This is an FPS and Stability fix for TES Arena so you can play at maximum detail with maximum framerate.
Permissions and credits
Credits and distribution permission
Other user's assetsAll the assets in this file belong to the author, or are from free-to-use modder's resources
Upload permissionYou are not allowed to upload this file to other sites under any circumstances
Modification permissionYou are allowed to modify my files and release bug fixes or improve on the features without permission from or credit to me
Conversion permissionYou can convert this file to work with other games as long as you credit me as the creator of the file
Asset use permissionYou are allowed to use the assets in this file without permission or crediting me
Asset use permission in mods/files that are being soldYou are not allowed to use assets from this file in any mods/files that are being sold, for money, on Steam Workshop or other platforms
Asset use permission in mods/files that earn donation pointsYou are allowed to earn Donation Points for your mods if they use my assets
Author notes
Do what you want, you don't have to credit me.
File credits
The original TES Arena batch file belongs to Bethesda. DOSBox belongs to whoever DOSBox belongs to. The changes in the file do not belong to anybody and are free public information.
Donation Points system
This mod is not opted-in to receive Donation Points
Changelogs
Version 1.2.2
Reverted to 1.2 regular. After a few hours of testing, it was confirmed that the /Y switch was creating more problems than it was solving.
Version 1.2.1
Changed "LH ACD.EXE" to "LH ACD.EXE /Y" this was a mistake on my part. Doesn't change FPS or stability, just forces the command so it doesn't accidentally fail.
Version 1.2
This is the FINAL version of this fix. There is no reason to work on it further. You can now play Arena the same way I did as a kid.
-Reduced DOSBox memory alloc from 1024mb to 16mb
-Removed DOS Only mouse.com parameter (Not necessary for win10/11 users)
-Added parameter that loads "ACD.EXE" into high memory (This provides the last few KB that Arena needed to run correctly)
NOTE:
Drop to dos now just returns you to the Main Menu because ACD EXE is running as a system file in high memory. Alt+Enter and close the window manually to exit.
Version 1.1
-Less chance to crash on talking to NPC, lower DOSBox power usage
--Currently working on ArenaBox, a fork of DOSBox intended specifically for TESA--
Ever just been walking around Tamriel when all of a sudden you realize you've been playing at 5fps for 20 hours? Well, those days are gone. This isn't just some cycle rate change, or some unrealistic DOSBox memory increaser. This is a real fix that uses some DOS trickery to give Arena the extra memory it needs to run at full speed. That, by extension, fixes many bugs relating to lack of memory. It doesn't fix everything. Some bugs are just the fault of the game, and others still might be related to some lack of memory. But this is the closest you'll come to a fully playable TESA until something better happens.
IF YOU FEEL LIKE THE GAME IS RUNNING TOO FAST, USE "+" AND "-" TO CHANGE THE GAME SPEED
What does this mod fix? -Open world FPS at maximum detail -Dungeon FPS at maximum detail -Minor crashing caused by lack of memory -"Memory List Blown" bug (not a complete fix, but a lot less likely) -Light and shadow loading issues -Hit detection -Loot spawn rolls -Saving throws
This mod contains a DOSBox config file and an edited Arena batch file. Both of them have been modified to increase the FPS and stability of TES Arena for a more comfortable playing experience.
CHECK KNOWN BUGS IN THE BUG REPORT TAB
Copy the ARENA bat file to "steamapps/common/The Elder Scrolls Arena/ARENA/" folder. Copy the arena conf file to "steamapps/common/The Elder Scrolls Arena/DOSBox-0.74/" folder.