Difference between revisions of "Aliens versus Predator 2"

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Aliens versus Predator
Subseries of Alien
Subseries of Predator
Aliens versus Predator	1999
Aliens versus Predator 2	2001
Aliens vs. Predator	2010

Warnings

GameSpy online services have been shut down (see Network for solutions).

Aliens versus Predator 2 is a singleplayer and multiplayer horror sci-fi FPS in the Aliens versus Predator series set in space and developed by Monolith Productions.

The game was released to Windows on October 23, 2001. The following year in August 2002 an expansion pack developed by Third Law Interactive titled Primal Hunt was released. In May 2003 the Gold Edition was released which bundled the base game with the expansion pack. Two months later on July 23, 2003 an OS X port developed by The Omni Group was released.

As the multiplayer service GameSpy has terminated its services, the game requires either a community-created Master Server Patch or the use of the third-party software GameRanger to enable online functionality.

General information

AvP Universe with some useful links

Availability

Source	DRM	Notes	Keys	OS
Retail		SecuROM 4.54.00.0018 DRM. SecuROM 4.77.00.0002 DRM for Primal Hunt.

The game is not sold digitally due to various legality issues with several parties.

Version differences

Gold Edition released in May 2003 bundles the base game with the Primal Hunt expansion pack.

Demo

A singeplayer demo as well as a multiplayer demo are also available.

Monetization

DLC and expansion packs

Name	Notes
Primal Hunt	Expansion pack which adds new weapons and multiplayer maps as well as a singleplayer prequel campaign to the base game.

Essential improvements

Patches

v1.0.9.6

The patch is available in the following languages: English, French, German, Italian, Korean and Spanish. It can be downloaded from the Files section

Map Updates

Make sure the game is patched to v1.0.9.6 before installing the updates

Single Player Map Update #1 - Fixes some bugs in the single player levels, only for the English version of the game (already included for others).
Multiplayer Map Update #1 - Adds 10 new maps.

AvP2 Master Server Patches

An unofficial patch that provides fixes to the Base Game and Primal Hunt to bring new servers online as well as fixes for modern systems

Includes widescreen and high resolution support, mouse input fix and frame rate issue fixes.

Includes a console with commands for turning off visor color inversion, showing fps, toggling patch options, etc

Skip intro videos

Intro videos can be skipped by clicking on Options in the launcher and ticking Disable Logos.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System	Location
Windows	<path-to-game>\autoexec.cfg^{[Note 1]}
macOS (OS X)

Save game data location

System	Location
Windows	<path-to-game>\Save\Player_0^{[Note 1]}
macOS (OS X)

Video

Video settings.

Graphics feature	WSGF	Notes
Widescreen resolution		See Widescreen resolution.
Multi-monitor		See Widescreen resolution.
Ultra-widescreen		See Widescreen resolution.
4K Ultra HD		See Widescreen resolution. HUD does not scale well at very high resolutions.
Field of view (FOV)	See Widescreen resolution.
Windowed	See Widescreen resolution.
Borderless fullscreen windowed	Use Borderless Gaming or install the base and/or Primal Hunt versions of LithFix.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)	See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anti-aliasing (AA)	Use dgVoodoo 2.
Vertical sync (Vsync)	Can be forced off.
60 FPS
120+ FPS	Sound and animation issues at higher frame rates. Cap the game at 60 fps to prevent these.

Widescreen resolution

Master Server Fixes for the Base Game and the Primal Hunt expansion pack:
Install Patch 1.0.9.6 and Single Player Map Update #1 from the Patches section. Install the Master Server Patches from the AvP2 Master Server Patches section.

Alternative method: Use custom launchers^[1]

Install Patch 1.0.9.6 and Single Player Map Update #1 from the Patches section.
Download launcher executables for the base game and/or expansion.
Place chosen executable(s) in <path-to-game>.
Run the the launcher for the base game or expansion and configure desired settings.

