Diablo was First!
The first Action RPG to hit the shelves! We all owe thanks to Diablo for the may Action RPG's in its wake. This is where it all started... leveling up, massive hordes of enemies, looting corpses & chests, spells, armor, hundreds of weapons, on and on and on...



Diablo and Diablo 2 are the classics and absolutely run great in Linux.

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

Note: This guide applies to the Retail version of Diablo II and Lord of Destruction. Other versions may require additional steps.

Tips & Specs

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

Mint 14 32-bit
PlayOnLinux: 4.2.1
Wine: 1.5.25

Installing Wine with PlayOnLinux

Installing different versions of Wine is necessary for running different games because one Wine doesn't work for them all. PlayOnLinux makes it possible to download, install and test your game in all the versions of Wine until you find the right one for your speicific game.

Launch PlayOnLinux
Click Tools
Click "Manage Wine Versions"

Wine versions manager
Select 1.5.25
Click the right-arrow

Note: Try using stable Wine 1.8 and 1.8-staging

Wine wizard
Click Next


Downloading...


Extracting


Complete


Thats it!
Try downloading other stable versions like Wine 1.8

Copying Disk Files

Create a new folder on the desktop
Name the folder: diablo2

Enter the Install CD (INSTALL)
Copy everything to your diablo2 folder on the desktop


Enter the Play CD (PLAYDISC)
Copy everything and click "SKIP" for duplicates


Enter the CINEMATICS CD
Copy everything and click "SKIP" for duplicates


PlayOnLinux Setup

Launch PlayOnLinux
Click Install


Click "Install a non-listed program"


Note: Even though Diablo II is listed and has a script, I found an easier and quicker way to install it. Installing with the PlayOnLinux script works too, but requires more CD swapping. Missing one step could mean starting over.

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


Name your virtual drive: diablo2
Click Next



Select all three options:

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

Click Next


Select Wine 1.5.25
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 THE 32-bit VIRTUAL DRIVE
Wine Configuration

Applications Tab
Windows Version: Windows XP
Click Apply


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


Drives Tab (Critical Step!!!)

Note: Make sure you DO NOT have any Diablo disks in the CD ROM drive. If Wine already shows a CD mounted, select it and click Remove.

Click Add...


Drive Letter
Use the default (probably "D")
Click OK


Drive path should go to the diablo2 folder on your desktop.
Path: /home/username/Desktop/diablo2/

Note: Username is where you put your login

Click Advanced
Select: CD-ROM
Click OK


Installing Libraries (Windows Components and Dlls)

Select the following Libraries:

• POL_Install_corefonts
• POL_Install_d3dx9

Click Next


Installing Libraries


Installing Diablo II

Click Browse


Navigate to the diablo2 folder on your desktop
Select: Setup.exe
Click Open


Click Next


You will get a PlayOnLinux crash report, just click "Cancel"

Note: If you get a "Insert Play Disc" or "Insert Install Disc" pop up, you didn't Add the CD-Rom correctly, or Wine reverted back to the previously mounted disk. During my testing I even had to use Terminal and umount the disk. You can also double check by launching Wine through PlayOnLinux configure and checking the drives tab again.

Click "Install Dablo II"


Full Installation
If you want to play without the CD-ROM, click "Full Install"


Follow all of the license agreement, registration, shortcut prompts and begin installing.

Note: If the installation ever asks for a Disk, check your Drives Tab in Wine and start over. This was the only problem I had during the installation.

When Diablo 2 is done installing, there are a few more prompts.
Click Exit Installer


Installing Lord of Destruction

Insert Lord of Destruction CD-ROM
Launch PlayOnLinux
Click Configure

Select Diablo II virtual drive

Miscellaneous Tab
Click "Run a .exe file in this virtual drive"


Navigate to the CD-ROM
Select SETUP.EXE
Click Open


PlayOnLinux Crash
You will see this PlayOnLinux crash window almost every time you launch the game.
Just ignore it and click Cancel


Click "Upgrade to Lord of Destruction"


Follow the installation instruction... registration, shortcut, key, etc

Exit Installer


Patching Lord of Destruction

Open your browser
Go to: http://www.moddb.com/games/diablo-2/downloads/d2multires-version-102
Click on [Download]
Save the patch on your desktop


Double-click the .zip file
Extract the .exe to your desktop with Archive Manager


Back to PlayOnLinux
Click Configure


Miscellaneous Tab
Click "Run a .exe file in this virtual drive"


Navigate to your desktop
Select LODPatch_112a.exe
Click Open


The patch will install immediately

Multi-Res Mod

If you want to play Diablo II on modern day widescreen monitors, this is your mod!

Note: Multires mod does NOT work with any patch after 1.12a

Go To: http://www.gamefront.com/files/files/14124193/D2MultiRes-v102.zip


Click Download
Save to your desktop


Open .zip file with Archive Manager
Extract to your Diablo II Program Files
/home/username/.PlayOnLinux/wineprefix/diablo2/drive_c/Program Files/Diablo II/

Note: Username is where you put your login

Shortcut to D2MultiResGame.exe

Select diablo2 virtual drive
Click "Make a new shortcut from this virtual drive


Select D2MultiResGame.exe
Click Next


Name it: Diablo II
Click Next


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


Remove Wine CD-ROM drive

The Lord of Destruction CD-ROM need to be removed otherwise it will continue to ask for it every time you launch the game.

Wine Tab
Click Configure Wine


Wine Configuration
Drives Tab
Delete "D:/home/username/Dekstop/diablo2"
Delete any other CD-ROM drives
Click OK


Close Configuration

No CD-ROM launching

Open the diablo2 folder on your desktop & the Lord Of Destruction CD-ROM
Copy all the .mpq files

Paste in your Diablo II program folder:
/home/username/.PlayOnLinux/wineprefix/diablo2/drive_c/Program Files/Diablo II
Click "SKIP" for all duplicates

Note: If the game still asks for a Disk, try launching Diablo II one time with the Disk in. After that try launching it without the Disk.

Launch Diablo II

Select Diablo II
Click Run

To increase screen resolution press Esc
Click Options
Click Video
Select the screen resolution you want.

PlayOnLinux Crash
You will see this PlayOnLinux crash window almost every time you launch the game.
Just ignore it and click Cancel


Conclusion:
Diablo II runs just fine with Wine 1.5.25 through PlayOnLinux. No extra video configuration required. You don't even really need to launch it in a "virtual desktop" but it gives you more control over the window. You can alway uncheck that option in Wine and Diablo II will set your screen resolution for 800x600.

Screenshots: