MTW on windows 8.1

[Gilrandir]

My old computer died so I got a new one. The old one had XP and I could play MTW. The new one has Windows 8.1 64 bit (whatever it means) and MTW doesn't seem to agree with it. It starts but after the initial videos are through there is a CTD. On the advice of a colleague I dawdled with compatibility and ran the game trying all the options (XP, Windows 98, Vista and all modifications) that were on the list but it didn't change anything. Is there any chance I can still play it? I would be grateful for any tip that will take into consideration my lame skills of working with computers.

[drone]

As far as I know, the Steam version is the only one that works on 8.1 (and I think that's broken for Win 10, not sure though).

[Axalon]

People who have OS W8 (any kind).... The MTW-options are basically...

• Buy and start using Steam™ MTW-version (for better or worse)...
• Buy and install W7 32/64bit (preferably on discs, and then play MTW again - without Steam - using unofficial fixes or mods for better performance (or get used to typical repeated/regular crashes). Resolution max 1600x1200. Assuming there are no hardware problems, GFX primarily).
• Quit playing MTW permanently (any version)...

- A

[Gilrandir]

As far as I know, the Steam version is the only one that works on 8.1 (and I think that's broken for Win 10, not sure though).

Having almost zero level of computer literacy I would venture to ask what is the Steam version and how one can get it. Remember, that all explanations must be foolproof.

[drone]

Steam is Valve's content delivery system. http://store.steampowered.com/about/ Tons of games from a wide variety of publishers, some decent deals, not too bad DRM. They got the rights recently to sell MTW/STW (they have had all the other TW games for a while) and patched them to run on Win 8. MTW is currently $10 US on Steam, not sure what the Ukrainian price would be.

[Gilrandir]

I bought the game and started a campaign (the Northumbrian one). From time to time there happened a CTD (on transition from the campaign map to the battle screen), but when I started the campaign again it went on OK. But now the game is completely stalled since the CTD happens everytime I try to go on with the campaign. I have two files saved that cured this problem when I had the game on XP. One of them is called button _ipnext.BIF, the second button_ipprev.bif. They are supposed to be downloaded into the file campmap/buttons.

My question: can they cure my current game or would they harm it? And if they do harm it, does it mean I will have to buy the game again?

[Stazi]

My question: can they cure my current game or would they harm it? And if they do harm it, does it mean I will have to buy the game again?

Those files can't harm the game or your saves. Make backup of the old ones and try them. They probably won't make a difference but.. who knows. I've bought my copy of Steam MTW like two weeks ago and I've been testing it till now (mainly with Redux mod). Steam release has a new, rewritten graphic engine which gives you significantly better performance. Especially, late game campaign map with huge amount of units' stacks, agents, castles etc. works a lot faster, smoother. Of course the new engine brings their own bugs. The patch CA released 3 months ago helped some people and broke the game for the others so CA gave us a roll back option. If the latest version crashes for you, try restore a previous version. Here is the thread on the official TW forum.
Just remember two things: 1. right-clicking can be deadly , 2. Radeon/AMD is still superior to all other video chips manufacturers when trying to play MTW.