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Difference between revisions of "The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
(→‎System requirements: Corrected system requirements using retail box for THIS game, not its sequel.)
 
(99 intermediate revisions by 28 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
{{stub}}
 
 
{{Infobox game
 
{{Infobox game
 
|title        = The Battle for Middle-earth
 
|title        = The Battle for Middle-earth
Line 7: Line 6:
 
|publishers  =  
 
|publishers  =  
 
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Electronic Arts}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Electronic Arts}}
−
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|New Line Cinema}}
 
 
|engines      =
 
|engines      =
 
{{Infobox game/row/engine|SAGE}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/engine|SAGE}}
 
|release dates=  
 
|release dates=  
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|December 6, 2004}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|December 6, 2004}}
 +
|reception    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/reception|Metacritic|the-lord-of-the-rings-the-battle-for-middle-earth|82}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/reception|IGDB|the-lord-of-the-rings-the-battle-for-middle-earth|84}}
 +
|taxonomy    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | One-time game purchase }}
 +
{{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            | The Battle for Middle-earth }}
 
|steam appid  =  
 
|steam appid  =  
−
|gogcom page  =  
+
|gogcom id    =  
−
|strategywiki =  
+
|lutris      = the-lord-of-the-rings-the-battle-for-middle-earth
 +
|strategywiki = The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth
 +
|mobygames    = 15857
 +
|hltb        = 10063
 
|wikipedia    = The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth
 
|wikipedia    = The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth
 
|winehq      = 1981
 
|winehq      = 1981
 +
|license      = commercial
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{series|Middle-earth}}
 
  
−
'''Key points'''
+
{{Introduction
−
{{--}} Frame rate is capped at 30 FPS.
+
|introduction      =  
−
{{--}} GameSpy online server browser deactivated on December 31, 2010 due to Electronic Arts losing the Lord of the Rings license.<ref>[http://www.gamereplays.org/battleformiddleearth/portals.php?show=news&news_id=709520&home Middle-earth Online Server Shutdown Announced]</ref>
 
  
−
''General information''
+
|release history  = The game received three official patches, the third of which was produced by the [https://www.gamereplays.org/battleformiddleearth/ GameReplays.org ''BFME'' section].
  
−
{{mm}} [http://t3aonline.net T3A:Online] - fan-hosted multiplayer server replacement
+
As of December 31, 2010, the official [[GameSpy]] service was shut down and all purchases were halted due to [[Company:Electronic Arts|Electronic Arts]]' loss of the ''Lord of the Rings'' license.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gamereplays.org/battleformiddleearth/portals.php?show=news&news_id=709520|title=Middle-earth Online Server Shutdown Announced - Battle for Middle Earth - GameReplays.org|date=2023-08-11}}</ref>
 +
 
 +
|current state    = Same as with immediate technological predecessor, ''[[Command & Conquer: Generals]]'', the game remains playable on modern Windows versions with some major technical hiccups that can be worked around; issues like [[#Exception Access Violation on startup|errors when starting the game]] and [[#Auto-defeat after 3 minutes and 30 seconds|DRM issues]], and [[#Mouse input lag|input lag]]. [[#Unofficial patches|Unofficial patches]] resolve most of the game's problems save for [[#Off-host delay|off-host delay]].
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
'''General information'''
 +
{{mm}} [https://t3aonline.net T3A:Online] - fan-hosted multiplayer server replacement
 +
{{mm}} [https://www.gamereplays.org/battleformiddleearth/ Battle for Middle-earth section on GameReplays.org]
  
 
==Availability==
 
==Availability==
 
{{Availability|
 
{{Availability|
−
{{Availability/row| Retail | | Disc, Key | | | Windows }}
+
{{Availability/row| Retail | | Disc, Key | {{DRM|SafeDisc|v4}}. Released on 4 CDs or 1 DVD. | | Windows }}
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{ii}} This game is not available digitally.
+
{{--}} All versions include custom {{term|DRM}} code which can sabotage the game by destroying all units and structures owned by the player after 3 minutes and 30 seconds, triggering an automatic defeat. It can occur on legitimate copies under certain circumstances - see [[#Auto-defeat after 3 minutes and 30 seconds|Auto-defeat after 3 minutes and 30 seconds]] for instructions to fix this.
  
