Run in a window?

[Von Roon]

Hello. Can I run DW in a window? I like learning the game, but it takes over my screen and I rarely have time for long game sessions. Would prefer to be able to pop in and out while taking care of other computer tasks.

[Bingeling]

I am afraid this is not helpful, but running on a dual monitor computer, doing other stuff (like writing an AAR) on the second monitor works just fine.

Apart from that, there is a startup.ini where a screen resolution is removed by comment characters. Maybe try remove those (and set a fitting resolution) and see what happens?

[cohimbra]

ORIGINAL: Von Roon

Hello. Can I run DW in a window? I like learning the game, but it takes over my screen and I rarely have time for long game sessions. Would prefer to be able to pop in and out while taking care of other computer tasks.

IIRC there is a startup.ini file in the game folder. Open it, and you see this:

'Distant Worlds startup settings

'screenwidth 1024
'screenheight 768
'hyperdrivespeed 1.6

Well, now you must delete the two ' that are before screenwidth and screenheight;

'Distant Worlds startup settings

screenwidth 1024
screenheight 768
'hyperdrivespeed 1.6

Save, exit and run the game. It work with Legends, but I think it work for all the series.

[Von Roon]

Thanks. Unfortunately, when I make that change (removing the ' ) the window can't be resized or minimized. Any other workaround?

[MatBailie]

You're not going to be able to re-size the window, the game is not coded to be able to cope with changes in size.

As for minimising the window; could you elaborate your needs a little? Why, for example, is it not satisfactory to simply move the window off the edge of the screen? Or, alternatively, just allow other windows to sit on top of it?

**EDIT**

Also, I've just tried it myself. Although the cursor "disappears", it does let me click mimimise, and it does work.

[Von Roon]

Thanks, good to know. As to minimizing, I guess it's just a habit I have of keeping track of things -- obsolete with 64-bit windows systems, but still a habit of mine. Thanks again for the advice and info.