Area 51 (2005)

Area 51 (2005)

Developers
	Midway Studios Austin
Publishers
	Midway Games
Release dates
Windows	June 6, 2005

Warnings

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

Area 51
Area 51	1995
Area 51 (2005)	2005
BlackSite: Area 51	2007

Key points

This game is available as a free download.

GameSpy servers have been shut down, but there is a workaround to connect to OpenSpy servers to play multiplayer; see Project Dreamland.

Availability

Source	DRM	Notes	Keys	OS
Retail		StarForce v3 DRM (removed in the latest patch).

The installer on the retail version of the game does not function correctly on modern operating systems (Windows 7 and later). See Installing the CD/DVD version for a solution or install the free version.

Free version

This game was released as a free download sponsored by the US Air Force.

It can be downloaded here or here. Install the newest patch to remove the online DRM.

Essential improvements

Skip intro videos

Instructions

Patches

Install the latest patch(1.2) to remove StarForce copy protection and fix various issues.

Project Dreamland

Project Dreamland is a source port of Area 51, that comes bundled together with all of its content. It enables multiplayer and fixes many bugs of the original. However it requires online connection even to play single player campaign, the low FOV issue after some cut-scenes isn't fixed and some alpha textures don't have transparency.

Game data

Configuration files location

Template:Game data/row

System	Location

UserVConfig.ini contains player video settings.

UserInputConfig.ini contains player input settings.

LangConfig.ini contains the game language settings.

InputConfig.ini and VConfig.ini contain default settings; these files do not need to be edited directly.

Save game data location

Template:Game data/row

System	Location

Video settings

Video settings.

Field of view (FOV)

Instructions

Windowed

Instructions

Anti-aliasing (AA)

Forced AA causing white outlines.

The game doesn't support AA natively and forcing it through graphics card control panel can cause white outlines around letters and objects in the game.

Instructions

Instructions

Input settings

Controls.

Key mappings.

Audio settings

Audio settings.

Network

Multiplayer types

Type	Native	Notes
LAN play
Online play		GameSpy servers have been shut down. To play online download Project Dreamland.

Issues unresolved

FOV changes after some cutscenes

After certain in-game cut-scenes FOV changes to a very low value. It changes back automatically when a new level is started or if the player loads the game from the next checkpoint.

Issues fixed

Problem installing the CD/DVD version

The installation process fails with the following message "The wizard was interrupted before Area 51(R) could be completely installed".

Instructions

"An internet connection is required to enjoy free, ad-supported game play" error

The advertising servers for the free US Air Force version are no longer running.

Instructions

Choppy cutscene playback

FMV cutscenes play incorrectly in fullscreen mode on modern systems.

Instructions

High frame rate breaks jump physics

FPS >50 causes inability to jump while moving up sloped surfaces. FPS >100 breaks jumping mechanic entirely.^{[citation needed]}.

Jumping is not required for combat, and in most cases where jumping from one platform to another is required, there is an invisible scripted "jump assist" that allows the player to jump across gaps, even though normal jumping is prevented by high frame rate.

Instructions

Instructions

Other information

API

Executable	32-bit	64-bit	Notes
Windows

Middleware

	Middleware	Notes
Audio	Miles Sound System
Cutscenes	Bink Video
Multiplayer	GameSpy	Servers have been shut down. To play online download Project Dreamland.

System requirements

Windows
	Minimum
Operating system (OS)	2000, XP
Processor (CPU)	Intel 1.4 GHz AMD 1.2 GHz
System memory (RAM)	256 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD)	3 GB
Video card (GPU)	ATI Radeon 9500 Nvidia GeForce FX 5200