 
==Essential improvements==
 
==Essential improvements==
 +
===Official patches===
 +
{{ii}} The latest official patch for the base game is 1.03, available from [https://www.patches-scrolls.de/patch/4253/7/32883 Patches-Scrolls], [https://www.gamefront.com/games/battle-for-middle-earth/category/v1-03 GameFront], and [https://cncnz.com/downloads/battle-for-middle-earth-downloads/#patches CNCNZ.com].
 +
 +
===Unofficial patches===
 +
{{mm}} [https://www.the3rdage.net/item-779?addview Patch 1.05] fixes a lot of bugs and removes the disc requirement. Requires patch 1.03.
 +
{{mm}} [https://www.the3rdage.net/item-787?addview Patch 1.06] fixes more bugs and adds some new maps. Requires patch 1.05. Widescreen interface available [https://www.the3rdage.net/item-788?addview here].
 +
{{mm}} [https://www.gamereplays.org/battleformiddleearth/portals.php?show=page&name=109%20Patch Patch 1.09] fixes bugs and imbalances, adds new visuals and comes with a patch switcher. Designed for multiplayer.
 +
 
===Skip intro videos===
 
===Skip intro videos===
−
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Skip intro videos|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plok|date=2021-09-14|comment=}}</ref>|fix=
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Skip intro videos|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}}}
+
# Go to {{folder|{{p|game}}\data\movies}}
−
# Go to <code>{{p|game}}\data\movies\</code>
+
# Delete or rename {{file|EALogo.vp6}}, {{file|Intel.vp6}}, {{file|NewLineLogo.vp6}} and {{file|THX.vp6}}.
−
# Delete or rename <code>EALogo.vp6</code>, <code>NewLineLogo.vp6</code>, <code>Intel.vp6</code> and <code>THX.vp6</code>.
+
* Alternatively, install the unofficial 1.05 patch or newer.
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 45: Line 76:
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
−
{{Game data/row|Windows|{{p|appdata}}\My Battle for Middle-earth Files\}}
+
{{Game data/config|Windows|{{p|appdata}}\My Battle for Middle-earth Files\}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===Save game data location===
 
===Save game data location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
−
{{Game data/row|Windows|{{p|appdata}}\My Battle for Middle-earth Files\}}
+
{{Game data/saves|Windows|{{p|appdata}}\My Battle for Middle-earth Files\}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Video settings==
+
==Video==
−
{{Video settings
+
{{Image|TLotR BfMe.png|General settings menu}}
−
|wsgf link                  = http://www.wsgf.org/dr/lord-rings-battle-middle-earth
+
{{Image|LotRBFME1 advanced graphics settings.png|Custom graphics settings menu}}
 +
{{Video
 +
|wsgf link                  = https://www.wsgf.org/dr/lord-rings-battle-middle-earth
 
|widescreen wsgf award      = silver
 
|widescreen wsgf award      = silver
 
|multimonitor wsgf award    = unsupported
 
|multimonitor wsgf award    = unsupported
−
|ultrawidescreen wsgf award = unknown
+
|ultrawidescreen wsgf award = incomplete
−
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    = unknown
+
|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]].
Line 71: Line 104:
 
|fov notes                  =  
 
|fov notes                  =  
 
|windowed                  = hackable
 
|windowed                  = hackable
−
|windowed notes            = See [[#Windowed|Windowed]].
+
|windowed notes            = Use <code>-win</code> [[Glossary:Command line arguments|parameter]].
−
|borderless windowed        = unknown
+
|borderless windowed        = false
 
|borderless windowed notes  =  
 
|borderless windowed notes  =  
 
|anisotropic                = false
 
|anisotropic                = false
Line 78: Line 111:
 
|antialiasing              = false
 
|antialiasing              = false
 
|antialiasing notes        =  
 
|antialiasing notes        =  
−
|vsync                      = false
+
|upscaling                  = false
−
|vsync notes                =  
+
|upscaling tech            =
 +
|upscaling notes            =
 +
|vsync                      = hackable
 +
|vsync notes                = Can be forced using Nvidia Control Panel (Manage 3D Settings)
 
|60 fps                    = false
 
|60 fps                    = false
−
|60 fps notes              = Capped at 30 FPS.
+
|60 fps notes              = Frame rate is capped at 30 FPS, with game speed tied to frame rate.
 
