In the best Ubisoft fashion...

The game uses a function that probes the driver for the amount of the available VRAM, but the function stores the unsigned integer returned into a signed integer type variable, which does not make sense (you can't have a negative amount of VRAM, after all).

Signed integer types use the highest bit to indicate the sign of the integer (one for plus, zero for minus). But the bug did not kick in as long as the VRAM amount did not exceed 2GB - which was every time when the game was released.

IF you have a card with more than 2GB VRAM, the returned amount uses the highest bit, and the program finds out you have a negative amount of memory available - which is apparently very little, so it sets the Texture Size to the lowest for you, again, in the best Ubisoft fashion, because Ubisoft apps are super bright, right?

The problem would be trivial to correct for someone with access to the source code, I wrote to Ubisoft, but their support is abysmal. Someone competent enough who is capable to disassemble binaries could be able to fix it, though.

I found out about the bug when fiddling with the demo that actually reports you have a -2GB memory, which is not sufficient to run the game.

There are more problems with video memory, unfortunately.

My girfriend has the original cd-rom, and on her laptop an error message is displayed:

Graphics adapter does not meet requirements
At Least 70 MB of available video memory required, only 62 MB detected.

This is because Ubi uses a stupid check for the amount of video memory and, in my girlfriends case, Acer won't provide a new BIOS to increase the minimum amount of video memory... I wrote a rant about this on my site, and had a lot of contact with both Ubi and Acer. Both are not willing to provide a fix.

Needless to say, the GOG.com version has the same check and problem. Will need to get my money back within 30 days if it's not resolved soon.

open help tickets with gog.com the same problem exists for hertiage of kings as well. however that one has a workaround

No responses from support?

Doesn't seem like it but keep this thread alive guys! I tried to look for a solution and even edit the config files but nothing works :| daaang.

THANK YOU, GOG!!! THAT'S WHY I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

Seriously, this was my favorite Settlers game when I played the retail disc a year ago. But when I bought a new PC, I angrily tried fixing the 62MB check several times without success. Recently I bought this game here again hoping this issue was fixed. I was kinda disappointed because it wasn't, but I have been hoping until now that GOG would fix this issue.

AND YOU DID! IT FINALLY WORKS!!!

Allow me to jump on the boat a little and say thanks, since I had texture issues on Intel HD graphics.
It's a thing of the past now? Hooray!
Thanks a ton! Great! Thank you!

Yep, but thanks a lo for the hard work. As I'm reading now, this vram bug (I didn't experience that, nice) was a milenar deal; also, I thought the texture issues were something unique to my setup, so -while waiting for a fix or something- I gave attention to other games. Yep, I thought about support, too, but the thing needed a little tweak and, since I'm low on free time... you know the drill :)

If I encounter any issue at all I'll send a ticket with specs. This game's too awesome to run with issues :)
Cheers!

edit: how poorly written (me), damn :(

:O omg no way! OMG NO WAY! :O Downloading and checking out! Even if I still get the same issue, for some odd reason, you guys are ROCKING hard. Ubisoft should pay you BIG DOSH for fixing their game :D

Did you guys fix this same problem for heritage of kings as well?

Hm, I must say I am actually quite impressed. I even went and bought the game on the spot to see it, even though I already bought it from Gamersgate a year ago and even though I consider 20 bucks for such an old game to be quite expensive.

But your words were true - the problem is fixed, and now I can play the game with proper textures for a change.

Well done indeed!

If you would care to tell me how you did it, I would be quite interested to know.