Retro Runbook

Community archive

Keeping Classic Games Alive

Curated guides, patches, and preservation notes for strategy and simulation titles from the golden era of PC gaming.

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Featured Labs

  • The Guild Stable · Updated Jan 2026
  • Caesar III Stable · Augustus fork
  • Settlers II Stable · Return to Roots

About this project

Retro Runbook collects hard-won knowledge about running classic games on modern systems. Each dossier is a self-contained guide covering installation, patches, widescreen fixes, and known issues.

  • Step-by-step walkthroughs tested on Windows 10/11 and Steam Deck.
  • Curated links to official patches, community fixes, and source ports.
  • Compatibility notes for GOG, Steam, and original disc releases.

Recent updates

  • 2026-01-15 Added Steam Deck verification notes to The Guild dossier.
  • 2026-01-10 Caesar III guide updated with Augustus 4.0 build instructions.
  • 2026-01-05 Settlers II page now covers Return to Roots multiplayer setup.
  • 2026-01-01 Site launch with three initial game dossiers.

Quick links

Europa 1400 - The Guild

Medieval life-sim with dynasty building and political intrigue.

Stable

Caesar III

Classic Roman city-builder with open-source engine port.

Stable

The Settlers II

Charming logistics chain builder with HD remake options.

Stable
Game Dossier

Europa 1400 - The Guild

Stable · 2002 · JoWooD · Life-sim · Trade · Intrigue

At a glance

Europa 1400 stitches together city building, life simulation, and political scheming. The game runs natively on modern Windows without any special setup required.

  • Works out of the box on Windows 10/11 - just install and play.
  • Optional: use dxwnd for windowed mode (be careful with Alt+Tab when leaving the game window).
  • GOG Gold Edition is the recommended version - pre-patched and DRM-free.

Run it today

Choose your setup

1.1 GOG Gold Edition (recommended)

Pre-patched and DRM-free - the easiest path.

  1. Install the GOG Gold Edition to any folder (e.g. C:\Games\Europa1400).
  2. Launch Guild.exe - runs natively on Windows 10/11.
  3. No additional patches or compatibility settings needed.

1.2 Windowed Mode (dxwnd)

For multi-monitor setups or Alt+Tab convenience.

  1. Download dxwnd and extract.
  2. Add Guild.exe to dxwnd, enable DirectX hooking.
  3. Set your desired window resolution in dxwnd settings.
  4. Warning: Alt+Tab can cause display issues - minimize via dxwnd tray icon instead.

1.3 Retail Disc

For physical media collectors.

  1. Install from retail Gold disc.
  2. Apply the official 1.05 patch if not Gold Edition.
  3. Optionally apply Unofficial Patch v4.21 for bug fixes.
  4. Mount disc or use no-CD fix for play without media.

Recommended versions

  • GOG Gold Edition - Pre-patched to 1.05 with German and English audio, includes the extra professions DLC, and requires no disc. Best choice.
  • UK Retail Gold + Unofficial Patch 4.21 - Good for language swappers; the community patch bundles the missing Italian strings.
  • Original 2-disc Release - Only worth revisiting for CD music; expect to apply the 1.05 patch manually.

Compatibility notes

  • Windows 10/11 - Runs natively without compatibility settings in most cases.
  • Steam Deck - Works in Desktop Mode with Proton Experimental.
  • Multiplayer - LAN play works via Radmin VPN or similar tunnel software.

Essential patches & mods

  • Unofficial Patch v4.21 - Fixes dozens of scripting bugs, restores cutscene triggers, and adds quality-of-life improvements. Install after the official 1.05 patch (GOG version already includes 1.05).
  • Balance Mod 1.3 - Optional rebalance that adjusts AI trading margins and plague frequency.
  • HD Portrait Pack - Hand-restored character portraits from the German community.

Configs & known issues

  • Corrupt autosaves - Disable autosave in the game options and rely on manual rotating saves; the autosave lockup persists in v1.05.
  • No speech audio - Ensure UseHardware3D=0 in Guild.ini if you experience audio issues.
  • Crash on guild election - Verify that Video\Election contains the BIK files from the Gold Edition.
  • Stuck tutorial - Press F1 to skip to the next instruction if it fails to advance.

Trivia & cutting room floor

  • The shipped English manual references a Guildmaster career that was cut before release; remnants remain as unused voice lines.
  • JoWooD recorded full French VO but never integrated it; community researchers uncovered the files on the German bonus disc.
  • Early previews highlighted a co-op campaign - only the dialogue triggers survive in the game files.

Best links

Game Dossier

Caesar III

WIP · 1998 · Impressions · City-builder · Logistics

At a glance

Caesar III defined the Impressions city-builder template: walker-based services, tiered housing, and micro-managed supply chains. This dossier delivers a stable Windows 10/11 path plus the open-source Julius engine for native widescreen and quality-of-life upgrades.

  • Original 1998 release still runs with minor tweaks; Julius removes the need for wrappers entirely.
  • Augustus fork adds gameplay improvements (roadblocks, new buildings) while staying savegame-compatible.
  • Asset files from GOG or Steam are required - the open engines are not standalone.

Run it today

Choose your engine

1.1 Julius (purist)

Open-source engine that plays exactly like the original with modern quality-of-life.

  1. Purchase the GOG or Steam release and install to C:\Games\Caesar3.
  2. Download Julius from GitHub releases.
  3. Extract to the Caesar III folder and run julius.exe.
  4. Game auto-detects assets and launches in a resizable window.

1.2 Augustus (extended)

Fork of Julius with gameplay improvements while staying savegame-compatible.

  1. Install base game via GOG or Steam as above.
  2. Download Augustus from GitHub releases.
  3. Extract and run augustus.exe - same auto-detection as Julius.
  4. Toggle extra features (roadblocks, new buildings) in the config menu.

1.3 Vanilla (original EXE)

For Steam achievements or nostalgia - requires compatibility tweaks.

  1. Install from GOG/Steam to a simple path.
  2. Set c3.exe to Windows XP SP3 compatibility mode.
  3. Disable "256 colors" and "reduced color mode".
  4. Run as administrator if saves fail to write.

Recommended versions

  • GOG release - DRM-free, includes manual PDF and quick-start card scans.
  • Steam release - Identical game files; achievements work with original EXE only.
  • Original CD - Runs on Windows 10/11 if you apply the 1.1 patch; CD audio requires a no-CD fix or ripping tracks to MP3.

Compatibility notes

  • Windows 11 - Julius runs natively at any resolution; vanilla EXE needs Windows XP SP3 compatibility mode and 256-color disabled.
  • Linux / Steam Deck - Julius has native Linux builds; no Proton needed.
  • macOS - Julius provides universal binaries for Intel and Apple Silicon.
  • High-DPI displays - Julius scales UI automatically; vanilla EXE text becomes unreadable above 1080p.

Essential patches & mods

  • Julius - Open-source engine replacement. Adds widescreen, windowed mode, and right-click panning with zero gameplay changes.
  • Augustus - Extends Julius with roadblocks, global labor pool, and new monuments. Toggle extras in the config menu to stay closer to vanilla if desired.
  • GT Texture Pack - Community-upscaled sprites; drop into julius/assets and enable in settings.
  • Custom maps - Heaven Games vault hosts hundreds of fan scenarios compatible with both engines.

Configs & known issues

  • No sound - Vanilla EXE occasionally mutes on modern audio stacks; switch to Julius or run in Windows XP compatibility mode.
  • Walker freezes - Large cities can stall walkers if road networks form dead-ends; Augustus adds a global walker cap toggle.
  • Save corruption - Rare with Julius; keep manual backups in %APPDATA%\julius\saves.
  • Slow simulation - The original runs at fixed 30 FPS; Augustus includes a speed-up hotkey (Ctrl+1 through Ctrl+4).

Trivia & cutting room floor

  • Impressions developed Caesar III while simultaneously building Pharaoh - both share the walker engine.
  • Unused sound files hint at additional advisor voice lines that never shipped.
  • The German release included an exclusive scenario set during the Germanic Wars, later fan-translated to English.
  • Debug menus remain in the original EXE and can be activated via hex edit - maps to any mission select screen.

Best links

Game Dossier

The Settlers II

Notes-only · 1996 · Blue Byte · Logistics · Charm

At a glance

Settlers II perfected the peaceful supply-chain sim: roads fill with marching carriers, mines feed forges, and bakeries keep soldiers happy. This dossier compares DOS, Gold, and History Edition routes so you can pick the path that fits your setup.

  • DOS original via DOSBox offers the authentic 1996 experience with optional CD audio.
  • Gold Edition (Windows 95) bundles the Mission CD expansion and runs in DOSBox or natively with wrappers.
  • History Edition (Ubisoft Connect, 2018) adds widescreen and modern OS support out of the box.
  • Return to the Roots - open-source engine rewrite with multiplayer, AI upgrades, and Linux/macOS builds.

Run it today

Choose your path

1.1 History Edition (easiest)

Official Ubisoft remaster - native modern support.

  1. Purchase on Ubisoft Connect and install.
  2. Launch directly - native 1080p and achievements built-in.
  3. Includes Gold Edition content out of the box.

