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Difference between revisions of "Homeworld"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
m
(15 intermediate revisions by 7 users not shown)
Line 8: Line 8:
 
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Sierra Entertainment|Original}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Sierra Entertainment|Original}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Gearbox Software|Current}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Gearbox Software|Current}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Sold Out Software|Retail re-release}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Aspyr Media|OS X}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Aspyr Media|OS X}}
 
|engines      =  
 
|engines      =  
Line 35: Line 36:
 
|strategywiki = Homeworld
 
|strategywiki = Homeworld
 
|lutris      = homeworld
 
|lutris      = homeworld
−
|mobygames    = homeworld
+
|mobygames    = 296
 
|hltb        = 4496
 
|hltb        = 4496
 
|wikipedia    = Homeworld
 
|wikipedia    = Homeworld
Line 42: Line 43:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
'''Key points'''
+
{{Introduction
−
{{++}} Mod tools come bundled on the disk
+
|introduction      =
−
{{++}} Small but dedicated community
+
 
−
{{++}} The [https://www.gamefront.com/games/homeworld/file/homeworld-source-code source code] was officially released.
+
|release history  =
−
{{++}} The audio settings include an equalizer (!)
+
 
−
{{--}} HUD doesn't scale on higher resolutions
+
|current state    = On Windows 8 and later, the game requires a [[#Hardware acceleration fix for Windows 8 and above|hardware acceleration fix]] to properly run.
 +
}}
  
 
'''General information'''
 
'''General information'''
−
{{mm}} [http://www.relic.com/ Relic Entertainment Official site]
+
{{++}} [https://www.gamefront.com/games/homeworld/file/homeworld-source-code Official source code]
 
{{mm}} [http://shipyards.relicnews.com/ Homeworld Shipyards] - A fairly old but big Homeworld fan site
 
{{mm}} [http://shipyards.relicnews.com/ Homeworld Shipyards] - A fairly old but big Homeworld fan site
 
{{GOG.com links|2114871440|homeworld_remastered_collection|for game series}}
 
{{GOG.com links|2114871440|homeworld_remastered_collection|for game series}}
Line 75: Line 77:
 
===Hardware acceleration fix for Windows 8 and above===
 
===Hardware acceleration fix for Windows 8 and above===
 
{{ii}} For Windows 8.x, 10, and 11, use the [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/5-homeworld-hardware-acceleration-fix/ Homeworld hardware acceleration fix]
 
{{ii}} For Windows 8.x, 10, and 11, use the [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/5-homeworld-hardware-acceleration-fix/ Homeworld hardware acceleration fix]
−
 
+
{{ii}} This solution force-enables [[Windows Compatibility Mode|compatibility mode]] for Windows NT 4.0 (Service Pack 5) which is not a selectable option in newer versions of Windows, but is still present in the backend.
−
===Command-line parameters===
 
−
The following command-line parameters may improve quality on newer systems, or enable extra functionality:
 
−
 
 
−
{| class="wikitable"
 
−
|-
 
−
! Argument !! Description
 
−
|-
 
−
| /triple || Enables OpenGL triple buffering, improves graphical quality and removes flickering at higher resolutions. '''Use unless it causes problems.'''
 
−
|-
 
−
| /enable3DNow || Enables the 3DNow processor instruction set if available. '''Use unless it causes problems.'''
 
−
|-
 
−
| /enableSSE || Enables the SSE processor instruction set if available. '''Use unless it causes problems.'''
 
−
|-
 
−
| /disableAVI || Disables the intro movies when the game starts.
 
−
|-
 
−
| /nofastfe || Disables the fast graphical frontend. '''Use this only when having graphical problems like flickering'''
 
−
|-
 
−
| /noglddraw || Don't use DirectDraw to setup OpenGL renderers. '''Try this if you're having problems getting OpenGL to work.'''
 
−
|-
 
−
| /safeGL || Don't use possibly buggy optimized features of OpenGL for rendering. '''Try this if you're having problems getting OpenGL to work.'''
 
−
|-
 
−
| /pilotview || Enable pilot view. Focus on single ship and press {{key|Q}} to toggle.
 
