UPatch HD 1.2 Settings - Help Information
This page gives you information about the different settings available in UPatch HD 1.2 and how they work. To change UPatch HD settings, open the Launcher (from Desktop or Start Menu) and select "Settings". You need to close the game before applying any settings. Please read the information about each option before changing it.
This page gives you information about the different settings available in UPatch HD 1.2 and how they work. To change UPatch HD settings, open the Launcher (from Desktop or Start Menu) and select "Settings". You need to close the game before applying any settings. Please read the information about each option before changing it.
------- Custom Resolutions
Allows you to select a custom resolution for the game.
- Resolutions up to 2560x1440 are available.
NOTE: For 3840x2160 (Ultra HD/4K), use 1920x1080 (without Windowed mode) or 2560x1440. AOE's engine doesn't support scaling (it's a limitation of the game) and everything becomes tiny in ultra high resolutions.
- Resolutions other than the included in the list are not available.
- To enable a disabled (in gray) resolution, apply the same resolution to your Desktop before opening the Launcher.
- If instead of the selected resolution, the game starts in 800x600 or in a small window, try starting a single player random map game, going to Menu - Game Settings and then selecting "Custom" under Screen Size. If that doesn't work then the resolution you applied is not supported by your computer. Try another custom resolution.
- If everything in the game looks too small on your screen - select a lower resolution with the same aspect ratio (shown in brackets). This is a limitation of the game engine (it's not scalable).
- Resolutions up to 2560x1440 are available.
NOTE: For 3840x2160 (Ultra HD/4K), use 1920x1080 (without Windowed mode) or 2560x1440. AOE's engine doesn't support scaling (it's a limitation of the game) and everything becomes tiny in ultra high resolutions.
- Resolutions other than the included in the list are not available.
- To enable a disabled (in gray) resolution, apply the same resolution to your Desktop before opening the Launcher.
- If instead of the selected resolution, the game starts in 800x600 or in a small window, try starting a single player random map game, going to Menu - Game Settings and then selecting "Custom" under Screen Size. If that doesn't work then the resolution you applied is not supported by your computer. Try another custom resolution.
- If everything in the game looks too small on your screen - select a lower resolution with the same aspect ratio (shown in brackets). This is a limitation of the game engine (it's not scalable).
------- Windowed Mode
Allows you to play the game in a window, instead of fullscreen.
- Windowed mode is still an experimental and unsupported feature and may not always work perfectly. If you encounter any problems/bugs, disable it first and try again.
- To play the game in a window you need to select a resolution lower than your desktop to see the window.
- Avoid using it in Multiplayer - some additional command lag may be introduced.
- When not in focus, the game continues to run in the background. You can use Pause/F3 key if you need to pause the game before switching to another window.
- You can also use Windowed mode in fullscreen, if you select the same resolution as your desktop. The only benefit of that would be the converted color space, which in some cases might solve some problems.
- Default mouse cursor is used in Windowed Mode, unless you apply the same resolution as your Desktop.
- Windowed mode is still an experimental and unsupported feature and may not always work perfectly. If you encounter any problems/bugs, disable it first and try again.
- To play the game in a window you need to select a resolution lower than your desktop to see the window.
- Avoid using it in Multiplayer - some additional command lag may be introduced.
- When not in focus, the game continues to run in the background. You can use Pause/F3 key if you need to pause the game before switching to another window.
- You can also use Windowed mode in fullscreen, if you select the same resolution as your desktop. The only benefit of that would be the converted color space, which in some cases might solve some problems.
- Default mouse cursor is used in Windowed Mode, unless you apply the same resolution as your Desktop.
------- Player Name
This option allows you to change your default name in the game (15 characters max). Previously it was only usable in Multiplayer, but UPatch HD allows you to use it in Single Player as well - just enable the additional option "Use in Single Player".
- When used in Single Player, your custom name replaces the default "You" (or the word used in your language).
- This option does not replace custom names/profiles for campaigns.
