https://bugs.winehq.org/show_bug.cgi?id=42562
--- Comment #9 from fjfrackiewicz@gmail.com --- I just tested Act of War: Direct Action in a clean Windows XP prefix and the game is playable as far as I can tell.
After installing the GOG version, I was able to see the main menu, select a campaign, launch it, and play the game for a few minutes.
The game has other issues, for me at least, in Wine 2.7.