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Difference between revisions of "Populous: The Beginning"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
(Added missing sections, cleaned up, added stub tag)
 
(102 intermediate revisions by 21 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
{{stub}}
 
 
{{Infobox game
 
{{Infobox game
−
|cover        = Populous-the-beginning.png
+
|cover        = Populous The Beginning cover.jpg
 
|developers  =  
 
|developers  =  
 
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Bullfrog Productions}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Bullfrog Productions}}
 
|publishers  =  
 
|publishers  =  
 
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Electronic Arts}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Electronic Arts}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Sold Out Software|Re-release}}
 
|engines      =  
 
|engines      =  
 
{{Infobox game/row/engine|Magic Carpet}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/engine|Magic Carpet}}
 
|release dates=  
 
|release dates=  
−
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|September 15, 1998}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|November 17, 1998}}
−
|steam appid  =  
+
|taxonomy    =
−
|gogcom page  = populous_the_beginning
+
{{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
 
|wikipedia    = Populous:_The_Beginning
 +
|winehq      = 783
 +
|license      = commercial
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{Series|Populous}}
 
  
−
'''Key points'''
+
{{Introduction
−
{{--}} Poor compatibility with modern systems.
+
|introduction      =
 +
 
 +
|release history  =
 +
 
 +
|current state    =
 +
}}
  
 
'''General information'''
 
'''General information'''
−
{{mm}} [http://populous.wikia.com/wiki/Populous_Wiki Populous Wiki] - A very small wiki for all Populous games
+
{{mm}} [https://populous.fandom.com/wiki/Populous_Wiki Populous Wiki] - A small wiki for the Populous series
−
{{mm}} [http://www.popre.net/index.php Populous: Reincarnated] - A huge fan site dedicated to Populous: The Beginning
+
{{mm}} [https://www.popre.net/index.php Populous: Reincarnated] - A fan site dedicated to Populous: The Beginning
−
{{mm}} [http://wiki.popre.net/Main_Page Populous: Reincarnated Wiki] - A wiki for all Populous: The Beginning related information
+
{{mm}} [https://wiki.popre.net/Main_Page Populous: Reincarnated Wiki] - A wiki for Populous: The Beginning
−
{{mm}} [http://www.gog.com/forum/populous_series GOG.com Community Discussions] - For the entire Populous series
+
{{mm}} [https://thebeginning.uk/ The Beginning] - A fan site which provide news and mods to Populous: The Beginning
−
{{mm}} [http://www.gog.com/support/populous_the_beginning GOG.com Support Page]
+
{{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| Retail | {{ID|Retail}} | }}
+
{{Availability/row| Retail | | Disc | {{DRM|SecuROM}}. | | Windows }}
−
{{Availability Table/row| [http://www.gog.com/game/populous_the_beginning GOG.com] | {{ID|DRM-free}} |Updated for compatibility with modern systems.}}
+
{{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          =
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
{{++}} The GOG.com version includes the Undiscovered Worlds expansion since 27th of September 2013<ref>http://www.gog.com/news/content_levelup_bullfrog_titles</ref>.
+
{{DLC|
 +
{{DLC/row| Undiscovered Worlds |  | Windows }}
 +
}}
  
 
==Essential improvements==
 
==Essential improvements==
−
===Patch 1.01===
+
===Patches===
−
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 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.
  
−
===Collective Populous Patch (1.03)===
+
===Unofficial patches===
−
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.
+
====Collective Populous Patch====
−
{{ii}}This patch will update the game to the US version.
+
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.
  
