Crysis Warhead is the next chaper in the Crysis franchise. All of the hyper-realistic graphics, interactive physics and explosive action is there. Utilize your suit's ablities to overcome hordes of enemies... Cloak, Strength, Speed and Shield will give you the advantage as you take on soldiers, tanks, aliens and more...



Follow my step-by-step guide on installing, configuring and optimizing Crysis Warhead in Linux with PlayOnLinux.

Note: This guide applies to the Amazon Download version of Crysis Warhead. Other versions may require additional steps.

Tips & Specs:

To learn more about PlayOnLinux and Wine configuration, see the online manual: PlayOnLinux Explained

Mint 16 32-bit
PlayOnLinux: 4.2.2
Wine: 1.7.8-d3d_DoubleBuffer

Installing Wine

Click Tools
Select "Manage Wine Versions"


Look for the Wine Version: 1.5.28-Origin and 1.7.8-d3d_doublebuffer
We need both Wine versions because we will install Origin & Crysis Warhead with 1.5.28-Origin first.
Select it
Click the arrow pointing to the right


Click Next

Downloading Wine


Extracting

Downloading Gecko


Installed


Wine 1.5.28-Origin an 1.7.8-d3d_doublebuffer is installed and you can close this window

Note: Before we start, make sure to download Crysis Warhead from Amazon first.

Installing Origin

The Amazon Downloaded version of Crysis Warhead included the EA Downloader (Origin client) so we need to install Origin first. Otherwise the installation will crash every time.

Go To: https://download.dm.origin.com/origin/live/OriginSetup.exe
Save OriginSetup.exe to your desktop


PlayOnLinux Setup

Launch PlayOnLinux
Click Install


Click "Installa non-listed program"


Click Next

Select "Install a program in a new virtual drive"
Click Next


Name your virtual drive: crysiswarhead
No spaces
Click Next


Check all three options:

• Use another version of Wine
• Configure Wine
• Install some libraries

Click Next


Select Wine 1.5.28-Origin
Click Next


Note: If you are running a 64-bit system, PlayOnLinux will prompt if you want to use a 64-bit or 32-bit virtual drive.
Always select 32-bit virtual drive.

Wine Configuration

Applications Tab
Windows Version: Windows XP


Graphics Tab
Check "Automatically capture the mouse in full-screen windows"
Check "Emulate a virtual desktop"
Desktop size: 1024x768
Click OK


Install Packages (Windows Components/Libraries)

Check all of the following:

• POL_Install_corefonts
• POL_Install_dxfullsetup
• POL_Install_msvc90
• POL_Install_tahoma
• POL_Install_vcrun2008
• POL_Install_vcrun2010

Click Next


Note: All libraries will automatically download and install

Installing Origin

Click "Select another file" If you have a Disc in the drive
Click Next


Click Browse


Select OriginSetup.exe
Click Open


Click Next


Uncheck all the options
Click Install


Installing Origin


Check "I have read and accept..."
Click OK


Login to your Origin account
Click Log in


Origin might ask for a verification
Click Close


To redeem other games
Click Origin
Click Redeem Product Code


Exit Origin
Click Origin
Click Exit


PlayOnLinux Shortcut

For future games its not a bad idea to make a shortcut to Origin.
Otherwise, we are not going to use it at all.

Note: The current setup and libraries might not work for all Origin games.

Select Origin.exe
Click Next


Name your shortcut Origin
Click Next


Select "I don't wnat to make another shortcut"
Click Next


Installing Crysis Warhead

Back to PlayOnLinux
Click Configure


Select crysiswarhead virtual drive on the left
Click Miscellaneous Tab
Click "Run a .exe file in this virtual drive"


Navigate to your Crysis Warhead download
Select setup.exe
Click Open


Select Language
Click Ok

Click Next

Enter Key
Click Next

Check "I accept the license..."
Click Next

Click Next

Click Next

Click Next

Click Next

Click Next

Installing

Click Finish

Securom installation
Click Finish


Configure PlayOnLinux

Back to PlayOnLinux Configure

General Tab
Wine version: 1.7.8-d3d_doublebuffer
Click the + to download different versions of Wine
Click the "down arrow" to select 1.7.8-d3d_doublebuffer


Click "Make a new shortcut from this virutal drive"

Select Crysis.exe
Click Next


Name your shortcut: Crysis Warhead
Click Next


Select "I don't want to make another shortcut"
Click Next


Display Tab
GLSL: disable
Direct Draw Renderer: opengl
Video memory size: The amount of memory on your video card
Offscreen rendering mode: fbo


Close Configure

Launching Crysis Warhead

Select Crysis Warhead
Click Run


Note: Clicking Debug will output any errors or missing libraries

Optimization & Video Settings

Click Options


Click System Settings


Adjust video mode

For fullscreen, match the same resolution of your Linux Desktop
Click Apply


Adjust Anti-Aliasing Quality
Click Apply


Advanced
Use the "Change all settings to" at the bottom
Select an option:

• Minimum
• Mainstream
• Gamer
• Enthusiasts

Click Apply


Rule of Thumb:
High settings = More detail, lower frame rates
Low settings = Less detail, higher frame rates

Conclusion:
Crysis Warhead runs pretty good with the doublebuffer version of Wine.
I noticed the shadows are missing just as in Crysis and Crysis 2, but the ambient occlusion is there giving objects depth. Otherwise, the game looks utterly beautiful.
I played at least 5 hours worth with no crashing. There was a point where the game seemed to stutter badly and later a crash, but if Warhead is running slow on your system, lower the graphical settings and resolution is needed. Don't forget to match your Linux Desktop to the game resolution.

Screenshots: