Dragon Age Origins DPI Wrapper script for use with dgVoodoo2

I wrote a batch file. Can't recommend it.

Wraps the launching of the DAOrigins executable so we can set the registry value to ensure it is run in compatibility mode System (enhanced) (which is "reset" every time it closes, so must be set every time we open it) and adjusts the DPI to an appropriate value so that the mouse behaves correctly when using dgVoodoo2 to force the resolution of Dragon Age Origins. Note that the problem you will see if this isn't working correctly is the cursor either being trapped in a box in the top-left of the screen, or the cursor being free to move way offscreen to the right or the bottom of the screen. revert.bat is provided to remove the registry entry wrapper.bat adds in case something goes wrong or you wish to stop using the wrapper for any reason.

Overview

This script essentially does nothing more than:

• Set Dragon Age Origins to launch in the System (enhanced) mode as seen in Properties > Compatibility > Change high DPI settings > High DPI scaling override dropdown

• Figure out what percent of the Dragon Age Origins resolution the specified dgVoodoo resolution is

• Get the current Scale percentage as seen in System > Display > Scale

• Set the Scale percentage as seen in System > Display > Scale to that value

• Run DAOrigins.exe

• When DAOrigins.exe closes, it resets the Scale percentage as seen in System > Display > Scale to the previous value

Can this all be done manually? Yes, of course. Is it fiddly and irritating to do every time you want to launch the game? ...I suppose that's up to you, but you are here, after all.

How to use

• Before anything else, get a LAA (large address aware) copy of the Dragon Age Origins executable. You can patch it yourself with the LAA tool available online unless you have the Steam version, which is encrypted. The guide here explains the process of patching the executable (and provides a patched copy of that executable for those who cannot or do not wish to patch it themselves. This should replace your normal DAOrigins.exe, though I of course suggest that you back up your original file before patching or replacing it. This step may or may not be necessary, but I haven't tested anything with the unpatched executable.

• Next, go get dgVoodoo2 and "install" it next to (in the same folder as) your DAOrigins.exe. Run dgVoodooCpl.exe and select your preferred resolution for 3D elements in the DirectX tab. Save the configuration (dgVoodoo.conf) in ./ instead of the default location.

• Note that if you are using ReShade, you will need to uninstall it from the DAOrigins.exe executable and then re-apply it targeting DX10+. Incidentally, I recommend ReShade for anti-aliasing if nothing else (though remember to disable anti-aliasing in the Dragon Age Origins setting if you go that route).

• Then, go get SetDPI.exe. You can build it yourself following the directions in the README.md or just download the SetDPI.exe if you trust me ;) Copy the SetDPI.exe executable next to (in the same folder as) your DAOrigins.exe executable.

• Copy the wrapper.bat file in this repository next to (in the same folder as) your DAOrigins.exe.

• Run DAOriginsConfig.exe and select the resolution you want the UI to display at (smaller resolutions mean a bigger UI). Remember that whatever resolution you select must match the aspect ratio of the resolution you selected in the dgVoodoo step. Don't forget to save the setting before closing.

• (Optional) To avoid an irritating dialog box on game close, you can disable the Program Compatibility Assistant. If this page disappears, there are instructions included in the second comment block in the wrapper.bat file.

• Double-click the wrapper.bat sitting next to (in the same folder as) your DAOrigins.exe, and it should launch Dragon Age Origins executable.

Limitations

• If you want to run Dragon Age Origins on a monitor that is not your primary one, you will need to change the monitor_number to the number of the monitor in question in the wrapper.bat file.

• Changing the game's resolution in-game will not behave correctly, though if you then close the game and re-open it, it should work again.

• As mentioned above, the two resolutions must be the same aspect ratio and even still only some scaling factors are supported. If you hit this, you'll see an error message explaining the supported scaling factors and what yours was.

• If you want to launch DAOrigins through the official launcher (the one with the menu and then the Play button at the bottom) or through Steam, they won't run the wrapper. You'll need to:

  • Move (rename) the DAOrigins executable to a new name in the same directory (I use DAOriginsActual.exe, but any name works. I recommend no spaces or non-dot special characters to save yourself potential headaches, though).

  • Make a new DAOrigins.exe that runs this wrapper (I made tempoz/Launch for this exact purpose)

  • Change the dao_executable var in the wrapper to the new name of the Dragon Age Origins executable