Archimedean Dynasty: Bugged HUD elements with 3dfx

[geist22]

Are you using the latest Dosbox-Staging Version?

• I have checked releases and am using the latest release.

Different version than latest?

0.81.0-alpha-1677-gf7498da22

What Operating System are you using?

Windows 10

If Other OS, please describe

No response

Relevant hardware info

No response

Have you checked that no other similar issue already exists?

• I have searched and not found similar issues.

A clear and concise description of what the bug is.

Certain HUD elements are rendered wrong when playing the 3dfx version, and appear distorted a bit to the right. They consist of mostly text in the cockpit and 3rd person views, but also other elements such as reticles, circles and sqares around enemies, lines, etc.

Below are two screenshots comparing the software version to the 3dfx version. Check the upper middle part of the HUD, the text block in the middle left and the armor indicator on the lower right.

Software:

3dfx:

Steps to reproduce the behaviour.

1. Download & install the game from the link below
2. Install the 1.120 patch and the 3dfx patch, working download links can be found at https://soggi.org/misc/3dfx-voodoo-game-patches.htm
3. Start the game via AD3DFX.EXE and start a mission such as training/instant action.
4. Look at the HUD and compare it to how it looks when playing through AD.EXE

Download URL of affected game or software

https://archive.org/download/archimedean-dynasty

Your configuration

The issue appears even with a default config file.

Provide a Log

No response

Code of Conduct & Contributing Guidelines

• Yes, I agree.

[johnnovak]

Can you check if DOSBox X and PCem/86box renders the HUD correctly with Voodoo @geist22 ?

[geist22]

I've run the game in DOSBox ECE and it displayed correctly. I think it used the nGlide wrapper.

I previously tried to get it running in DOSBox X, but 3dfx mode in this game didn't work there no matter what I tried. I haven't tried the other programs, I think knowing that DOSBox ECE displays it correctly should suffice, but if you still need them tell me so I can try setting it up.

[geist22]

I've managed to get it running in a new DOSBox X version now without a problem. HUD displays fine there, too. Though both ECE and X have a minor issue where the background image of the pre-mission briefing screen is sometimes cut off (haven't seen this so far in staging).

[johnnovak]

Thanks @geist22. Just to be clear, you used low-level Voodoo emulation (not high-level emulation, which uses Glide) in DOSBox X? Stuff like nGlide do things very differently; it's a completely different approach than true low-level Voodoo emulation. Just to make sure we have an apples to apples comparison 😄

[geist22]

Just to be clear, you used low-level Voodoo emulation (not high-level emulation, which uses Glide) in DOSBox X?

I'm using dosbox-x-mingw-win32-20230901214948.zip from https://github.com/joncampbell123/dosbox-x/releases/tag/dosbox-x-v2023.09.01 with default config. I'm afraid I have no idea what kind of technique is used below the hood there. I was under the impression DOSBox-X used a wrapper for 3dfx, just like ECE.

[johnnovak]

Just to be clear, you used low-level Voodoo emulation (not high-level emulation, which uses Glide) in DOSBox X?

I'm using dosbox-x-mingw-win32-20230901214948.zip from https://github.com/joncampbell123/dosbox-x/releases/tag/dosbox-x-v2023.09.01 with default config. I'm afraid I have no idea what kind of technique is used below the hood there. I was under the impression DOSBox-X used a wrapper for 3dfx, just like ECE.

This page might help:
https://dosbox-x.com/wiki/Guide%3ASetting-up-3dfx-Voodoo-in-DOSBox%E2%80%90X

According to that, Glide is off by default, so you must be using the low-level emulation then.

[geist22]

Glide is off in the config and I'm using the .OVL file provided by the game. Some games I have installed use wrappers, but IIRC these only work locally and are not used by the system as a whole. So it seems to be the low-level emulation.

Thought ECE and X used an integrated wrapper, maybe I was wrong or got confused. GOG version of Archimedean Dynasty does use a DAUM build with nGlide if I remember correctly.

[Grounded0]

Are you using Glide 2.43 driver? That's the most robust version of Glide for DOS and we're basically not supporting any other version of Glide as mentioned in the upcoming 0.81 release notes.

Test again using Glide 2.43 driver and report back the results.

[geist22]

Driver... are you talking about the GLIDE2X.OVL file? The readme says the game was set up to use version 2.42.

Can you provide a working link for 2.43?

[Grounded0]

@kcgen

Can you link your prepared driver pack for this user. ⬆️

[kcgen]

Here's 2.43: glide2x.ovl.zip

Unfortuantely 2.43 doesn't improve it, and neither do the line drawing methods:

[Grounded0]

@kcgen

I think the game just applies texture filtering on all surfaces including the HUD that produces this effect. Since this also happens with Glide 2.43 there is very little we can do about it or its not in our scope to sort this out. Suggest closing with a "Close as not planned" flag.

[Grounded0]

We made a more detailed team level analysis of the problem and looks like there probably is a bug in low-level emulation.

We currently don't have the manpower to figure this out but hopefully Staging 0.81.0 release will bring more people in who are more capable of figuring out Voodoo/Glide issues so this would be something for them to look at.

Anyone starting to take a look at this should probably concentrate their efforts first on checking alpha blending and related paths.