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Difference between revisions of "Populous: The Beginning"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
m (misc. fixes, replaced: Cloud Syncing → Save game cloud syncing)
 
(115 intermediate revisions by 22 users not shown)
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−
{{stub}}
+
{{Infobox game
−
{{infobox
+
|cover       = Populous The Beginning cover.jpg
−
|cover         = Populous-the-beginning.png
+
|developers  =
−
|developer     = [[Wikipedia:Bullfrog_Productions|Bullfrog Productions]]
+
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Bullfrog Productions}}
−
|publisher     = [[Wikipedia:Electronic_Arts|Electronic Arts]]
+
|publishers  =
−
|engine         = Modified Magic Carpet Engine
+
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Electronic Arts}}
−
|release dates = September 15, 1998
+
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Sold Out Software|Re-release}}
 +
|engines      =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/engine|Magic Carpet}}
 +
|release dates=  
 +
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|November 17, 1998}}
 +
|taxonomy    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | One-time game purchase, Expansion pack }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | Singleplayer, Multiplayer }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing            | Real-time }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives      | Bird's-eye view }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls          | Multiple select, Point and select }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres            | RTS }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/sports            | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/vehicles          | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/art styles        | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes            | Fantasy }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | Populous }}
 +
|steam appid  = 2616430
 +
|gogcom id    = 1207659027
 +
|hltb        = 7224
 +
|lutris      = populous-the-beginning
 +
|strategywiki =
 +
|mobygames    = 666
 +
|wikipedia    = Populous:_The_Beginning
 +
|winehq      = 783
 +
|license      = commercial
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
{{Introduction
 +
|introduction      =
 +
 +
|release history  =
 +
 +
|current state    =
 +
}}
 +
 +
'''General information'''
 +
{{mm}} [https://populous.fandom.com/wiki/Populous_Wiki Populous Wiki] - A small wiki for the Populous series
 +
{{mm}} [https://www.popre.net/index.php Populous: Reincarnated] - A fan site dedicated to Populous: The Beginning
 +
{{mm}} [https://wiki.popre.net/Main_Page Populous: Reincarnated Wiki] - A wiki for Populous: The Beginning
 +
{{mm}} [https://thebeginning.uk/ The Beginning] - A fan site which provide news and mods to Populous: The Beginning
 +
{{GOG.com links|1207659027|populous_series|for game series}}
 +
{{mm}} [https://steamcommunity.com/app/2616430/discussions/ Steam Community Discussions]
  
 
==Availability==
 
==Availability==
−
{{Availability Table|
+
{{Availability|
−
{{Availability Table/row| [http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/populous_the_beginning GOG.com] | {{ID|DRM-free}} |Updated for compatibility with modern systems.}}
+
{{Availability/row| Retail | | Disc | {{DRM|SecuROM}}. | | Windows }}
 +
{{Availability/row| GOG.com | populous_the_beginning | DRM-free | Includes The Undiscovered Worlds. Pre-packaged with custom [[Glossary:Display wrapper|DirectDraw wrapper]].<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gog.com/news/content_levelup_bullfrog_titles|title=News - Content Level-up: Bullfrog Titles - GOG.com|date=May 2023}}</ref> | | Windows }}
 +
{{Availability/row| Microsoft Store |9PKZN9K2HXJ9| Microsoft Store, Origin | Included exclusively with {{Store feature|Xbox Game Pass}} as part of its version of EA Play. | | Windows }}
 +
{{Availability/row| Origin | populous/populous-the-beginning | Origin | Includes The Undiscovered Worlds. Not available in all regions.<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plok|date=2023-11-06|comment=Inaccessible from Croatia, confirmed available in the UK.}}</ref>. Included with {{Store feature|EA Play}}| | Windows }}
 +
{{Availability/row| Steam | 2616430 | Steam | Includes The Undiscovered Worlds. Pre-packaged with [[Glossary:Display wrapper|DDrawCompat]]. Included with {{Store feature|EA Play}}. | | Windows }}
 +
}}
 +
{{ii}} Free demo versions are available from Archive.org: [https://archive.org/details/POPULOUS smaller web version], [https://archive.org/details/Populous_The_Beginning_Demo_Disc_-_Win95_Eng CD version].
 +
 