−
|-
 
−
| /heap '''BYTES''' || Allows the game to use up to '''BYTES''' bytes RAM for the heap since by default the game isn't allowed to use much.
 
−
256 MB should suffice: <code>/heap 268435456</code> but if you have more, try raising it to 1 GB: <code>/heap 1073741824</code>
 
−
|}
 
−
 
 
−
{{ii}} To enter command line parameters in Windows 10, create a shortcut to the application and place the command line parameters outside the quotes for the path name to the right. Use the oldest compatibility that permits the game to launch (test this first) e.g. Windows Vista SP3.
 
  
 
==Game data==
 
==Game data==
Line 148: Line 122:
 
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    = incomplete
 
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    = incomplete
 
|widescreen resolution      = hackable
 
|widescreen resolution      = hackable
−
|widescreen resolution notes= See [[#Widescreen resolution|Widescreen resolution]].
+
|widescreen resolution notes= See [[#Widescreen resolution|Widescreen resolution]]. HUD doesn't scale on higher resolutions.
 
|multimonitor              = false
 
|multimonitor              = false
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
Line 170: Line 144:
 
|60 fps notes              =  
 
|60 fps notes              =  
 
|120 fps                    = true
 
|120 fps                    = true
−
|120 fps notes              = No frame rate cap.
+
|120 fps notes              = No frame rate cap. Ships and other elements move and update at a locked frame rate.
 
|hdr                        = unknown
 
|hdr                        = unknown
 
|hdr notes                  =  
 
|hdr notes                  =  
Line 178: Line 152:
  
 
===[[Glossary:Widescreen resolution|Widescreen resolution]]===
 
===[[Glossary:Widescreen resolution|Widescreen resolution]]===
−
Widescreen can be enabled by changing the ScreenHeight and ScreenWidth registry keys in <code>{{p|hklm}}\Software\Sierra On-Line\Homeworld</code>
+
{{Fixbox|description=Modify the game registry keys|ref=<ref>Reference</ref>|fix=
−
 
+
# Navigate to the [[#Configuration_file.28s.29_location|Configuration file(s) location]] using RegEdit.
−
<br />
+
# Change the {{code|ScreenHeight}} and {{code|ScreenWidth}} registry keys to the desired width and height.
−
For Windows 10 x64 you need to be run the program as Admin for the registry entries to be created (right click properties on the application under compatibility set run as administrator).{{cn|date=July 2016}}
 
  
−
{{Fixbox|description=Set resolution in registry|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
+
'''Notes'''
−
# Go to <code>{{p|hklm}}\SOFTWARE\{{p|wow64}}\Sierra On-Line\Homeworld</code>
+
{{ii}} On 64-bit versions of Windows, the configuration files may be in a different location if the game is not run in Administrator Mode.
−
# Edit the <code>ScreenHeight</code> and <code>ScreenWidth</code> values to match your chosen resolution.
+
{{mm}} See the [[Glossary:Game data#HKEY LOCAL MACHINE|Game data]] article or the [[#Configuration_file.28s.29_location|Configuration file(s) location]] tooltips and notes for more information.
−
# If the resolution doesn't take effect after doing the above, try running the game in Administrator mode.
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
{{ii}} To get to the registry editor in Windows 10, in the Start Menu select Windows Administration Tools then Registry Editor. The registry entry defaults to hexadecimal so double check the decimal representation of the resolution you select. 3840 by 2160 may be possible, but the menu scale is tiny and mean time to failure shorter than 1920 by 1080.
+
===[[Glossary:Windowed|Windowed]]===
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Use launch arguments|ref=|fix=
 +
* For windowed mode, Use the [[Glossary:Command line arguments|launch argument]] {{code|-window}}.
 +
* For borderless fullscreen windowed mode, use {{code|-window -noBorder}}.
  
