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Tech riderRev. 28 Sept 2026

cnc-ddraw

Ch 017.4of 27 Game Compatibility Layers
  1. 1Runs onAndroid, Linux, Mac, Windows
  2. 2CostsFree plan
  3. 3Host platformsWindows, Linux, macOS, Android
  4. 4Runtime modeltranslation + runtime
  5. 5Vulkan supportNo
  6. 6Steam integrationNo
6 lines stated Written from the maker's own pages: github.com
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The cnc-ddraw homepage

Overview

cnc-ddraw reimplements DirectDraw to address compatibility problems in older 2D games, including black screens, poor performance, crashes, and faulty Alt+Tab behavior. It can use GDI, OpenGL, or Direct3D 9 rendering, selecting a renderer automatically. Display options include windowed, fullscreen exclusive, and borderless modes; Alt+Enter switches between fullscreen and windowed. GLSL shaders provide upscaling, and other options include an FPS limiter, VSync, mouse sensitivity scaling, and saving and restoring window position, size, and state. The project lists Windows, Linux through Wine, macOS, Android, and virtual machines as supported environments. Setup involves extracting cnc-ddraw.zip into the game folder and starting the game. Wine users must configure the ddraw override in winecfg or run cnc-ddraw config.exe once. The game must use a DirectDraw Software renderer; Direct3D games are not supported. cnc-ddraw is free under the MIT License.

Who it is for

It suits players trying to run older 2D games that use a DirectDraw Software renderer. It is not for Direct3D games.

What is good

  • Supports GDI, OpenGL, and Direct3D 9 renderers.
  • Offers windowed, exclusive fullscreen, and borderless modes.
  • Includes GLSL upscaling, FPS limiting, and VSync.
  • Listed for Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android.

What to know first

  • Requires a DirectDraw Software renderer.
  • Does not support Direct3D games.
  • Wine requires an additional ddraw configuration step.

Verdict

cnc-ddraw provides display and rendering options for compatible older 2D games. Check that a game uses DirectDraw Software before setting it up.

cnc-ddraw plans and pricing

All plans
cnc-ddraw Free MIT-licensed software · requires a game with a DirectDraw (Software) renderer github.com · 28 Sept 2026

Compared on game compatibility layers

Free plan
Yesgithub.com
Host platforms
Windows, Linux, macOS, Androidgithub.com
Runtime model
translation + runtimegithub.com
DirectX support
not statedgithub.com
Vulkan support
Nogithub.com
Steam integration
Nogithub.com
Anti-cheat status
not statedgithub.com

Facts

Purpose
cnc-ddraw reimplements the DirectDraw API to improve compatibility in older 2D games that have issues such as black screens, poor performance, crashes, or defective Alt+Tab behavior.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
Renderers
It supports GDI, OpenGL, and Direct3D 9 renderers, with automatic renderer selection.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
Display modes
It supports windowed, fullscreen exclusive, and borderless modes, and Alt+Enter switches between fullscreen and windowed modes.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
Scaling
It supports upscaling through GLSL shaders.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
Other features
It includes an FPS limiter, VSync, optional mouse sensitivity scaling, and automatic saving and restoring of window position, size, and state.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
Compatibility
The project lists Windows ME, 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, and 11, Wine on Linux, macOS, and Android, and virtual machines as supported environments.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
Setup
The instructions say to download cnc-ddraw.zip, extract it into the game folder, and start the game.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
Wine setup
For Wine on Linux, macOS, or Android, the instructions say to override ddraw in winecfg manually or run cnc-ddraw config.exe once.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
Limit
The game must have a DirectDraw (Software) renderer; cnc-ddraw does not support Direct3D games.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
Game compatibility
The repository lists many supported classic games and says the list is incomplete and is not usually updated.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
Troubleshooting
For games that fail to start or crash, the README asks users to generate and upload a debug log; it also directs users to the wiki for game-specific setup steps.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
License
The repository provides the software under the MIT License, which permits use, copying, modification, distribution, sublicensing, and sale subject to its terms.github.com · 28 Sept 2026

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