Shadow Warrior Classic (1997)

Shadow Warrior Classic (1997)

46 ratings
BuildGDX (Alternative Source Port with more options)
By DiaBomb
This guide will show off the BuildGDX engine and show you how to install and configure it.
   
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Why BuildGDX
BuildGDX is a source port of the Build Engine originally created by Ken Silverman and the port was created by Alexander Makarov aka [M210®]. It offers a lot more features compared to the original. Features like an FOV Slider, Higher resolutions with a Borderless Window Mode, More customization options for the HUD and 3D Models just to name a few. Of course, this port will also fix a lot of bugs.

But the best of all:
It still gets updates!
How to install BuildGDX
Installing BuildGDX is easy. There are only a few things you need to do.

Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1:
Go to this website[m210.duke4.net] and click on Java.
Then click on the BuildGDX with JRE (If you know what the JRE means and have it installed then you can download the one version without it)
and then on the icon to download the file.

Step 2:
For the next step you need to go into the Shadow Warrior "gameroot" folder. This folder can be accessed by going into your steam library and right clicking on Shadow Warrior in the list to the left and the clicking on properties.
Then click on the tab "Local Files" and on the "Browse Local Files" button. The folder should then open.

Step 3:
Next go into the gameroot folder and extract the files of the zip in there using your favorite zip program. (I recommend 7-zip[www.7-zip.org]. I will not explain how to install or use it.)

That's it! No need to do anything else other than run the buildGDX.exe file and configure it!
How to configure BuildGDX
And now to the last part. The configuration. BuildGDX has a few options I would recommend you check out before jumping into a game.

When you start the buildGDX.exe file you will see a startup screen. Click on the small gear to go to the settings page.


Here you can make a couple adjustments:

  • Resolution: Set this to your preferred setting, like your desktop/monitor resolution. On most this will be 1920x1080.
  • Render: This will change the direct look of the game. Classic will look the most accurate to the classic game but may be slower on higher resolutions. Polymost is more advanced and will work the best on modern computers. Choose Polymost if unsure.
  • Fullscreen/Borderless: Borderless will allow the game to still run in a Fullscreen but you can switch to other windows much quicker.
  • Sound: I don't know if choosing one or the other OpenAL option will change anything. I always go for the newest.
  • MIDI: The game doesn't use MIDI so this option is useless.
  • Soundfont: Same as MIDI, useless
  • Portable Mode: This will make it so you can play this game and keep your settings when copied to another place or system.
  • Autoload Folder: This will only matter if you mod the game.
  • Check for updates: I would recommend to leave this checked.
  • Always show window at startup: This will make it so that the window you see right now will not apear if this is not checked. This can also be changed from in-game.

Now you can click back and play the game!
How to install the addons
The installation process from the official files for the addons is a bit complicated so I made it easier by providing a zip file download with everything already set up.

Step 1:

Download this zip file[drive.google.com] and open it

Step 2:
Extract the addons folder itself into the gameroot folder.

That's it! Now you can play the addons when you start a new game.
Conclusion
Now you can finally play and enjoy Shadow Warrior with BuildGDX!
You can even set a lot more stuff in the games settings menu if you want!

If you have any questions please them in the comment section, I will help as best as I can.

If this guide helped you then leave a thumbs up so more people see it, ok?

The guide for the Classic Redux version.
15 Comments
Kenzo The Punished 22 Oct, 2024 @ 12:14pm 
Does this port have a fix to make vertical mouse movement less sluggish?
DiaBomb  [author] 27 Dec, 2023 @ 9:04am 
Are you sure you put the files from the zip file into the gameroot folder?
cheito18 26 Dec, 2023 @ 8:08pm 
when i go into the files of my shadow warrior classic i cant find the SW.GRP file. IS there any Way i can find it?
ChaosBahamut 16 Jun, 2023 @ 10:49am 
Any way to get the music to smooth-loop?
Nur Ab Sal 1 Aug, 2022 @ 9:11pm 
ty bro for your guide,but in the last phase you can add in your shadow warrior launch parameters:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Shadow Warrior Original\gameroot\BuildGDX" %Command%

Obvious you need put your folders,with this you can open the BuildGDX when you press to play shadow warrior from the games library on steam.


anyway TY for the guide and sorry for my english :)
Selzor 12 May, 2022 @ 5:36am 
the fuck is that gay ass font on the files screen?
M.C. Grammajam 10 Feb, 2022 @ 2:09pm 
thanks for actually going step-by-step. this is really, really handy
DeV MerruM (Leon) 31 Jan, 2022 @ 8:13pm 
Is there any 32bit compatible sourceport?
DiaBomb  [author] 20 Nov, 2021 @ 3:49am 
Probably not. But I'm not sure on that
Mench 19 Nov, 2021 @ 12:05am 
thank you. but can it use my saves from original version?