|120 fps                    = false
 
|120 fps                    = false
 
|120 fps notes              =  
 
|120 fps notes              =  
−
|color blind                = unknown
+
|hdr                        = false
 +
|hdr notes                  =
 +
|color blind                = false
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===[[Glossary:Widescreen resolution|Widescreen resolution]]===
 
===[[Glossary:Widescreen resolution|Widescreen resolution]]===
−
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Instructions|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plok|date=2021-09-14|comment=}}</ref>|fix=
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Instructions|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}}}
+
# Go to {{folder|{{p|appdata}}\My Battle for Middle-earth Files}}
−
# Navigate to <code>{{p|appdata}}\My Battle for Middle-earth Files\</code>
+
# Open {{file|Options.ini}}.
−
# Open '''Options.ini''' with a text editor.
+
# Find the following line and set it to the desired value.
−
# Find the following line and set it to the desired value.  
 
  
 
<pre>
 
<pre>
Line 100: Line 137:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Alternatively|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plok|date=2021-09-14|comment=}}</ref>|fix=
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Alternatively}}
 
 
* Use {{Code|-xres #### -yres ####}} [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line argument]]
 
* Use {{Code|-xres #### -yres ####}} [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line argument]]
 
* Replace #### with the desired width and height respectively
 
* Replace #### with the desired width and height respectively
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
===[[Glossary:Windowed|Windowed]]===
+
==Input==
−
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Input
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Use {{Code|-win}} [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line argument]]}}
+
|key remap                = true
−
}}
 
−
 
 
−
==Input settings==
 
−
{{Input settings
 
−
|key remap                = unknown
 
 
|key remap notes          =  
 
|key remap notes          =  
−
|acceleration option      = unknown
+
|acceleration option      = false
 
|acceleration option notes =  
 
|acceleration option notes =  
−
|mouse sensitivity        = unknown
+
|mouse sensitivity        = true
 
|mouse sensitivity notes  =  
 
|mouse sensitivity notes  =  
−
|mouse menu                = unknown
+
|mouse menu                = true
 
|mouse menu notes          =  
 
|mouse menu notes          =  
−
|invert mouse y-axis      = unknown
+
|invert mouse y-axis      = false
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
−
|controller support        = unknown
+
|touchscreen              = unknown
 +
|touchscreen notes        =
 +
|controller support        = false
 
|controller support notes  =  
 
|controller support notes  =  
 
|full controller          = unknown
 
|full controller          = unknown
Line 133: Line 166:
 
|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  =
−
|button prompts           = unknown
+
|xbox prompts              = unknown
−
|button prompts notes     =  
+
|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        = unknown
 
|controller hotplug notes  =  
 
|controller hotplug notes  =  
 
|haptic feedback          = unknown
 
|haptic feedback          = unknown
 
|haptic feedback notes    =  
 
|haptic feedback notes    =  
−
|light bar support        = unknown
+
|simultaneous input        = unknown
−
|light bar support notes   =  
+
|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
+
{{Audio
−
|separate volume          = unknown
+
|separate volume          = true
 
|separate volume notes    =  
 
|separate volume notes    =  
 
|surround sound          = unknown
 
|surround sound          = unknown
 
|surround sound notes    =  
 
|surround sound notes    =  
−
|subtitles                = unknown
+
|subtitles                = true
 
|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              = true
−
|eax support notes        =  
+
|eax support notes         = EAX3
 +
|royalty free audio       = unknown
 +
|royalty free audio notes  =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 164: Line 227:
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = English
 
  |language  = English
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
−
  |audio    = yes
+
  |audio    = true
−
  |subtitles =  
+
  |subtitles = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = Simplified Chinese
 
  |language  = Simplified Chinese
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
−
  |audio    =  
+
  |audio    = unknown
−
  |subtitles =  
+
  |subtitles = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = Traditional Chinese
 
  |language  = Traditional Chinese
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
−
  |audio    =  
+
  |audio    = unknown
−
  |subtitles =  
+
  |subtitles = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = Dutch
 
  |language  = Dutch
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
−
  |audio    =  
+
  |audio    = unknown
−
  |subtitles =  
+
  |subtitles = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = French
 
