Anonymous edits have been disabled on the wiki. If you want to contribute please login or create an account.

Warning for game developers: PCGamingWiki staff members will only ever reach out to you using the official press@pcgamingwiki.com mail address.
Be aware of scammers claiming to be representatives or affiliates of PCGamingWiki who promise a PCGW page for a game key.

Difference between revisions of "BioShock"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
(w7x64 audio crash)
(Fixed up the page a bunch as thanks for Andytizer giving me a free copy of this game.)
Line 10: Line 10:
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{:BioShock (series)}}
 
{{:BioShock (series)}}
 +
 +
'''General information'''
 +
{{mm}} [http://forums.2kgames.com/forumdisplay.php?41-BioShock-In-Game-Discussion&s=1a17a248ad54c187f40ebbfa849ce854 Official Forum]
 +
{{mm}} [http://steamcommunity.com/app/7670/discussions/ Steam Hub Discussions].
 +
{{mm}} [http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=fdb755e49528ee14b7419103f7ef1c36&f=304 General Series Steam Forum]
 +
 +
==Availability==
 +
{{Availability Table|
 +
{{Availability Table/row| Retail | {{ID|Securom}} | Uses Securom, however the activation limit was removed on June 19, 2008. You also need an internet connection to finish installation. }}
 +
{{Availability Table/row| [http://store.steampowered.com/app/7670/ Steam] | {{ID|Steam}} | }}
 +
{{Availability Table/row| [http://www.onlive.com/games/details/bioshock Onlive] | {{ID|OnLive}} | }}
 +
{{Availability Table/row| [http://us.gamersgate.com/DD-BIO/bioshock GamersGate (Windows version)] | {{ID|GamersGate}} | Uses Securom, however the activation limit was removed on June 19, 2008. You also need an internet connection to finish installation. }}
 +
{{Availability Table/row| [http://us.gamersgate.com/DD-BSMAC/bioshock-mac GamersGate (Mac version)] | {{ID|GamersGate}} | }}
 +
{{Availability Table/row| [http://www.amazon.com/2K-Games-40631BioShock1-BioShock-Download/dp/B004UB7OPO/ Amazon (Windows version)] | {{ID|Amazon}} | Uses Securom, however the activation limit was removed on June 19, 2008. You also need an internet connection to finish installation. }}
 +
{{Availability Table/row| [http://www.amazon.com/Feral-Interactive-40666BioShock1-BioShock-Download/dp/B004Z219XG/ Amazon (Mac version)] | {{ID|Amazon}} | }}
 +
{{Availability Table/row| [http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/Product/BioShock/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d8045454087b Games For Windows Live] | {{ID|GFWL}} | }}
 +
}}
  
 
== Patches ==
 
== Patches ==
 
Patch is currently at [http://www.2kgames.com/bioshock/support/ Version 1.1.] It is heavily recommended to patch to the latest version, as the un-patched game can become unbeatable at one point. If purchased or activated from Steam, the game is automatically patched to the latest version.
 
