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Category: Main Games Fallout 3 1.7 and GOTY

Fallout 3

Fallout 3 DVD and Steam version. Including all 5 DLCs or Game of the Year Edition.

When adding test results please specify video card and driver version you are using.

Follow the guide located below the bug list for installation instructions!

Application Details:

Version: 1.7 and GOTY
License: Retail
URL: http://fallout.bethsoft.com/
Votes: 140
Latest Rating: Platinum
Latest Wine Version Tested: 9.7

Maintainers: About Maintainership

Test Results

Old test results
The test results you have selected are very old and may not represent the current state of Wine.
Selected Test Results

What works

The game works flawlessly on MacBook Aluminium (with NVIDIA GeForce 9400M) after I followed the HOWTO to the letter -- except in addition to the WinD3D patch I also applied the mouse patch to not have the mouse pointer stuck in the center and to enable lockpicking.

What does not

Did not notice anything.

Workarounds

What was not tested

Didn't complete the game, but played about two days anyway.

Hardware tested

Graphics:

  • GPU:
  • Driver:

Additional Comments

VideoDescription and VideoDriver registry keys were crucial to success, which I did not realize at first.

selected in Test Results table below
Operating systemTest dateWine versionInstalls?Runs?Used
Workaround?
RatingSubmitter
ShowFedora Silverblue 39Apr 29 20249.7Yes Yes NoPlatinumAlex Arnold 
ShowManjaro Linux 21.3Jul 07 20227.11Yes Yes YesBronzeBob Niemöller 
ShowLinux Mint 20.2 "Uma"Nov 25 20216.0.2Yes Yes NoSilverMuhibbi J 
ShowLinux Mint 19.1 "Tessa"Feb 17 20194.0-stagingYes Yes YesSilveradamhm 
ShowUbuntu 18.10 "Cosmic" amd64 (+variants like Kubuntu)Feb 01 20194.0-stagingYes Yes YesGoldJacopo 

Known Bugs

Bug # Description Status Resolution Other apps affected
23532 Provide offline implementation of Games For Windows Live (GFWL) 'xlive.dll' -> 'XLiveless' (Fallout 3, Batman, GTA IV) REOPENED View
30639 Audio stuttering and performance drops in Star Wolves 3 STAGED View
37508 Some Bethesda games sometimes freeze during gameplay UNCONFIRMED View
43075 Fallout 3 crashes un Ultra settings at 1440p: err:d3d:resource_init Failed to allocate system memory UNCONFIRMED View
43105 Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, and Skyrim crash when the Steam overlay is opened on macOS UNCONFIRMED View
43477 Fallout 3 crashes after a short time UNCONFIRMED View
56676 native wayland resolution conflicts with 32bit games on wow64 grabs input UNCONFIRMED View
56748 Quartz errors on fallout 3 when using Apple silicon NEEDINFO View
56756 Support the asahi gpu driver NEEDINFO View
57207 Fallout 3: Regression spams console with errors UNCONFIRMED View

Show all bugs

HowTo / Notes

Fallout 3 GOTY Installation Guide

Last updated 2014-07-21 by Jonas Jelten

Fallout 3 GOTY installation guide

This guide works with a completely fresh 64bit (x86_64) wineprefix.
DO NOT SET WINEARCH=win32

The guide was created using wine-1.5.17 on Funtoo GNU/Linux x86_64.
It should also work on other GNU/Linux distributions.

32bit x86 will probably not be supported.
This means: I assume you are under x86_64 (aka 64 bit system)

==> You have to install x86 libraries for Fallout, as it is a 32-bit game

  • On Debian-based systems (ubuntu,mint,etc): install ia32-libs
  • On Archlinux: enable [multilib] repo and install lib32-...
  • On Funtoo/Gentoo: enable USE=abi_x86_32 for wine or install app-emulation/emul-linux-...

And so on, you get the point. Refer to your distribution FAQ or forum for help and support installing x86 libraries on x86_64.


Look at the test results/bugs below for version changes affecting Fallout 3.

== DVD/Steam version

  • If you own the Steam version, just follow this guide.
  • If you have the DVD version, use your brain, and also follow this guide. Apply the 1.7 patch after you finished the installation process by DVD. 

== Overview of installation steps

  • Create wineprefix
  • Configure wineprefix
  • Install fonts
  • Download, install, run Steam
  • Download the game
  • Start the game for automatic dependency installation
  • Install missing dependencies (msasn)
  • Run the game for creating FALLOUT.ini
  • Patch FALLOUT.ini
  • Run and play the game.

