User blog:Nehpys/Setting Up - The Older Scrolls I: Arena

This instructional guide is the first in a four-part series on how to install the older series of games (referred to as "The Older Scrolls"),, , , and .

''This article focuses on, the 1994 action-adventure role-playing fantasy game created by Bethesda Softworks. For its sequel, see Setting Up - The Older Scrolls II: Daggerfall.''

For the out-of-date sandbox this originated on, see User:Nehpys/Setting Up - The Older Scrolls: Arena.

"It is said that hope flies on death's wings. Prepare then, for as the Elder Scrolls foretold, it will be here your adventure begins..."

- Arena 's Introduction

is a single-player role-playing video game developed by Bethesda Softworks in March 25, 1994. Arena is the first installment action/adventure RPG fantasy video game series, taking place during the ten years of the Imperial Simulacrum of the Third Era.

Arena was one of the largest games created at the time of its release, if not the largest. In 2004, a downloadable version of the game was made available free of charge as part of the 10th anniversary of The Elder Scrolls series, and must be run using a program called DOSBox.

Disclaimer
This guide is dedicated to instructing the user on how to set up The Elder Scrolls: Arena on any PC by hand through a physical copy of the Floppy Disk/CD-ROM copy, or through the Floppy Disk release set free at ElderScrolls.Bethesda.net/en/Arena. This guide refers to installing the website-provided copy of Arena. Depending on your copy, these instructions may vary.

Despite what others may say, Arena is not difficult to install what-so-ever (especially compared to Daggerfall), it's more or less just time consuming.

This guide also does not apply to the ArenaSetup.exe found from the Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages Project (UESP)/the WiWiLand French Wiki Setup page. While the UESP setup is much simpler in comparison to hand-installing, I dislike it for various reasons, two of which:


 * It's Theoretically Pirating.
 * Bethesda originally made the floppy disk version of Arena free, not the CD-ROM one. While the argument (rightly) stands that Bethesda made Arena as a whole free, and not an individual version, it still doesn't feel right to me, and in my book still counts as pirating.


 * It Leaves A Disgusting Setup Result.
 * The output folder (where Arena is contained) is left as a gross mess of files that I'd rather not mess with, especially if some of the custom options are chosen.

Before we get into the installation, I wanted to discuss the differences of the two main Arena "versions."

Part 0 - Version Differences
Arena has two main "versions" that define which copy of the game you have, one being the original "floppy disk" version, and the other the re-released "CD-ROM" version.

The differences between these two versions are minimal. The floppy disk version is the basic, (usually) 1.06 release of Arena, which is the latest patched floppy disk copy, and the copy that was released on Bethesda's site for a long period of time.

The CD-ROM version is the late-1994 re-release (version 1.70?), which contains updated content not seen on the original 16-floppy-disk copy; which is but not limited to:


 * 1) Voice acting for Jagar Tharn, Ria Silmane and Emperor Uriel Septim VII.
 * 2) Removal of General Talin Warhaft from the ending (but not from the introduction).
 * 3) Remastered, 3D CGI ending cutscene.
 * 4) Updated minor graphics.
 * 5) Removal of the Shift Gate copy-protection in the ending to the first quest, Escape From Prison.

In the end, the overall version doesn't matter; the game generally still plays and runs the same, albeit it with some fixed (and newly added) bugs. Now, it's onto the actual installation.

Part 1 - Extracting Arena
Firstly, you should download your copy of Arena from the Elder Scrolls site.

Since Bethesda is trying to forget Arena ever existed in the first place, the download link to Arena was removed from the page, it can be still directly downloaded here.

Once done so, the user will have a new file named "Arena106Setup.zip." This .ZIP file contains two things:


 * 1) A .EXE file containing the main assets for Arena ("Arena106.exe").
 * A, poorly done, setup guide ("Arena106 Setup.pdf").

The setup guide isn't necessary for what we're doing here. Now, create a folder for the executable where you wish to install Arena. For example, I created my Arena directory in my C:\ folder, under the directory. Since you probably don't want your directory as complicated, creating a simple directory under  will work.

Now, put the executable in the folder and double-click it. This will activate the installer. In it, direct the "Destination folder" to the one you wish to install to, and select "Install" at the bottom right hand. When you click the install button, it will create a folder in  (or whatever folder you selected) and extract the files to that folder, which is what we want.

The installer should automatically exit upon fully installing. Inside your newly created folder, there should be two things now: the Arena106.exe file, and a new folder named "ARENA."

Inside this "ARENA" folder is everything needed for Arena, all the text, locations, music and whatnot. Unless you really know what you're doing (which, if you're using this guide is doubtful), don't touch anything and back out into the previous folder. You wouldn't be able to run Arena normally anyway; it's a 16-bit .exe that doesn't work on modern computers, but we'll get to that later.