Patch is currently at [http://www.2kgames.com/bioshock/support/ Version 1.1.] It is heavily recommended to patch to the latest version, as the un-patched game can become unbeatable at one point. If purchased or activated from Steam, the game is automatically patched to the latest version.
 +
 +
==Game data==
 +
===Save game location===
 +
{{Game Location Table|
 +
{{Game Location Table/row|Windows|Libraries\Documents\Bioshock\SaveGames}}
 +
}}
 +
 +
===[[Save game cloud syncing]]===
 +
{{Save Game Cloud Syncing|
 +
{{Save Game Cloud Syncing/row| [[Steam Cloud]] | false | }}
 +
{{Save Game Cloud Syncing/row| [[GameSave Manager]] | true | In the database. }}
 +
}}
 +
 +
==Video settings==
 +
{{Video Settings
 +
|widescreen_resolution      =true
 +
|widescreen_resolution_notes=
 +
|multimonitor              =false
 +
|multimonitor_notes        =
 +
|fov                        =hackable
 +
|fov_notes                  =See [[#Field of view (FOV)|Field of view (FOV)]].
 +
|windowed                  =true
 +
|windowed_notes            =
 +
|fullscreen                =false
 +
|fullscreen_notes          =
 +
|anisotropic                =true
 +
|anisotropic_notes          =
 +
|antialiasing              =true
 +
|antialiasing_notes        =
 +
|vsync                      =true
 +
|vsync_notes                =
 +
}}
 +
===[[Field of view (FOV)]]===
 +
{{Fixbox|1=
 +
{{Fixbox/fix|Changing the FOV}}
 +
1. Navigate to <pre>C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Bioshock\</pre>
 +
 +
2. Open <code>User.ini</code>.
 +
 +
3. Scroll down to the controls and search for <code>NumPad0=</code> or use Ctrl+F to use the find function to search for <code>NumPad0=</code>. You do not have to choose "Numpad0", you can also choose to use another key.
 +
 +
4. Add <code>exec command.txt</code> to the end of it. It should now look like this: <code>NumPad0=exec command.txt</code>. Save and set as "Read Only".
 +
 +
5. Create a text document, name it <code>command.txt</code> and save in
 +
 +
<pre>C:\Program Files (x86)\2K Games\Bioshock\Content\System\</pre>
 +
 +
6. Open the document and write <code>SetFov 100</code>, the value does not have to be 100, it can be anything you want. Save the file.
 +
 +
7. When in-game, press the 0 on your numpad to change the FOV. Certain events will reset the FOV (for example zooming with any of the weapons). In this case just press 0 on your numpad again.
 +
}}
 +
 +
==Input settings==
 +
{{Input Settings
 +
|key_remap                  =true
 +
|key_remap_notes            =
 +
|acceleration_option        =hackable
 +
|acceleration_option_notes  =enabled by default, see [[#Mouse acceleration|Mouse acceleration]] to learn how to disable it.
 +
|controller_support        =true
 +
|controller_support_notes  =Most menus become hidden when gamepad controls are enabled. so make sure to set all options before switching to gamepad mode.
 +
}}
 +
===[[Mouse acceleration]]===
 +
There are two configuration files that you will need to modify. They are located at:
 +
 +
<pre>C:\Program Files (x86)\2K games\BioShock\Builds\Release\DefUser.ini</pre>
 +
 +
<pre>C:\Users\$USERNAME$\AppData\Roaming\Bioshock\User.ini</pre>
 +
 +
Open up both files and make the following changes to each one:
 +
 +
1) Add this to the end of each file:
 +
<pre>
 +
[Engine.PlayerInput]
 +
MouseSmoothingMode=0
 +
MouseAccelThreshold=0.0
 +
</pre>
 +
 +
2) Find the section of the file with the key bindings. It will look like this:
 +
<pre>
 +
A=StrafeLeft
 +
B=AmmoSelectionDown
 +
C=Duck
 +
D=etcetera
 +
</pre>
 +
 +
change one of the binds to <code>J=set Engine.PlayerInput MouseAccelThreshold 0.0 | set Engine.PlayerInput MouseSmoothingMode 0</code>, with J being replaced with the key of your choice.
 +
 +
3) Do a search and replace on both files, replacing every instance of <code>Speed=2500</code> with <code>Speed=500</code>if you are a lower sensitivity player, or maybe "Speed=1000" if you like higher sensitivity.
 +
 +
4) With all of that, everything should be fixed. Not quite. Each time you start a new game the mouse will be screwed up until you press that key that you bound to "set Engine.PlayerInput MouseAccelThreshold 0.0 | set Engine.PlayerInput MouseSmoothingMode 0". So, press that each time you start a new game or level or spawn or whatever.
 +
 +
5) Disable Vertical Sync in the graphics options to reduce mouse lag. This will cause graphical tearing, so it's up to you which one is more important.
 +
  
 
== Issues and Fixes ==
 
== Issues and Fixes ==
−
=== Retail DRM ===
 
−
The retail disk version of BioShock for Windows utilizes SecuROM copy protection software, and requires internet activation to complete installation. This limit was removed on June 19, 2008.
 
  
 
=== Game-Breaking Issues ===
 
=== Game-Breaking Issues ===
Line 29: Line 137:
  
 
If your saves to do not go far enough back then the first two are game-ending issues. Technically, modifying the save file or using a trainer would also fix the issue, but neither solution has been documented.
 