- For Single Player scenarios - this option will not overwrite player names chosen by the scenario designer - you will see your custom name only if the player name was left empty in the scenario (same as with "You" before).
- When used in Single Player, your custom name replaces the default "You" (or the word used in your language).
- This option does not replace custom names/profiles for campaigns.
- For Single Player scenarios - this option will not overwrite player names chosen by the scenario designer - you will see your custom name only if the player name was left empty in the scenario (same as with "You" before).
------- Advanced
Disable startup videos - ON by default (videos are disabled by default). Startup videos will be available only if you selected the Full installation option when installing the game. These videos may not play properly on modern systems. NOSTARTUP parameter (on a game shortcut) can also be used to disable the videos if they are first enabled from this option.
Disable terrain sounds - OFF by default. Terrain sounds are the birds and other (non-unit) ambient sounds you hear while playing. Some people may find them annoying. It's also possible for these sounds to stutter on some systems. You can disable them in such case. NOTERRAINSOUND parameter (on a game shortcut) can also be used to disable terrain sounds if they are enabled from this option.
Disable new mouse control: with this option OFF (default), the game will properly accept your mouse commands (right-clicks) even when moving the mouse rapidly. Default is OFF, if for some reason you need the old original game behavior or have some issues, you can turn this ON.
Scenario Editor - these options below remove some default Scenario Editor restrictions and allow you to have more control over unit placement (very useful for different Scenario Editor tricks). But without these restrictions there is also an increased possibility for something to go wrong and for your scenario to end up unplayable and damaged. So proceed with caution and make frequent backups of your scenario. These options do not affect scenario compatibility (scenarios are still backwards compatible with the original game).
Disable terrain sounds - OFF by default. Terrain sounds are the birds and other (non-unit) ambient sounds you hear while playing. Some people may find them annoying. It's also possible for these sounds to stutter on some systems. You can disable them in such case. NOTERRAINSOUND parameter (on a game shortcut) can also be used to disable terrain sounds if they are enabled from this option.
Disable new mouse control: with this option OFF (default), the game will properly accept your mouse commands (right-clicks) even when moving the mouse rapidly. Default is OFF, if for some reason you need the old original game behavior or have some issues, you can turn this ON.
Scenario Editor - these options below remove some default Scenario Editor restrictions and allow you to have more control over unit placement (very useful for different Scenario Editor tricks). But without these restrictions there is also an increased possibility for something to go wrong and for your scenario to end up unplayable and damaged. So proceed with caution and make frequent backups of your scenario. These options do not affect scenario compatibility (scenarios are still backwards compatible with the original game).
- Unrestricted Placement: Checking this option enables 2 additional keyboard shortcuts for unit placement control. These keys work only in the Units tab (switching to another tab turns their function off).
- Ctrl+R: Turn On/Off Terrain De-restriction - you can place any unit on any terrain.
- Ctrl+S: Turn On/Off Unit Overlapping - you can overlap or place units on top of each other, also disables unit grid for buildings.
- NOTE: Placing too many units (on the same tile or in the scenario as a whole) may cause lag or game instability.
- Show Hidden Units: Checking this option shows all units normally hidden in the Units tab of the Scenario Editor (dead units, projectiles, etc).
- NOTE: Some of these units are hidden for a reason - they are either not working properly (leftovers from Beta versions) or may cause problems when the scenario is played (even game crashes).
- Show Hidden Terrains: Checking this option shows all hidden terrains in the Terrains menu (in their original order) and allows you to paint them. The hidden terrains are shown in brackets, to differentiate them from normal terrains.
- NOTE: These hidden terrains don't work like normal terrains and are mostly useless, except for some scenario designer tricks (like black tiles or impassable terrain).
- Most of these terrains are leftover from early Alpha/Beta versions of the game and has no function or graphics. They can cause different glitches (including when mixed with normal terrains) or problems in scenarios. The "Impass" and "Edge" terrains are the least problematic to use.
