This page is for the original release. For the updated version, see Rise of Nations: Extended Edition.
Developers | |
---|---|
Big Huge Games | |
Publishers | |
Microsoft Game Studios | |
Re-releases | Ubisoft |
Engines | |
Big Huge Engine | |
Release dates | |
Windows | May 20, 2003 |
macOS(OSX) | December 2004 |
Taxonomy | |
Monetization | One-time game purchase, Expansion pack |
Modes | Singleplayer, Multiplayer |
Pacing | Real-time |
Perspectives | Bird's-eye view, Isometric |
Controls | Multiple select, Point and select |
Genres | RTS |
Themes | Historical |
Series | Rise of Nations |
Rise of Nations | |
---|---|
Rise of Nations | 2003 |
Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends | 2006 |
Rise of Nations: Extended Edition | 2014 |
Contents
- 1 Availability
- 1.1 Version differences
- 1.2 Trial versions
- 2 Monetization
- 2.1 DLC and expansion packs
- 3 Essential improvements
- 3.1 Patches
- 3.2 Skip intro videos
- 4 Game data
- 4.1 Configuration file(s) location
- 4.2 Save game data location
- 5 Video
- 5.1 Widescreen resolution
- 5.2 Vertical sync (Vsync)
- 6 Input
- 7 Audio
- 7.1 Localizations
- 8 Network
- 8.1 Multiplayer types
- 8.2 Connection types
- 8.3 Ports
- 9 Issues fixed
- 9.1 "MSXML4.0 is not installed correctly" on startup
- 10 Other information
- 10.1 API
- 10.2 Middleware
- 11 System requirements
- 12 Notes
- 13 References
Warnings
- SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows Vista and later (see Availability for affected versions).
- The Mac OS X version of this game does not work on Mac OS X Lion (version 10.7) or later due to the removal of support for PowerPC apps.
- GameSpy online services have been shut down (see Network for solutions).
Rise of Nations is a singleplayer and multiplayer bird's-eye view and isometric RTS gamein the Rise of Nations series.
After its release, the game received the Thrones & Patriots expansion in April 2004, adding minor mechanics, new Conquer the World scenarios and new civilizations.
The game runs stable on modern systems, with the only potential issue being a broken Vsync feature. Patching the expansion pack requires an unofficial repack as updates were distributed exclusively through GameSpy prior to its shutdown. An as-is Steam release was likely planned, but the Extended Edition was released instead.
General information
Availability
Source | DRM | Notes | Keys | OS |
---|---|---|---|---|
Retail | SafeDiscv2 DRM[Note 1] for the base game, SmarteSECURE DRM for expansion pack. |
- SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows Vista and later (see above for affected versions).
Version differences
- The Gold Edition includes the base game and the Thrones & Patriots expansion. The former has patch 4 applied, but the latter is unpatched. Some DVD versions may not have a disc check.
Trial versions
- Free trial versions are available from GamePressure: base game, Thrones & Patriots.
Monetization
Type | Notes |
---|---|
Expansion pack | The expansion pack includes new civilizations, units, government mechanic and Conquer the World mode scenarios. |
One-time game purchase | The game requires an upfront purchase to access. |
DLC and expansion packs
Name | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Thrones & Patriots |
Essential improvements
Patches
- Rise of Nations patch 4 and Thrones & Patriots patches 1 and 2 were distributed exclusively through GameSpy, which has been shut down.
- The Rise of Nations patch 3 (02.03.11.0302) is available here. Patch 4 (02.04.04.2903) is available here, and also comes by default in the Gold Edition.
- An archived distribution of the Thrones & Patriots official patch 2 (03.02.12.0800) is here. It includes changes from patch 1 (03.02.07.0701) as well.
Skip intro videos
Intro videos[citation needed] |
---|
|
Game data
Configuration file(s) location
System | Location |
---|---|
Windows | %APPDATA%\Microsoft Games\Rise of Nations\ |
macOS (OS X) |
Save game data location
System | Location |
---|---|
Windows | %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Rise of Nations\ |
macOS (OS X) |
Video
Graphics settings
- Can only change resolution in-game.