 +
==Monetization==
 +
{{Monetization
 +
|ad-supported          =
 +
|dlc                    =
 +
|expansion pack        = The expansion pack includes new singleplayer missions.
 +
|freeware              =
 +
|free-to-play          =
 +
|one-time game purchase = The game requires an upfront purchase to access.
 +
|sponsored              =
 +
|subscription          =
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{DLC|
 +
{{DLC/row| Undiscovered Worlds |  | Windows }}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Essential improvements==
 +
===Patches===
 +
{{ii}} The latest official retail patch available is [http://popre.net/downloads.php#patches 1.01]. The GOG.com version comes with this pre-installed.
 +
{{ii}} The Undiscovered Worlds expansion did not receive any patches.
 +
 
 +
===Unofficial patches===
 +
====Collective Populous Patch====
 +
The unofficial [http://popre.net/downloads.php#patches Collective Populous Patch] includes 1.01 fixes as well as a network hosting bug fix. It also removes the CD check and adds a restore tool.
 +
{{ii}} This patch will update the game to the US version.
 +
 
 +
==Game data==
 +
{{Image|Populous The Beginning General.png|In-game general settings.}}
 +
 
 +
===Configuration file(s) location===
 +
{{Game data|
 +
{{Game data/config|Windows|}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Save game data location===
 +
{{Game data|
 +
{{Game data/saves|Windows|{{p|game}}\Save}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===[[Glossary:Save game cloud syncing|Save game cloud syncing]]===
 +
{{Save game cloud syncing
 +
|discord                  =
 +
|discord notes            =
 +
|epic games launcher      =
 +
|epic games launcher notes =
 +
|gog galaxy                = false
 +
|gog galaxy notes          =
 +
|origin                    = unknown
 +
|origin notes              =
 +
|steam cloud              = true
 +
|steam cloud notes        =
 +
|ubisoft connect          =
 +
|ubisoft connect notes    =
 +
|xbox cloud                = false
 +
|xbox cloud notes          =
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
{{--}}The GOG.com version does not include the Undiscovered Worlds expansion.
+
==Video==
 +
{{Image|Populous The Beginning Video.png|In-game video settings.}}
 +
{{Image|Populous The Beginning Direct3D.png|In-game Direct3D settings (only when running the game with hardware acceleration).}}
 +
{{Video
 +
|wsgf link                  =
 +
|widescreen wsgf award      =
 +
|multimonitor wsgf award    =
 +
|ultrawidescreen wsgf award =
 +
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    =
 +
|widescreen resolution      = true
 +
|widescreen resolution notes= Supports up to 1280x800; run the game with the <code>-allres</code> parameter.
 +
|multimonitor              = false
 +
|multimonitor notes        =
 +
|ultrawidescreen            = unknown
 +
|ultrawidescreen notes      =
 +
|4k ultra hd                = unknown
 +
|4k ultra hd notes          =
 +
|fov                        = false
 +
|fov notes                  =
 +
|windowed                  = hackable
 +
|windowed notes            = Use [[dgVoodoo 2]].
 +
|borderless windowed        = false
 +
|borderless windowed notes  =
 +
|anisotropic                = false
 +
|anisotropic notes          =
 +
|antialiasing              = hackable
 +
|antialiasing notes        = Use [[dgVoodoo 2]].
 +
|upscaling                  = unknown
 +
|upscaling tech            =
 +
|upscaling notes            =
 +
|vsync                      = hackable
 +
|vsync notes                = Use [[dgVoodoo 2]].
 +
|60 fps                    = unknown
 +
|60 fps notes              =
 +
|120 fps                    = unknown
 +
|120 fps notes              =
 +
|hdr                        = unknown
 +
|hdr notes                  =
 +
|color blind                = unknown
 +
|color blind notes          =
 +
}}
  
