PC Why older PC games lack a proper windowed mode?

[Ikagura Ikagura]

I understand that some games didn't have wide-screen mode built-in and that OpenGL wasn't standard but I dislike having to wait a bit in fullscreen and seeing it stretched...

There should be a way for Windows to create a "virtual desktop to emulate fullscreen" as a separate window.

 

[Deleted member 560402]

I understand that some games didn't have wide-screen mode built-in and that OpenGL wasn't standard but I dislike having to wait a bit in fullscreen and seeing it stretched...

There should be a way for Windows to create a "virtual desktop to emulate fullscreen" as a separate window.

i'm fine with it as long as you can exit out of it. it's just like the old days. :) 4:3

 

[dingus69dingus]

full-screen-windowed is the way to go, you should have that option

 

[Onionstarz]

sVGA is 800 v 600

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

I need to rewrite my sentence btw.

Is there a program to allow you to create a fake full screen? I don't know how to properly use Loseless Scaling.

 

[Rocket2049]

I know MS-dos games can run in window via dos-box
any other game idk, try alt+enter

 

[DZero]

I need to rewrite my sentence btw.

Is there a program to allow you to create a fake full screen? I don't know how to properly use Loseless Scaling.

I think that Dgvoodoo let you do that with old pc games (free) and borderless gaming (paid, Steam)

 

[petran79]

I've stumbled upon newer games too

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

I think that Dgvoodoo let you do that with old pc games (free) and borderless gaming (paid, Steam)

I have bought it long ago yet I couldn't manage to find the option to force windowed...

 

[bfinch]

Most games pre ~2010 didn't expect you to multitask or were made in engines that just didn't support anything other than fullscreen.

On windows you could try a regular VM and make it the default launch application for that program. Not much else I could think of off the top of my head but you could ask in the RetroTechCollection forum. Not many people but pretty smart ones!

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

Most games pre ~2010 didn't expect you to multitask or were made in engines that just didn't support anything other than full-screen.

Maybe to prevent cheating?

On windows you could try a regular VM and make it the default launch application for that program. Not much else I could think of off the top of my head but you could ask in the RetroTechCollection forum. Not many people but pretty smart ones!

VMs are nice but mostly a band-aid thing because it requires emulating another OS just to be able to enjoy a game like that.


I still wish Windows made an option to create an artificial fullscreen within a window.

 

[bfinch]

Yeah that should be a thing Windows includes by default. I know on a few Linux desktop environments you're able to force games into a windowed mode.

There was a tool in XFCE in Arch that let me force Stardew Valley when the built in windowed mode was bugged for a while.

 

[King Torro]

Have you tried a program called "DXwnd" ? I remember using it for an older FPS game that was absolutely infuriating to deal with in terms of alt tabbing etc.

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

Have you tried a program called "DXwnd" ? I remember using it for an older FPS game that was absolutely infuriating to deal with in terms of alt tabbing etc.

I've tried once and it wasn't really conclusive. I don't know why it didn't work.

 

[FateLanegod]

I occasionally stumbled on this:
https://github.com/FunkyFr3sh/cnc-ddraw

This DLL fixes performance and graphics issues in retro 2D games, very customisable, should work for your favourite windouz and works just perfect under latest Wine in Linux.

If you experience any troubles with your old school favourite win95-98 era PC games, give it a try.

 

[Mopeybloke]

It was probably easier, but also offered the best experience, as true exclusive full screen means less input lag. I still notice it when running games especially playing on mouse that exclusive is the way to go if you can.

 

[strawberry29]

the games back then can't really handle half of new requirements and only work to the ones that they are build for