−
===Displacements Patch===
+
==Game data==
−
The unofficial [http://popre.net/downloads.php#patches Displacements Patch] improves all landscape textures. This affects both the base game and its' expansion.
+
{{Image|Populous The Beginning General.png|In-game general settings.}}
  
−
==Game data==
+
===Configuration file(s) location===
−
===Configuration file location===
+
{{Game data|
−
{{Game location table|
+
{{Game data/config|Windows|}}
−
{{Game location table/row|Windows|}}
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===Save game data location===
 
===Save game data location===
−
{{Game location table|
+
{{Game data|
−
{{Game location table/row|Windows|}}
+
{{Game data/saves|Windows|{{p|game}}\Save}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Video settings==
+
===[[Glossary:Save game cloud syncing|Save game cloud syncing]]===
−
{{Video settings
+
{{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          =
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==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                  =  
 
|wsgf link                  =  
 
|widescreen wsgf award      =  
 
|widescreen wsgf award      =  
Line 64: Line 127:
 
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    =  
 
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    =  
 
|widescreen resolution      = true
 
|widescreen resolution      = true
−
|widescreen resolution notes= Supports up to 1280x800. GOG.com version only.
+
|widescreen resolution notes= Supports up to 1280x800; run the game with the <code>-allres</code> parameter.
 
|multimonitor              = false
 
|multimonitor              = false
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
Line 73: Line 136:
 
|fov                        = false
 
|fov                        = false
 
|fov notes                  =  
 
|fov notes                  =  
−
|windowed                  = false
+
|windowed                  = hackable
−
|windowed notes            =  
+
|windowed notes            = Use [[dgVoodoo 2]].
 
|borderless windowed        = false
 
|borderless windowed        = false
 
|borderless windowed notes  =  
 
|borderless windowed notes  =  
 
|anisotropic                = false
 
|anisotropic                = false
 
|anisotropic notes          =  
 
|anisotropic notes          =  
−
|antialiasing              = false
+
|antialiasing              = hackable
−
|antialiasing notes        =  
+
|antialiasing notes        = Use [[dgVoodoo 2]].
−
|vsync                      = false
+
|upscaling                  = unknown
−
|vsync notes                =  
+
|upscaling tech            =
−
|oculus rift                = unknown
+
|upscaling notes            =  
−
|oculus rift notes         =  
+
|vsync                      = hackable
−
|120hz                      = unknown
+
|vsync notes                = Use [[dgVoodoo 2]].
−
|120hz notes               =  
+
|60 fps                    = unknown
 +
|60 fps notes              =
 +
|120 fps                    = unknown
 +
|120 fps notes             =  
 +
|hdr                        = unknown
 +
|hdr notes                 =  
 
|color blind                = unknown
 
|color blind                = unknown
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Input settings==
+
==Input==
−
{{Input settings
+
{{Input
 
|key remap                = false
 
|key remap                = false
 
|key remap notes          =  
 
|key remap notes          =  
 
|acceleration option      = false
 
|acceleration option      = false
 
|acceleration option notes =  
 
|acceleration option notes =  
−
|mouse menu                = unknown
+
|mouse sensitivity        = unknown
 +
|mouse sensitivity notes  =
 +
|mouse menu                = true
 
|mouse menu notes          =  
 
|mouse menu notes          =  
−
|invert mouse y-axis      = unknown
+
|invert mouse y-axis      = n/a
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 +
|touchscreen              = unknown
 +
|touchscreen notes        =
 
|controller support        = false
 
|controller support        = false
 
|controller support notes  =  
 
|controller support notes  =  
Line 107: Line 179:
 
|controller remap          = unknown
 
|controller remap          = unknown
 
|controller remap notes    =  
 
|controller remap notes    =  
 +
|controller sensitivity    = unknown
 +
|controller sensitivity notes=
 
|invert controller y-axis  = unknown
 
|invert controller y-axis  = unknown
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
−
|touchscreen               = unknown
+
|xinput controllers        = unknown
−
|touchscreen notes        =  
+
|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 =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Audio settings==
+
==Audio==
−
{{Audio settings
+
{{Image|Populous The Beginning Audio.png|In-game audio settings.}}
−
|separate volume          = unknown
+
{{Audio
 +
|separate volume          = true
 
|separate volume notes    =  
 
|separate volume notes    =  
−
|surround sound          = unknown
+
|surround sound          = true
−
|surround sound notes    =  
+
|surround sound notes    = Uses QSound
−
|subtitles                = unknown
+
|subtitles                = false
 
|subtitles notes          =  
 
|subtitles notes          =  
−
|closed captions          = unknown
+
|closed captions          = false
 