  |language  = French
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
−
  |audio    = yes
+
  |audio    = true
−
  |subtitles =  
+
  |subtitles = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = German
 
  |language  = German
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
−
  |audio    = yes
+
  |audio    = true
−
  |subtitles =  
+
  |subtitles = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = Italian
 
  |language  = Italian
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
−
  |audio    = yes
+
  |audio    = true
−
  |subtitles =  
+
  |subtitles = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = Japanese
 
  |language  = Japanese
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
−
  |audio    =  
+
  |audio    = unknown
−
  |subtitles =  
+
  |subtitles = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = Korean
 
  |language  = Korean
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
−
  |audio    =  
+
  |audio    = unknown
−
  |subtitles =  
+
  |subtitles = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = Norwegian
 
  |language  = Norwegian
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
−
  |audio    =  
+
  |audio    = unknown
−
  |subtitles =  
+
  |subtitles = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = Polish
 
  |language  = Polish
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
−
  |audio    =  
+
  |audio    = unknown
−
  |subtitles =  
+
  |subtitles = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = Russian
 
  |language  = Russian
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
−
  |audio    =  
+
  |audio    = unknown
−
  |subtitles =  
+
  |subtitles = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = Spanish
 
  |language  = Spanish
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
−
  |audio    = yes
+
  |audio    = true
−
  |subtitles = yes
+
  |subtitles = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = Swedish
 
  |language  = Swedish
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
−
  |audio    =  
+
  |audio    = unknown
−
  |subtitles =  
+
  |subtitles = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = Thai
 
  |language  = Thai
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
−
  |audio    =  
+
  |audio    = unknown
−
  |subtitles =  
+
  |subtitles = true
 +
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
==Network==
 +
{{Network/Multiplayer
 +
|local play          = false
 +
|local play players  =
 +
|local play modes    =
 +
|local play notes    =
 +
|lan play            = true
 +
|lan play players    = 8
 +
|lan play modes      = Versus
 +
|lan play notes      =
 +
|online play          = hackable
 +
|online play players  = 8
 +
|online play modes    = Versus
 +
|online play notes    = The official [[GameSpy]] service has been shut down on December 31, 2010 due to Electronic Arts losing the Lord of the Rings license.<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://www.gamereplays.org/battleformiddleearth/portals.php?show=news&news_id=709520&home|title=Middle-earth Online Server Shutdown Announced|date=May 2023}}</ref>. Replaced by [https://t3a-online.net/ T3A:Online].
 +
|asynchronous        =
 +
|asynchronous notes  =
 +
}}{{Network/Connections
 +
|matchmaking        = false
 +
|matchmaking notes  =
 +
|p2p                = true
 +
|p2p notes          =
 +
|dedicated          = false
 +
|dedicated notes    =
 +
|self-hosting      = true
 +
|self-hosting notes =
 +
|direct ip          = false
 +
|direct ip notes    =
 +
}}{{Network/Ports
 +
|tcp  =
 +
|udp  = 16000
 +
|upnp = unknown
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
==Issues unresolved==
 +
===Out of Memory===
 +
{{--}} This error has no proper workaround and is a symptom of the game engine's limitations (restricted RAM indexing)
 +
{{ii}} Lower graphical settings, and avoid memory-heavy mods.
 +
{{ii}} Any mod that uses high-resolution textures are highly susceptible to this crash.
 +
{{ii}} Some users report reinstallation fixes the issue.
 +
 +
===Off-host delay===
 +
{{--}} All games in this series suffer from a delay when giving commands, measured in seconds, if the player is not the host of the multiplayer match.
 +
{{--}} For ''Battle for Middle-earth'', there is no known fix.
  
 
==Issues fixed==
 
==Issues fixed==
 
===Exception Access Violation on startup===
 
===Exception Access Violation on startup===
−
{{--}} This is caused when the options.ini file has not been found (installation had no administration right to properly install your game and failed to create options.ini)<ref>[http://www.neoseeker.com/forums/6654/t1580573-exception-access-violation-opening-game-halp-bfme-1/ Exception Access Violation]</ref>
+
{{ii}} When first starting the game after the installation, the game instantly crashes with an error.
 +
{{ii}} Caused by the installer not creating a crucial {{file|options.ini}} file automatically.<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://www.neoseeker.com/forums/6654/t1580573-exception-access-violation-opening-game-halp-bfme-1/|title=Exception Access Violation|date=May 2023}}</ref>
 +
{{--}} If the game is uninstalled and reinstalled on the same system, the file is always deleted and has to be created anew every time the game is installed.
  
