he original 8-bit Action Role Playing game from Bethedsa Softworks. Before any of the famous Skyrim and Elder Scrolls Online, it started with Arena. Cast spells, complete quests, explore cities and wilderness with weather effects and day/night cycle and lots of NPC dialog.
Follow my step-by-step guide on installing, configuring and optimizing Elder Scrolls Arena in Linux with PlayOnLinux.
Note: This guide applies to the GOG version of Elder Scrolls Arena. Other versions may require additional steps.
Tips & Specs:
To learn more about PlayOnLinux and Wine configuration, see the online manual: PlayOnLinux Explained
Mint 19 64-bit
PlayOnLinux: 4.3.3
Wine: 3.0.3
Wine Installation
Click Tools
Select "Manage Wine Versions"
Look for the Wine Version: 3.0.3
Select it
Click the arrow pointing to the right
Click Next
Downloading Wine
Extracting
Downloading Gecko
Installed
Wine 3.0.3 is installed and you can close this window
We are using PlayOnLinux to install Arena initially, but later we will have an optional step using Linux DOSbox to play the game.
PlayOnLinux Setup
Launch PlayOnLinux
Click Install
Click "Install a non-listed program"
Select "Install a program in a new virtual drive"
Click Next
Name the virtual drive: elderscrollsarena
Click Next
Check all three options:
- Use another version of Wine
- Configure Wine
- Install some libraries
Select Wine 3.0.3
Click Next
Select "32 bits windows installation"
Click Next
Wine Configuration
Applications Tab
Windows Version: Windows XP
Click Apply
Graphics Tab
Check "Automatically capture the mouse in full-screen windows"
Click OK
PlayOnLinux Packages
Check the following:
- POL_Install_corefonts
- POL_Install_d3dx9
- POL_Install_tahoma
Note: We probably don't need any of these packages since Arena is a DOS game, but I install them anyways. Each package should automatically download and install.
Click Browse
Select "setup_tes_arena_2.0.0.5.exe"
Click Open
Click Next again...
Click Options
Check "Yes, I have read and accept EULA"
Uncheck "Create desktop icon"
Click Install
Click OK on all errors
Click Exit
PlayOnLinux Shortcut
Select "DOSBox.exe"
Click Next
Select "I don't want to make another shortcut"
Go back to PlayOnLinux and click Run to play Arena
Linux DOSBox option
Install DOSBox in your software manager or package manager
Create a folder in your /home/username
Name it dosgames
Copy the Arena game folder into dosgams
Full path:
Arena:
Code:
/home/username/.PlayOnLinux/wineprefix/elderscrollsarena/Program Files/GOG Games/Arena
Code:
/home/username/dosgamesDOSBox Install
Launch DOSBox
type:
Code:
mount C: /home/username/dosgamesNote: In place of "username" use your Linux login
Code:
Type: c:
Type: cd arena
Type: InstallPress Enter
Go to Exit
Press Enter
Note: No need to configure game or audio. We'll add that later in the launcher
Now you will see two folder in dosgames
- Arena
- ARENA_CD
Paste all the files in ARENA_CD
Click Skip on duplicates
Back to DOSBox
Type: mount d /home/username/dosgames/AREANA_CD -t cdrom
Code:
Type: cd arena_cd
type: d:
type: acdElder Scrolls Arena should now run without audio
You can skip the prompts and exit the game
DOSBox Shortcut (Linux Mint)
Go to the .dosbox directory
Full path:
Code:
/home/username/.dosboxRename it to: arena.conf
Open arena.conf
Scroll down to the very bottom
Enter the following commands:
Code:
mount c ~/dosgames -freesize 1000
c:
mount d ~/dosgames/ARENA_CD -t cdrom
d:
acd -Ssbpdig.adv -IOS220 -IRQS7 -DMAS1 -Msbp1fm.adv -IOM220 -IRQM7 -DMAM1Note: These commands mount the C: drive, add extra hard drive space, mount the D: drive and add the audio options. Without -freesize 1000, you would get a hard drive error and the game gets buggy.
You can also scroll up to the top and set fullscreen to "true"
Right-Click Menu
Click Configure
Click Menu Tab
Click "Open the menu editor"
Click Games
Click "New Item"
Name: Elder Scrolls Arena
Command: /user/bin/dosbox -conf /home/username/.doxbox/arena.conf
Comment: whatever you want to add
Click the Icon to set the games icon
Click OK
Click Close
Now click Elder Scrolls Arena in your Menu under Games
This will automatically launch DOSBox and start Arena
You should also hear the MIDI audio
Also, use Ctrl+F12 to speed up the CPU for a better frame rate
Conclusion:
Also all DOS games can be installed and run in this way using PlayOnLinux and DOSBox. I initially had a problem with a "hard drive space" warning and the game had graphical artifacts and was unplayable. But the switch -freesize 1000 fixed it. Now I can play fullscreen in 640x480, but the game will run really slow. Use Ctrl+F12 to speed up the CPU usage and it will run really well.
Gameplay Video:
Screenshots:
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