I usually create a new folder to dedicate to storing the setup executable and other stuff for Arena, a general folder named "Utilities" (which lies next to the "ARENA" folder), but you can simply delete the executable.

Next, we must install DOSBox, a free DOS emulator to run Arena.

Part 2 - Installing DOSBox
DOSBox is a free DOS emulator, dedicated to running DOS executables, games and whatnot, which is perfect for Arena.

Firstly, go to DOSBox.com. The site is an older one, and was made for smaller windows so on your monitor it may be disproportionate with lots of empty space; this is normal. At the top right, select "Latest version: 0.74." This will bring you to the downloads page.

On the downloads page, look under "DOSBox (specific versions)." This is where you can download DOSBox 0.74, the latest version, for your PC. Since I'm a Windows purist user, I'd use.

The download link will direct you to a SourceForge page, where you can download the installer. If the page isn't loading for you, a direct download link to the two major versions can be found here (though, if you can't load the page I doubt you'll have fun downloading the file):


 * Windows PC Download
 * Macintosh OSX Download

Sadly, the original Linux .RPM file link was shut down. An alternative is found here, but the page I've found to be a tad more confusing. This file is in .DEB:


 * Linux OS Download

Along with the official releases, there are beta community builds named "SVN Builds" which can be pretty useful, some adding things like VSync to DOS, but those are unimportant right now. You can experiment at your own risk when the guide is finished.

Once you have the file downloaded, select the installer and execute DOSBox 66. When installing, it'll ask you to select whether you wish to install the Core Files (unchangeable), and a Desktop Shortcut. The latter isn't needed for what we'll be doing here, but you can choose it if you wish.

At the last portion, the installer will ask you to install DOSBox to. Do so. If you have a 32-bit system, then it should ask to install in. This is also nominal.

When you're finished, enter your DOSBox installation folder, and open up (if you closed it) the window where Arena is installed for you. This beckons the next part of our guide, activating DOSBox with Arena.

Part 3 - Configuring DOSBox and Arena
The method we're doing here is a tad more complex than how you'd generally get DOSBox to work. Unfortunately, most would install DOSBox, and activate the shortcut. Then, they'd have to type in all the commands themselves (or use separate auto-launch config files), and deal with that mess. But our method is better, neater, and more ease-of-life.

Firstly, enter into the folder where you installed Arena (not the "ARENA" folder inside), and make sure there are no loose files whatsoever. Keeping the folder clean is very helpful for the files we're about to do.

Now, create a new text file in your Arena folder.

Name this file whatever you'd like, but make sure it has no spaces in the name. Now, go to your DOSBox installation folder, and double-click the .BAT file named "DOSBox 0.74 Options." This will open the "dosbox-0.74.conf" file. When this configuration is opened, select everything inside (CTRL+A), copy everything inside (CTRL+C), and paste it into your newly created .TXT file in your Arena folder.

Now, in your new .TXT file, click "File" at the top left, "Save As...," then in the save as prompt, name the file anything. For example, I named mine "ARENA-FLOPP.conf."

At the end of your new name, type ".conf," and in the bottom prompt, select "All Files" as your save type. Save it inside your Arena folder. Now you can delete your original .TXT.

Now, open up your new .CONF file. In here will be the basic configuration for Arena, and what'll make it work. Here, I'll go over the most important settings for you to change from the defaults.

SDL
In the [SDL] (or [sdl]) header, change your defaults to match these:

fullscreen=false fulldouble=false fullresolution=desktop windowresolution=original output=ddraw autolock=true sensitivity=100 waitonerror=true priority=highest,normal mapperfile=mapper-0.74.map usescancodes=true

Differences:
 * from  insures that the game matches your monitor, while staying sharp instead of being forced downscale.
 * is subjective per computer, and is required to prevent freezing (in this case, not for all games).
 * If you're on Windows PC, change  to   (DirectDraw).
 * If you're on Macintosh OSX, change  to   (OpenGL, No BilinearFiltering).
 * If you're on Linux OS, I don't know so just do  (OpenGL, No BilinearFiltering).
 * from  sets Arena to be a very high priority for your computer. Arena isn't optimized and runs like crap, this helps.

DOSBOX
In the [DOSBOX] (or [dosbox]) header, change your defaults to match these:

language= machine=svga_s3 captures=capture memsize=32

There's really nothing that should be changed here, but I personally put  to , as Daggerfall and the other games need more.

RENDER
In the [RENDER] (or [render]) header, change your defaults to match these:

frameskip=0 aspect=true scaler=normal3x

4:3! 4:3! 4:3! 4:3! *SCREECH*

This section is the jumbo one, visually. Differences:


 * DOSBox really likes to struggle when being recorded sometimes. Change  to a certain value to skip frames, IF you're recording gameplay.
 * Change  to   This forces the game to run in 4:3, as essentially all DOS games are meant to be played in (as 4:3 monitors were mainly what was available at the time). Being in 4:3 prevents horizontal stretching of the in-game image, and is the standard for The Elder Scrolls Wiki's images for all Older Scrolls games.
 * Change  to  . This increases the size of the window so the game is easier to see, instead of being a tiny window.