−
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Make missing options.ini|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plok|date=2021-09-14|comment=}}</ref>|fix=
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Make missing options.ini|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}}}
+
# Go to {{folder|{{p|appdata}}\My Battle for Middle-earth Files}}
−
# Go to <code>{{p|appdata}}\My Battle for Middle-earth Files</code>
 
 
# If the folder is empty, make a new text file called {{file|Options.ini}}.
 
# If the folder is empty, make a new text file called {{file|Options.ini}}.
 
# In that file, place this data:
 
# In that file, place this data:
−
 
+
<pre>
 
  AudioLOD = Low
 
  AudioLOD = Low
 
  HasSeenLogoMovies = yes
 
  HasSeenLogoMovies = yes
Line 270: Line 378:
 
  StaticGameLOD = VeryLow
 
  StaticGameLOD = VeryLow
 
  TimesInGame = 1
 
  TimesInGame = 1
 +
</pre>
 +
}}
 +
 +
===Auto-defeat after 3 minutes and 30 seconds===
 +
{{ii}} Is triggered by DRM, even on legitimate installations.
 +
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Use [[#Unofficial patches|unofficial patches]]|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plok|date=2022-08-10|comment=}}</ref>|fix=
 +
{{ii}} Circumvents DRM causing this issue.
 +
}}
 +
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Check game's serial key registry entries|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plok|date=2022-08-10|comment=}}</ref>|fix=
 +
}}
  
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Clean reinstall of the game as administrator|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plok|date=2022-08-10|comment=}}</ref>|fix=
 +
{{ii}} Fully re-install the game with administrator privileges in hopes the registry keys will be correctly created.
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
===Mouse input lag===
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Install [[#Unofficial patches|unofficial patch 1.06 or newer]]|ref=|fix=
 +
}}
 +
 +
==Other information==
 +
===API===
 +
{{API
 +
|direct3d versions      = 9.0b
 +
|direct3d notes        =
 +
|directdraw versions    =
 +
|directdraw notes      =
 +
|opengl versions        =
 +
|opengl notes          =
 +
|glide versions        =
 +
|glide notes            =
 +
|software mode          =
 +
|software mode notes    =
 +
|mantle support        =
 +
|mantle support notes  =
 +
|metal support          =
 +
|metal 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        = false
 +
|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            =
 +
|audio notes      =
 +
|interface        =
 +
|interface notes  =
 +
|input            =
 +
|input notes      =
 +
|cutscenes        = On2 VP6
 +
|cutscenes notes  =
 +
|multiplayer      = GameSpy
 +
|multiplayer notes= Shut down in 2011.
 +
}}
 +
 +
===[[Glossary:Command line arguments|Command line arguments]]===
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Command !! Description
 +
|-
 +
| -win || Runs the game in windowed mode
 +
|-
 +
| -mod [path to .big file] || Runs the game with the selected mod
 +
|-
 +
| -xres [number] || Sets resolution width
 +
|-
 +
| -yres [number] || Sets resolution height
 +
|-
 +
| -noaudio || Disables the game audio
 +
|-
 +
| -noshellmap || Disables the main menu animation
 +
|}
 +
 +
===Modifications===
 +
{{mm}} [https://www.moddb.com/mods/bfme1-hd-edition BFME: HD Edition]
 +
{{mm}} [https://www.moddb.com/mods/shadow-and-flame Shadow and Flame]
 +
{{mm}} [https://www.moddb.com/mods/blue-wizard-mod Legends of the 3rd Age]
  