−
==Improvements==
+
==Input==
−
===Patch 1.01===
+
{{Input
−
The latest official retail patch available is [http://popre.net/downloads.php#patches 1.01.] The GOG.com version comes with this pre-installed.
+
|key remap                = false
 +
|key remap notes          =  
 +
|acceleration option      = false
 +
|acceleration option notes =  
 +
|mouse sensitivity        = unknown
 +
|mouse sensitivity notes  =  
 +
|mouse menu                = true
 +
|mouse menu notes          =
 +
|invert mouse y-axis      = n/a
 +
|invert mouse y-axis notes =
 +
|touchscreen              = unknown
 +
|touchscreen notes        =
 +
|controller support        = false
 +
|controller support notes  =
 +
|full controller          = unknown
 +
|full controller notes    =
 +
|controller remap          = unknown
 +
|controller remap notes    =
 +
|controller sensitivity    = unknown
 +
|controller sensitivity notes=
 +
|invert controller y-axis  = unknown
 +
|invert controller y-axis notes=
 +
|xinput controllers        = unknown
 +
|xinput controllers notes  =
 +
|xbox prompts              = unknown
 +
|xbox prompts notes        =
 +
|impulse triggers          = unknown
 +
|impulse triggers notes    =
 +
|dualshock 4              = unknown
 +
|dualshock 4 notes        =
 +
|dualshock prompts        = unknown
 +
|dualshock prompts notes  =
 +
|light bar support        = unknown
 +
|light bar support notes  =
 +
|dualshock 4 modes        = unknown
 +
|dualshock 4 modes notes  =
 +
|tracked motion controllers= unknown
 +
|tracked motion controllers notes =
 +
|tracked motion prompts    = unknown
 +
|tracked motion prompts notes =
 +
|other controllers        = unknown
 +
|other controllers notes  =
 +
|other button prompts      = unknown
 +
|other button prompts notes=
 +
|controller hotplug        = unknown
 +
|controller hotplug notes  =
 +
|haptic feedback          = unknown
 +
|haptic feedback notes    =
 +
|simultaneous input        = unknown
 +
|simultaneous input notes  =
 +
|steam input api          = unknown
 +
|steam input api notes    =
 +
|steam hook input          = unknown
 +
|steam hook input notes    =
 +
|steam input presets      = unknown
 +
|steam input presets notes =
 +
|steam controller prompts  = unknown
 +
|steam controller prompts notes =
 +
|steam cursor detection    = unknown
 +
|steam cursor detection notes =
 +
}}
  
−
===Collective Populous Patch (1.03)===
+
==Audio==
−
The unofficial [http://popre.net/downloads.php#patches Collective Populous Patch] includes 1.01 fixes as well as a network hosting bug fix. It also removes the CD check and adds a restore tool along with an update tool.
+
{{Image|Populous The Beginning Audio.png|In-game audio settings.}}
−
{{ii}}This patch will update the game to the US version.
+
{{Audio
 +
|separate volume          = true
 +
|separate volume notes    =
 +
|surround sound          = true
 +
|surround sound notes    = Uses QSound
 +
|subtitles                = false
 +
|subtitles notes          =
 +
|closed captions          = false
 +
|closed captions notes    =
 +
|mute on focus lost      = always on
 +
|mute on focus lost notes =
 +
|eax support              =
 +
|eax support notes        =
 +
|royalty free audio      = always on
 +
|royalty free audio notes =
 +
}}
  
−
===Displacements Patch===
+
{{L10n|content=
−
The unofficial [http://popre.net/downloads.php#patches Displacements Patch] improves all landscape textures. This affects both the base game and its' expansion.
+
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = English
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = false
 +
|notes    =  
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = German
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = false
 +
|notes    = Retail only; [https://www.compiware-forum.de/downloads/file/236-populous-the-beginning-german-patch/ download for GOG.com version].
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Japanese
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = unknown
 +
|subtitles = unknown
 +
|notes    =
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Network==
 +
{{Network/Multiplayer
 +
|local play          =
 +
|local play players  =
 +
|local play modes    =
 +
|local play notes    =
 +
|lan play            = true
 +
|lan play players    = 4
 +
|lan play modes      =
 +
|lan play notes      =
 +
|online play          = hackable
 +
|online play players  = 4
 +
|online play modes    =
 +
|online play notes    = Official servers have been shut down. Use the [[#Populous Reincarnated Matchmaker|Populous Reincarnated Matchmaker]].
 +
|asynchronous        =
 +
|asynchronous notes  =
 +
}}
  