Graphics feature | State | WSGF | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Widescreen resolution | See Widescreen resolution. | ||
Multi-monitor | HUD position affects gameplay. See Widescreen resolution. | ||
Ultra-widescreen | See Widescreen resolution. | ||
4K Ultra HD | |||
Field of view (FOV) | |||
Windowed | Off by default; can be enabled in rise2.ini | ||
Borderless fullscreen windowed | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | ||
Anisotropic filtering (AF) | Force through video driver. | ||
Anti-aliasing (AA) | Force through video driver. | ||
Vertical sync (Vsync) | On by default; can be disabled in rise2.ini | ||
60 FPS | |||
120+ FPS | |||
High dynamic range display (HDR) |
Widescreen resolution
- The minimum resolution is 1024x768. The game won't accept any resolution lower than that.
Widescreen[citation needed] |
---|
Notes
|
Vertical sync (Vsync)
- The Vsync functionality may be broken on some systems.
Vsync fix |
---|
|
Gameplay settings
Input
Mouse settings
Keyboard and mouse | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Remapping | ||
Mouse acceleration | Relates only to map scrolling speed. | |
Mouse sensitivity | ||
Mouse input in menus | ||
Mouse Y-axis inversion | ||
Controller | ||
Controller support |
Controller types |
---|
Audio
Audio settings
Audio feature | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Separate volume controls | SFX, taunts, music. | |
Surround sound | ||
Subtitles | Applicable only in the Conquer the World mode. | |
Closed captions | ||
Mute on focus lost | ||
Royalty free audio |
Localizations
Language | UI | Audio | Sub | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
English | ||||
Czech | Fan - 1 Thrones and Patriots | |||
French | ||||
German | ||||
Italian | ||||
Korean | ||||
Spanish |
Network
Multiplayer types
Type | Native | Players | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
LAN play | 8 | Versus | ||
Online play | 8 | Versus GameSpy server browser has been shut down in 2012. |
Connection types
Type | Native | Notes |
---|---|---|
Matchmaking | GameSpy server browser has been shut down. | |
Peer-to-peer | ||
Dedicated | ||
Self-hosting | ||
Direct IP |
Ports
Protocol | Port(s) and/or port range(s) |
---|---|
UDP | 34987 |
- Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.
Issues fixed
"MSXML4.0 is not installed correctly" on startup
Reinstall MSXML 4.0. Use the installer on the disc or official download |
---|
Other information
API
Technical specs | Supported | Notes |
---|---|---|
Direct3D | 8.1 |
Executable | PPC | 32-bit | 64-bit | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Windows | ||||
macOS (OS X) | PowerPC only.[3] |
Middleware
Middleware | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Cutscenes | Windows Media Video | |
Multiplayer | GameSpy |
System requirements
Windows | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | Recommended | |
Operating system (OS) | 98 SE | ME, 2000, XP |
Processor (CPU) | AMD Athlon 500 MHz Pentium III | AMD Duron/Athlon 1.0 GHz or better |
System memory (RAM) | 128 MB | 256 MB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 800 MB | |
Video card (GPU) | 16 MB of VRAM | 32 MB of VRAM |
macOS (OS X) | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | Recommended | |
Operating system (OS) | 10.2.8 | |
Processor (CPU) | 600 MHz | 1.0 GHz |
System memory (RAM) | 128 MB | 256 MB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 800 MB | 1 GB |
Video card (GPU) | 16 MB of VRAM |
Notes
- ↑ SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows 10[1] or Windows 11 and is disabled by default on Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 when the KB3086255 update is installed.[2]
References
- ↑ Not Loading in Windows 10; this will break thousands of - Microsoft Community - last accessed on 2017-01-16
- ↑ Microsoft - MS15-097: Description of the security update for the graphics component in Windows: September 8, 2015 - last accessed on 2018-02-16
- ↑ Help me please!!cant run rise of nations gold: macgaming - last accessed on May 2023