−
===[[Glossary:Windowed|Windowed]]===
+
'''Notes'''
−
Add <code>-window</code> to the game's path. For borderless fullscreen windowed mode add <code>-noBorder</code> as well. If you do not use <code>-noBorder</code> you must run the game at less than maximum screen resolution or it will crash.
+
{{ii}} For standard windowed mode, the game must be set to '''less than''' the screen resolution.  Otherwise, the game will crash.
 +
{{ii}} Alternatively, use the borderless command.
 +
}}
  
 
==Input==
 
==Input==
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|eax support              = true
 
|eax support              = true
 
|eax support notes        = DirectSound3D.
 
|eax support notes        = DirectSound3D.
 +
|royalty free audio      = always on
 +
|royalty free audio notes =
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 311: Line 290:
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
−
  |language  = Spanish
+
  |language  = Polish
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = true
 
  |audio    = true
 
  |subtitles = true
 
  |subtitles = true
−
  |notes    =  
+
  |notes    = Local retail only. [https://dubbingpedia.pl/wiki/Homeworld Details]
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
−
  |language  = Polish
+
  |language  = Spanish
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = true
 
  |audio    = true
 
  |subtitles = true
 
  |subtitles = true
−
  |notes    = Local retail only.
+
  |notes    =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
}}
 
}}
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|lan play players    = 8
 
|lan play players    = 8
 
|lan play modes      = Versus
 
|lan play modes      = Versus
−
|lan play notes      = Not available in the Homeworld Remastered Collection/Steam version.<ref>[http://forums.gearboxsoftware.com/t/where-is-lan-in-the-classic-homeworld/100410 Gearbox Software Forums - Where is lan in the classic homeworld?]</ref>
+
|lan play notes      = Not available in the Homeworld Remastered Collection/Steam version.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720021539/http://forums.gearboxsoftware.com/t/where-is-lan-in-the-classic-homeworld/100410/|title=Gearbox Software Forums - Where is lan in the classic homeworld?|date=May 2023}}</ref>
−
|online play          = true
+
|online play          = false
 
|online play players  = 8
 
|online play players  = 8
 
|online play modes    = Versus
 
|online play modes    = Versus
−
|online play notes    =  
+
|online play notes    = The official WON service has been shut down.
 
|asynchronous        =  
 
|asynchronous        =  
 
|asynchronous notes  =  
 
|asynchronous notes  =  
Line 363: Line 342:
 
|udp  = 15400-15401
 
|udp  = 15400-15401
 
|upnp = unknown
 
|upnp = unknown
 +
}}
 +
 +
==VR support==
 +
{{VR support
 +
|gg3d name                  =
 +
|native 3d gg3d award        =
 +
|nvidia 3d vision gg3d award =
 +
|tridef 3d gg3d award        =
 +
|iz3d gg3d award            =
 +
|native 3d                  =
 +
|native 3d notes            =
 +
|nvidia 3d vision            =
 +
|nvidia 3d vision notes      =
 +
|tridef 3d                  =
 +
|tridef 3d notes            =
 +
|iz3d                        =
 +
|iz3d notes                  =
 +
|vr only                    =
 +
|vorpx                      = hackable
 +
|vorpx modes                = G3D,Z3D
 +
|vorpx notes                = User created game profile, see [https://www.vorpx.com/forums/topic/homeworld-2/ vorpx forum] profile introduction.
 +
|htc vive                    =
 +
|htc vive notes              =
 +
|oculus rift                =
 +
|oculus rift notes          =
 +
|osvr                        =
 +
|osvr notes                  =
 +
|windows mixed reality      =
 +
|windows mixed reality notes =
 +
|keyboard-mouse              =
 +
|keyboard-mouse notes        =
 +
|3rd space gaming vest      =
 +
|3rd space gaming vest notes =
 +
|novint falcon              =
 +
|novint falcon notes        =
 +
|trackir                    =
 +
|trackir notes              =
 +
|tobii eye tracking          =
 +
|tobii eye tracking notes    =
 +
|play area seated            =
 +
|play area seated notes      =
 +
|play area standing          =
 +
|play area standing notes    =
 +
|play area room-scale        =
 +
|play area room-scale notes  =
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 370: Line 394:
  
 
===Windows 8 hardware acceleration===
 
===Windows 8 hardware acceleration===
−
{{ii}} On Windows 8 the "Windows NT 4.0" compatibility mode is no longer listed, and no other modes manage to get OpenGL working; D3D mode works, but bugs out at non-default resolutions.
+
{{ii}} On Windows 8, the "Windows NT 4.0" compatibility mode is no longer listed, and no other modes manage to get OpenGL working; D3D mode works, but bugs out at non-default resolutions.
  
