Accoriding to WineHQ, the game does run in WINE on Linux, so you could try that as a workaround. If needed, you can use a live CD, but make sure the wine prefix does not point to the actual Windows installation.

I don't have any kind of Linux installation operating; unfortunately. If I do decide to use Linux, I will likely use a USB boot drive.

Right Click properties, Compatibilty Mode Windows 7: run as admin. Ran perfectly fine..

The problem is that its from an Unknown Publisher, so its throwing an admin problem. Just realized that after looking at the error

*Edit* Noticed new lag as well... So had to run it with -no3d and -doublebuffer.. didn't need it on windows 7.

I have Win 7 compatibility on, -no3d and -doublebuffer added (no idea if they do anything, since I still kept having the issue until this next bit) and then I set it to run in "maximized" windowed mode. After I set it to maximized windowed mode, suddenly the black screen problem went away.

That actually worked, thanks.

Those two console commands do a few things to the engine of the game itself you wanted to know:

-no3d
Play the game in safe mode (software renderer).

-doublebuffer
Double buffer. May increase performance.

There are a ton more but are not as useful for daily use: Terra-Arcanum

Sweet, will definitely look into them.

Is this confirmed on both Galaxy and installer versions? From the description in the first post, it might be the same problem as in http://www.gog.com/forum/arcanum_of_steamworks_and_magick_obscura/problem_play_screen_just_a_blur/post2

Mines was the gog download. Not galaxy (don't want another client to download games). UAP and widescreen mod and effects mod. Then the backup arcanum is gog vanilla no mods. Same issue on both

So, for the idiots in the room:

Where do I enter the commands -no3d and -doublebuffer?

- Locate the shortcut to the video game on your desktop or, if not present, create a new one.
- Right click the file and select Properties.
- Under the Shortcut tab, you will see an area that says Target, this will list the exact location of the executable file within quotation marks.
- Modify the Target adding the upsaid command line parameters after the last quotation mark.
- Press apply and start your game via the shortcut.

No shame in not knowing; doesn't make you an idiot. Someone had to walk me through it as well.

Right-click the Arcanum icon, and select Properties. Click the Shortcut tab, and add the commands to the end of the text in the Target box. If done correctly, it should look something like this (including the quotes, which are important):

"C:\GOG Games\Arcanum\Arcanum.exe" -no3d -scrolldist:0 -scrollfps:70

Hope that helps.

Thanks, guys. Worked like a charm. Good to see the community is still alive.

Unofficial patch did the trick for me!