It seems that you're using an outdated browser. Some things may not work as they should (or don't work at all).
We suggest you upgrade newer and better browser like: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Opera

×
For a game that was released in 1996 and barely has graphics better than Doom, Why does it take so much hardware power to run? Was this done as part of the compatibility issues?
avatar
SciFiCat: For a game that was released in 1996 and barely has graphics better than Doom, Why does it take so much hardware power to run? Was this done as part of the compatibility issues?

As with all DOS titles on GOG, Duke Nukem 3D is run through the DOSBox emulator. DOSBox is very CPU-hungry, and so the faster your system is the better. GOG offers the games like this because few DOS titles run correctly on XP and newer without it, and they can't run natively at all on 64-bit versions of Windows. DOSBox removes all these compatibility woes.
Post edited August 01, 2009 by Arkose
As Arkose said it is because of Dosbox which is an awesome program that has had me addicted long before I came to GoG.
The system requirements go way down when you use a port like EDuke32 (which is a GOG affiliate now). EDuke32 is pretty much THE recommended way to play Duke3D right now, even by DOSBox developers, one of whom has contributed so much to EDuke32 that he actually has svn commit access.
DOSBox is awesome, but there's no need to emulate in the few cases when the original code has been vastly improved and ported to modern systems.
avatar
TerminX: The system requirements go way down when you use a port like EDuke32 (which is a GOG affiliate now). EDuke32 is pretty much THE recommended way to play Duke3D right now, even by DOSBox developers, one of whom has contributed so much to EDuke32 that he actually has svn commit access.
DOSBox is awesome, but there's no need to emulate in the few cases when the original code has been vastly improved and ported to modern systems.

So if for example I buy the GOG version of Duke Nukem 3D, I could run said version through EDuke32 instead of DOSbox?
avatar
SciFiCat: So if for example I buy the GOG version of Duke Nukem 3D, I could run said version through EDuke32 instead of DOSbox?

The GOG release is fully compatible with EDuke32 and all other source ports. EDuke32 also gives you the ability to use the High-Resolution Pack, which adds detailed textures and true 3D models.
EDuke32 is very popular word in here but xDuke is that port which most of the Dukers choose to play online.
Eduke32 is the port I prefer, but there are others.
Duke3dw
http://www.proasm.com/
And a map/TC launcher for Duke3dw
http://www.proasm.com/duke/playduke.html
YANG is another multi-player program compatible with Eduke32
http://ny.duke4.net/
1.8 ghz processor and 512 megs ram is high specs? I know the game is from 1996 like you said, but...
Dosbox is a great program. It's worth getting a pc from 2002 to run Duke 3d :p
Post edited August 04, 2009 by Zellio2009
avatar
Zellio2009: .... It's worth getting a pc from 2002 to run Duke 3d :p

So unnecessary with ports like Eduke32 which are designed for use on a modern computer.
Ya... But dosbox is worth it for far more then Duke...
avatar
Zellio2009: Dosbox is a great program. It's worth getting a pc from 2002 to run Duke 3d :p

...again you specified having an old computer to run duke 3d. Not necessary.
You're also implying that an old computer is needed to run dosbox. Not necessary either.
So exactly why are you encouraging people to waste money on old equipment when the software works on new equipment?
avatar
Zellio2009: Dosbox is a great program. It's worth getting a pc from 2002 to run Duke 3d :p
avatar
Forge: ...again you specified having an old computer to run duke 3d. Not necessary.
You're also implying that an old computer is needed to run dosbox. Not necessary either.
So exactly why are you encouraging people to waste money on old equipment when the software works on new equipment?

Huh? My quip about 2002 is due to the pcs at 2002. You could buy a pc at 2002 (Hell, I had a 1800+ and a 2500+ at that time, both with 512 megs ram), that would run those specs needed.
I think my point was that dosbox doesn't need much at all to run, and is far more helpful then just playing Duke 3d.
Post edited August 04, 2009 by Zellio2009
avatar
SciFiCat: So if for example I buy the GOG version of Duke Nukem 3D, I could run said version through EDuke32 instead of DOSbox?
avatar
Arkose: The GOG release is fully compatible with EDuke32 and all other source ports. EDuke32 also gives you the ability to use the High-Resolution Pack, which adds detailed textures and true 3D models.

Thanks for the info, I'll try it out as soon as I buy the game. :)