CPU
In the [CPU] (or [cpu]) header, change your defaults to match these:

core=dynamic cputype=auto cycles=max cycleup=10 cycledown=20

This is what all Arena players really want to do. Differences:


 * Change  to.
 * Change  to  . This runs the game at the max cycle rate, which usually ends out in 75 FPS when recorded.

Warning! Using these settings will stop how slow Arena is, and will allow you to use full draw distance without slowdowns. But, using these settings will also speed up the world an insane amount. NPCs will move very fast (and so will enemies!), and animations can be very quick. In-game, you can use the plus (+) and minus (-) keys to speed up and slow down the world to your liking.

MIXER
Change nothing here.

MIDI
Change nothing here.

SBLASTER
Personally, I only change one thing here, and it's not important.

sbtype=sb16 sbbase=220 irq=7 dma=1 hdma=5 sbmixer=true oplmode=opl3 oplemu=default oplrate=44100

I change  out of nostalgia. You don't have to.

GUS
Change nothing here.

SPEAKER
Change nothing here.

JOYSTICK
Change nothing here. You can't even use a joystick with Arena anyway...?

SERIAL
Change nothing here.

DOS
Change nothing here.

IPX
Change nothing here.

AUTOEXEC
This is where the fun begins.

Autoexec ("auto execute") is essentially the point of doing this part of the setup. When launching DOSBox with a .CONF file and an autoexec route, the prompt will automatically do commands so the user doesn't have to.

If you've been using the same route for the Arena installation folder, then your Autoexec should be set to this:

MOUNT C: C:\DOS\ARENA -freesize 1024 C: CD\ARENA INSTALL EXIT

An explanation:
 * means that we are telling the program where our virtual C: drive is, and in this case, it's in our Arena folder, with an excess of a Gigabyte of free space (which is wildly uneeded for Arena, but I like the extra space for all my DOS games).
 * tells the prompt to switch the default mount (Z:) to C:.
 * tells the prompt to go into the "ARENA" folder, inside our Arena install folder.
 * tells the game to install, which is what we'll do after the next part.
 * tells the game to close the prompt when the game quits (which doesn't work for the main game [but does with the installer], so this line can be omitted).

When this is inputted, save (CTRL+S) the document, and go back into the Arena install folder.

Final Editing & Shortcut Creation
We're almost done with the folder editing of Arena. Now, right click DOSBox.exe, and click "Create shortcut." Name the shortcut what you like, I usually name it "_Manual Startup." The underscore before "Manual" ensures the shortcut is at the top of the install folders. When you name it, place the shortcut inside your Arena folder.

Right click your shortcut, and click "Properties." Inside the new window, look at the "Target" box. This is where we will define special commands for Arena. Inside the Target box, make sure this is how it looks:

(IF YOU HAVE A 32-bit SYSTEM, IT'LL LIKELY BE:

)

And make sure the box beneath it, "Start in," is this (or wherever your Arena install directory is):


 * Your C: directory can be modified as you need for the "Start in" box, but "Target" MUST direct to your DOSBox folder in Program Files!
 * Your  parameter is 100 percent necessary. Make sure to change the name to what your .CONF is!
 * removes the second, annoying, debug console. The console isn't needed, as DOSBox will already make an output .TXT file of what happens in-game after it's closed.
 * is like the command we put in the .CONF file, it doesn't work for Arena but does for the installer.

Once this is done, you're now ready to finally setup Arena 's settings, and finish installation to start playing.

Part 4 - SoundCard and Musical Options
If you've done everything correctly, your "_Manual Startup" shortcut (or whatever you named it) should have the same icon as the DOSBox.exe's is. Once you've added "INSTALL" to your autoexec route, double click the startup shortcut, and wait for the installer to open up. Do not, whatsoever, touch "Make boot floppy" or "Install game."

The installer window should be a 640x400-sized window, that has lots of blue and white designs. You can only control the installer with your arrow keys, so use your "UP" arrow key, highlight "Configure game," and select it with "ENTER."

In the "Configure game" prompt, select "Select Sound Card," and choose "Sound Blaster or SB16 (or compatible)." The IO will automatically be set to 220, the IRQ to 7, and the DMA to 1. Don't worry about those values, those are normal and nominal.

After you've selected your SoundCard, you'll be forced back to the "Configure game" screen. Select "Select Music Card." This is where a matter of taste comes in.