−
== Game data ==
+
{{Network/Connections
−
{{Game Location Table|
+
|matchmaking        = false
−
{{Game Location Table/row|Windows (Retail)| }}
+
|matchmaking notes  = Original matchmaking service is no longer available. Use the [[#Populous Reincarnated Matchmaker|Populous Reincarnated Matchmaker]].
−
{{Game Location Table/row|Windows (GOG.com)| C:\Program Files\GOG.com\Populous 3}}
+
|p2p                = true
 +
|p2p notes          =
 +
|dedicated          = false
 +
|dedicated notes    =
 +
|self-hosting      = true
 +
|self-hosting notes =
 +
|direct ip          = true
 +
|direct ip notes    =
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
=== [[Save game cloud syncing]] ===
+
{{Network/Ports
−
{{Save Game Cloud Syncing
+
|tcp  =  
−
|steam_cloud            =false
+
|udp  = 7575
−
|steam_cloud_notes      =
+
|upnp = unknown
−
|origin                =
 
−
|origin_notes          =
 
−
|uplay                  =
 
−
|uplay_notes            =
 
−
|gamesave_manager      =false
 
−
|gamesave_manager_notes =
 
−
|gamestow              =
 
−
|gamestow_notes        =
 
−
|synctocloud            =
 
−
|synctocloud_notes      =
 
−
|square_enix            =
 
−
|square_enix_notes      =
 
 
}}
 
}}
 +
{{ii}} This is the default port used. It can be changed in-game by the user
 +
 +
===[http://www.popre.net/new.php Populous Reincarnated Matchmaker]===
 +
{{ii}} A custom multiplayer client which allow to matchmaking with other player, provided by Populous Reincarnated.
 +
{{++}} Can work with the base game and expansion. Also work with the Collective Populous Patch (1.03) and the Enhanced Edition mod.
  
−
== Video settings ==
+
==Issues fixed==
−
{{Video Settings
+
===Game crashes on startup (AMD/ATI GPUs)===
−
|wsgf_link                  =
+
{{++}} This will also fix any rainbow colour issues
−
|widescreen_wsgf_award      =
+
{{++}} This will also enable the usage of the Direct3D executable on modern systems
−
|multimonitor_wsgf_award    =
+
{{--}} Game will suffer from mouse drift on multi-monitor setups
−
|widescreen_resolution      =true
+
{{Fixbox|description=Use dgVoodoo 2|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gog.com/forum/populous_series/enjoy_populous_the_beginning_in_glorious_d3d_a_guide|title=gog.com|date=9 June 2023}}</ref>|fix=
−
|widescreen_resolution_notes=Supports up to 1280x800. GOG.com version only.
+
# Download and setup [[dgVoodoo 2]].
−
|multimonitor              =unknown
+
# Once the initial setup is done, copy {{file|D3DImm.dll}} and {{file|DDraw.dll}} files from the {{file|MS\x86|folder}} subfolder and paste them into {{file|{{p|game}}|folder}}.
−
|multimonitor_notes        =
+
# Update the game's {{file|atiumdag.dll}} file. See [[#Graphics card not detected for AMD/ATI GPUs|Graphics card not detected for AMD/ATI GPUs]] for full instructions.
−
|fov                        =false
+
# Enable the following [[Windows Compatibility Mode|compatibility settings]] for the {{file|D3DPopTB.exe}} and {{file|PopTB.exe}} files (located in {{file|{{p|game}}|folder}}): <code>Compatibility mode (Windows XP (Service Pack 2))</code> and <code>Run this program as an administrator</code>.
−
|fov_notes                  =
+
# Run the game ({{file|D3DPopTB.exe}} for hardware mode, {{file|PopTB.exe}} for software mode).
−
|windowed                  =false
 
−
|windowed_notes            =
 
−
|fullscreen                =false
 
−
|fullscreen_notes          =
 
−
|anisotropic                =false
 
−
|anisotropic_notes          =
 
−
|antialiasing              =false
 
−
|antialiasing_notes        =
 
−
|vsync                      =false
 
−
|vsync_notes                =
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
== Input settings ==
+
===Game lag===
−
{{Input Settings
+
{{Fixbox|description=Add parameter to game|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gog.com/forum/populous_series/enjoy_populous_the_beginning_in_glorious_d3d_a_guide|title=gog.com|date=9 June 2023}}</ref>|fix=
−
|key_remap                  =unknown
+
# Force Vsync off.
−
|key_remap_notes            =
+
# Add {{code|/frameratemouse}} as a parameter to {{file|D3DPopTB.exe}} or {{file|PopTB.exe}}.
−
|acceleration_option        =false
+
 
