Update:
Blizzard fixed this in Patch 1.25b: Widescreen (stretched) resolutions should now be available in the Video options.
Blizzard Entertainment forgot for 7 years to patch Warcraft III - Reign of Chaos and Warcraft III - The Frozen Throne to list all supported resolutions in the options pane when running on Windows (all versions). Instead, when running on OSX, all resolutions are available (including wide screen). That's just not fair.
The solution is easy for some, complicated for others: edit "reswidth" and "resheight" in the registry at [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Blizzard Entertainment\Warcraft III\Video].
Search Google and you will find a lot of apps/utilities to do it for you, but some of them require you to install some version of .net platform (Foole's WC3 Resolution Changer), while others incorrectly list the available display modes (or not at all).
There is however an app that will detect the correct resolutions (w3changer), but it has an ugly 16x16 icon (despite its pretty interface), no game launch button and no current resolution detection.
You will also find tutorials (for example www.overclock.net or www.techsupportforum.com or widescreengamingforum.com)
that expect you to follow the lengthly steps of editing the registry every time the game resets the resolution back to 640x480 (after making any changes in the options section).
Here's a better solution (no .net dependency, high-res Warcraft 3 icon, game launch buttons and defaults to current screen resolution):
Installing and using the app
- Extract the archive contents;
- Find the directory where Warcraft 3 is installed and move "War3ScreenResolution.exe" in there;
- Right click "War3ScreenResolution.exe" and choose "Send to -> Desktop (create shortcut)";
- Rename the shortcut on Desktop to your liking, for example to "Warcraft III";
- Now everytime you want to play, just double click the shortcut, and choose between "Warcraft III - Reign of Chaos" and "Warcraft III - The Frozen Throne".
Standard widescreen resolutions
16:9 aspect ratio 1024x576, 1152x648, 1280x720, 1600x900, 1920x1080 and 2560x1440
16:10 aspect ratio 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1920x1200, 2560x1600
And yes, these work with DoTA Allstars, and all the other custom maps in Warcraft III.
To check if you are running at the resolution you want (should be the one the program shows you as default), just look closely at the 3D renderings during play. Not at the menus, not in the options/video pane, and not at the game UI during play. Just the 3D world.
See how the game looks like on widescreen 1680x1050 (Only the game UI stretches; yet the 3D looks great!):
wow it works! thanks alot! (:
ReplyDeleteIt works but changing the registry fix is much better simpler and easier...
ReplyDeleteMaybe for you. But for the average user, mistakes can happen (forgetting to click on decimal), or the game could reset the resolution after making changes in the options dialog.
ReplyDeleteTherefor an app with an automated solution is definitely simpler, while for you, the two are maybe equivalent in complexity.
THANX YOU RE AWESOME :)
ReplyDeleteThank you very much!
ReplyDeleteMaybe for you. But for the average user, mistakes can happen (forgetting to click on decimal), or the game could reset the resolution after making changes in the options dialog.
ReplyDeleteTherefor an app with an automated solution is definitely simpler, while for you, the two are maybe equivalent in complexity.
Now I can be more competitive at DotA :) Thanks dude :)
ReplyDeletety very much!! both for this and the RA2 fix app!
ReplyDeleteIt still stretches the 3D world for me. Any ideas why?
ReplyDeleteIs your current screen resolution (before you enter the game) the native monitor one? And is it the same resolution you choose in this program?
ReplyDeleteNote that the game UI (buttons, minimap, progress indicator, build queue, etc.) will stretch because the game does not adapt those to widescreen. Only the 3D stuff adapts (units, map size on screen, etc).
Where is downlaod link
ReplyDeleteIt's on the application picture and in the setup instructions, first line.
ReplyDeleteI tried this and I have seen no problems. Good work!
ReplyDeleteIt does not work for Frozen Throne for me (it won't even start the game), but it works perfectly with Reign of Chaos...
ReplyDeleteThat's a little weird, it worked on way too many comps so far.
ReplyDeleteTry uninstalling and reinstalling the game (maybe even Windows).
same thing happened to me... it runs only chaos but not the frozen throne... I'll install again the games and I'll post again..! i have to say that my laptop is pretty new.. Asus G53 and I've upgrade the windows till' today ! let's hope it's gone work... ! on the chaos version it's great to see it widecreen anway ! finger crossed !
ReplyDeleteThis tool works great.
ReplyDeleteI have one question though. what is the main difference between the graphics optiion?
DirectX and OpenGL - i have run the both, but it seems like they act the same?
It's makes a world of difference.
ReplyDeleteDirectX is only available on Windows and is Microsoft proprietary.
If you run the game in Wine on Linux, you need OpenGL.
If running the game gives you a bluescreen because you haven't updated your DirectX runtime, you will get lucky with OpenGL mode:)
I will donate your!!
ReplyDeleteWhere is the dl button!
ReplyDeleteDid you at least read the instructions? They contain the download....link.
ReplyDeletethanks, it works well and easy to use the tool.!
ReplyDeleteThanks . its really works !!
ReplyDeleteGood Job! Thanks for the help!
ReplyDeleteHi, the 3D still stretches. Did I miss anything?
ReplyDeletehaha..click the screen of the picture and then bang!...success
ReplyDeleteGoogle resized all original pics into that size. I will "unfix" it soon.
ReplyDeleteHi thanks for this works great for me on WC3 & FT. Just one thing should the resolution you choose be as close to your native resolution as possible as opposed to just choosing the highest res.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I have a problem. I want to play WC3 in my 1920x1080 however when I try to activate the file with Garena it plays it in terrible resolution. Any answers? Because I cannot find an answer on the Garena forums.
ReplyDeleteGreat, working! Thanks a lot!
ReplyDeleteDo not go through in-game video options after using this software, or Warcraft 3 will reset the resolution back to the lowest available.
ReplyDeletecool! tnxs!
ReplyDeleteCool Man thanks it worked :)
ReplyDeletei had to add a reolution into the registry to get my lcd tv to display properly because the computer thinks its native resolution is something else and that the actual native resolution is unsupported on the tv so when i open the warcraft 3 resolution fixer it does not display the resolution i need which is 1360x768
ReplyDeleteany ideas on what i can do this is extremely frustrating
I don't know of an LCD TV good for RTS gaming. They never don't look good when sitting too close.
ReplyDeleteit's working...since 2012 :)
ReplyDeletethank you so much! it works effortlessly! :)
ReplyDeleteDoesn't make any changes for me, i still see the 3d world streched
ReplyDelete