 
{{Fixbox|description=Apply the fix|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Apply the fix|fix=
 
# Download the [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/5-homeworld-hardware-acceleration-fix/ Homeworld hardware acceleration fix].
 
# Download the [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/5-homeworld-hardware-acceleration-fix/ Homeworld hardware acceleration fix].
−
# Extract it anywhere and run <code>install.bat</code>.
+
# Extract it anywhere and run {{file|install.bat}}.
 
# The game now runs in Windows NT 4.0 compatibility mode so hardware acceleration works correctly.
 
# The game now runs in Windows NT 4.0 compatibility mode so hardware acceleration works correctly.
 
}}
 
}}
Line 401: Line 425:
 
|windows 32-bit exe    = true
 
|windows 32-bit exe    = true
 
|windows 64-bit exe    = false
 
|windows 64-bit exe    = false
 +
|windows arm app        = unknown
 
|windows exe notes      =  
 
|windows exe notes      =  
 
|mac os x powerpc app  = unknown
 
|mac os x powerpc app  = unknown
 
|macos intel 32-bit app = unknown
 
|macos intel 32-bit app = unknown
 
|macos intel 64-bit app = unknown
 
|macos intel 64-bit app = unknown
−
|macos arm app          =  
+
|macos arm app          = unknown
 
|macos app notes        =  
 
|macos app notes        =  
 
|linux powerpc app      = hackable
 
|linux powerpc app      = hackable
 
|linux 32-bit executable= hackable
 
|linux 32-bit executable= hackable
 
|linux 64-bit executable= hackable
 
|linux 64-bit executable= hackable
 +
|linux arm app          = unknown
 
|linux executable notes = Requires a source port. PowerPC support requires building from source code.
 
|linux executable notes = Requires a source port. PowerPC support requires building from source code.
 
}}
 
}}
Line 428: Line 454:
 
|multiplayer notes=  
 
|multiplayer notes=  
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
===[[Glossary:Command line arguments|Command line arguments]]===
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Argument !! Description
 +
|-
 +
| /triple || Enables OpenGL triple buffering, improves graphical quality and removes flickering at higher resolutions. '''Use unless it causes problems.'''
 +
|-
 +
| /enable3DNow || Enables the 3DNow processor instruction set if available. '''Use unless it causes problems.'''
 +
|-
 +
| /enableSSE || Enables the SSE processor instruction set if available. '''Use unless it causes problems.'''
 +
|-
 +
| /disableAVI || Disables the intro movies when the game starts.
 +
|-
 +
| /nofastfe || Disables the fast graphical frontend. '''Use this only when having graphical problems like flickering'''
 +
|-
 +
| /noglddraw || Don't use DirectDraw to setup OpenGL renderers. '''Try this if you're having problems getting OpenGL to work.'''
 +
|-
 +
| /safeGL || Don't use possibly buggy optimized features of OpenGL for rendering. '''Try this if you're having problems getting OpenGL to work.'''
 +
|-
 +
| /pilotview || Enable pilot view. Focus on single ship and press {{key|Q}} to toggle.
 +
|-
 +
| /heap '''BYTES''' || Allows the game to use up to '''BYTES''' bytes RAM for the heap since by default the game isn't allowed to use much.
 +
256 MB should suffice: <code>/heap 268435456</code> but if you have more, try raising it to 1 GB: <code>/heap 1073741824</code>
 +
|}
  
 
==System requirements==
 
==System requirements==

Revision as of 12:14, 21 October 2023

This page is for the original release. For the remastered version, see Homeworld Remastered Edition.

