This guide explains how to install Black & White (2001) on Linux using Wine via Bottles 🍷.
You need Bottles.
The simplest way to install Bottles is through Flatpak.
Black & White is no longer commercially distributed in most regions and is considered abandonware.
Use the original CDs or backups that you own.
- Black & White (2001)
- Black & White: Creature Isle (2002)
- Download all patches and store them in a folder (e.g.,
~/Downloads/patches). - Mount the CDs or ISO files:
- Black & White -> e.g.
/mnt/cdrom - Creature Isle -> e.g.
/mnt/cdrom2
- Black & White -> e.g.
- Open Bottles and click "+" to create a new bottle.
Bottles Gaming environments already include the required 32-bit compatibility support for older Windows games.
- Name:
Black & White - Type: Gaming
- Runner:
wine-ge-proton8-26
You can install additional runners in Bottles via
Main Menu -> Preferences -> Runners -> Wine GE, then downloadwine-ge-proton8-26.
- Open the bottle Settings:
- Disable
VKD3D - Set "Windows Version" to
Windows XP
- Open Manage Drives and add your CD-ROM mount points:
/mnt/cdromand/mnt/cdrom2
You can also add the folder containing the patches here.
CD and patch drives can be removed after installation.
- Open the Black & White bottle.
- Go to Tools -> Legacy Wine Tools -> Explorer.
- Navigate to the mounted CD and run
Setup.exe.
Note: A serial key is required. It can usually be found online since the game is abandonware.
Use the default settings during installation.
Skip the ReadMe, do not start the game, and skip online registration.
Copy the "Audio" directory from the CD into the installed game directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\Lionhead Studios Ltd\Black & White.
Still in Wine Explorer, navigate to your patches folder
(e.g., Z:\home\user\Downloads\patches) and install the patches in this exact order:
- Black_White_Patch_v1.100.exe
- BW_Football_Addon.exe
- BW_Villager_Banter.exe
- black_white_patch_v1_20.exe
- BWFanPatchInstaller.exe
Install patches exactly in this order to avoid older installers overwriting newer game files.
- In Explorer, go to:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Lionhead Studios Ltd\Black & White. - Run
Setup.exe- Configure resolution and graphics.
- Optionally enable Windowed Mode for testing; you can switch to fullscreen later.
- In Explorer, open the Creature Isle CD
- Run
Setup.exe - Install the Creature Isle fan patch:
BWCIFanPatchInstaller.exe - Do not start the game yet
Close Wine Explorer and return to the bottle Settings.
Add the following overrides ("Native, then Builtin"):
d3dimddrawd3dim700
- Open Legacy Wine Tools -> Explorer
- Navigate to the game directory
- Start
runblack.exe
If the game starts and runs correctly - congratulations 🎉
With the Fan Patch, a no-CD executable is usually not required.
In the Black & White bottle, add the following programs:
- CreatureIsle ->
.../bottles/Black-&-White/drive_c/Program Files (x86)/Lionhead Studios Ltd/Black & White/CreatureIsle/CreatureIsle.exe - Setup ->
.../bottles/Black-&-White/drive_c/Program Files (x86)/Lionhead Studios Ltd/Black & White/Setup.exe - runblack ->
.../bottles/Black-&-White/drive_c/Program Files (x86)/Lionhead Studios Ltd/Black & White/runblack.exe - Setup - CreatureIsle ->
.../bottles/Black-&-White/drive_c/Program Files (x86)/Lionhead Studios Ltd/Black & White/CreatureIsle/Setup.exe
Tip: Rename shortcuts for clarity.
Try to start the game (runblack) via "Programs"...
If the game does not start:
- Launch via Terminal to see logs: Click on the "..." next to the
runblackprogram and select "Launch with Terminal". - Disable VKD3D and DXVK: Click on the "..." next to the
runblackprogram, then click on "Change Launcher Options". - Turn off Virtual Desktop.
- Try different runners:
lutris-ge-...kron4ek-wine-proton-...
- You can always try starting the game via Wine Explorer.
- Set the Working Directory to the installed game directory:
.../bottles/Black-&-White/drive_c/Program Files (x86)/Lionhead Studios Ltd/Black & White - Use Flatseal to configure permissions for Bottles (such as the filesystem paths for your bottles and games).
- Avoid installing the Game on a NTFS Drive
Black & White uses old DirectDraw/Direct3D APIs that sometimes work better without DXVK.
- In Bottles, click "..." -> "Add to Steam" for
runblack. - Restart Steam if needed.
In Steam, configure Black & White:
- Go to Manage -> Properties.
- Set
gamescopeas target (the Start In path may vary). - Edit Launch Options:
-b -w 1920 -h 1080 --framerate-limit 60 -- gamemoderun flatpak run --command=bottles-cli com.usebottles.bottles run -b "Black & White" -p "runblack"- Set Screen Resolution to 1920x1080 (with Setup.exe)
- Set Windowed Mode (with Setup.exe)
NOTE: Use the width and height configured in your setup (see Setup.exe).
Customize the game logo and header using SGDBoop: https://www.steamgriddb.com/game/37411
- Replace
runblack.exewith the Infinite Drawing Distance mod. - Install HD assets.
- Download more custom Maps.
See mods/ for more details.
See Exported bottle config for more details.
- wine-ge-proton8-26
- GE-Proton9
- kron4ek Wine-Proton
- The game window may only render on the primary monitor if you are playing in windowed mode.
- A fan patch or no-CD executable is required.
Alternatively, you can use Lutris instead of Bottles.
This guide uses Bottles because it offers:
- Easier Wine prefix management
- Simpler DLL override configuration
- Easier Flatpak integration
- A cleaner Steam workflow
- Simple switching between Wine runners
Bottles also makes it easier to install directly from original CDs/ISOs and manage game-specific dependencies and Wine runners.
Running Black & White directly as a non-Steam game with Proton often does not work reliably without additional Wine configurations and dependencies.
- CachyOS (64-bit)
- AMD CPU
- NVIDIA GPU
- Hyprland (Wayland)
- Bottles (Flatpak)
- Steam + Gamescope (CachyOS Gaming package)
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