If your saves to do not go far enough back then the first two are game-ending issues. Technically, modifying the save file or using a trainer would also fix the issue, but neither solution has been documented.
−
 
−
=== Graphics ===
 
−
 
−
Most menus become hidden when gamepad controls are enabled. It's better to set all options before switching to gamepad mode.
 
  
 
=== Excessive Screen Tearing ===
 
=== Excessive Screen Tearing ===
 
If you are noticing excessive tearing on Nvidia cards, Go to the control panel, 3D settings, add the Bioshock.exe to the list, and under options enable both FXAA and Vsync. This forces the stay at your refresh rate and fixes the somewhat broken MLAA that caused tearing.   
 
If you are noticing excessive tearing on Nvidia cards, Go to the control panel, 3D settings, add the Bioshock.exe to the list, and under options enable both FXAA and Vsync. This forces the stay at your refresh rate and fixes the somewhat broken MLAA that caused tearing.   
 +
 
==== Field of View ====
 
==== Field of View ====
  
Line 43: Line 148:
  
 
==== Can't Change Resolution From 1024x768 ====
 
==== Can't Change Resolution From 1024x768 ====
 +
{{Fixbox|1=
 +
{{Fixbox/fix|Can't Change Resolution From 1024x768}}
 
Locate <code>Default.ini</code> in
 
Locate <code>Default.ini</code> in
  
Line 50: Line 157:
  
 
Update Graphics Card drivers from [http://www.amd.com AMD] or [http://www.nvidia.com NVIDIA].
 
Update Graphics Card drivers from [http://www.amd.com AMD] or [http://www.nvidia.com NVIDIA].
−
 
+
}}
−
==== Changing Field of View ====
 
−
1. Navigate to <pre>C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Bioshock\</pre>
 
−
 
 
−
2. Open <code>User.ini</code>.
 
−
 
 
−
3. Scroll down to the controls and search for <code>NumPad0=</code> or use Ctrl+F to use the find function to search for <code>NumPad0=</code>. You do not have to choose "Numpad0", you can also choose to use another key.
 
−
 
 
−
4. Add <code>exec command.txt</code> to the end of it. It should now look like this: <code>NumPad0=exec command.txt</code>. Save and set as "Read Only".
 
−
 
 
−
5. Create a text document, name it <code>command.txt</code> and save in
 
−
 
 
−
<pre>C:\Program Files (x86)\2K Games\Bioshock\Content\System\</pre>
 
−
 
 
−
6. Open the document and write <code>SetFov 100</code>, the value does not have to be 100, it can be anything you want. Save the file.
 
−
 
 
−
7. When in-game, press the 0 on your numpad to change the FOV. Certain events will reset the FOV (for example zooming with any of the weapons). In this case just press 0 on your numpad again.
 
  
 
=== Alt-Tabbing ===
 
=== Alt-Tabbing ===
Line 74: Line 165:
 
=== Slow Loading Times ===
 
=== Slow Loading Times ===
  
−
If you are experiencing extremely slow loading times (> 1 minute), but have a high-end PC, it is most likely related to Securom DRM. I purchased the game via GFWL and was having this issue.
+
If you are experiencing extremely slow loading times (> 1 minute), but have a high-end PC, it is most likely related to Securom DRM.
−
 
 
−
To fix:
 
  
 +
{{Fixbox|1=
 +
{{Fixbox/fix|How to Fix}}
 
1) Make sure you patch to version 1.1 first.
 
1) Make sure you patch to version 1.1 first.
  
 
2) Then, use a 'cracked' version of the game's exe
 
2) Then, use a 'cracked' version of the game's exe
−
 
+
}}
−
This brought my loading times from 1-2 minutes down to about 10 seconds for levels/saves.
 
  
 
=== Audio ===
 
=== Audio ===
  
 
==== No Sound ====
 
==== No Sound ====
 +
 +
{{Fixbox|1=
 +
{{Fixbox/fix|}}
 
Locate Default.ini in
 
Locate Default.ini in
 
<pre>C:\Program Files (x86)\2K games\BioShock\Builds\Release\Default.ini</pre>
 
<pre>C:\Program Files (x86)\2K games\BioShock\Builds\Release\Default.ini</pre>
Line 101: Line 194:
  
 
Open your control panel and choose 'Sound', click the recording tab, right-click and tick 'Show Disabled Devices'. A device called 'Stereo Mix' should appear, right-click and enable 'Stereo Mix'.
 
