Download dgVoodoo2 (latest version is 2.7) from.

dll files into the './SpaceEmpiresV/SE5' directory so that they are in the same directory as the game executable Extract Zip file and keep only 2 files: d3d9.dll and wined3d.dll.

Download Vulkan wrapper version 5.14 staging from.

Wait for 'Direct Play' install to complete then reboot PC.

Find 'Legacy Components' and select 'Direct Play'.

Click on 'Turn Windows features on or off'.

Open the Control Panel and find 'Programs and Features'.

On Windows 8.1/10 if you get 'dplayx.dll not loaded' error, you can fix it by following the steps below:.

Testers have reported that going above resolutions of 1280x1024 / 1280x720 (4:3 / 16:9) seems to come with major fps loss.

The only difference between LOW/MED/HIGH graphics settings is fps loss so I always run in LOW going higher then LOW causes to much fps loss.

If fullscreen is preferred a tool that makes windowed games fullscreen is a good workaround (Ex BorderlessGaming).

No matter the resolution you want to play in, the default fullscreen mode causes fps loss, therefore using windowed mode is preferred.

Running a old Intel i7 2600k 4.8ghz CPU w/16GB ram, and Nvidia 2070 Super GPU.Īt 1080p 1000+ fps in the menu, 60~ fps in system map and fps drops to 30~ in the ship designer.Īt 1080p 2000+ fps in the menu, 120~ fps in system map and fps drops to 60~ in the ship designer. SE5 appears to work better with a DirectDraw/DX to OpenGL/Vulkan translation wrapper. I don't typically write steam guides so please forgive any formatting/spelling mistakes. I wrote this guide originally because when I wanted to play SE5 there was no guide on Steam to get SE5 running better.

Space empires 2