−
|acceleration_option_notes  =
+
'''Notes'''
−
|controller_support        =false
+
{{ii}} May cause some slight screen tearing.
−
|controller_support_notes  =
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
== Issues unresolved ==
+
===Graphics card not detected for AMD/ATI GPUs===
−
=== Sluggish mouse in main menu ===
+
{{Fixbox|description=Replacing the outdated atiumdag.dll file|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
 +
# Download the [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/578-amdati-atiumdagdll/ updated atiumdag.dll file].
 +
# Move the new file into the installation folder, replacing the existing file when prompted.
 +
# The game can now be run in hardware mode with ATI/AMD cards.
 +
}}
  
−
== Issues fixed ==
+
==Other information==
−
=== Graphics card not detected for ATI/AMD cards ===
+
===API===
−
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{API
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Replacing the outdated atiumdag.dll file}}
+
|direct3d versions      = 5
−
#Download the [http://www.mediafire.com/?wzm379223amren2 updated atiumdag.dll file.]
+
|direct3d notes        =
−
#Move the new file into the game folder (e.g. <code>C:\Program Files\GOG.com\Populous 3</code> ) and overwrite the old file.
+
|directdraw versions    =
−
#The game can now be run in hardware mode with ATI/AMD cards.
+
|directdraw notes      =
 +
|opengl versions        =  
 +
|opengl notes          =
 +
|glide versions        =
 +
|glide notes            =
 +
|software mode         = true
 +
|software mode notes    =
 +
|mantle support        =
 +
|mantle support notes  =
 +
|vulkan versions        =
 +
|vulkan notes          =
 +
|dos modes              =
 +
|dos modes notes        =
 +
|shader model versions  =
 +
|shader model notes    =
 +
|windows 32-bit exe    = true
 +
|windows 64-bit exe    = false
 +
|windows arm app        = unknown
 +
|windows exe notes      =
 +
|macos intel 32-bit app =
 +
|macos intel 64-bit app =
 +
|macos arm app          = unknown
 +
|macos app notes        =
 +
|linux 32-bit executable=
 +
|linux 64-bit executable=
 +
|linux arm app          = unknown
 +
|linux executable notes =
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
=== Graphics Problem - Windows 7 ===
+
===Middleware===
−
'''This information is for users not using the GOG executable'''
+
{{Middleware
 +
|physics          =
 +
|physics notes    =
 +
|audio            = QSound
 +
|audio notes      =
 +
|interface        =
 +
|interface notes  =
 +
|input            =
 +
|input notes      =
 +
|cutscenes        =
 +
|cutscenes notes  =
 +
|multiplayer      =
 +
|multiplayer notes=
 +
}}
  
−
Many users using Windows 7 may experience a problem whereby colours are not right. This can be solved by stopping the process '''explorer.exe''' ''(this is a windows process, so make sure you know how to restart it for when your finished playing)'' and rerunning '''POTB.exe'''.
+
===Populous: Enhanced Edition===
 +
[https://thebeginning.uk/enhanced-edition/ Populous: Enhanced Edition] is a massive QoL enhancement mods that add new features, improvements and fixes beyond the developer scope.
 +
{{ii}} Also known as '''Populous TB:1.5'''. Serve as an alternative to the ''[[#Collective Populous Patch|Collective Populous Patch]]''.
 +
{{++}} Add four new tribes, a Two-Player cooperative campaign, rebalanced multiplayer and more.
 +
{{++}} Higher resolution support without graphical glitches.
 +
{{--}} Only work for the base game with no FMV.
  
−
This can also be solved by installing the version of Populous: The Beginning from [http://popre.net/downloads.php popre.net] and replacing your current installation
+
===Displacements Patch===
 +
The unofficial [http://popre.net/downloads.php#patches Displacements Patch] improves all landscape textures.  
 +
{{ii}} This patchs affects both the base game and its expansion.
 +
{{ii}} Compatible with the ''Collective Populous Patch''.
  
