I got what I wanted from the Staycation promo, MDK being one of the titles. Naturally, since my hardware is so "advanced" as to not be recognized by MDK, it automatically set the detail and display setting to Low. I want to set all of them to their highest settings for the best possible experience, but there are a couple that I don't know the definition of. Like, in the Direct3D menu there's a setting that says "Kurt is a [Blit/Texture]" and then there's "Masked Textures [Texture alpha/Chroma Keying]" (settings variables in brackets).

I would hazard a guess and say that "Texture" is better than "Blit" as far as what "Kurt is", since "Blit" (as in "Blitter") is old tech even when MDK was new. I don't know what the settings for "Masked Textures" means, but "Chroma Keying" sounds like the term used for green/blue screening "backdrop" environments behind actors. Does "Masked Textures" mean the "back" layer, like when you choose a "background color" in MS Paint to replace the default "white"?

Some people think that Kurt (the main character) looks better as a blit, others a texture. That one is one you'll just have to try for yourself. As for the Masked Texture setting I found this.


http://www.falconfly.de/info/patch-mdkd3d.txt

Masked Textures (Chroma key/texture alpha)
Determines how MDK handles making parts of textures see through.
This is mainly used in the explosion texture. If explosions
have a black outline then this mode is probably set wrong. If
explosions have a black outline even after changing this option
then you need new drivers.

Not sure what OS you're running but I could only get the Direct3D version working properly under XP 32 or 64 bit. Under Vista/Win7 it will usually produce graphical errors. The 3DFX version using nGlide 3DFX glide wrapper will run with flawless graphics in 3D. I don't think you get the 3DFX version of the executable (MDK3DFX.exe) with the GOG release but if not it isn't too hard to find.

I'm running 7 x64. I don't experience any glitches, but I can't tell the difference between Blit/Texture and Texture Alpha/Chroma Keying. I have "Texture Sizes" set to [XL 512x512 -Not 3Dfx].

Also, I'm loathe to go searching for a cracked version of an exe. I'd rather GOG supplied an official version.

This is a setup FAQ for MDK for optimal high settings:
http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=973244

This second link describes most of the options and what to look for if certain graphical bugs happen on the more confusing/non graphical improving but bug squashing settings
http://www.falconfly.de/info/patch-mdkd3d.txt

From the first and second links above it seems you should set the game to Direct3d then change "detail is low" setting to detail is high, then set the other options as such:

Verified ones that improve the game look, set these before playing and don't look back:

Set Bilinear Filtering to on for better filtering.

Set Smooth shaded stream on for better colors/image. If this lags or shows glitches shut it off.

Max texture size set to the highest one obviously.

Screen Fades leave set to on.


These next ones are subject to how your game runs as you play and if glitches appear as you play so set them to one setting before play and change them if glitches appear in-game

Set Masked Textures to the one that works right and displays explosions correctly.....it is used in explosion textures in-game so test each in turn though imo Texture Alpha seems to be the better one to use. More info on this setting in the second link above.

Set Texture Error Detection to Direct 3D....if there's graphical glitches then switch it to the other setting. More info below as well in second link.

Kurt is a blit seems to refer to the player character. Set it to the one you think is best and see how Jurt looks as you play. Then try the other and see which looks best.


(BTW not advocating anything but you DO KNOW Gog uses cracked exes in it's games right, to strip out DRM.)

They're not "cracked", they're licensed. Just like Steam versions of some games have specially licensed exes that'll only run if they detect a Steam Client installation (at which point they have to contact the appropriate Steam server to download a security keybit, etc etc; Unless of course you're in Offline Mode, but they're designed to require you to have logged in at least once every so often).

Actually Gog has admitted to using cracked exes in many of it's games to bypass protection. They just get permission to use them in the games from the rights holders.

But enough about that. The info above should allow you to setup the game correctly and tune it to your rig. Hope it helps.

Hence, "licensed'.

The Steam Forum thread details tweaks for people who experience lag. I have no performance issues at all.

I know but the setup above is what I've gleaned is the best settings from the second link's info on game options and some info gleaned from the first link...most though comes from the second, and the setup I listed will give you the best looking game.

I picked the first link first and then found the second link by accident....though as I said most of the info i'm listing comes from the second so if you want disregard the first link and just focus on the second.

The first set of options I list will definitely improve the game's look/etc if set as I listed. The second list is mainly down to a user's rig and even personal preference and doesn't appear to improve or degrade the game's look much with either setting for those options.

@HampsterStyle

Say I download the 3Dfx exe. How do I mod the desktop shortcut to use it? Currently the shortcut points to ("D:\Program Files (x86)\GOG.com\MDK\gogwrap.exe" GOGMDK).

I can't tell the difference between anything except "Bilinear Filtering On/Off", with just seems to smooth out sprites more when it's on.

The first 4 settings are the best ones for direct3d users in that game. The others(Texture error detection/masked textures) you can switch to either setting to see which makes the game not have any bugs or graphical glitches.

Other than that if the game looks fine then you should be set.

Also did you set the main graphics setting first to high after slecting Direct3d?

Setting it to High was the first thing I did.


I wish BioWare or Beamdog or whomever would get off their ass already and finish the HD versions.

What about trying the various settings on the last few options? Still again it's old yer only gonna get so much out of it.