Open your control panel and choose 'Sound', click the recording tab, right-click and tick 'Show Disabled Devices'. A device called 'Stereo Mix' should appear, right-click and enable 'Stereo Mix'.
 +
}}
 +
  
 
=== Crash on startup in Windows 7 64-bit ===
 
=== Crash on startup in Windows 7 64-bit ===
  
 
With some [http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1544483 Windows 7 installations], Bioshock will crash on startup due to a bug with how OpenAL is implemented. To fix this:
 
With some [http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1544483 Windows 7 installations], Bioshock will crash on startup due to a bug with how OpenAL is implemented. To fix this:
−
 
+
{{Fixbox|1=
 +
{{Fixbox/fix|}}
 
Locate and right click <code>Bioshock.exe</code>  
 
Locate and right click <code>Bioshock.exe</code>  
  
Line 117: Line 213:
  
 
Start the game through Steam
 
Start the game through Steam
−
 
+
}}
−
 
 
−
=== Controls ===
 
−
 
 
−
==== Mouse Acceleration Fix ====
 
−
The only way to turn off the mouse acceleration and make the controls tolerable is to manually modify the game's configuration files. There are two configuration files that you will need to modify. They are located at:
 
−
 
 
−
<pre>C:\Program Files (x86)\2K games\BioShock\Builds\Release\DefUser.ini</pre>
 
−
 
 
−
<pre>C:\Users\$USERNAME$\AppData\Roaming\Bioshock\User.ini</pre>
 
−
 
 
−
Open up both files and make the following changes to each one:
 
−
 
 
−
1) Add this to the end of each file:
 
−
<pre>
 
−
[Engine.PlayerInput]
 
−
MouseSmoothingMode=0
 
−
MouseAccelThreshold=0.0
 
−
</pre>
 
−
 
 
−
2) Find the section of the file with the key bindings. It will look like this:
 
−
<pre>
 
−
A=StrafeLeft
 
−
B=AmmoSelectionDown
 
−
C=Duck
 
−
D=etcetera
 
−
</pre>
 
−
 
 
−
change one of the binds to <code>J=set Engine.PlayerInput MouseAccelThreshold 0.0 | set Engine.PlayerInput MouseSmoothingMode 0</code>, with J being replaced with the key of your choice.
 
−
 
 
−
3) Do a search and replace on both files, replacing every instance of <code>Speed=2500</code> with <code>Speed=500</code>if you are a lower sensitivity player, or maybe "Speed=1000" if you like higher sensitivity.
 
−
 
 
−
4) With all of that, everything should be fixed. Not quite. Each time you start a new game the mouse will be screwed up until you press that key that you bound to "set Engine.PlayerInput MouseAccelThreshold 0.0 | set Engine.PlayerInput MouseSmoothingMode 0". So, press that each time you start a new game or level or spawn or whatever.
 
−
 
 
−
5) Disable Vertical Sync in the graphics options to reduce mouse lag. This will cause graphical tearing, so it's up to you which one is more important.
 
  
 
== Improvements ==
 
== Improvements ==
Line 160: Line 222:
  
 
== System Requirements ==
 
== System Requirements ==
−
{{SysReq
+
{{System Requirements
−
|minOS = Windows XP
+
|OSfamily_ = Windows
−
|recOS = Windows 7
+
 
−
|minproc = 2.4 GHz
+
|minOS_  = Windows XP
−
|recproc = Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Athlon 64 x2
+
|minproc_ = 2.4 GHz
−
|minmem = 1 GB
+
|minmem_  = 1 GB
−
|recmem = 2 GB
+
|minHD_  = 8 GB  
−
|minHD = 8 GB free
+
|minGPU1_ = DirectX 9.0c, Shader Model 3.0  
−
|minGPU1 = DirectX 9.0c, Shader Model 3.0  
+
|minVram_ = 128 MB
−
|minVRAM = 128 MB
+
 
