Does HoW Work well at resolutions above 800x600?

NobleNick · 02-08-2002, 03:32 PM

Hi Folks,

I was going to install HoW last night; but my wife had the machine monopolized until way past my bedtime. So I read the HoW manual, instead; and, to my joy, found out that resolutions greater than 800x600 are possible, just "not supported" by Interplay.

I have a new hp system from Costco: Pentium4@1.8GHz supported by Intel chipset; 512MB RAM; Windows XP; and a 32MB Invidia video card.

My questions, for you comrades who have tried HoW at resolutions above 800x600:

1.) Can I expect smooth gameplay (and no nasty technical surprises) at higher resolutions?

2.) Do the higher resolutions (I have my eye on 1024x768) add more detail, or do they add more viewing area over the 800x600 mode?

3.) Are these effects noticeable? (In other words, do they give noticeably more detailed graphics OVER AND ABOVE what 800x600 gives, or give an expanded view of the play area that has a significant impact on gameplay (e.g., battle tactics]? )

Thank you for any help you can provide.

Jonni Voodoo · 02-08-2002, 03:44 PM

I play in 1024x768 on my aging machine (Athlon 1ghz, 384MB DDR,) and it runs very smoothly. I didn't notice any graphical 'improvements' over 800 other than the larger viewing area which, in my opinion, is crucial to IWD since you can see more of the battle field and plan your strategy accordingly. 1024x768 along with removing the interface (hotkey 'H') makes for some beautiful battles.

Micah Foehammer · 02-08-2002, 03:53 PM

Jonni, it must be time for me to upgrade my system if you are referring to a 1 gig Athlon as "aging". [img]smile.gif[/img]

NobleNick · 02-08-2002, 05:00 PM

Jonni Voodoo,

I surmise from your answer that the graphics detail improves when you go from the 640x480 of IWD to the 800x600 of HoW. Then higher resolutions don't increase detail, just add more view of the battle fiel..., er, I mean landscape.

Exactly the info I wanted. Thank you, so much!

The current screen on IWD seems a little claustrophobic. So an expanded view is just what I need.

Again, thanks a bunch!

NobleNick · 02-12-2002, 03:29 PM

Now that I've had it for a while, I'll answer my own question: High resolution mode works great!

Resolutions above 800x600 just make the characters/monsters smaller. I tried several resolutions above 1024x768; but the characters were so small that I could immediately tell that the whole game would be an eye-strain. 1024x768 seems to be the best compromise: The characters are beautifully detailed and not too small; and I get a beautiful expanded view of the landscape/battlefield. The view is just big enough to see all participants (friend and foe) in a battle with ranged weapons (usually with "drop-away menus" NOT "dropped-away!"). This eliminates the claustrophobic screen jogs that were a perennial pain in the smaller resolution of IWD.

No "glitches" that I can see, yet!

02-08-2002, 03:53 PM	#3
Micah Foehammer Ma'at - Goddess of Truth & Justice Join Date: November 15, 2001 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 3,253	Jonni, it must be time for me to upgrade my system if you are referring to a 1 gig Athlon as "aging". [img]smile.gif[/img] __________________ “Every tavern’s an opportunity, I say.”

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02-08-2002, 03:32 PM	#1
NobleNick Quintesson Join Date: February 5, 2002 Location: Huntsville, AL, USA Age: 63 Posts: 1,045	Hi Folks, I was going to install HoW last night; but my wife had the machine monopolized until way past my bedtime. So I read the HoW manual, instead; and, to my joy, found out that resolutions greater than 800x600 are possible, just "not supported" by Interplay. I have a new hp system from Costco: Pentium4@1.8GHz supported by Intel chipset; 512MB RAM; Windows XP; and a 32MB Invidia video card. My questions, for you comrades who have tried HoW at resolutions above 800x600: 1.) Can I expect smooth gameplay (and no nasty technical surprises) at higher resolutions? 2.) Do the higher resolutions (I have my eye on 1024x768) add more detail, or do they add more viewing area over the 800x600 mode? 3.) Are these effects noticeable? (In other words, do they give noticeably more detailed graphics OVER AND ABOVE what 800x600 gives, or give an expanded view of the play area that has a significant impact on gameplay (e.g., battle tactics]? ) Thank you for any help you can provide.

02-08-2002, 03:44 PM	#2
Jonni Voodoo The Magister Join Date: December 16, 2001 Location: Deep 13 Age: 41 Posts: 124	I play in 1024x768 on my aging machine (Athlon 1ghz, 384MB DDR,) and it runs very smoothly. I didn't notice any graphical 'improvements' over 800 other than the larger viewing area which, in my opinion, is crucial to IWD since you can see more of the battle field and plan your strategy accordingly. 1024x768 along with removing the interface (hotkey 'H') makes for some beautiful battles.

02-08-2002, 05:00 PM	#4
NobleNick Quintesson Join Date: February 5, 2002 Location: Huntsville, AL, USA Age: 63 Posts: 1,045	Jonni Voodoo, I surmise from your answer that the graphics detail improves when you go from the 640x480 of IWD to the 800x600 of HoW. Then higher resolutions don't increase detail, just add more view of the battle fiel..., er, I mean landscape. Exactly the info I wanted. Thank you, so much! The current screen on IWD seems a little claustrophobic. So an expanded view is just what I need. Again, thanks a bunch!

02-12-2002, 03:29 PM	#5
NobleNick Quintesson Join Date: February 5, 2002 Location: Huntsville, AL, USA Age: 63 Posts: 1,045	Now that I've had it for a while, I'll answer my own question: High resolution mode works great! Resolutions above 800x600 just make the characters/monsters smaller. I tried several resolutions above 1024x768; but the characters were so small that I could immediately tell that the whole game would be an eye-strain. 1024x768 seems to be the best compromise: The characters are beautifully detailed and not too small; and I get a beautiful expanded view of the landscape/battlefield. The view is just big enough to see all participants (friend and foe) in a battle with ranged weapons (usually with "drop-away menus" NOT "dropped-away!"). This eliminates the claustrophobic screen jogs that were a perennial pain in the smaller resolution of IWD. No "glitches" that I can see, yet!

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