 +
===Multiverse Launcher===
 +
[https://thebeginning.uk/multiverse/ Multiverse Launcher] is a client specifically designed for Populous: The Beginning, through which Populous fans can play the game with numerous fixes, improvements and new features.
 +
{{++}} Can be used to play both official and unofficial campaigns with the Campaign Manager, allowing to play them without overwriting files.
 +
{{++}} Come pre-packaged with additional mods that can be toggled anytime.
 +
{{ii}} Discord integration; which displays what campaign, level and even tribe you're playing on Discord.
  
 
==System requirements==
 
==System requirements==
−
{{System Requirements
+
{{System requirements
 
|OSfamily = Windows
 
|OSfamily = Windows
−
|minOS    = Windows 95
 
−
|minproc  = Pentium 133 MHz
 
−
|minmem  = 16 MB
 
−
|minHD    = 100 MB Free
 
−
|minGPU  = 32 MB video card
 
  
−
|recOS    = Windows 98/Windows ME/Windows 2000/Windows XP
+
|minOS    = 95
−
|recproc  = 600 MHz processor
+
|minCPU  = Intel Pentium 133 MHz
−
|recmem   = 128 MB
+
|minRAM  = 16 MB
−
|recHD    = 250 MB Free
+
|minHD    = 100 MB
 +
|minVRAM  = 32 MB
 +
|minGPU  =
 +
|minDX    = 6
 +
 
 +
|recOS    = 98
 +
|recCPU  = Intel Pentium 200 MHz
 +
|recRAM   = 32 MB
 +
|recHD    = 110 MB
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
[[Category:Windows]]
+
{{References}}

Latest revision as of 20:12, 26 April 2024

Populous: The Beginning
Populous: The Beginning cover
Developers
Bullfrog Productions
Publishers
Electronic Arts
Re-release Sold Out Software
Engines
Magic Carpet
Release dates
Windows November 17, 1998
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase, Expansion pack
Modes Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives Bird's-eye view
Controls Multiple select, Point and select
Genres RTS
Themes Fantasy
Series Populous
Icon overlay.png
Populous: The Beginning on HowLongToBeat
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Populous: The Beginning on MobyGames
Populous: The Beginning on Wikipedia
Icon overlay.png
Populous
Populous 1989
Populous II: Trials of the Olympian Gods 1991
Populous: The Beginning 1998

Populous: The Beginning is a singleplayer and multiplayer bird's-eye view RTS game in the Populous series.

General information

Populous Wiki - A small wiki for the Populous series
Populous: Reincarnated - A fan site dedicated to Populous: The Beginning
Populous: Reincarnated Wiki - A wiki for Populous: The Beginning
The Beginning - A fan site which provide news and mods to Populous: The Beginning
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)
 SecuROM DRM.
Windows
GOG.com
DRM-free
 Includes The Undiscovered Worlds. Pre-packaged with custom DirectDraw wrapper.[1]
Windows
Microsoft Store
Microsoft Store
Origin
 Included exclusively with Xbox Game Pass for PC as part of its version of EA Play.
Windows
Origin
Origin
 Includes The Undiscovered Worlds. Not available in all regions.[2]. Included with EA Play
Windows
Steam
Icon overlay.png
 Includes The Undiscovered Worlds. Pre-packaged with DDrawCompat. Included with EA Play (Steam).
Windows
Free demo versions are available from Archive.org: smaller web version, CD version.

Monetization

Type Notes
Expansion pack The expansion pack includes new singleplayer missions.
One-time game purchase The game requires an upfront purchase to access.

DLC and expansion packs

Name Notes
Undiscovered Worlds
Windows

Essential improvements

Patches

The latest official retail patch available is 1.01. The GOG.com version comes with this pre-installed.
The Undiscovered Worlds expansion did not receive any patches.

Unofficial patches

Collective Populous Patch

The unofficial Collective Populous Patch includes 1.01 fixes as well as a network hosting bug fix. It also removes the CD check and adds a restore tool.

This patch will update the game to the US version.

Game data

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

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows
Steam Play (Linux) <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/2616430/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game data location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\Save[Note 2]
Steam Play (Linux) <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/2616430/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
GOG Galaxy
Origin
Steam Cloud
Xbox Cloud

Video

In-game video settings.
In-game video settings.
In-game Direct3D settings (only when running the game with hardware acceleration).
In-game Direct3D settings (only when running the game with hardware acceleration).

