Arena Rebuilt 0.9.9 is available for Windows and native Linux x86-64. Both versions use the same gameplay code and require a compatible original Arena installation.

This update closes a long list of gameplay, save, map and presentation problems found during 0.9.8 testing. It also brings the first Linux build through the same launcher-first source validation and local content preparation used by the Windows release.

Native Linux release

  • Added a native Linux x86-64 launcher, player and content-preparation path.
  • Added manual source selection and common Steam-library discovery on Linux.
  • Fixed Linux path casing, executable permissions, working-directory handling and controller text-entry behavior.
  • Limited the Linux on-screen keyboard to text fields opened with controller input, so it no longer interrupts keyboard and mouse use.
  • Fixed native Linux startup, starting-dungeon placement and repeated pointer-to-player launches on the handheld test system.
  • Kept save meaning and gameplay state compatible between Windows and Linux.

Launcher and original game sources

  • Kept the launcher-first validation and preparation flow on both operating systems.
  • Fixed Windows validation regressions that could reject an Arena installation which had already passed the launcher check.
  • Verified the Windows flow with Steam, GOG and the UESP ArenaSetup release, including the core game archive contents.
  • Added native Linux preparation from the player's local original installation rather than requiring a Windows-prepared game cache.
  • Improved retry and recovery when source preparation is interrupted or incomplete.
  • Shortened the Windows package layout so the built-in Windows extractor can unpack every file without path-length failures.

Saves and DOS imports

  • Expanded DOS save import beyond the starting dungeon so compatible saves retain their current location and progression.
  • Added typed confirmation when deleting a save slot.
  • Fixed full-slot import handling and incomplete-slot detection.
  • Fixed imported starting-dungeon Shift Gate progression.
  • Improved overwrite, cold-load and failed-load recovery.
  • Kept save import, deletion, loading and slot behavior aligned between the Windows and Linux builds.

Automap and travel

  • Reworked the automap around the complete location layout with exploration revealing the map as you move.
  • Corrected map scale, centering and seams across dungeon and settlement layouts on Windows and Linux.
  • Restored player notes and controller access to map actions.
  • Fixed settlement maps starting at the wrong center or extending outside the map frame on Linux.
  • Fixed automap line artifacts without returning to the earlier laggy map renderer.
  • Preserved world-map search, destination selection and travel confirmation behavior.

Magic, combat and hazards

  • Connected Passwall, Pitfalls and wall or floor creation and destruction to live map geometry, collision and saved state.
  • Routed charged terrain-magic items through the same targeting system without double-charging the item or player magicka.
  • Added creature-specific weapon and material immunity handling across melee, fists and ranged attacks.
  • Connected lava to timed damage, resistance, levitation and death behavior.
  • Completed more enemy spellcasting paths and corrected spell-absorption recovery from enemy casts.
  • Connected Volendrung's original secondary combat behavior.

World interaction

  • Added rowboat boarding, movement, fatigue use, jumping out, reboarding and saved position.
  • Improved nighttime citizen schedules without applying one universal rule to every settlement.
  • Connected door and chest bashing, including fist recoil and equipment wear.
  • Finished Wanderlight movement, collision and expiry behavior.
  • Retained repeated palace, building, wilderness and dungeon transitions.
  • Corrected palace-gate interaction points so the player can enter while facing and standing next to the gate.
  • Corrected settlement hedge tops without moving the hedge walls themselves.

Controls and character screens

  • Added mouse-wheel navigation to the point-allocation screen alongside its existing arrow and click controls.
  • Restored character name, level and equipment information in the inventory presentation.
  • Kept keyboard, mouse and controller remapping active after closing and reopening the game.
  • Kept the Windows and Linux save import and delete controls in the same menu locations.
  • Added the original 320x200 and 640x400 display choices alongside modern resolutions.

Presentation and reliability

  • Fixed shimmering signs and fixed surfaces, including hydrated texture fallbacks.
  • Corrected palace surfaces, water height and the underwater overlay.
  • Corrected palace placement and orientation after the fixed-surface rendering changes.
  • Corrected water-surface height while keeping the underwater overlay below the visible waterline and HUD.
  • Made location music switch promptly when entering cities, palaces, shops, dungeons and nighttime states.
  • Kept music playing through inventory, shop and other ordinary menu use instead of stopping or restarting it.
  • Improved enchanted-item names in loot so special equipment is identifiable before pickup.
  • Added optional MIDI music playback with the existing PCM audio path retained as a fallback.

0.9.9 is still a beta. The full campaign and rare combinations remain important test areas, and bug reports with the exact location, quest stage and save state are still useful. Public mod hooks and the Android and PlayStation Vita ports are later work, not part of this release.

October 4 fixes

Both downloads have been updated with another round of reported fixes:

  • MIDI playback no longer queues a burst of notes when you return after switching to another window.
  • Remapped attack controls now work in Classic mode as well as Modern mode.
  • Fixed DOS save imports failing on certain enchanted items in later saves.
  • The original 320 by 200 and 640 by 400 display options now use the correct 4:3 output.
  • Classic weapons sit to the right, without being pushed off the screen at 4:3.
  • Fixed weapon placement on humanoid enemies during attack animations.
  • Source validation now identifies modified voice files instead of incorrectly blaming the main game archive. Clean Steam, GOG and UESP installations remain supported.
  • Enemy inspection now shows the actual enemy name instead of generic labels such as `Humanoid 001`.
  • The inventory armor view now shows the original seven regional armor ratings.
  • Fixed opaque and shimmering gaps beneath tavern tables.
  • Synchronized the packaged audio materializer with the player so PCM music, MIDI music and sound effects initialize correctly.
  • Rebuilt both platform downloads from the same final gameplay source and rechecked Steam, GOG and UESP/manual source preparation.