If you want to play ARENA in Windows (XP or higher)

[Dangrey]

Forget about the official Bethesda download and just go here:
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Arena:Files

Click on ArenaSetup (30.5 MB) and go to the site. Download the ArenaSetup.exe and install. It runs perfectly in WinXP.
I was able to complete my first game of it with no problems. It is also the CD-ROM version with patchfixes, better sound, added speech, and enhanced music.

This is perfect for newcomers and those who don't want to fiddle with DOSbox settings.

I posted this here because most people probably will not find this link or even know about it.

[Leyyuce]

I just started the downloader, I play Arena on DosBox but from your description this is a lot better. I'll tell you what I think of it later.

[Leyyuce]

It automatically opened in DosBox, but it runs much, much better than the version from the Bethesda site. Thanks for the link.

[Mindrifter]

Do you think linux can play it

[Dangrey]

It automatically opened in DosBox, but it runs much, much better than the version from the Bethesda site. Thanks for the link.

Yes it runs about as perfect as it can get. I know my way around DOSbox fairly well, but even I could not get the settings to run as well as this auto-launch version.
You can create a desktop launch icon for it. It will open right up to the game every time.

A few helpful notes for starters:

- It is still possible to perform DOSbox functions (example: Ctrl + F5 will take a screenshot and save to "capture" folder in the Arena directory) but you will not need to bother with CPU cycles. They are already set to MAX.

- You can still alter speed by pressing Esc and adjusting the DETAIL setting (higher for slower, lower for faster) but it does not seem to change the graphics any.

- The music in this CD-ROM version is much louder than the speech. Try setting music (in the Esc menu) at around 60-65 so the speech is more audible.

- Pressing F4 will disable the pixelation/materializing on pop-up dialog boxes. Speeds up the game quite a bit.

- The Docs folder with this game download conveniently has a PDF of the Arena game manual and other helpful documents.

- Old saves can be imported by copying them to the Arena root folder.


I don't know why UESP doesn't just link to this version from their main Arena download page. The same people who did this also made a launcher for 'Daggerfall' (although I have not tried it yet).

Do you think linux can play it

Interesting experiment. I have a dual-boot system with WindowsXP and Linux. I will be willing to try this out in Ubuntu to see if it works. I think the game requires directX though, so I am not sure.
Will post the results.

[Caz]

Do you think linux can play it

Yes, it can I have it working on Ubuntu.
One thing though: depending on your Linux version, synaptic may give you the older dosbox version, where some of the important keys (arrow keys, for example - and the key to get to the character map!) will not work. Check the dosbox page to see which is the latest and greatest, and update if necessary. Everything will work fine then.

[KalleFlaxx]

Wow... This is just awesome! Thanks alot for this! I've wanted to play Arena for a pretty long time, and I tried Bethesdas free DOS Box version, but it ran so slow that I don't think I even made it out of the small cell you start in. And then I tried this, it works perfectly, and now I'm running around as a Khajiit, killing Goblins and Skeletons and stuff in Fangs Lair! Thank you very much!

[Dangrey]

Awesome! Glad this is helping get more people into playing 'Arena'. So many give up on this game because it's so beginner unfriendly and difficult to get running properly. Such a shame because it is still faithful to Elder Scrolls gameplay and open-ended world design. Just a lot more simplified than the sequels.

I tried to run this in Linux, but it doesn't work very well. Too slow and sound drivers are incorrectly installed. This ArenaSetup.exe is specifically designed for Windows systems, so if anyone wants a Linux version, they going to have to do it the old DOSbox way.

[Hide-his-heart]

thanks for this now i am geting kiled by random goblins and bandits

[OblivionDuruza]

That's a necro-post, but it has whet my appetite, I'm interested. What makes it better than the official Beth one. I've got that one and I'd like to play but it's just too dated for me.

[xopsi]

thanks SO much for that.
it ran perfectly, and i don't have to mess with DOSbox, which i don't understand. (tried last night, and felt REALLY stupid)

[dorian2]

I've played Daggerfall, Morrowind and Oblivion, but now I can finally play the game that got it all started. Thanks

[merlinthewizard]

sounds like fun, I'm going to check it out

[Jebedia47]

i may have a slight problem...for some reason, my mouse does not move correctly if not at all in menus, although it move close to perfectly fine in game...any suggestions on how to fix this, if it's a real problem (and not just my computer)?

[M.C.Marcellus]

Does anyone know if this will work under Windows 7?

[OblivionDuruza]

Yes, I've played it on Win 7 without issue, I downloaded it from here rather than via the original Bethesda release to avoid messing around with DOSBox, etc.

[Ripcage]

The version of the game mentioned in the OP, does it come with DOSbox already? And its not in French is it?

[M.C.Marcellus]

Yes, I've played it on Win 7 without issue, I downloaded it from here rather than via the original Bethesda release to avoid messing around with DOSBox, etc.

Thank you very much, I should try it this summer.