Graphics feature State Notes
Widescreen resolution
Supports up to 1280x800; run the game with the -allres parameter.
Multi-monitor
Ultra-widescreen
4K Ultra HD
Field of view (FOV)
Windowed
Use dgVoodoo 2.
Borderless fullscreen windowed
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anti-aliasing (AA)
Use dgVoodoo 2.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
Use dgVoodoo 2.
60 FPS and 120+ FPS

Input

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
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.

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Surround sound
Uses QSound
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
German
Retail only; download for GOG.com version.
Japanese

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
LAN play
4
Online play
4 Official servers have been shut down. Use the Populous Reincarnated Matchmaker.

Connection types

Type Native Notes
Matchmaking
Original matchmaking service is no longer available. Use the Populous Reincarnated Matchmaker.
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated
Self-hosting
Direct IP

Ports

Protocol Port(s) and/or port range(s)
UDP 7575
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.
This is the default port used. It can be changed in-game by the user

Populous Reincarnated Matchmaker

A custom multiplayer client which allow to matchmaking with other player, provided by Populous Reincarnated.
Can work with the base game and expansion. Also work with the Collective Populous Patch (1.03) and the Enhanced Edition mod.

Issues fixed

Game crashes on startup (AMD/ATI GPUs)

This will also fix any rainbow colour issues
This will also enable the usage of the Direct3D executable on modern systems
Game will suffer from mouse drift on multi-monitor setups
Use dgVoodoo 2[3]
  1. Download and setup dgVoodoo 2.
  2. Once the initial setup is done, copy D3DImm.dll and DDraw.dll files from the MS\x86 subfolder and paste them into <path-to-game>.
  3. Update the game's atiumdag.dll file. See Graphics card not detected for AMD/ATI GPUs for full instructions.
  4. Enable the following compatibility settings for the D3DPopTB.exe and PopTB.exe files (located in <path-to-game>): Compatibility mode (Windows XP (Service Pack 2)) and Run this program as an administrator.
  5. Run the game (D3DPopTB.exe for hardware mode, PopTB.exe for software mode).

Game lag

Add parameter to game[4]
  1. Force Vsync off.
  2. Add /frameratemouse as a parameter to D3DPopTB.exe or PopTB.exe.

Notes

May cause some slight screen tearing.

Graphics card not detected for AMD/ATI GPUs

Replacing the outdated atiumdag.dll file[citation needed]
  1. Download the updated atiumdag.dll file.
  2. Move the new file into the installation folder, replacing the existing file when prompted.
  3. The game can now be run in hardware mode with ATI/AMD cards.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 5
Software renderer
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Audio QSound

Populous: Enhanced Edition

Populous: Enhanced Edition is a massive QoL enhancement mods that add new features, improvements and fixes beyond the developer scope.

Also known as Populous TB:1.5. Serve as an alternative to the Collective Populous Patch.
Add four new tribes, a Two-Player cooperative campaign, rebalanced multiplayer and more.
Higher resolution support without graphical glitches.
Only work for the base game with no FMV.

Displacements Patch

The unofficial Displacements Patch improves all landscape textures.

This patchs affects both the base game and its expansion.
Compatible with the Collective Populous Patch.

Multiverse Launcher

Multiverse Launcher is a client specifically designed for Populous: The Beginning, through which Populous fans can play the game with numerous fixes, improvements and new features.

Can be used to play both official and unofficial campaigns with the Campaign Manager, allowing to play them without overwriting files.
Come pre-packaged with additional mods that can be toggled anytime.
Discord integration; which displays what campaign, level and even tribe you're playing on Discord.

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 95 98
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium 133 MHz Intel Pentium 200 MHz
System memory (RAM) 16 MB 32 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 100 MB 110 MB
Video card (GPU) 32 MB of VRAM
DirectX 6 compatible


Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:
  2. ↑ 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

  1. ↑ News - Content Level-up: Bullfrog Titles - GOG.com - last accessed on May 2023
  2. ↑ Verified by User:Plok on 2023-11-06
    Inaccessible from Croatia, confirmed available in the UK.
  3. ↑ gog.com - last accessed on 9 June 2023
  4. ↑ gog.com - last accessed on 9 June 2023