Notes:

Allow for the FOV to be freely configured to a chosen number value

Need to be run with administrator privileges in order to launch.

Conflict with the Master Server Patch, not allowing you to use the patch's console.

Alternative method: Edit autoexec^[2]^{[dubious – discuss]}

Install Patch 1.0.9.6 and Single Player Map Update #1 from the Patches section.
Open up your autoexec.cfg file located in <path-to-game>/Fox/Aliens vs. Predator 2/ with Windows Notepad; for Primal Hunt, the autoexec.cfg is found in <path-to-game>/Fox/Aliens vs. Predator 2 - Primal Hunt/.
Search (Ctrl + F) for the following entries:

"SCREENWIDTH" "#"
"GameScreenHeight" "#"
"SCREENHEIGHT" "#"
"GameScreenWidth" "#"

4. Change the resolution numbers that appear after those entries to your desired screen resolution.

Notes:

You may use resolutions that go beyond AvP2's resolution settings, but if you access and modify the display settings on the game launcher, your custom resolution will be immediately overwritten.

FOV will be stretched to fit the aspect ratio

Does not work for resolution heights greater than 2048 or resolution widths greater than 1536

Input

Keyboard and mouse	State	Notes
Remapping
Mouse acceleration		Slider option for mouse smoothing present. Lacks options for mouse acceleration.
Mouse sensitivity		Slider present.
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support		Joystick only.
Full controller support
Controller remapping
Controller sensitivity
Controller Y-axis inversion

Controller types

XInput-compatible controllers

PlayStation controllers

Generic/other controllers

Additional information
Controller hotplugging
Haptic feedback
Digital movement supported
Simultaneous controller+KB/M

Audio

Audio settings.

Audio feature	State	Notes
Separate volume controls
Surround sound
Subtitles		Under Game settings.
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost

Localizations

Language	UI	Audio	Sub	Notes
English
French				in the French retail version only
German
Hungarian				Fan translation, for the base game is here, for the expansion pack is here
Italian
Korean				Requires patch v1.0.9.6 installed.
Spanish				Only for specific releases, official translation for base game can be downloaded from here. For its expansion, Primal Hunt download

Network

Multiplayer types

Type	Native	Players	Notes
LAN play		16
Online play		16	GameSpy online server browser has stopped working; use the Master Server Patch or GameRanger for a player-run replacement.

Connection types

Type	Native	Notes
Matchmaking
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated
Self-hosting
Direct IP

Ports

Protocol	Port(s) and/or port range(s)
TCP	2300-2400, 7000-10000
UDP	27888-27900

Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.

VR support

3D modes	State	Notes
vorpX		Z3D User created profile, requires DGvoodoo2 v 2.6 (DX6), see vorpx forum.

Issues fixed

Windows 8 low frame rate in fullscreen

Use low frame rate fix^[2]
Use Windows 8/8.1 DDRAW FPS Fix.

Uncontrollable mouse movement

Mouse moves in wavelike pattern when attempting y-axis movement.

Master Server Fixes for the Base Game and the Primal Hunt expansion pack:
Install the Master Server Patches from the AvP2 Master Server Patches section.

Alternate method: Use LithFix for smoother mouselook:

Download LithFix and copy it to installation folder.
Remove any custom rez files and add -rez lithfix to advanced command line in the launcher.

Notes:

Custom Launcher has basic support for LithFix since version 1.3.0 (AVP2) or 1.1.0 (AVP2PH).

Conflicts with Master Server Patch.^[2]

Alternate method: Decrease mouse polling rate to 125 Hz.^[2]

Alternate method: Use DI-wrapper.^[3]

Download DI-Wrapper and copy it to installation folder.

