Area 51 (2005)
From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
Revision as of 22:31, 23 July 2019 by 2a02:2168:908f:1101:440c:ba68:7271:2cf8 (talk)
Developers | |
---|---|
Midway Studios Austin | |
Publishers | |
Midway Games | |
Release dates | |
Windows: June 8, 2005 | This value is not permitted. |
Warnings
Area 51 | |
---|---|
Area 51 | 1995 |
Area 51 (2005) | 2005 |
BlackSite: Area 51 | 2007 |
Key points
- This game is available as a free download.
Availability
Source | DRM | Notes | Keys | OS |
---|---|---|---|---|
Retail | StarForce 3 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.[1]
- It can be downloaded here. Install the latest patch to remove the online DRM.
Essential improvements
Skip intro videos
Delete/rename Midway_640x480_30.bik[2] |
---|
|
Patches
- Install the latest patch(1.2) to remove copy protection and fix various issues.
- Latest patch for German and European is version 1.1, it can be found in the above link or here and here.
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 and the low FOV issue after some cut-scenes wasn't fixed.
Game data
Configuration file(s) location
System | Location |
---|---|
Windows | <path-to-game>\[Note 1] |
-
UserVConfig.ini
contains player video settings. -
UserInputConfig.ini
contains player input settings. -
LangConfig.ini
contains the game language settings. -
InputConfig.ini
andVConfig.ini
contain default settings; these files do not need to be edited directly.
Save game data location
System | Location |
---|---|
Windows | <path-to-game>\SAVES\[Note 1] |
Video settings
Field of view (FOV)
Use Area 51 FOV Patch[citation needed] |
---|
Notes
|
Windowed
Set windowed in UserVConfig.ini[2] |
---|
|
Anti-aliasing (AA)
- The game doesn't support AA natively and forcing it through GPU control panel causes white outlines around letters and objects in the game.
Use Virtual/Dynamic Super Resolution[4] |
---|
|
Turn on morphological filtering in the graphics card control panel(AMD)[4] |
---|
|
Input settings
Audio settings
Localizations
Language | UI | Audio | Sub | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
English | ||||
German | ||||
Italian | ||||
Portuguese | ||||
French |
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.[3]
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".
Start the installation manually using the command console[5] |
---|
Variant 1:
Variant 2:
Notes
|
"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.
Install the latest patch[2] |
---|
Choppy cutscene playback
- FMV cutscenes play incorrectly in fullscreen mode on modern systems.
Run the game in a borderless fullscreen window[4] |
---|
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.
Video capture software such as FRAPS can be used to lower frame rate to 60 fps if jumping is required but there is not pre-scripted "jump assist", such as the section in the 2nd level where you are required to jump over moving beams of electricity[citation needed] |
---|
Alternatively, because the game has permanent v-sync, if your monitor has a manual refresh rate toggle button, switching the refresh rate to 60 hz will also cause the frame rate to be locked at 60[citation needed] |
---|
Other information
API
Technical specs | Supported | Notes |
---|---|---|
Direct3D | 9 |
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 |
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
- ↑ Game Bundle Download Sponsored by Air Force
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Verified by User:Garrett on 2014-07-25
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 View topic - Area 51 | WSGF
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Verified by User:Antrad on September 1, 2017
- ↑ Problems Installing Midway Games Area 51
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