they didn't solve the problem. Is there any other solution?

[Authentic Mikutard]

Originally posted by MiyabiSFG:

I have just encountered the same problem as above. I tried all the above solutions, but they didn't solve the problem. Is there any other solution?

"and make sure that the file is on compatibility for xp sp3."
Are you sure you did this part? It's essential. Also make a shortcut and launch the game using it. Game time will be counted but you won't have overlay

Find AoWSM.exe, right click -> properties -> compatibility -> compatibility mode -> check that box and choose "windows XP (service pack 3)"

[MiyabiSFG]

Originally posted by Authentic Mikutard:

Originally posted by MiyabiSFG:

I have just encountered the same problem as above. I tried all the above solutions, but they didn't solve the problem. Is there any other solution?

"and make sure that the file is on compatibility for xp sp3."
Are you sure you did this part? It's essential. Also make a shortcut and launch the game using it. Game time will be counted but you won't have overlay

Find AoWSM.exe, right click -> properties -> compatibility -> compatibility mode -> check that box and choose "windows XP (service pack 3)"

Yes.

And I also found the developer's response.
https://steamcommunity.com/app/61520/discussions/0/359547436753216241/

[Authentic Mikutard]

awwww that's too bad, I had luck on windows 7... hmmm modern machines heh... dev just gave me a great idea you can try since game is so old and light on resources!

TRY VIRTUAL MACHINE!!! :D

[*A-B* *StAtiC*9*]

I am still using this particular fix to run AoW:SM on my Windows 10 PC just fine. I'll boot it up again tomorrow to confirm. Could be that a recent update hosed it.

[triadasoul]

Nowadays to run this game properly you need to make huge amount of actions:

1. Set compatibility setting of settings and game exe to Windows 8, 65 thousand colors and run as admin
2. Run Settings and choose your resolution and set it to fullscreen
3. Run the game
4. press Ctrl+r twice (in game not in the menu)
5. Press alt-tab twice

Now it would work with colorful lightning, fog of war and smooth, zoomable and also alt alt-tab wouldn't break colors. Just don't alt-tab when you end the turn - it may cause crash.

If you want to check FPS press F9.

[Letobrick]

Originally posted by *A-B* *StAtiC*9*:

I am still using this particular fix to run AoW:SM on my Windows 10 PC just fine. I'll boot it up again tomorrow to confirm. Could be that a recent update hosed it.

i tried the same fix (running .exe directly, xp sp3 compatibility, direct3d enabled, run as admin, no direct sound), and it runs on my newer windows 10 pc but I always get a continuously flickering black screen on the map. Only fix is to turn off direct3d but IMO ability to zoom in is essential esp. on higher resolutions. Fix worked ok on my older rig running windows 7 though.

[Letobrick]

Originally posted by triadasoul:

Nowadays to run this game properly you need to make huge amount of actions:

1. Set compatibility setting of settings and game exe to Windows 8, 65 thousand colors and run as admin
2. Run Settings and choose your resolution and set it to fullscreen
3. Run the game
4. press Ctrl+r twice (in game not in the menu)
5. Press alt-tab twice

Now it would work with colorful lightning, fog of war and smooth, zoomable and also alt alt-tab wouldn't break colors. Just don't alt-tab when you end the turn - it may cause crash.

If you want to check FPS press F9.

Tried this but no dice for me unfortunately, I still get that annoying flickering blackscreen on the map when direct3d is enabled. I'll stick to playing on my older rig, but not ideal since I can't host on parsec when using windows 7 - first world problems I suppose.

[*A-B* *StAtiC*9*]

Originally posted by *A-B* *StAtiC*9*:

I did solve this by running the Configuration and checking the Direct3D box and unchecking the DirectSound box. Works like a charm now.

OK, just booted it up to test on my Windows 10 Home system and in addition to my original post, I did have to run it in compatibility mode from the steam launcher. Once it loaded I alt-entered to make it full screen and it was still working great. The only issue that I had with it is that it didn't support any resolution higher than 1280x1024, but I guess as it's an older game that doesn't really bother me that much. Zooming worked perfectly and there was no screen flicker

[Letobrick]

^Hmm you might be on to something there. I could try instead running this on my older monitor instead that is 1280x1024 native. Will have to try when I get a chance, will try anything at this point lol
Edit: tried but no luck :(

[*A-B* *StAtiC*9*]

Picking up the Good Old Games (Gog.com) version might be an avenue for you as well. That one gets me up to 1600x1024 with zoom and no other f'ing around with it. You can usually get it for next to nothing over there.

[Letobrick]

Originally posted by *A-B* *StAtiC*9*:

Picking up the Good Old Games (Gog.com) version might be an avenue for you as well. That one gets me up to 1600x1024 with zoom and no other f'ing around with it. You can usually get it for next to nothing over there.

Thanks, I will consider that as well. I can at least play the steam version on my older rig with Win 7 and direct3d on with no flicker. It does seem to be a hit or miss on windows 10.