Homeworld
Homeworld cover
Developers
Relic Entertainment
macOS (OS X) Aspyr Media
Publishers
Original Sierra Entertainment
Current Gearbox Software
Retail re-release Sold Out Software
OS X Aspyr Media
Release dates
Windows September 28, 1999
Linux December 21, 2006
macOS (OS X) August 6, 2015
Reception
Metacritic 93
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase
Modes Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives Free-roaming camera
Controls Multiple select, Point and select
Genres RTS
Themes Sci-fi, Space
Series Homeworld
Icon overlay.png
Homeworld on HowLongToBeat
Homeworld on IGDB
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Homeworld guide on StrategyWiki
Homeworld on MobyGames
Homeworld on Wikipedia
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Homeworld
Homeworld 1999
Homeworld: Cataclysm 2000
Homeworld 2 2003
Homeworld Remastered Edition 2015
Homeworld 2 Remastered Edition 2015
Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak 2016
Homeworld 3 2024

Homeworld is a singleplayer and multiplayer free-roaming camera RTS game in the Homeworld series.

On Windows 8 and later, the game requires a hardware acceleration fix to properly run.

General information

Official source code
Homeworld Shipyards - A fairly old but big Homeworld fan site
GOG.com Community Discussions for game series
GOG.com Support Page
Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
CD key
 OverSized DRM (lead-out area shortened and used for data, to prevent most contemporary CD-RW drives from copying the method)
Windows
GOG.com
DRM-free
 Homeworld Remastered Collection
Windows
Humble Store
Icon overlay.png
 Homeworld Remastered Collection
Windows
Steam
Icon overlay.png
 Homeworld Remastered Collection
Windows
Publisher website
DRM-free
 Source port of the original retail version.
Linux
Mac App Store (unavailable)
Icon overlay.png
 Homeworld Remastered Collection. Currently no online multiplayer or mod support.
macOS (OS X)
The Homeworld Remastered Collection contains Homeworld, Homeworld 2, Homeworld Remastered Edition and Homeworld 2 Remastered Edition.
A free demo version can be downloaded from ModDB and GameFront.

Essential improvements

Patches

The latest official patch v1.05 is available here, at www.sierrahelp.com and at soggi.org.
A full list of all available patches can be found at www.sierrahelp.com.

Hardware acceleration fix for Windows 8 and above

For Windows 8.x, 10, and 11, use the Homeworld hardware acceleration fix
This solution force-enables compatibility mode for Windows NT 4.0 (Service Pack 5) which is not a selectable option in newer versions of Windows, but is still present in the backend.

Game data

In-game general settings.
In-game general settings.

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Sierra On-Line\Homeworld[Note 1]
macOS (OS X)
Steam Play (Linux) <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/244160/pfx/[Note 2]

Save game data location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\SavedGames\[Note 3]
macOS (OS X)
Steam Play (Linux) <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/244160/pfx/[Note 2]

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
GOG Galaxy
Steam Cloud

Video

In-game general graphics settings.
In-game general graphics settings.
In-game advanced graphics settings.
In-game advanced graphics settings.

Graphics feature State WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
 
 See Widescreen resolution. HUD doesn't scale on higher resolutions.
Multi-monitor
 
Ultra-widescreen
 
4K Ultra HD
 
Field of view (FOV)
Determined by the aspect ratio (see Widescreen resolution).
Windowed
See Windowed.
Borderless fullscreen windowed
See Windowed.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anti-aliasing (AA)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
Use the command line parameter /triple
60 FPS and 120+ FPS
No frame rate cap. Ships and other elements move and update at a locked frame rate.
High dynamic range display (HDR)
See the glossary page for potential alternatives.

Widescreen resolution

Modify the game registry keys[1]
  1. Navigate to the Configuration file(s) location using RegEdit.
  2. Change the ScreenHeight and ScreenWidth registry keys to the desired width and height.

Notes

On 64-bit versions of Windows, the configuration files may be in a different location if the game is not run in Administrator Mode.
See the Game data article or the Configuration file(s) location tooltips and notes for more information.

Windowed

Use launch arguments
  • For windowed mode, Use the launch argument -window.
  • For borderless fullscreen windowed mode, use -window -noBorder.