Notes:

Will require reassigning mouse buttons

Black screen when using alternative visions with the Alien and Predator

In recent graphics drivers the vision modes the game's color inversion does not work, resulting in the Alien vision and the Predator tech visor displaying black screens.^[4]^[5]

Alternative method: Install Aliens vs. Predator 2 Vision mode fix

Download the file and unzip it in the custom folder located in <path-to-game>\Fox\Aliens vs. Predator 2. If the folder doesn't exist create it.
In the launch settings go to options, then type in the command-line parameters -rez custom/visionfix.rez.

Notes:

You can add the same command as a launch option within a shortcut to avp2.exe by typing it at the end of the "target" string.

Changes the look of the vision mode significantly by simply removing the color inversion.

Only works for single-player and does not work underwater.

Cutscenes play too fast

Cap the frame rate at 60 FPS^[2]

Set monitor on 60HZ^[6]

The game won't launch

If nothing happens when you click the .exe you might have to try running the game in Windows 98 compatibility-mode. To do this right-click avp2.exe, click options and go to the compatibility-tab. Check the compatibility-box and choose Windows 98.^{[citation needed]}

Running the game as an administrator has also prove useful in launching the game for some people.

If it says something about "MFC Application Client" - Check the Windows Event Log for the application error - if it refers to a \system32\HID.DLL then you're probably using a gaming-keyboard or similar, try disabling the HIDs related to your gaming-peripherals or you can also set the compatibility. This error seems to also occur more often when running in Fullscreen mode; consider using Windowed mode (possibly in conjunction with the Borderless Gaming utility).

MSI Afterburner overlay makes the game crash

Change the settings in RivaTuner^{[citation needed]}
After launching MSI Afterburner, open the Riva Tuner Statistics Server from the system tray. Add lithtech.exe from <path-to-game> to the settings. Set Stealth mode to "ON".

MFC Application Client Crashing When Loading a Level

Run as an administrator and in Win98/ME compatibility mode

Find avp2.exe and lithtech.exe (located inside <path-to-game>.
Right click on lithtech.exe and select properties and go to lithtech.exe's compatibility tab in the properties window.
Check Run this program in compatibility mode for:, choose Win98/ME, check run as admin, and click apply.
Right click on avp2.exe and select properties and go to avp2.exe's compatibility tab in the properties window.
Check run as admin and click apply.

Other information

API

Technical specs	Supported	Notes
Direct3D	7

Executable	PPC	32-bit	64-bit	Notes
Windows
macOS (OS X)

Middleware

	Middleware	Notes
Audio	Miles Sound System	6.0i
Cutscenes	Bink Video	1.0h
Multiplayer	GameSpy	GameSpy online server browser has stopped working; use the Master Server Patch or GameRanger for a player-run replacement.

Modding

Complete Texture Overhaul Mod

Replaces most textures in the game with higher resolution ones.

The mod drastically changes the game's overall aesthetic, aiming for a more gritty, desaturated look.

System requirements

Windows
	Minimum	Recommended
Operating system (OS)	98
Processor (CPU)	Intel Pentium III 450 MHz	Intel Pentium III 700 MHz
System memory (RAM)	128 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD)	750 MB
Video card (GPU)	16 MB of VRAM DirectX 8.0 compatible	32 MB of VRAM

macOS (OS X)
	Minimum
Operating system (OS)	10.2.6
Processor (CPU)	G4 700 MHz
System memory (RAM)	256 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD)	1.2 GB
Video card (GPU)	ATI Radeon Nvidia GeForce 32 MB of VRAM

Notes

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMDATA%, or %WINDIR% might be redirected to %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore on Windows Vista and later (more details).

References

↑ Aliens Versus Predator 2: Gold Edition | WSGF
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 ^2.4 KingKenny's Ultimate Guide for Getting AvP2 and Primal Hunt Working on Your Computer! | WSGF
↑ Verified by User:Suicide_machine on 2016-12-13
↑ [https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/index.php?topic=52849.0}}
↑ [https://www.reddit.com/r/LV426/comments/4c6mj5/annoying_avp2_game_bug_pc/}}
↑ Verified by User:Diegoelcapo1231 on 2020-07-27

[gamedir-1] 1.0 ^1.1 When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMDATA%, or %WINDIR% might be redirected to %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore on Windows Vista and later (more details).

