Matrix Games Forums

War in Spain
Read me File – 2026-01-05
Version 1.01.02

Welcome.

Thank you for playing War in Spain™! We are always looking for ways to improve your gaming experience. For the latest information on the game, please go to the Matrix Games web site at www.matrixgames.com.



Troubleshooting:

Ensure that your system meets the minimum system requirements. These are found in the game manual. Also, ensure that you have the latest video and sound drivers available for your system and that you have upgraded to the latest version of DirectX from Microsoft. The vast majority of reported problems are resolved by upgrading all drivers and DirectX to the latest versions.

A few players have had problems with particular Intel graphics cards, usually found in laptops. Most of these players disabled the card, to force the OS to use the second GPU in their machine.
For those who choose not to do this or those with only one GPU in their machine, we offer this wrapper software which has worked for some players:

You will find a file called ddraw.dll in the Manuals folder of the War In Spain installation folder. Move or copy the file into the root folder of the game, at the same level as the WIS.exe file and then the game with automatically use this wrapper.

Visit the Matrix Games Forum, War In Spain sub-Forum if any further issues.



******************** Update to PBEM player instructions 2026-01-05 *****************************

3.2.1 PBEM Sequence of Play for Nationalist Start

The procedure below is the sequence of play for a Two Player PBEM game with the Nationalist player starting first:

1. Start the game and select Preferences to set game rules. Once finished proceed to next step.
2. Select PBEM.
3. Select Start New Game.
4. Pick a scenario.
5. Start Game
6. Input your Password first. Then select, I am the Nationalist Player. The scenario will load.
7. Do your orders for your troops, ships and aircraft.
8. Click the save icon on the top left. Select a slot number and name the save and click Save.
9. Email the save to your opponent.

The Republican players first turn:

1. Download and move your opponent’s save file to your Save Folder.
2. Start the game.
3. At the main menu select Load Game and select your opponent’s save and then “Load Game to issue orders”. Do not select the option for “Run this PBEM game turn”, which is the second option.
4. Input your Password first. Then select I am the Republican Player. The scenario will load.
5. Do your orders for your troops, ships and aircraft.
6. Click the save icon on the top left. Name the save and click Save.
7. Email the save to your opponent.

The following is for all other Nationalist Turns:

1. Download and move your opponent’s save file to the PBEM Import folder.
2. Open the game and click on Load Game.
3. Select the current save and on the right click on “Run this PBEM game Turn”.
4. Enter Password and select I am the Nationalist Player.
5. Watch the Combat Replay.
6. Do your orders for your troops, ships and aircraft.
7. Save your turn and email to your opponent.

The following is for all other Republican Turns:

1. Download and move your opponent’s save file to the PBEM Import folder.
2. Open the game and click on Load Game.
3. Select the current save and on the right click on “Run this PBEM game Turn”.
4. Enter Password and select I am the Republican Player.
5. Watch the Combat Replay.
6. Do your orders for your troops, ships and aircraft.
7. Save your turn and email to your opponent.

Note: Each player only has to keep the latest save in the "Save" folder. The number of saves in PBEM Import do not matter. The game can find the correct next turn among a thousand. The only issue is if the other player sends 2 saves for the next turn ( for example revising orders after sending the turn ). Then the 1st save needs to be deleted to avoid confusion.

Note: So, remember the main rule: Keep the prior turn save in the save folder and add the new turn save into the PBEM Import folder.

Trouble Shooting: If you see a “Checksum” warning message, then ensure that all players are using the same game and scenario version.


3.2.2 PBEM Sequence of Play for Republican Start

The procedure below is the sequence of play for a Two Player PBEM game with the Republican player starting first:

1. Start the game and select Preferences to set game rules. Once finished proceed to next step.
2. Select PBEM.
3. Select Start New Game.
4. Pick a scenario.
5. Start Game
6. Input your Password first. Then select, I am the Republican Player. The scenario will load.
7. DO NOT GIVE YOUR TROOPS, SHIPS AND AIRCRAFT ANY ORDERS.
8. Click the save icon on the top left. Select a slot number and name the save and click Save.
9. Email the save to your opponent.


The Nationalist players first turn:

1. Download and move your opponent’s save file to your Save Folder.
2. Start the game.
3. At the main menu select Load Game and select your opponent’s save and then “Load Game to issue orders”. Do not select the option for “Run this PBEM game turn”, which is the second option.
4. Input your Password first. Then select I am the Nationalist Player. The scenario will load.
5. Do your orders for your troops, ships and aircraft.
6. Click the save icon on the top left. Name the save and click Save.
7. Email the save to your opponent.

The Republican players next turn:

1. Download and move your opponent’s save file to your Save Folder.
2. Start the game.
3. At the main menu select Load Game and select your opponent’s save and then “Load Game to issue orders”. Do not select the option for “Run this PBEM game turn”, which is the second option.
4. Input your Password first. Then select I am the Republican Player. The scenario will load.
5. Do your orders for your troops, ships and aircraft.
6. Click the save icon on the top left. Name the save and click Save.
7. Email the save to your opponent.

The following is for all other Nationalist Turns:

1. Download and move your opponent’s save file to the PBEM Import folder.
2. Open the game and click on Load Game.
3. Select the current save and on the right click on “Run this PBEM Game Turn”.
4. Enter Password and select I am the Nationalist Player.
5. Watch the Combat Replay.
6. Do your orders for your troops, ships and aircraft.
7. Save your turn and email to your opponent.

The following is for all other Republican Turns:

1. Download and move your opponent’s save file to the PBEM Import folder.
2. Open the game and click on Load Game.
3. Select the current save and on the right click on “Run this PBEM Game Turn”.
4. Enter Password and select I am the Republican Player.
5. Watch the Combat Replay.
6. Do your orders for your troops, ships and aircraft.
7. Save your turn and email to your opponent.

Note: Each player only has to keep the latest save in the "Save" folder. The number of saves in PBEM Import do not matter. The game can find the correct next turn among a thousand. The only issue is if the other player sends 2 saves for the next turn ( for example revising orders after sending the turn ). Then the 1st save needs to be deleted to avoid confusion.

Note: So, remember the main rule: Keep the prior turn save in the save folder and add the new turn save into the PBEM Import folder.

Trouble Shooting: If you see a “Checksum” warning message, then ensure that all players are using the same game and scenario version.


***************** End of Update to PBEM player instructions 2026-01-05 *************************

Lupulus wrote: Thu Jan 22, 2026 4:20 pm The files mentioned in the readme are not in the Manuals folder.