GDI and Direct X
 

Just cranked up SPWW2 again and noticing something odd in the Game Options menu. Game Mode should give me a choice of Direct X or GDI when in Windowed mode, but I get neither. GDI is grayed out and Direct X is not an option. I've tried fiddling with Full Screen/Windowed and with resolution with no change. Also, the graphics are definitely not as nice as some of the screen shots I've seen.

Windows 7 x64 on a monitor capable of 1600x1280, 8 MB ram and 3MB on the graphics card.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Re: GDI and Direct X
 

See the Game Guide->Game Installation->Game Options Programme

Game Mode bullet. Sentence beginning "Normally DirectX is recommended but.." and beyond, since you are on Windows 7 this applies.

Re: GDI and Direct X
 

Thx, but I had read that. My issue seems to be a combination of neither graphics mode seem to be functioning (Direct X, which the install doesn't recommend, is never an option and GBI is a faint gray that looks like something that isn't working; along with a question about whether either Direct X or GBI is being selected and graphics that do not look as good as screen shots, I'm wondering if I'm caught in some sort of between state. Although Direct X is not recommended, the selection between the two modes is not functioning, which worries me.

Re: GDI and Direct X
 

As that paragraph says - you wont get offered the choice in windows vista/7 since it messes the palette up. That's why the button isn't active - since it is irrelevant. You will, if it is XP or lower or if it is windows 8 and up since none of those are burdened with Aero, nor does full screen mode need to run a command script to kill explorer.

As to screen quality - what resolution are you trying to run in, and what game graphics mode?. What resolution have you set your windows desktop to?.

If you have the free demo and are trying to run 800x600 in full screen then it will be very pixelated. On a 1600 monitor its probably best to test drive the free game in an 800x600 window.

If you have the full game then windowed mode is recommended at desktop resolution. Adjust your windows desktop size before firing up the game should you want less of a screen size.