Original source: https://www.gog.com/forum/general/directdraw_fix_configurations

Hey guys, inspired by this other thread I found a way to make MAX 2 work again. I'm running this game on Linux under Wine, so maybe these problems were specific to me and they don't happen on Windows. In any case, here is what to do in order to make the game work on Wine (also applies to Windows!!) Usually for these kind of problems DXWND is able to fix it for me, but this time it couldn't hook Ddraw for some reason, it became extremely slow.

1) Download ddwrapper: http://bitpatch.com/ddwrapper.html

2) Put its files inside the game's directory (DDRAW.DLL and AQRIT.CFG)

2B) Additional step for Wine only: using Winecfg, add new library override for MAX2.EXE for ddraw.dll (you need to type it, it's not available for quick selection, a warning will appear, click Yes) set for "Native then Builtin"

3) Open AQRIT.CFG and paste these values there:

RealDDrawPath = AUTO
BltMirror = 0
BltNoTearing = 1
ColorFix = 0
DisableHighDpiScaling = 1
FakeVsync = 1
FakeVsyncInterval = 20
ForceBltNoTearing = 1
ForceDirectDrawEmulation = 1
NoVideoMemory = 0
SingleProcAffinity = 1
ShowFPS = 15

3B) If it works, you'll see a small box in the corner showing the framerate, it's a sign that the wrapper it's active ("hooked")

4) Run the game directly from MAX2.EXE Should be working now. Couldn't find a way to make "forced Vsync" to work, my framerate still fluctuates a lot particularly when I move the mouse, but it's much more under control than before.

Additional fix for touchpad or mouse sensitivity issues: (Linux only)
If you feel your mouse movement is very "touchy" or if it has a sort of "deadzone" like it doesn't register small movements, or diagonal movement, this fix should help you. This applies to other games like World of Warcraft or Icewind Dale.
1) Open a terminal window, run this command there: export SDL_MOUSE_RELATIVE=0
2) Without closing the same terminal window, run Wine from there: "wine explorer"
3) With explorer open, go to game's folder and start MAX2.EXE
4) "Virtual Desktop" option is not needed, game goes into fullscreen stretched
5) If mouse is still overly sensitive, try working around with XINPUT using these commands:
xinput list
xinput list-props <device number>
sudo xinput --set-prop <device> <property name or number> <value desired>
For my specific touchpad, these values worked not greatly but still better than before:
Device Accel Profile (262): 0
Device Accel Constant Deceleration (263): 2.000000
Device Accel Adaptive Deceleration (264): 4.000000
Device Accel Velocity Scaling (265): 6.000000

This is the only game to date which DXWND was not able to help me, I wonder what kind of sorcery the developers did with DirectX/DirectDraw in this game LOL

Oops, forgot to mention another error that happen on Linux Wine: game doesn't even start with the "screen init failed" error message. You gotta hex edit MAX2.EXE and change the value at address 69D2F from "05" to "00"
This makes the EXE bypass DirectDraw version verification.
Infinite blessings and gratitude for all nerdy people out there who figure this stuff out for us xDDDDDD

Hi,

I run MAX 2 on Windows 10 with any issues so I'd assume it's a Linux only issue.

Missed the reply... Do the mouse works 100% fine on your end? Or is it kinda loose?
edit: Playing the campaign for the very first time ever, only played free missions before... Couldn't even figure out how to win the very first mission xDDD What a boring way to start a game, I don't know what the devs were thinking... Do I have to hunt down and kill every Scout on the map to finish the first mission? That will take a looong time with slow tanks... Wow

WinXP dinosaur here.

Never had any issues with MAX2. Beware though that GOG sells v1.0 while the last patch is 1.4.

https://www.gog.com/forum/m_a_x_series/max2_patch_140

Check out an article on it to fixddraw.dll or to try installing or replacing the file to fix it.

News exclusive to Linux:

1) New computer, new distro, new version of Wine... Seems like newer versions of Wine don't have that other Ddraw wrapper working (aqrit.cfg) The one that works with newer versions of Wine is CnC-Ddraw, this one works

Addendum:
Using CnC-Ddraw, in order to play the game on Window mode having custom resolution and having Aspect Ratio enabled, solution is to press ALT+Enter to go into Fullscreen and once again ALT+Enter to go back in Windowed mode, the window will now be at the correct size, and not stretched like before.

2) DO NOT EVER modify your MAX2.INI file using Linux text editors.
Doing so will result in a text file that the game can't comprehend as a native Windows text file.
For modifying INI files, open the files inside of Wine itself.
Another one of the many ways Linux makes things more difficult than they needed to be
Can't even handle Text files without screwing up LOL What a mess

If you accidently modified the INI file and it's too late, simply rename/delete the file. The game will create a new fresh INI file at launch. Otherwise the game won't even initialize anymore:

0009:fixme:exec:SHELL_execute flags ignored: 0x0000000c
006e:err:seh:setup_exception_record stack overflow 1488 bytes in thread 006e eip 7bc68736 esp 00240d60 stack 0x240000-0x241000-0x340000

Completely fixed by letting the game create a new fresh INI file.

I wouldn't be certain that Linux is to blame... this sounds like it might be the below disagreement about standards ?
https://www.theregister.com/2018/05/08/windows_notepad_unix_linux_macos/
(Note that MacOS used to have yet a 3rd way to do line endings ! XD)