This is the first game I've bought on GOG that has trouble running and its making me sad. The game will sometimes crash after I select an option from the title screen and it will always crash if I visit an event site i.e. ruins, node, tower. I'm not sure how to change settings in dosbox or even what the problem is. I'm also curious if anyone else has dealt with this issue. Oh and fyi I'm playing it under Windows XP.

Have you already tried making a shortcut to it, then right clicking on the shortcut and checking compatibility mode for windows xp service pack 2?

I installed this on a second Windows XP machine, and I get a strange crash when I explore a sorcery node containing a djinni.

I experiece the same crash on the [O]fficial GOG patch, and unofficial 140h.

I've tried all four options in the "compatibility" pulldown, yet the savegame reliably crashes.

If someone is interested and provides instruction, I'll upload the save file.

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Update

I messed with the conf file per the instructions in this thread:
http://www.gog.com/en/forum/master_of_magic/learn_to_configure_things_correctly_get_better_music_and_graphics

I altered the midi driver AND the output/scaling. My crash is no longer reproducable.

I'm sure thats what it is running under.I have windows XP with service pack 3 and I have tried running compatibility on every option from windows 95 to windows 2000. I've noticed its not always the first ruin site that I visit sometimes I can play over an hour before there is a problem. I have tried reinstalling and using the unofficial patch and it has made no difference.

A possible solution for players experiencing a crash at the intro screens:

I'm running WinXP Pro SP3

Was crashing at the intro screens. I followed various instructions here. Nothing I tried helped. Then I went to Start Menu / All Programs. Then the GOG.com folder to the Master of Magic folder. Then click on "Graphic mode setup". A small window will pop up which allows you to change the graphic mode. Mine was defaulted to Overlay. I selected DDraw then clicked Launch. The game runs fine now.

You might try this if your having graphics problems. If DDraw doesn't work for you, try another. NOTE: I just blindly stumbled my way to this fix. I don't understand what the graphic modes really are. People with more knowledge will have better advice. But I didn't find their solution to my problem so I thought I'd share this with you in case it helps :~)

If you can do without sound you can turn it off in dosbox.then just use Windows XP by going to magic exe and putting all memory to auto.You don't have to do anything else although it doesn't need extended memory or protected mode. It does crash now and then but saves and just using a different army makeup usually fixes any battle that needs redoing because of a crash.
I also use vdm sound for music only,no sound effects if I am in the mood.
Sometimes dosbox is just too slow going to the next turn.
I always turn off movement animations as well, find it doesn't detract from the game while adding a lot of speed to the fights.