[2] Aliens Versus Predator 2: Gold Edition | WSGF

[kingkennyguide-3] 2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 ^2.4 KingKenny's Ultimate Guide for Getting AvP2 and Primal Hunt Working on Your Computer! | WSGF

[4] Verified by User:Suicide_machine on 2016-12-13

[5] [https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/index.php?topic=52849.0}}

[6] [https://www.reddit.com/r/LV426/comments/4c6mj5/annoying_avp2_game_bug_pc/}}

[Diegoelcapo1231-7] Verified by User:Diegoelcapo1231 on 2020-07-27

[Note 1]

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

@@ Line 157: / Line 157: @@
 }}
-{{Fixbox|description=Alternative method: Edit autoexec|ref=<ref>[http://www.avpunknown.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1538797059 KingKenny's Ultimate Guide for Getting AvP2 and Primal Hunt Working on Your Computer!  | WSGF]</ref>{{dubious|date=2021-04-21|reason=Setting these is not enough. The game will be rendering a custom resolution, with a a stretched 4:3 aspect ratio! (are these instructions for fan repack with prebundled hacks?)}}|fix=
+{{Fixbox|description=Alternative method: Edit autoexec|ref=<ref name="kingkennyguide">[http://www.avpunknown.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1538797059 KingKenny's Ultimate Guide for Getting AvP2 and Primal Hunt Working on Your Computer!  | WSGF]</ref>{{dubious|date=2021-04-21|reason=Setting these is not enough. The game will be rendering a custom resolution, with a a stretched 4:3 aspect ratio! (are these instructions for fan repack with prebundled hacks?)}}|fix=
 # Install '''Patch 1.0.9.6''' and '''Single Player Map Update #1''' from the [[#Patches|Patches]] section.
 # Open up your autoexec.cfg file located in <code>{{p|game}}/Fox/Aliens vs. Predator 2/</code> with Windows Notepad; for Primal Hunt, the autoexec.cfg is found in <code>{{p|game}}/Fox/Aliens vs. Predator 2 - Primal Hunt/</code>.
@@ Line 168: / Line 168: @@
 </pre>
 . Change the resolution numbers that appear after those entries to your desired screen resolution.
 '''Notes:'''
 {{ii}} You may use resolutions that go beyond AvP2's resolution settings, but if you access and modify the display settings on the game launcher, your custom resolution will be immediately overwritten.
@@ Line 180: / Line 181: @@
 |acceleration option       = false
 |acceleration option notes = Slider option for mouse smoothing present. Lacks options for mouse acceleration.
-|mouse sensitivity         = hackable
+|mouse sensitivity         = true
-|mouse sensitivity notes   = Slider for mouth sensitivity present. Use [https://haekb.itch.io/lithfix Lithfix] for smoother mouselook
+|mouse sensitivity notes   = Slider present.
 |mouse menu                = true
 |mouse menu notes          =
@@ Line 397: / Line 398: @@
 ==Issues fixed==
 ===Windows 8 low frame rate in fullscreen===
-{{Fixbox|description=Use low frame rate fix|ref={{cn|date=October 2016}}|fix=
+{{Fixbox|description=Use low frame rate fix|ref=<ref name="kingkennyguide"/>|fix=
 Use [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/579-windows-881-ddraw-fps-fix/ Windows 8/8.1 DDRAW FPS Fix].
 }}
@@ Line 408: / Line 409: @@
 }}
-{{Fixbox|description=Alternate method: For the ''Primal Hunt'' expansion pack, use LithFix for raw input:|fix=
+{{Fixbox|description=Alternate method: Use LithFix for smoother mouselook:|fix=
 # Download [https://haekb.itch.io/lithfix LithFix] and copy it to installation folder.
 # Remove any custom rez files and add <code>-rez lithfix</code> to advanced command line in the launcher.
@@ Line 414: / Line 415: @@
