Chicken Invaders 1 Help

Remastered 2023 version:

The remastered edition will work just fine under modern versions of Windows.

Original 1999 version:

This is a known issue with Windows 8+ and unfortunately there's nothing that can be done to fix it.

Technically, the reason is that the game uses DirectX v7.0, and under Windows 8 the DirectDraw part of DirectX 7.0 is software emulated, meaning that it's very slow.

Update: Some people have reported that you can use the dgVoodoo2 DirectX wrapper to make the game work correctly under Windows 8+, so you might want to give it a shot. Note that InterAction studios is not affiliated with the maker of dgVoodoo2 and no technical support can be provided. Your mileage may vary.

Original 1999 version:

1. Version 1.20 and below only: To quit, you need to press ESC followed by whichever key is in the 'Y' position in standard QWERTY keyboards. For example, in a German QWERTZ keyboard, you must press 'Z' instead. If you don't know the layout of your keyboard, try each letter until one works. If you still can't quit, press Alt-TAB.
2. It is not possible to quit the game while you are entering your name in the high score table. To enter your name, use the cursor keys or A,D,W,X (another small omission in the documentation is how to move up and down in the high score screen - now you know) to navigate through the letter grid and press fire on the END button to finish.
3. Your high scores may not be saved if, after achieving a new high score, you start another game but quit it midway through. To ensure changes to the high score table are saved, exit the game normally.
4. Pressing Alt-TAB will crash the game (this, however, can be used as an emergency measure when you cannot exit the game normally).

Update: If you have Windows 8+, then the problem lies elsewhere and not with your video card. Check the relevant question above.

Do you have a GeForce card? There are certain bad versions of GeForce drivers that cause this problem. This is a problem in the drivers themselves and is unfortunately completely outside our control.

The recommended way to fix this problem is to update your graphics card drivers (go to NVIDIA's web site for this). Alternatively, there is a workaround that alleviates or solves the slowdown problem altogether. Try this:

Right-click on your desktop and select "Properties". Go to the "Settings" tab and click on "Advanced...". Click on the "Troubleshooting" tab and move the slider to the left until it says that all DirectDraw and Direct3D accelerations have been disabled (around the middle of the range). Finally, click on "OK".

Note that this workaround might cause other games on your computer to slow down, so you may have to switch back and forth between settings, but it's certainly worth a try.

Remastered 2023 version:

Press ESC or P. You can also re-define this key in the Options menu.

Original 1999 version:

There is no dedicated pause key in Chicken Invaders 1, but you can achieve the same effect by pressing the ESC key (top-left of your keyboard) — just be careful you don't accidentally quit the game altogether when you return!

Windows's "sticky keys" accessibility feature interferes with games that use the Shift keys to fire. You will need to disable it. You can do this either from the dialog box that pops up when you press a Shift key 5 times in succession, or from Start/Control Panel/Accessibility Options/StickyKeys.

Original 1999 version:

Your DirectX version is out of date (you need at least version 7.0). Download the latest version from Microsoft's web site here.

Original 1999 version:

Again, your DirectX version is out of date (you need at least version 7.0). Download the latest version from Microsoft's web site here.

Original 1999 version:

This message says that your computer can't switch to full-screen to play the game. There is no legitimate reason for this (unless you have another full-screen application running in the background). It is more likely a bug in certain video drivers (in conjunction with DirectX 7.0). Try updating your graphics card driver (check your manufacturer's web site) and/or DirectX version (here). Also, before running the game, shut down any instant messengers, and generally any program that may pop up a window. Check the system tray area (at the bottom right of your screen, next to the clock) and terminate any unnecessary programs.

Remastered 2023 version:

Yes. At the main menu, select "Options", then "Controls".

Original 1999 version:

No. (evil laugh)

Original 1999 version:

This only happens with older, zipped (.ZIP) versions of the game. You should download the latest version from this site, which comes with an installer that will properly install the game for you.

Original 1999 version:

v1.30

Minor update release.
Added secondary missile keys.
Fixed "two fire keys" exploit.
Added information about high score tables and Chicken Invaders: The Next Wave in outro.
Replaced file_id.diz with pad_file.xml.
Disabled UVE warning when no sound card is present.

v1.20

Update release with a number of enhancements:
Fixed the dreaded 'Y' key to quit problem.
Fixed stereo panning with DirectX 7.0.
Fixed quit problem during high score entry.
Added installer.
Updated contact information and website address.

v1.01

Recompiled for DirectX 7.0 to fix a DirectX vertical sync bug on some systems.

v1.00

Internal release.