Temple Elemental Evil and DX9

Albromor · 01-06-2004, 09:55 PM

I would have normally asked this in the TToEE forum but alas it is no more. Anyway, the game instructions say the game needs a video card compatible for DX9. The thing is that my brother has played the game and his computer is at least 4 years old and I KNOW his video card is nowhere near DX9 compatible. Nevertheless he went ahead and installed DX9 when it asked for it (my brother knows zilch about computers) and he said he had no issues whatsoever! So, what gives? My video card is DX8 but not DX9 compatible. Is it absolutely necessary to be DX9 compliant? I know some of you have played this w/o DX9, so please give me advice on what is important or steps I should take to make it work. Thanks!

[ 01-06-2004, 09:56 PM: Message edited by: Albromor ]

RitingFool · 01-07-2004, 09:48 AM

I've played this game, and have a video card that isn't "DX9 compatible" - an ATI Radeon 8500LE. I think it means you need DX9 installed, but not necessarily a card that is compatible with it.

I know I had no problems running the game with my non-DX9 card, with no special tweaks or changes.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Michael

Albromor · 01-07-2004, 01:29 PM

Thanks Michael. By the way, how did you find the game? I have heard such serious mixed reviews I am wondering if I should even install it. The bugs are horrendous from what I hear. This game had sooooo much potential because the original Temple of Elemental Evil as a classic Pencil & Paper module was one of the finest ever designed under 1st Edition Rules.

Timber Loftis · 01-07-2004, 01:49 PM

Atari tech help told me that if your video card DRIVER is not DX9 compatible, the game will almost always not work. The driver version should be 6.14.xxxx (for windows XP), whereas a DX8 driver would be 6.13.xxxx.

X's are variable integers.

[ 01-07-2004, 01:50 PM: Message edited by: Timber Loftis ]

Albromor · 01-07-2004, 06:47 PM

Timer Loftis, what would I need to do to find this information on drivers, i.e. what folder or file and how to access? Thanks and much appreciated on the info you gave.

Sythe · 01-07-2004, 08:01 PM

I don't have the game but I'm just so curious. Can anyone tell what the bugs are? And shouldn't there be a patch to correct those issues?

SpiritWarrior · 01-07-2004, 09:02 PM

Albromor, type Dxdiag in the 'Run' tab in the 'Start' menu. When the DX console shows up click the display and check the driver version there.

By compatible I don't think it means the very newest video cards made specifically for DX 9 but rather a card that can function with it - which means alot of people can play this game.

Albromor · 01-07-2004, 09:46 PM

Thanks SW, I'll do that. And Sythe the bugs are so many in number that I wouldn't have time to write them all. I'm serious. In fact there are so many that a second patch is needed but it doesn't look like it will get the support to be created. A shame, too, because from all that I have read the game - when working - is fun. If you want to read the list just go to the Atari website. Also, read the forums; interesting, interesting. The blame is being placed at the feet of Atari who pushed Troika to release this bug infested game before it was ready. And here I was hoping that TToEE would do for Greyhawk what BG1 did for Forgotten Realms. *Sigh*

Gammit · 01-07-2004, 10:51 PM

Having a Direct-X9 capable card just enables you to see all of the "pretties." Like Timber said, as long as you have a recent video driver that's DX9 capable, you're good.

RitingFool · 01-08-2004, 02:01 PM

Albromor: While I didn't experience any problems with bugs, I've heard that some are pretty bad, as well as rule inconsistencies. What I played of it was okay, but even simple combats seemingly took forever. They give you so many choices in the radial menu it can be overwhelming if you're not used to it. Also, I've heard the game is quite short.

Just my two cents!

Regards,
Michael

01-07-2004, 01:49 PM	#4
Timber Loftis 40th Level Warrior Join Date: July 11, 2002 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 11,916	Atari tech help told me that if your video card DRIVER is not DX9 compatible, the game will almost always not work. The driver version should be 6.14.xxxx (for windows XP), whereas a DX8 driver would be 6.13.xxxx. X's are variable integers. [ 01-07-2004, 01:50 PM: Message edited by: Timber Loftis ] __________________

01-07-2004, 08:01 PM	#6
Sythe Ra Join Date: May 19, 2002 Location: The US of A Age: 35 Posts: 2,365	I don't have the game but I'm just so curious. Can anyone tell what the bugs are? And shouldn't there be a patch to correct those issues? __________________ Slythe is back! Back again! Haha! <br /><br />[url]\"http://imageshack.us\" target=\"_blank\"> [img]\"http://img472.imageshack.us/img472/9928/130blood4ts.jpg\" alt=\" - \" /></a>