== About this guide

The following text block is a shell command. You have to execute them with your terminal (xterm, gnome-terminal, urxvt, ...).

Search on the web or ask in the forums if you need help.

echo "This is shell code, execute it in a terminal!"

== Create a fresh wineprefix

This guide assumes you create a fresh wineprefix.

export WINEPREFIX=~/.wine-fallout3

  • This command sets a environment variable
  • It is used by all wine programs to know where the "Windows installation" is located.

Make sure the wineprefix is set correctly all the time you execute wine and fallout-related commands!

  • you can check whether you have set it correctly by:

echo $WINEPREFIX

  • This should print your installation directory name

== Configure this wineprefix

Now we create a new "Windows installation" and customize its behaviour.

winecfg

  • Default Windows Version: Windows XP
  • Under "Graphics"
    • Activate "Automatically capture the mouse in full-screen windows"

  • Under "Desktop Integration":
    • Default save-file path will be ~/My Games/Fallout3/
    • You can change the location for the configuration/save files:
    • Set "My Documents" to the desired path (optional).
    • This will result in save-files and settings being saved to this directory

== Install fonts

  • This is distribution specific. Ask in your distro forum for installation help
  • you need the following fonts:
    • ttf-dejavu
    • ttf-bitstream-vera
    • corefonts (arial, times, ...)
== Download Steam

DVD version: skip this step.

cd /tmp && wget http://cdn.steampowered.com/download/SteamInstall.msi && msiexec /i SteamInstall.msi

  • Install Steam to C:\Steam
    • The spaces in "Program Files (x86)" cause problems sometimes...
== Launch Steam

cd $WINEPREFIX/drive_c/Steam && wine Steam.exe -no-dwrite

  • log into your steam account
  • Steam can be left open for the whole installation procedure.
== Download the Game
  • Steam version: Download Fallout3 - Game of the Year Edition 
  • DVD version: insert DVD, mount it, and execute the installer:

wine /mountpoint/of/game/dvd/setup.exe

== Launch the Game
  • Steam version:
    • To install the first set of dependencies, launch the Game.
    • Steam will install .Net, DirectX and Games for Windows Live.
    • Quit the opening Fallout launcher, if it shows up!
  • DVD version:
    • Do nothing.
== Install dependencies
  • Download msasn1.dll and move to "C:/windows/syswow64"

curl http://www.dllbank.com/zip/m/msasn1.dll.zip | funzip > $WINEPREFIX/drive_c/windows/syswow64/msasn1.dll

wget -O /tmp/gfw.exe http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/5/8/55846E20-4A46-4EF8-B272-7F988BC9090A/gfwlivesetupmin.exe && wine /tmp/gfw.exe /nodotnet

== Run the Game
  • Steam version: Click run game in your game library
  • DVD version only:

wine "$WINEPREFIX/.drive_c/Program Files (x86)/Bethesda Softworks/Fallout 3/FalloutLauncher.exe

  • The launcher will open
  • enable all data files (these are the DLCs)
  • configure options -> adjust graphics settings etc.
  • ~/My Games/Fallout3/FALLOUT.ini has been created now
    • If you changed "My Documents" path in winecfg before, the config will be in there.
== Configure Fallout.ini

cd "~/My Games/Fallout3/" && curl "http://pastebin.com/download.php?i=SVqfWG0K" | patch

  • This patch adds multicore support, and disables water refractions.
  • If you chose another game-save-file path ("My Documents"), change the cd command path appropriately

== (optional) Install uncut patch

This patch replaces four game files, removes censorshit (whoops, typo), and also fixes some launch problems. 

cd "$WINEPREFIX/drive_c/Steam/steamapps/common/Fallout 3 goty/" &&
wget -O - "http://home.stusta.mhn.de/~006619/fallout3uncut/fallout3uncut.tar.xz" | xz -d | tar vx

The above command downloads the file archive and extracts/overwrites the relevant game files (namely Fallout3ng.exe, Fallout3ng.exe.cat, Fallout3ng.exe.cfg, FalloutLauncher.exe).