Notes

For standard windowed mode, the game must be set to less than the screen resolution. Otherwise, the game will crash.
Alternatively, use the borderless command.

Input

In-game key map settings.
In-game key map settings.

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
Mouse acceleration
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
Controller types

Audio

In-game audio settings.
In-game audio settings.
In-game speech settings.
In-game speech settings.

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
An in-game equalizer is also available.
Surround sound
Up to 7.0 output with DirectSound3D restoration software.
Subtitles
On by default
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
EAX support
DirectSound3D.
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
French
German
Italian
Polish
Local retail only. Details
Spanish

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
LAN play
8 Versus
Not available in the Homeworld Remastered Collection/Steam version.[2]
Online play
8 Versus
The official WON service has been shut down.

Connection types

Type Native Notes
Matchmaking
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated
Self-hosting
Direct IP

Ports

Protocol Port(s) and/or port range(s)
TCP 15000-15300, 21000-21999, 30000-30999
UDP 15400-15401
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.

VR support

3D modes State Notes
vorpX
G3D, Z3D
User created game profile, see vorpx forum profile introduction.

Issues fixed

Hardware Acceleration

Using OpenGL or D3D (in the video options) enables hardware acceleration, which gives you 32-bit colour, and the ability to use graphics techniques invented since the game's release. Hardware Acceleration works best on Windows XP or later when the game is run using compatibility mode for Windows NT 4.0. For Windows 8 and 8.1 only use the Homeworld hardware acceleration fix to apply this compatibility mode on Windows 10 the compatibility mode was added on the latest update.

Windows 8 hardware acceleration

On Windows 8, the "Windows NT 4.0" compatibility mode is no longer listed, and no other modes manage to get OpenGL working; D3D mode works, but bugs out at non-default resolutions.
Apply the fix
  1. Download the Homeworld hardware acceleration fix.
  2. Extract it anywhere and run install.bat.
  3. The game now runs in Windows NT 4.0 compatibility mode so hardware acceleration works correctly.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 6
OpenGL 1
Software renderer
ExecutablePPC 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Linux
Requires a source port. PowerPC support requires building from source code.

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Multiplayer World Opponent Network

Command line arguments

Argument Description
/triple Enables OpenGL triple buffering, improves graphical quality and removes flickering at higher resolutions. Use unless it causes problems.
/enable3DNow Enables the 3DNow processor instruction set if available. Use unless it causes problems.
/enableSSE Enables the SSE processor instruction set if available. Use unless it causes problems.
/disableAVI Disables the intro movies when the game starts.
/nofastfe Disables the fast graphical frontend. Use this only when having graphical problems like flickering
/noglddraw Don't use DirectDraw to setup OpenGL renderers. Try this if you're having problems getting OpenGL to work.
/safeGL Don't use possibly buggy optimized features of OpenGL for rendering. Try this if you're having problems getting OpenGL to work.
/pilotview Enable pilot view. Focus on single ship and press Q to toggle.
/heap BYTES Allows the game to use up to BYTES bytes RAM for the heap since by default the game isn't allowed to use much.

256 MB should suffice: /heap 268435456 but if you have more, try raising it to 1 GB: /heap 1073741824

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 95, NT 4.0 98
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium II 233 MHz Intel Pentium II 350 MHz
System memory (RAM) 32 MB 64 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 80 MB 600 MB
Video card (GPU) 4 MB of VRAM
DirectX 6.1 compatible 		12 MB of VRAM
macOS (OS X)
Minimum
Operating system (OS) 10.9.5
Processor (CPU) Intel 2.2 GHz
System memory (RAM) 4 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 20 GB
Video card (GPU) ATI Radeon HD 3870
Nvidia GeForce 640M
Intel HD 4000
512 MB of VRAM


Notes

  1. ↑ Applications writing to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE will be redirected to other locations based on various criterias, see the glossary page for more details.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:
  3. ↑ When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMDATA%, or %WINDIR% might be redirected to %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore on Windows Vista and later (more details).

References