01-07-2004, 09:02 PM	#7
SpiritWarrior Jack Burton Join Date: May 31, 2002 Location: Ireland Posts: 5,854	Albromor, type Dxdiag in the 'Run' tab in the 'Start' menu. When the DX console shows up click the display and check the driver version there. By compatible I don't think it means the very newest video cards made specifically for DX 9 but rather a card that can function with it - which means alot of people can play this game. __________________ Still I feel like a child when I look at the moon, maybe I grew up a little too soon...

01-07-2004, 10:51 PM	#9
Gammit Elminster Join Date: October 26, 2001 Location: Sterling Heights, MI, USA Age: 46 Posts: 477	Having a Direct-X9 capable card just enables you to see all of the "pretties." Like Timber said, as long as you have a recent video driver that's DX9 capable, you're good. __________________ IW resident science and mathematics teacher<br /><br />\"No, no, you\'re not thinking; you\'re just being logical.\"<br />-Niels Bohr

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01-06-2004, 09:55 PM	#1
Albromor Mephistopheles Join Date: June 13, 2001 Location: Northfield, NJ USA Posts: 1,417	I would have normally asked this in the TToEE forum but alas it is no more. Anyway, the game instructions say the game needs a video card compatible for DX9. The thing is that my brother has played the game and his computer is at least 4 years old and I KNOW his video card is nowhere near DX9 compatible. Nevertheless he went ahead and installed DX9 when it asked for it (my brother knows zilch about computers) and he said he had no issues whatsoever! So, what gives? My video card is DX8 but not DX9 compatible. Is it absolutely necessary to be DX9 compliant? I know some of you have played this w/o DX9, so please give me advice on what is important or steps I should take to make it work. Thanks! [ 01-06-2004, 09:56 PM: Message edited by: Albromor ]

01-07-2004, 09:48 AM	#2
RitingFool The Magister Join Date: June 6, 2001 Location: Irvine, CA USA Age: 59 Posts: 121	I've played this game, and have a video card that isn't "DX9 compatible" - an ATI Radeon 8500LE. I think it means you need DX9 installed, but not necessarily a card that is compatible with it. I know I had no problems running the game with my non-DX9 card, with no special tweaks or changes. Hope this helps. Regards, Michael

01-07-2004, 01:29 PM	#3
Albromor Mephistopheles Join Date: June 13, 2001 Location: Northfield, NJ USA Posts: 1,417	Thanks Michael. By the way, how did you find the game? I have heard such serious mixed reviews I am wondering if I should even install it. The bugs are horrendous from what I hear. This game had sooooo much potential because the original Temple of Elemental Evil as a classic Pencil & Paper module was one of the finest ever designed under 1st Edition Rules.

01-07-2004, 06:47 PM	#5
Albromor Mephistopheles Join Date: June 13, 2001 Location: Northfield, NJ USA Posts: 1,417	Timer Loftis, what would I need to do to find this information on drivers, i.e. what folder or file and how to access? Thanks and much appreciated on the info you gave.

01-07-2004, 09:46 PM	#8
Albromor Mephistopheles Join Date: June 13, 2001 Location: Northfield, NJ USA Posts: 1,417	Thanks SW, I'll do that. And Sythe the bugs are so many in number that I wouldn't have time to write them all. I'm serious. In fact there are so many that a second patch is needed but it doesn't look like it will get the support to be created. A shame, too, because from all that I have read the game - when working - is fun. If you want to read the list just go to the Atari website. Also, read the forums; interesting, interesting. The blame is being placed at the feet of Atari who pushed Troika to release this bug infested game before it was ready. And here I was hoping that TToEE would do for Greyhawk what BG1 did for Forgotten Realms. Sigh

01-08-2004, 02:01 PM	#10
RitingFool The Magister Join Date: June 6, 2001 Location: Irvine, CA USA Age: 59 Posts: 121	Albromor: While I didn't experience any problems with bugs, I've heard that some are pretty bad, as well as rule inconsistencies. What I played of it was okay, but even simple combats seemingly took forever. They give you so many choices in the radial menu it can be overwhelming if you're not used to it. Also, I've heard the game is quite short. Just my two cents! Regards, Michael

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