Hi fo3,
you say you have played it in the past on Windows XP. So I guess you own the PC-DVD of the game?
In this case you are in my situation and should be able to install the game following the instructions in the stickies. In short, the procedure is as follows, but please read the stickies!
- On Win7, 8, 10: Install the game *outside* of the Ubisoft default folder, e.g. in C:\SH3; the location where you install must be unprotected.
- Update the game with the official patch 1.4 and be sure to substitute all Starforce DRM files; these are NOT compatible with the newest Windows OS (read the stickies and find the download for the replacement files, replace the files.)
- Go in your grafic card setup and change the 'Scaling options' to 'Fullscreen' and 'Scaling with GPU'.
- Go in game directory, right-click on sh3.exe > Properties > check Run As Admin; check Compatibility for Win XP SP2.
- At that point you should be able to start the stock game; it will NOT support widescreen resolutions and you may get an error message: '3D engine cannot initialize'. If it doesn't start, lower the desktop resolution as low as 1024x768 before starting the game.
- If it starts, you are ready to install megamods or other mods for the game.
I hope this gets you started, good day...
