This page is for the Battle.net-compatible and GOG.com enhanced releases. For the original release, see Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness.
General information
- Wargus & Stratagus patch - For playing on modern systems (in Wargus patch setup select Warcraft II - it's a hidden option).
- GOG.com Community Discussions
- GOG.com Support Page
Availability
Version differences
Warcraft II: Battle.net Edition (1999, retail disc)
- Released September 30, 1999.
- First Windows version of Warcraft II to have TCP/IP internet play through Battle.net.
- Uses disc check and CD key DRM.
- Limited to 640x480 resolution and exclusive fullscreen mode.
Warcraft II: Battle.net Edition (2019, GOG.com release)
- Released March 28, 2019.
- Includes both the classic version with Battle.net access, and a modern OS compatible enhanced version.
- Enhanced version uses a DirectX wrapper for better graphical compatibility in modern operating systems.
- Both versions use an IPX wrapper to provide IPX/SPX support for LAN multiplayer.
- No disc check DRM.
- No CD key DRM for the enhanced version.
- The enhanced version does not have Battle.net access, although the included classic version does.
- CD key DRM for online play through Battle.net in the classic version.
Monetization
Essential improvements
Patches
- The most up-to-date standalone installer version for the retail release is 2.02.
Game data
Configuration file(s) location
System |
Location |
Windows |
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Blizzard Entertainment\Warcraft II\ |
Mac OS (Classic) |
|
Save game data location
Video
GOG.com release DirectX wrapper settings menu.
Input
In-game input settings menu.
Audio
In-game audio settings menu.
Audio feature |
State |
Notes |
Separate volume controls |
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Separated into music and all other game audio. |
Surround sound |
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Subtitles |
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Closed captions |
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Mute on focus lost |
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Royalty free audio |
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Localizations
Network
Multiplayer types
Ports
Protocol |
Port(s) and/or port range(s) |
TCP |
6112-6119 |
UDP |
6112-6119 |
- Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.
Issues fixed
Game uses IPX for multiplayer
- The retail releases use IPX for LAN multiplayer, meaning Windows Vista and higher cannot play LAN multiplayer.[citation needed]
- The Battle.net Edition added TCP/IP multiplayer via Battle.net.
- The GOG.com release comes prepackaged with a wrapper which repackages IPX traffic as UDP traffic to enable LAN multiplayer.
Use IPX tunneling (Windows)[citation needed]
|
- Download the latest version of IPXWrapper.
- Copy and paste the files inside the ZIP file you downloaded into
<path-to-game>
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Game crashes on startup or refuses to start
- An issue in the code causes the game to trigger Data Execution Prevention protections.
Fix Data Execution Prevention setting
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Ensure Data Execution Prevention (DEP) setting is set to Turn on DEP for essential Windows programs and services only or add a DEP Exception for Warcraft II BNE.exe and Warcraft II BNE_dx.exe and reboot the system.
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No Audio In-Game
- If the operating system is set to use surround sound audio, game audio may not play.
Change operating system audio mode to stereo
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- Press Windows key + R to open a Run window, type mmsys.cpl into the run window, and click OK.
- Under the Playback tab, Left Click your default output device, and then Left Click Configure.
- Choose Stereo and follow the configuration wizard instructions.
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Other information
In-game miscellaneous settings menu.
API
Technical specs |
Supported |
Notes |
Direct3D |
2 |
GOG.com enhanced version uses/requires D3D9 wrapper. |
Executable | PPC | 16-bit |
32-bit |
64-bit |
Notes |
Windows | | |
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Mac OS (Classic) | | | |
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Middleware
Source ports
Name |
Description |
|
Wargus |
- Alternative open-source engine.
- Aims to improve stability and availability on other platforms such as OS X and Linux.
- Compatible with the GOG.com version.
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Cover Art Gallery
Original Warcraft II: Battle.Net Edition cover art.
System requirements
Original Retail Release
Windows |
|
Minimum |
Recommended |
Operating system (OS) |
95 |
NT |
Processor (CPU) |
Intel Pentium-class | |
System memory (RAM) |
16 MB | |
Hard disk drive (HDD) |
80 MB | |
Video card (GPU) |
SVGA-compliant video card | |
Mac OS |
|
Minimum |
Operating system (OS) |
7.6 |
Processor (CPU) |
PowerPC 601 |
System memory (RAM) |
16 MB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) |
80 MB |
Video card (GPU) |
256 colors |
GOG.com Digital Re-release
Windows |
|
Minimum |
Operating system (OS) |
7, 8.1, 10 |
Processor (CPU) |
1 GHz or faster |
System memory (RAM) |
2 GB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) |
1 GB |
Video card (GPU) |
DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver |
- Users running older versions of Windows 10 Redstone may experience a crash on launch when running the game’s executable. Patching your operating system to the newest version (Redstone 5) should correct this issue.
The GOG.com release does not support Mac OS nor OS X.
Notes
References