The original Arena setup guide states that you use SoundBlaster as your music card, as well as your sound card. Doing this outputs AdLib-like music, that's more electronic, with beeps, synthesized sounds and more nostalgic stuff that was common back in the 90s. Alternatively, you could use "General Midi or MPU-401," with the better sounding General Midi equivalent.

While I don't have samples and examples from the game, I do have a wonderful video here that contrasts the differences between AdLib/SB16 and AdLib. This comparison example was uploaded by two users, StoanPhrogg in 2009, and jackoneill45 in 2010, and features a track from Daggerfall, "Track 15" or "Shedungent."

The SoundBlaster Upload:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vIeqK8J3bI

The GeneralMIDI Upload:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Sbd7sVUq-8

Not all GeneralMIDI tracks will sound like this. Shedungent in Daggerfall was never meant to play outside of SoundBlaster, but the representation of the instruments should be well enough, and there are plenty of other comparisons if you need more.

Personally, I use "SoundBlaster or SB16 (or compatible)" on IO 330, IRQ 2, and DMA 1. Once you're done choosing your options, back out of the installer close it. If you left the "EXIT" line in your autoexec (or Target command box), the installer should automatically exit. If not, just type "EXIT" into the command prompt.

'''Warning! (1)' Arena doesn't have the best'' SoundBlaster emulation. Essentially 95% of the tracks work perfectly in-game, but certain tracks will be buggy or bad-sounding, an example being the "snowing" song in a location that snows. The jingle bells in the background will be warped and "ting-y," and not nice to listen to. These errors are fixed in Daggerfall, as all tracks got their own SB16/FM-Synthesis versions along with a GeneralMIDI version.

'''Warning! (2)''' Depending on your Music Card choice, certain songs may not play in-game. The real culprit of this is the dungeon ambiance. If you're using SoundBlaster, you'll likely (and I mean every time) get this good, harpsichord-esque music that fits very well. Sadly, none of the GeneralMIDI music gets pulled over. If you use GeneralMIDI, you get far more variation in the songs you get for dungeon music, but you'll miss out on the classic synthesized sound, and that one harpsichord track. The difference is more and less staggering in Daggerfall.

It's all left to personal taste. Now that configuration is finished, go into your .CONF file, and replace the "INSTALL" line on the [autoexec] section with "ARENA" (no quotation marks). This should launch Arena, and this beckons the next, and final section of this guide, the Comprehensive Explanation and Epilogue of the Arena: a different explanation than at the introduction to this article.

Part 5 - Epilogue
"The best techniques are passed on by the survivors..."

- Gaiden Shinji, Blademaster First Era, 947 Arena, in the main Elder Scrolls series (Elder Scrolls I - VI+), takes part in the earliest time period seen overall, starting at 3E 389. The story goes along ten years, until 3E 399, and is about the Eternal Champion's journey during the Imperial Simulacrum.

The game itself is difficult to master; the controlling and action is odd and reminiscent of Bethesda Softworks' earlier years, and the game doesn't like hold your hand what-so-ever. I've split this part into various sub-sections, where some dedicate themselves to linking to the various pages dedicated to educating the user on the game. Not all do, and I've written out those.

Manual
Before playing Arena, it's important to know the manual, as with all 90s games. An, incomplete version, can be found on Bethesda's site here, and a more complete one (with screwed and unreadable italicized text) can be found here at RiotPixels.

Controls
Arena, as said earlier, can be difficult to control. The control scheme is nothing close to modern games, and will take some practice to learn, which is perfect to do in the first level!

The controls are listed here:

Mouse Controls
Note, any control not listed here that's listed in keyboard controls has no mouse control variant.

Sheath your weapon, then hold left-click, and press right-click.
 * Jumping With Mouse:

Sheath your weapon, put your mouse to the top of the screen, hold the Forward Arrow (left-click), and press right-click when moving forward.
 * Lunging With Mouse:

Character Creation
Character Creation is very important and can be game changing. Nordic Thieves might not do well, but a Redguard Knight will! Be sure to know the basics of how to make a well-rounded character.

Copy-Protection Passwords
On the copy-protected floppy disk version of Arena, during the end to the first quest, there is a copy-protection prompt, asking for a price of a certain spell, legendary or mythical item. In your Arena directory, the file can be found here:. The prices are also listed here:

Final Remarks
And as of now, this concludes setting up "The Older Scrolls: Arena." You've now fully setup Arena, and are ready to play! Be sure to listen to everyone in-game that talks to you, and to take notes on important information you think you may want to recall on!

If you're stuck on a certain section of Arena, not to fear! The quest pages for Arena on The Elder Scrolls Wiki are very comprehensive and filled with information! While some pages are still in-need of a redo, quite a few are finished as of now with walkthroughs and other such!

This guide will be updated minorly as needed.

"Go ye now in peace. Let thy fate be written in the Elder Scrolls..."

__NOWYSIWYG__