Age of Empires 2 Direct Draw Compatibility issue

Solution 1:

I would recommend locating the age2.exe file, right clicking on it and going to properties. Under the compatibility tab, set it to Windows XP Service pack 3 and see if that resolves the issue. Running as administrator I've found to sometimes help as well.

If that doesn't work, Age of Empire 2 HD is available on Steam, which is fully compatible with Windows 8.1 (I played it just the other day on 8.1 and it worked flawlessly).

Solution 2:

I know that this question is old however no actual answer to the core problem. So there is a way to patch "Direct draw error" or what is known as "could not initialize graphics system" with AoE2Tools. I had the same problem with a DVI cable and the following guide helped me.

Step 1: Go to the official download page of AoE2Tools Then scroll down to the assets section then download "AoE2Tools.X.X.X.X.exe" e.g.

Step 2: Once installed, press the "SCAN" button in the middle of the Launcher (then wait 10 - 15 seconds until the "2- Start" button is no longer grayed out)

Step 3: Now Press "2- Start" button and click yes to a hotfix alert, then AoE2Tools UI should come up then click "Fix UserPatch" and confirm yes to apply the patch.

Step 4: Right click "AoE2Tools Shield Logo" to the top left hand side then press "Voobly Medkit"

Now select "Fix Couldn't Display Or DirectDraw Display Error" and hit apply

Finally click Download Fix and that's it. Just wait for it to install and once it's done the game should run without that nasty error anymore.

The Original author of this guide and finding (credits to GregStein):

https://ageofnotes.com/resolve-issues/how-to-fix-could-not-initialize-graphics-system-for-age-of-empires-2/