== Run/play the game

  • Reminder: WINEPREFIX has to be set correctly!
  • To launch Steam:

export WINEPREFIX=~/.wine-fallout3 && cd $WINEPREFIX/drive_c/Steam && wine Steam.exe -no-dwrite

  • You should create a script for the above command.
  • In Steam, start Fallout3 regularly
  • Recommended Steam launch script:

#!/bin/bash
# Fallout 3 Steam launch script

export WINEPREFIX="~/.wine-fallout3"
cd "$WINEPREFIX/drive_c/Steam"

wine Steam.exe -no-dwrite

  • recommended DVD version launch script:

#!/bin/bash
# Fallout 3 DVD launch script

export WINEPREFIX="~/.wine-fallout3"
cd "$WINEPREFIX/.drive_c/Program Files (x86)/Bethesda Softworks/Fallout 3"
wine FalloutLauncher.exe

That's it, you should be able to play Fallout 3 now. Report problems at the comment section below.

I'm happy about any feedback improving/correcting this guide, so please leave a comment down below :-)
You should also submit test results so the game's wine-compatibility-rating is up to date and known for most distributions. Thanks!

_

DEPRECATED Fallout 3 installation guide

How to get Fallout 3 working (DEPRECATED GUIDE)

This section is out of date. Try the steps from the Steam installation guide above first, but install from your DVD instead of Steam.

This guide was created for wine 1.2, the above guide is for newer versions!

Install Wine-1.1.33 or newer. It is strongly recommended that you install the latest version of wine (wine 1.2). The official information on Wine HQ will always be written for the latest version of wine.

Steps & Requirements:

  • Winetricks extras: d3dx9, cc580, Directx9, vcrun2005
  • Games for Windows Live client (Requires override of msasn1.dll)
  • Install Fallout 3
    • Modify Fallout.ini (Only if you have a dual or 2+ core processor)
  • Install patch (Not required, but it's to your benefit)
  • Troubleshooting/Fixes

Winetricks extras:

Open a Terminal

Download winetricks by typing :-

wget http://www.kegel.com/wine/winetricks

Install DirectX libraries and native comctl32.dll by typing :-

sh winetricks d3dx9 cc580

Install Directx9 and vcrun2005 winetricks packages by typing :-

sh winetricks directx9 vcrun2005

Game for Windows Live client:

Now we need to install the Games For Windows LIVE client, follow the steps below :-

Download msasn1.dll from the link - HERE

Extract the DLL files and copy them into your C:/windows/system32 folder of wine

Override msasn1.dll in Wine Configuration - Set as native.

Now download the installer for Games For Windows LIVE from the link - HERE

Note : If you experience issues during that installation of Games For Windows LIVE try changing your windows version to Windows 7 in your winecfg.

Now we need to install the Games For Windows LIVE program but without installing the .NET framework, to do this run the code below in Terminal :-

cd /where/you/downloaded/the/file
wine gfwlivesetupmin.exe /nodotnet

Now in the Libraries tab of your winecfg add xlive.dll as native.

The Games For Windows LIVE client has now been installed.


NOW INSTALL THE GAME FROM STEAM OR THE DISK

(Note: DISK 1 IF YOU HAVE GAME OF THE YEAR EDITION)

Now if your CPU has 2 or more cores then follow the steps below, if not then skip over this section.

If you have 2 or more cores, do the following  :-

1) Open ~/My Games/Fallout3/FALLOUT.INI
2) Find bUseThreadedAI=0 and change it to bUseThreadedAI=1
3) Add iNumHWThreads=2 after bUseThreadedAI=1
4) Save file

If you downloaded the game from STEAM then it will already be the newest version and you will not need to patch or install the DLCs (if you own game of the year edition from STEAM). If you own a retail version then you will now need to patch the game. Follow the steps below :-

Make sure your Fallout 3 disk is in the tray (Disk 1 if you own Game Of The Year Edition)

Fallout 3 1.7 patch:

Download the latest patch from the links below depending on your location

US Patch (North America Only) - HERE

UK / EU / Rest of world patch - HERE

Run the patch with wine and it will install.

Now the game will run, see below for how to install the DLCs.


IMPORTANT - To run the game, right click on the fallout3.exe in your C:/Program Files/Bestheda Softworks/Fallout 3 and select "Open with wine windows program loader". DO NOT run the game by using any desktop shortcut or wine menu entry or by the fallout launcher. Use the fallout launcher to set graphics and resolution etc. but don't use it to launch the game.


Install Fallout 3 DLCs

To install the DLCs, follow the steps below :-

If you have the Game Of The Year Edition from STEAM you will already have the DLCs and you are ready to go.