------- Game Language
This option allows you to change your game language without reinstalling the game or the patch. Your system must already be set to support the selected language, otherwise text may not appear properly.
NOTE: Original campaigns/scenarios will always keep their own language (according to the language of your original installation disc) - the text inside them is not changeable and there is no way to keep progress between two campaigns created in different language. Also, the campaigns added by UPatch HD ("Reign of the Hittites" and "First Punic War") are available in English only.
NOTE: Original campaigns/scenarios will always keep their own language (according to the language of your original installation disc) - the text inside them is not changeable and there is no way to keep progress between two campaigns created in different language. Also, the campaigns added by UPatch HD ("Reign of the Hittites" and "First Punic War") are available in English only.
This option allows you to check your game installation for missing/corrupted files. You should always run this check before reporting any problems to ensure your game installation isn't corrupted.
Before running the File Check, make sure you have the latest version - open the Launcher, click on "About" then "Update Check".
NOTE: You need to disable all mods in the Mod Manager and remove any other modifications you use, your file check will always fail with modified files. To make sure you are not using a mod - start the game from the Launcher.
- If you passed the file check (got the green text "Passed"): then everything with your installation is OK, this doesn't mean there can't be another problem on your computer, but at least it's not related to corrupted game files.
NOTE: The original game with clean game install + clean UPatch HD install will ALWAYS pass the File Check.
- If you failed the file check (got the red text "Failed"): then your installation has missing or corrupted files and it's unsupported. The failure can only be caused by something wrong in your computer (deleted/modified files, illegal version of the game, antivirus program blocking something or even virus infected files). The best method to fix this problem is described below.
What to do if you failed the file check - for the safest procedure follow these instructions:
1. Backup your save games, scenarios and other custom files to another folder (if you need them).
2. Uninstall UPatch HD then uninstall the game (first the Expansion then the original AOE). Make sure the game installation folder is deleted.
3. Restart your PC.
4. Stop/disable your antivirus program and any other background programs. Do not enable them until you finish the whole procedure.
5. Download a clean copy of UPatch HD - always from the official link (keep your antivirus disabled to prevent modification of the setup file while downloading).
6. Install the game, then UPatch HD.
7. Run the file check again.
If the file check fails again, you either have some hardware/software/virus problems (seek assistance from someone qualified) or you have a modified version of the game. Try to get a new official/clean copy of the game.
Before running the File Check, make sure you have the latest version - open the Launcher, click on "About" then "Update Check".
NOTE: You need to disable all mods in the Mod Manager and remove any other modifications you use, your file check will always fail with modified files. To make sure you are not using a mod - start the game from the Launcher.
- If you passed the file check (got the green text "Passed"): then everything with your installation is OK, this doesn't mean there can't be another problem on your computer, but at least it's not related to corrupted game files.
NOTE: The original game with clean game install + clean UPatch HD install will ALWAYS pass the File Check.
- If you failed the file check (got the red text "Failed"): then your installation has missing or corrupted files and it's unsupported. The failure can only be caused by something wrong in your computer (deleted/modified files, illegal version of the game, antivirus program blocking something or even virus infected files). The best method to fix this problem is described below.
What to do if you failed the file check - for the safest procedure follow these instructions:
1. Backup your save games, scenarios and other custom files to another folder (if you need them).
2. Uninstall UPatch HD then uninstall the game (first the Expansion then the original AOE). Make sure the game installation folder is deleted.
3. Restart your PC.
4. Stop/disable your antivirus program and any other background programs. Do not enable them until you finish the whole procedure.
5. Download a clean copy of UPatch HD - always from the official link (keep your antivirus disabled to prevent modification of the setup file while downloading).
6. Install the game, then UPatch HD.
7. Run the file check again.
If the file check fails again, you either have some hardware/software/virus problems (seek assistance from someone qualified) or you have a modified version of the game. Try to get a new official/clean copy of the game.
