Gauntlet is one of the most unique arcade classics from the 80s. It was the first co-op multiplayer dungeon game with classes and has several sequels. But in 2014 Gauntlet finally got a sequel to rule-them-all...



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

Note: This guide applies to the Steam version of Gauntlet. Other versions may require additional steps.

Tips & Specs:

Try SteamPlay before using this guide as Valve now uses a fork of Wine called Proton and should run most Windows games.

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

Mint 18.1 64-bit
PlayOnLinux: 4.2.12
Wine: 2.12-staging

Wine Installation

Click Tools
Select "Manage Wine Versions"


Look for the Wine Version: 2.12-staging
Select it
Click the arrow pointing to the right


Click Next

Downloading Wine


Extracting

Downloading Gecko


Installed


Wine 2.12-staging is installed and you can close this window

Downloading Steam

Go To: http://www.steampowered.com
Click Install Steam


Do not click "Install Steam Now"
It will automatically install Linux Steam
Select Windows Steam instead
click "Windows" under the green button


Navigate to your desktop
Click Save


PlayOnLinux Setup

Launch PlayOnLinux
Click Install


Click "install a non-listed program"


Click Next

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


Name your virtual drive: gauntlet
No spaces
Click Next


Select all three options:

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

Click Next


Select Wine 2.12-staging
Click Next


Select "32 bits windows installation"
Click Next


Configure Wine

Applications Tab
Windows Version: Windows 7
Click Apply


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


PlayOnLinux Packages (Libraries, Components, DLL's)

Check the following libraries:

• POL_Install_corefonts
• POL_Install_d3dx10
• POL_Install_d3dx11
• POL_Install_d3dx9
• POL_Install_Physx
• POL_Install_tahoma

Click Next


Note: All packages will automatically download and install

Installing Steam

Click Browse


Navigate to your desktop
Select: SteamSetup.exe
Click Open


Click Next

Click Next

Check: I accept the license...
Click Next

Click Next

Click Next

Click Install

Click Finish

Updating Steam

Click the "X" to close Steam login


PlayOnLinux Shortcut

Select Steam.exe
Click Next


Name your shortcut: Gauntlet
Click Next


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


PlayOnLinux Configure

Back to PlayOnLinux
Click Configure


General Tab
Arguments: -no-dwrite -no-cef-sandbox


Note: Click the + to download other versions of Wine. Click the down-arrow to select other versions of wine

Display Tab
Video Memory Size: Select the size of Memory your video card/chip uses


Close Configure

Launching Steam

Select Gauntlet
Click Run


Note: Click debug to see errors and bugs

Click "Login to existing account"


Login


Find Gauntlet in your Library
Click Install


Uncheck "Created desktop shortcut"
Uncheck "Create start menu shortcut"
Click Next


Click "I Agree"


Click Finish
Wait for Gauntlet to download...


Setting Windowed Mode

Gauntlet will refuse to load due to some screen resolution issue
Go to:

Code:

/home/username/.PlayOnLinux/wineprefix/gauntlet/drive_c/Program Files/Steam/SteamApps/Common/Gauntlet/content

Open settings.ini in TextEditor


Scroll down to fullscreen = True


Change it to fullscreen = False
Click Save
Close TextEditor


Back to Steam
Click Play


Now it will launch in Windowed mode and you can change it back to fullscreen

Click Settings


Click Display
Check Fullscreen
Click Apply


Click Graphics
Adjust:

• Brightness
• Shadows
• Decal Amount
• Ambient Occlusion
• FXAA
• Gore
• Bloom
• Classic Mode

Bugs

The only bugs I've encountered are keyboard interactivity when launching the game.
The simple fix is to use Alt+Tab out of the window and Alt+Tab back and then it works fine

Another bug is Exiting the game. It will crash each time
Just Alt+Tab to PlayOnLinux
Click Configure
Go to Wine Tab
Click "Kill Processes"


Conclusion:
I was amazed that Gauntlet runs now even though it is a Direct X 10/11 game. Wine staging does a great job handling everything and I was able to play with all settings on high on my GeForce GTX 1060 and GTX 950. I was even able to play co-op online as well. It played just as well as in Windows.

Gameplay Video:



Screenshots: