PSA to all P-Server owners: allow the use of dgVoodoo2

[OrdLordDaddy]

dgVoodoo2 is a free programme that allows many older games to run smoothly in DX12 or DX11 mode, or if they don't even run on Windows 10 anymore, it can, depending on the game, allow it to run again.

For Ragnarok dgVoodoo2 is such an incredible QOL, as it allows for constant stable FPS of at least 60 or higher, regardless of what is going on.
Meaning, you can have like 20 Storm Gusts and explosions and whatever on screen, it will stay stable and smooth. (even the old confusion effect runs smoothly with it)
As it makes the game run in DX12 mode, it will also allow the use of things such as "Radeon/NVIDIA Image Sharpening" from your graphics cards control panel. (usually a 20% sharpening effect seems to be nice to look at)


Unfortunately, many people don't seem to even know about dgVoodoo2 and servers that have gepard shield make it unusable, as it moves the required .dll's into a trash folder.


Here is a small video on how smooth the game can run with the use of dgVoodoo2:
https://imgur.com/a/SQzXbXP
(on higher Hz monitors, +75Hz, is when it shows the biggest difference in smoothness)

The standard Direct3D mode together with the gepard "!vsync off" doesn't even come close to the smoothness and most importantly stable FPS you get from dgVoodoo2 running the game in DX12 mode.
dgVoodoo2 is a day and night difference to how smooth the game runs when compared without it.
Imo it's one of the most important QOLs to enjoy the game, I personally cannot stand the stuttery mess that is Ragnarok without the use of dgVoodoo2.
You do not know what a smooth Ragnarok experience is unless you have tested it at least once.

Even on servers that have gone all in in modifying and optimizing the game client itself it will still improve the game experience so much, simply because the game now runs in DirectX12 mode.


This is the dgVoodoo2 website:

http://dege.freeweb.hu/dgVoodoo2/dgVoodoo2/

And here is a picture guide on how to set it up proper:
https://imgur.com/a/eJ77DMJ

Short guide:
Download latest dgVoodoo2
Open the folder "...MS/x86/"
Copy all .dll's into the Ragnarok folder
Start "dgVoodooCpl" -> Click on "Add" and choose the Ragnarok folder
Set the settings the way they are here:



Additionally to the settings shown there, I also have the "force v-Sync" box checked at the end, as it makes it even smoother on my 75Hz monitor.

Please, if you own a p-server, allow the use of dgVoodoo2.
In fact I would recommend to have it bundled and pre-configured (as shown in the picture guide) with the download of the game client.
Either that, or add an additional info about dgVoodoo2 on your p-servers download page that recommends the use of it, for the improved and stable FPS. (on AMD this does wonders)

[distilled1]

Here is a small video on how smooth the game can run with the use of dgVoodoo2:
https://imgur.com/a/SQzXbXP

My ragnarok game runs that smooth by simply typing /skip into the main chat every time I run the game because the /skip command turns off RO's built-in frame-skipping which is always turned on by default.
It also helps to disable nagle's algorithm if you're using windows operating systems.

I thought the point of using this dgVoodoo2 was mainly so people didn't have to press CTRL+ALT+DEL in order for the sprites to look normal in modern windows operating systems.

[OrdLordDaddy]

My ragnarok game runs that smooth by simply typing /skip into the main chat every time I run the game because the /skip command turns off RO's built-in frame-skipping which is always turned on by default.
It also helps to disable nagle's algorithm if you're using windows operating systems.

I thought the point of using this dgVoodoo2 was mainly so people didn't have to press CTRL+ALT+DEL in order for the sprites to look normal in modern windows operating systems.

Give it a try, you will instantly feel the smoother experience with dgVoodoo2.
NVIDIA graphics cards probably have less of a stuttery experience when playing Ragnarok without it, but even on them you will notice a vast improvement.

Also yes, dgVoodoo2 can help with sprite errors as well.
Any older game will benefit from it either in running smoothly or without graphical glitches or both.

[distilled1]

The thing is, I have tried it in the past when I played on OriginsRO, and it didn't make any difference as far as frames per second or "smoothness" was concerned.
The only thing it did to benefit me was fixing the sprites automatically, but I could fix them manually by using the CTRL+ALT+DEL trick anyway. It just saved me a second.

My question to you is: have you tried simply using the /skip command? Toggling it on and off and comparing the difference in frames?
I have a hunch it's the same effect you'd get installing DgVoodoo2. Not that it isn't more convenient to have these sprites and frame issues corrected automatically.
I advocate for them being fixed automatically, but I'm just saying that it's not completely necessary for an optimal RO experience when people can already use the CTRL+ALT+DEL trick, and the /skip command.

[Sysq0]

whether it helps you or not, or only saves you a second of work, this is great stuff.
@OrdLordDaddy thanks for bringing it to our attention. it can possibly help people who want to work/run servers with older clients