If you own a retail version insert your disk now (Disk 2 if you own the Game Of The Year Edition).

Run the disk's .exe with wine and the DLCs will install.

Note : Some people are finding that the DLCs don't activate when in game. This can be solved, see the DLC Fix section below.

This concludes the installation process for Fallout 3 with wine on Linux.

Troubleshooting/Fixes:

If you have any problems, see the FIX SECTION below for solutions to common issues or you can post a comment and we will get back to you.

FIX SECTION

DLC Fix

Note : This seems to be a problem with retail disks of the Game Of The Year Edition. The STEAM version should be fine.

Some people have difficulty in getting the DLCs to load. Normally you should receive a message after you have exited Vault 101. However, it seems that some people are not getting the message so the DLCs are not activating. This can be fixed by following the steps below :-

First open~/My Documents/My Games/Fallout3/FALLOUT.INI

Find the line bInvalidateOlderFiles and set it to 1.

Then open the fallout launcher (the .exe is in the same folder as the fallout3.exe) and click on DATA FILES and make sure that they are all selected. Click OK and then launch the game. The DLCs should load in after playing for a few minutes (you will have to have exited Vault 101).


Resolution FIX

Some people have a problem when starting Fallout 3. The menu is displayed but then crashes. This is because sometimes when the game alters your resolution it can break.

Solution 0: You can activate the virtual wine desktop
Solution 1: Set your resolution in Linux to the game resolution manually before you launch fallout3. Change it back to your normal Linux resolution when you finish playing.


Radio / Music FIX

If VATS and Radio stations crash the game, and there is no ingame music, try this:
install quartz.dll with winetricks

Open winecfg, goto library settings, and configure:
quartz = builtin, then native

You can also try to install proprietary mp3 codecs: winetricks l3codecx

The corresponding wine bug: http://bugs.winehq.org/show_bug.cgi?id=31566


steamoverlay

It may be possible that the game is unable to function with the steam ingame overlay activated. Disable it in the Game Library properties! (untick "Enable steam community in-game")
NOTE - Mouse Behaviour

Fallout’s mouse doesn’t seem to work correctly with either the mouse patch or these settings.

- The mouse patch: doesn’t work with Fallout’s 1.1.0.35 patch.
- bBackground Mouse -setting: setting it 1 DOES make menus usable, but it’s quite a problem when you run this in windowed mode as when you move enough the mouse, it goes outside the window... I have dualhead so I need/want to run this windowed.
- MouseWarpOverride were thought to fix this problem with bBackground Mouse -setting? Well, just gives problems here. Don’t set it. MIGHT be useful if you have non-patched version. So you gan set to Direct3D registry key MouseWarpOverride="enable" or MouseWarpOverride="force"

Games For Windows Live

­Updated (20th July 2010)

Note : If you experience issues during that installation of Games For Windows LIVE try changing your windows version to Windows 7 in your winecfg.

Patch 1.7 requires Games for Windows - Live 3.0 client. To install it follow these steps:

1) Download msasn1.dll from e.g. here
2) Override msasn1.dll in Wine Configuration. How to Override DLL
3) Download gfwlivesetupmin.exe from e.g. here
4) Install gfwlivesetupmin.exe but without .NET Framework (wine gfwlivesetupmin.exe /nodotnet)
5) Only set xlive to native in Wine Configuration.
6) Download and install 1.7 patch for Fallout 3

Note:Should you have any issues running Fallout 3 because of 'xlive unimplemented function' errors, see the fix section above.

NOTE - PlayOnLinux

Fallout 3 can be easily installed and patched by PlayOnLinux. You can download PlayOnLinux from here. There is an video made by DaweyYT on YouTube showing installation of Fallout 3 by using PlayOnLinux here.

DO NOT SUBMIT TEST RESULTS FOR PLAYONLINUX OR REPORT BUGS ON THE WINE BUG TRACKER

Terribly low FPS in VATS and during speech
by NSLW on (December 13th 2009) ­

It has been reported that the game slows down dramatically when entering VATS or into a speech. The problem hits owners of GeForce 7xxx and older graphic cards. Proposed fixes are:

  • Patch Fallout 3 to the latest version
  • Update driver for your graphic card
  • Apply one of the patches from bug #16816

fix proposed by Bogdan:

  • Set graphic settings higher

fix proposed by Claudio:

  • Set OffscreenRenderingMode to backbuffer

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