 '''Notes:'''
 {{ii}} Custom Launcher has basic support for LithFix since version 1.3.0 (AVP2) or 1.1.0 (AVP2PH).
+{{--}} Conflicts with Master Server Patch.<ref name="kingkennyguide"/>
 }}
-{{Fixbox|description=Alternate method: Decrease mouse polling rate to 125 Hz.|ref={{cn|date=October 2016}}}}
+{{Fixbox|description=Alternate method: Decrease mouse polling rate to 125 Hz.|ref=<ref name="kingkennyguide"/>}}
 {{Fixbox|description=Alternate method: Use DI-wrapper.|ref=<ref>{{refcheck|user=Suicide_machine|date=2016-12-13}}</ref>|fix=
@@ Line 425: / Line 427: @@
 ===Black screen when using alternative visions with the Alien and Predator===
-{{--}} In recent graphics drivers, some pc's don't display the proper alternative vision modes, instead showing a black screen.<ref>[https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/index.php?topic=52849.0}}</ref><ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/LV426/comments/4c6mj5/annoying_avp2_game_bug_pc/}}</ref>
+{{--}} In recent graphics drivers the vision modes the game's color inversion does not work, resulting in the Alien vision and the Predator tech visor displaying black screens.<ref>[https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/index.php?topic=52849.0}}</ref><ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/LV426/comments/4c6mj5/annoying_avp2_game_bug_pc/}}</ref>
-{{Fixbox|description=Alternative method: Install [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/2180-avp2-vision-fix/ Aliens vs. Predator 2 Vision mode fix]
+{{Fixbox|description=Alternative method: Install [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/2180-avp2-vision-fix/ Aliens vs. Predator 2 Vision mode fix] |fix=
 #Download the file and unzip it in the <code>custom</code> folder located in {{p|game}}\Fox\Aliens vs. Predator 2</code>. If the folder doesn't exist create it.
-#In the launch settings go to options, then type in the command-line parameters <code>-rez custom/visionfix.rez</code>
+#In the launch settings go to options, then type in the command-line parameters <code>-rez custom/visionfix.rez</code>.
-or you can add the same command as a launch option, by typing it at the end of the target within a desktop shorcut.
+'''Notes:'''
+{{ii}} You can add the same command as a launch option within a shortcut to avp2.exe by typing it at the end of the "target" string.
+{{--}} Changes the look of the vision mode significantly by simply removing the color inversion.
+{{--}} Only works for single-player and does not work underwater.
 }}
 ===Cutscenes play too fast===
-{{Fixbox|description=[[Glossary:Frame rate (FPS)#Frame rate capping|Cap the frame rate at 60 FPS]]|ref={{cn|date=October 2016}}}}
+{{Fixbox|description=[[Glossary:Frame rate (FPS)#Frame rate capping|Cap the frame rate at 60 FPS]]|ref=<ref name="kingkennyguide"/>}}
 {{Fixbox|description=Set monitor on 60HZ |ref=<ref name="Diegoelcapo1231">{{Refcheck|user=Diegoelcapo1231|date=2020-07-27}}</ref>|fix=

Developers

	Monolith Productions
Primal Hunt	Third Law Interactive
macOS (OS X)	The Omni Group
Publishers
	Sierra Entertainment
	Fox Interactive
macOS (OS X)	MacPlay
Japan	Capcom
Engines
	Lithtech Talon
Release dates
Windows	October 30, 2001
macOS (OS X)	July 23, 2003
Reception
Metacritic	85
Taxonomy
Modes	Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing	Real-time
Perspectives	First-person
Controls	Direct control
Genres	Action, FPS
Vehicles	Robot
Art styles	Stylized
Themes	Horror, Sci-fi, Space
Series	Aliens versus Predator