1.2 Return to the Roots (open-source)

Community engine with multiplayer and modding support.

  1. Download from rttr.info.
  2. Copy your original DATA and GFX folders into the RttR directory.
  3. Run s25client - supports randomized maps and online play.
  4. Works on Windows, Linux, and macOS natively.

1.3 DOSBox (purist)

Original DOS experience with CD audio.

  1. Install DOSBox Staging.
  2. Mount the game folder and run S2.EXE.
  3. For CD audio: mount d X:\ -t cdrom.
  4. GOG Gold Edition comes pre-configured for DOSBox.

1.4 Windows 95 EXE (dgVoodoo)

For Gold Edition without DOSBox.

  1. Download dgVoodoo 2.
  2. Copy dgVoodoo DLLs to the game folder.
  3. Set compatibility to Windows 98, run as admin.
  4. Configure dgVoodoo for your resolution preferences.

Recommended versions

  • History Edition - Best pick for hassle-free play; includes Gold content and runs natively.
  • GOG Gold Edition - DOSBox bundle with pre-configured settings; great for purists.
  • Original DOS release - Only if you own physical media and want CD-quality redbook audio.
  • Return to the Roots - Recommended for multiplayer, randomized maps, and modding; requires base game assets.

Compatibility notes

  • Windows 11 - History Edition runs perfectly; DOS/Gold require DOSBox or RttR.
  • Linux / Steam Deck - History Edition via Proton works; RttR has native Linux builds.
  • macOS - RttR provides macOS binaries; History Edition needs Crossover or similar.
  • High-DPI - History Edition scales UI; DOSBox can use pixel-perfect scaling with output=openglpp.

Essential patches & mods

  • Return to the Roots - Full engine rewrite; adds smarter AI, larger maps, and online multiplayer.
  • Settlers II.5 RttR mod - Fan expansion with new nations and buildings; bundled in recent RttR builds.
  • HD texture packs - Community-upscaled sprites available on the RttR forums.
  • Map packs - Settlers World and RttR archives host hundreds of custom scenarios.

Configs & known issues

  • Stuck carriers - Long roads without flags cause traffic jams; add flags every 3-4 tiles.
  • Desync in multiplayer - History Edition occasionally desyncs; RttR is more stable for online games.
  • No music - DOS version needs cdrom mount in DOSBox; alternatively rip CD tracks to OGG.
  • Slow late-game - Large maps crawl on original engines; RttR runs faster on modern CPUs.

Trivia & cutting room floor

  • Blue Byte recorded unique ambient sounds per terrain type - snow, swamp, desert - rarely noticed during normal play.
  • The Japanese version replaced some military animations to satisfy regional ratings.
  • Unused sprites for a planned "Merchant" carrier remain in the Gold Edition data files.
  • Settlers II was among the first German games to feature full English voice acting for export.

Best links

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Project overview

Project Status

Game Dossiers

Game Status Install Guide Patches Trivia
Europa 1400 - The Guild Stable Complete Complete Complete
Caesar III WIP Complete Complete Partial
Settlers II Notes-only Complete Partial Partial

Status Legend

Stable
Fully documented, regularly retested, ready to use.
WIP
Running build verified; documentation in progress.
Notes-only
Research notes collected; not yet tutorial-ready.
The runbook explained

About Retro Runbook

Mission

Retro Runbook exists to document working install paths, community patches, and quality-of-life tweaks for classic strategy and simulation games. Each dossier is tested on real hardware before publication and retested whenever major OS updates land.

  • No speculative fixes - every step is verified.
  • No ads, trackers, or affiliate links.
  • Public domain content - copy, fork, remix at will.

Scope

The site focuses on a handful of titles the maintainer actively plays. Quality over quantity: a game only appears here if it has a stable, documented build that runs today.

Tech stack

  • Static HTML/CSS - no frameworks, no build steps.
  • Hosted on Neocities for simplicity and longevity.
  • Fonts: Press Start 2P (headings/captions), Space Grotesk (body).

License

All original text and code on Retro Runbook is released into the public domain via CC0 1.0. Game names, logos, and screenshots remain property of their respective owners and are used here for commentary and education under fair use.

Portal roundup

Curated Links

General resources

  • PCGamingWiki - Community-driven fixes for thousands of PC games.
  • GOG.com - DRM-free classics with pre-configured DOSBox setups.
  • DOSBox - DOS emulator powering most retro releases.
  • DOSBox Staging - Modern fork with better defaults and scaling.

Europa 1400 - The Guild

Caesar III

Settlers II