 
==System requirements==
 
==System requirements==
Line 279: Line 481:
 
|minOS    = 2000
 
|minOS    = 2000
 
|minCPU  = 1.3 GHz
 
|minCPU  = 1.3 GHz
−
|minRAM  = 256 MB (Online: 512 MB)
+
|minRAM  = 256 MB
 
|minHD    = 3.5 GB
 
|minHD    = 3.5 GB
−
|minGPU  = NVIDIA GeForce 2 GTS
+
|minGPU  = Nvidia GeForce2 GTS
 +
|minGPU2  = ATI Radeon 7500
 
|minVRAM  = 32 MB
 
|minVRAM  = 32 MB
 +
|minDX    = 9.0b
  
 
|recOS    = XP
 
|recOS    = XP
 
|recCPU  =  
 
|recCPU  =  
−
|recRAM  =  
+
|recRAM  = 512 MB
 
|recHD    =  
 
|recHD    =  
−
|recGPU  = NVIDIA GeForce 6800
+
|recGPU  = Nvidia GeForce 6800
 
|recGPU2  = ATI Radeon X800
 
|recGPU2  = ATI Radeon X800
 
|recVRAM  =  
 
|recVRAM  =  

Latest revision as of 03:45, 30 January 2024

The Battle for Middle-earth
The Battle for Middle-earth cover
Developers
EA Los Angeles
Publishers
Electronic Arts
Engines
SAGE
Release dates
Windows December 6, 2004
Reception
Metacritic 82
IGDB 84
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase
Modes Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives Bird's-eye view
Controls Multiple select, Point and select
Genres RTS
Themes Fantasy
Series The Battle for Middle-earth
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth on HowLongToBeat
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth on IGDB
Icon overlay.png
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth guide on StrategyWiki
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth on MobyGames
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth on Wikipedia
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
The Battle for Middle-earth
Subseries of Middle-earth
The Battle for Middle-earth 2004
The Battle for Middle-earth II 2006

Warnings

SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows Vista and later (see Availability for affected versions).
GameSpy online services have been shut down (see Network for solutions).

The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth is a singleplayer and multiplayer bird's-eye view RTS game in the The Battle for Middle-earth series.

The game received three official patches, the third of which was produced by the GameReplays.org BFME section.

As of December 31, 2010, the official GameSpy service was shut down and all purchases were halted due to Electronic Arts' loss of the Lord of the Rings license.[1]

Same as with immediate technological predecessor, Command & Conquer: Generals, the game remains playable on modern Windows versions with some major technical hiccups that can be worked around; issues like errors when starting the game and DRM issues, and input lag. Unofficial patches resolve most of the game's problems save for off-host delay.

General information

T3A:Online - fan-hosted multiplayer server replacement
Battle for Middle-earth section on GameReplays.org

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
CD key
 SafeDisc v4 DRM[Note 1]. Released on 4 CDs or 1 DVD.
Windows
SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows Vista and later (see above for affected versions).
All versions include custom DRM code which can sabotage the game by destroying all units and structures owned by the player after 3 minutes and 30 seconds, triggering an automatic defeat. It can occur on legitimate copies under certain circumstances - see Auto-defeat after 3 minutes and 30 seconds for instructions to fix this.

Essential improvements

Official patches

The latest official patch for the base game is 1.03, available from Patches-Scrolls, GameFront, and CNCNZ.com.

Unofficial patches

Patch 1.05 fixes a lot of bugs and removes the disc requirement. Requires patch 1.03.
Patch 1.06 fixes more bugs and adds some new maps. Requires patch 1.05. Widescreen interface available here.
Patch 1.09 fixes bugs and imbalances, adds new visuals and comes with a patch switcher. Designed for multiplayer.

Skip intro videos

Skip intro videos[4]
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\data\movies
  2. Delete or rename EALogo.vp6, Intel.vp6, NewLineLogo.vp6 and THX.vp6.
  • Alternatively, install the unofficial 1.05 patch or newer.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows %APPDATA%\My Battle for Middle-earth Files\

Save game data location

System Location
Windows %APPDATA%\My Battle for Middle-earth Files\

Video

General settings menu
General settings menu
Custom graphics settings menu
Custom graphics settings menu

Graphics feature State WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
 
 See Widescreen resolution.
Multi-monitor
 
Ultra-widescreen
 
4K Ultra HD
 
Field of view (FOV)
Windowed
Use -win parameter.
Borderless fullscreen windowed
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anti-aliasing (AA)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
High-fidelity upscaling
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
Can be forced using Nvidia Control Panel (Manage 3D Settings)
60 FPS and 120+ FPS
Frame rate is capped at 30 FPS, with game speed tied to frame rate.
High dynamic range display (HDR)
See the glossary page for potential alternatives.

