Overview
This is a 20 minute guide on how to get your game running with modern graphics cards without the crappy vista fix which makes the graphics and price maps look dated even for 2003 and hinders gameplay.Also included is info regarding multiplayer.
Windows 10 dgVoodoo Instructions
- 1.) Install via steam
- 2.) Copy the steam.dll file from your ..steamsteam.dll main directory into your Railroad Tycoon 3 main directory (if you get the missing steam.dll error when launching)
- 3.) Download latest stable dgVoodoo Here (2.72 latest currently)[dege.freeweb.hu], this allows the game to run on modern graphics card with better performance and graphics including at 4k stable.
- 4.) Extract dgVoodoo folder into its own folder. Copy dgVoodooCpl.exe and dgVoodoo.conf into the main Railroad Tycoon 3 main directory, copy the D3D8.dll file found in ..dgVoodoo2_72MSx86D3D8.dll to your …Railroad Tycoon 3 main directory
- 4.) Run dgVoodooCpl.exe in your Railroad Tycoon 3 main dir >> go to DirectX Tab >> Set VRAM to 1024 MB >> Apply >> Okay
- 5.) Done! If you’re okay with 1600 x 900 setting. Turn all the graphics settings on in-game, Uncheck “Disable Hardware T&L” (Vista fix)
Custom Resolution 1080p, 1440p, and 4k
- 1.) Download res tool here[hawkdawg.com]
- 2.) Extract anywhere, Run the uniws.exe
- 3.) Point the tool to your ..steamappscommonRailroad Tycoon 3DataConfiguration path
- 4.) Set the resolution and click Patch! (1920 x 1080 for 1080p, 2560 x 1440 for 1440p, 3840 x 2160 for 4k)
Multiplayer General Info
- 1.See this Community MP Launcher here (released in 2019): [link]
- 2. LAN multiplayer works great in this game (depending on certain scenarios), online was being worked on by FlorianF who may need help if you know how to reverse engineer code (his launcher currently only does version checks, I dont think MP syncing is improved at all).
- 3. The most stable vanilla MP scenarios:
Mississippi Valley, Russia, and South East USA. - 4. Many MP Scenarios found here:
[link]
Join Railty3 discord and find the direct downloads for those MP Scenarios (multiplayer-maps channel) or find them on Hawk Dawg manually in map section
Also note that I’ve heard users using a free service called ZeroTier to connect LAN games via the internet.
Visa Fix only if guide did not work
Install Vista Fix[hawkdawg.com] found under “Other unofficial patches” Vista Fix
Read me install instructions here[hawkdawg.com]
Basically the original company doesn’t exist so the game downloads to a broken state for Windows 7+ machines and you’re downloading a engine config file that disables T&L graphics setting.
Follow the guide after verifying the Vista Fix worked and you’re able to launch the game.
Once dgVoodoo is installed, Uncheck disable T&L.
Some Screenshots at 1080p
These were taken at 1080p:
Conclusion
I’ve played the game without crashing for 6-8 hour sessions. In multiplayer as well on stable recommended maps. Even late game with 4+ AI and 100s of trains running cargo on large maps.
Hopefully this guide helps.