|closed captions notes    =  
 
|closed captions notes    =  
−
|mute on focus lost      = unknown
+
|mute on focus lost      = always on
 
|mute on focus lost notes =  
 
|mute on focus lost notes =  
 
|eax support              =  
 
|eax support              =  
 
|eax support notes        =  
 
|eax support notes        =  
 +
|royalty free audio      = always on
 +
|royalty free audio notes =
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Issues unresolved==
+
{{L10n|content=
−
===Sluggish mouse in main menu===
+
{{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  =  
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{Network/Connections
 +
|matchmaking        = false
 +
|matchmaking notes  = Original matchmaking service is no longer available. Use the [[#Populous Reincarnated Matchmaker|Populous Reincarnated Matchmaker]].
 +
|p2p                = true
 +
|p2p notes          =
 +
|dedicated          = false
 +
|dedicated notes    =
 +
|self-hosting      = true
 +
|self-hosting notes =
 +
|direct ip          = true
 +
|direct ip notes    =
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{Network/Ports
 +
|tcp  =
 +
|udp  = 7575
 +
|upnp = unknown
 +
}}
 +
{{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.
  
 
==Issues fixed==
 
==Issues fixed==
−
===Graphics card not detected for ATI/AMD cards===
+
===Game crashes on startup (AMD/ATI GPUs)===
−
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{++}} This will also fix any rainbow colour issues
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Replacing the outdated atiumdag.dll file}}
+
{{++}} This will also enable the usage of the Direct3D executable on modern systems
−
# Download the [http://www.mediafire.com/?wzm379223amren2 updated atiumdag.dll file.]
+
{{--}} Game will suffer from mouse drift on multi-monitor setups
−
# Move the new file into the game folder (e.g. <code>C:\Program Files\GOG.com\Populous 3</code> ) and overwrite the old file.
+
{{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=
 +
# Download and setup [[dgVoodoo 2]].
 +
# 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}}.
 +
# 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.
 +
# 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>.
 +
# Run the game ({{file|D3DPopTB.exe}} for hardware mode, {{file|PopTB.exe}} for software mode).
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Game lag===
 +
{{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=
 +
# Force Vsync off.
 +
# Add {{code|/frameratemouse}} as a parameter to {{file|D3DPopTB.exe}} or {{file|PopTB.exe}}.
 +
 
 +
'''Notes'''
 +
{{ii}} May cause some slight screen tearing.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Graphics card not detected for AMD/ATI GPUs===
 +
{{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.
 
# The game can now be run in hardware mode with ATI/AMD cards.
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
===Graphics Problem - Windows 7===
+
==Other information==
−
'''This information is for users not using the GOG executable'''
+
===API===
 +
{{API
 +
|direct3d versions      = 5
 +
|direct3d notes        =
 +
|directdraw versions    =
 +
|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 =
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Middleware===
 +
{{Middleware
 +
|physics          =
 +
|physics notes    =
 +
|audio            = QSound
 +
|audio notes      =
 +
|interface        =
 +
|interface notes  =
 +
|input            =
 +
|input notes      =
 +
|cutscenes        =
 +
|cutscenes notes  =
 +
|multiplayer      =
 +
|multiplayer notes=
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===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.
 +
 
 +
===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''.
  
−
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'''.
+
===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==
Line 151: Line 411:
  
 
|minOS    = 95
 
|minOS    = 95
−
|minproc  = Pentium 133 MHz
+
|minCPU  = Intel Pentium 133 MHz
−
|minmem   = 16 MB
+
|minRAM   = 16 MB
 
|minHD    = 100 MB
 
|minHD    = 100 MB
 
|minVRAM  = 32 MB
 
|minVRAM  = 32 MB
 +
|minGPU  =
 +
|minDX    = 6
  
−
|recOS    = 98, ME, 2000, XP
+
|recOS    = 98
−
|recproc  = 600 MHz
+
|recCPU  = Intel Pentium 200 MHz
−
|recmem   = 128 MB
+
|recRAM   = 32 MB
−
|recHD    = 250 MB
+
|recHD    = 110 MB
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
{{References}}
 
{{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