Widescreen resolution

Instructions[5]
  1. Go to %APPDATA%\My Battle for Middle-earth Files
  2. Open Options.ini.
  3. Find the following line and set it to the desired value.
Resolution = YourWidth YourHeight
Alternatively[6]
  • Use -xres #### -yres #### command line argument
  • Replace #### with the desired width and height respectively

Input

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

Audio

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Surround sound
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
EAX support
EAX3
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Dutch
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Norwegian
Polish
Russian
Spanish
Swedish
Thai

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
Local play
LAN play
8 Versus
Online play
8 Versus
The official GameSpy service has been shut down on December 31, 2010 due to Electronic Arts losing the Lord of the Rings license.[7]. Replaced by T3A:Online.

Connection types

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

Ports

Protocol Port(s) and/or port range(s)
UDP 16000
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.

Issues unresolved

Out of Memory

This error has no proper workaround and is a symptom of the game engine's limitations (restricted RAM indexing)
Lower graphical settings, and avoid memory-heavy mods.
Any mod that uses high-resolution textures are highly susceptible to this crash.
Some users report reinstallation fixes the issue.

Off-host delay

All games in this series suffer from a delay when giving commands, measured in seconds, if the player is not the host of the multiplayer match.
For Battle for Middle-earth, there is no known fix.

Issues fixed

Exception Access Violation on startup

When first starting the game after the installation, the game instantly crashes with an error.
Caused by the installer not creating a crucial options.ini file automatically.[8]
If the game is uninstalled and reinstalled on the same system, the file is always deleted and has to be created anew every time the game is installed.
Make missing options.ini[9]
  1. Go to %APPDATA%\My Battle for Middle-earth Files
  2. If the folder is empty, make a new text file called Options.ini.
  3. In that file, place this data:
 AudioLOD = Low
 HasSeenLogoMovies = yes
 IdealStaticGameLOD = VeryLow
 Resolution = 800 600
 StaticGameLOD = VeryLow
 TimesInGame = 1

Auto-defeat after 3 minutes and 30 seconds

Is triggered by DRM, even on legitimate installations.
Use unofficial patches[10]
Circumvents DRM causing this issue.
Check game's serial key registry entries[11]
Clean reinstall of the game as administrator[12]
Fully re-install the game with administrator privileges in hopes the registry keys will be correctly created.

Mouse input lag

Install unofficial patch 1.06 or newer

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 9.0b
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Cutscenes On2 VP6
Multiplayer GameSpy Shut down in 2011.

Command line arguments

Command Description
-win Runs the game in windowed mode
-mod [path to .big file] Runs the game with the selected mod
-xres [number] Sets resolution width
-yres [number] Sets resolution height
-noaudio Disables the game audio
-noshellmap Disables the main menu animation

Modifications

BFME: HD Edition
Shadow and Flame
Legends of the 3rd Age

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 2000 XP
Processor (CPU) 1.3 GHz
System memory (RAM) 256 MB 512 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 3.5 GB
Video card (GPU) Nvidia GeForce2 GTS
ATI Radeon 7500
32 MB of VRAM
DirectX 9.0b compatible 		Nvidia GeForce 6800
ATI Radeon X800


Notes

  1. ↑ SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows 10[2] or Windows 11 and is disabled by default on Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 when the KB3086255 update is installed.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Middle-earth Online Server Shutdown Announced - Battle for Middle Earth - GameReplays.org - last accessed on 2023-08-11
  2. ↑ Not Loading in Windows 10; this will break thousands of - Microsoft Community - last accessed on 2017-01-16
  3. ↑ Microsoft - MS15-097: Description of the security update for the graphics component in Windows: September 8, 2015 - last accessed on 2018-02-16
  4. ↑ Verified by User:Plok on 2021-09-14
  5. ↑ Verified by User:Plok on 2021-09-14
  6. ↑ Verified by User:Plok on 2021-09-14
  7. ↑ Middle-earth Online Server Shutdown Announced - last accessed on May 2023
  8. ↑ Exception Access Violation - last accessed on May 2023
  9. ↑ Verified by User:Plok on 2021-09-14
  10. ↑ Verified by User:Plok on 2022-08-10
  11. ↑ Verified by User:Plok on 2022-08-10
  12. ↑ Verified by User:Plok on 2022-08-10