 +
|recOS_  = Windows 7
 +
|recproc_ = Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Athlon 64 x2
 +
|recmem_  = 2 GB
 +
|recHD_  = 8 GB
 
|recGPU1 = nVidia GeForce 7900 GT (DirectX 9.0c)
 
|recGPU1 = nVidia GeForce 7900 GT (DirectX 9.0c)
 
|recGPU2 = nVidia GeForce 8600 (DirectX 10)
 
|recGPU2 = nVidia GeForce 8600 (DirectX 10)
Line 175: Line 241:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
== See Also ==
+
{{System Requirements
−
* [[BioShock 2]]
+
|OSfamily_ = Mac
 +
 
 +
|minOS_  = Mac OS X 10.5.8
 +
|minproc_ = 1.4Ghz
 +
|minmem_  = 1.5GB
 +
|minHD_  = 8.0GB
 +
|minGPU1_ = 128MB of Vram (Note: Requires an Intel processor. The game does not support Intel GMA integrated video chipsets (older Mac minis and MacBooks), but does run on GeForce 9400M graphics cards or better.)
 +
 
 +
}}
 +
 
  
 
[[Category:Game]]
 
[[Category:Game]]
 
[[Category:Windows]]
 
[[Category:Windows]]
 +
[[Category:Mac]]

Revision as of 07:39, 29 December 2012

Template:Infobox BioShock (series)

General information

Official Forum
Steam Hub Discussions.
General Series Steam Forum

Availability

Template:Availability Table

Patches

Patch is currently at Version 1.1. It is heavily recommended to patch to the latest version, as the un-patched game can become unbeatable at one point. If purchased or activated from Steam, the game is automatically patched to the latest version.

Game data

Save game location

Template:Game Location Table

Save game cloud syncing

Template:Save Game Cloud Syncing

Video settings

Template:Video Settings

Field of view (FOV)

Instructions

Input settings

Template:Input Settings

Mouse acceleration

There are two configuration files that you will need to modify. They are located at: 

C:\Program Files (x86)\2K games\BioShock\Builds\Release\DefUser.ini
C:\Users\$USERNAME$\AppData\Roaming\Bioshock\User.ini

Open up both files and make the following changes to each one:

1) Add this to the end of each file: 

[Engine.PlayerInput]
MouseSmoothingMode=0
MouseAccelThreshold=0.0

2) Find the section of the file with the key bindings. It will look like this: 

A=StrafeLeft
B=AmmoSelectionDown
C=Duck
D=etcetera

change one of the binds to J=set Engine.PlayerInput MouseAccelThreshold 0.0 | set Engine.PlayerInput MouseSmoothingMode 0, with J being replaced with the key of your choice.

3) Do a search and replace on both files, replacing every instance of Speed=2500 with Speed=500if you are a lower sensitivity player, or maybe "Speed=1000" if you like higher sensitivity.

4) With all of that, everything should be fixed. Not quite. Each time you start a new game the mouse will be screwed up until you press that key that you bound to "set Engine.PlayerInput MouseAccelThreshold 0.0 | set Engine.PlayerInput MouseSmoothingMode 0". So, press that each time you start a new game or level or spawn or whatever.

5) Disable Vertical Sync in the graphics options to reduce mouse lag. This will cause graphical tearing, so it's up to you which one is more important.


Issues and Fixes

Game-Breaking Issues

Extremely minor spoilers follow, but they detail glitches that should be avoided. In order of possible encounter:

In Arcadia (the fifth level), do not have the Scrounger tonic equipped around the time you search Langford's Safe. The safe holds a required quest item. To fix this issue, you must reload an earlier save and remove the tonic by visiting a Gene Bank. Once you have the item from the safe, you can safely use the Scrounger tonic for the rest of the game.

In Fort Frolic (the seventh level), "if you leave the level using the Bathysphere you entered with before you complete Cohen's Masterpiece when you return to the level: the curtain that needs to be open to perform that quest will be permanently closed." (Good luck decyphering that; I can't.) Source

In Fort Frolic, it is possible to get trapped in Rapture Records. When trying to kill Silas Cobb, don't use the Hypnotize plasmid. If you do and the Big Daddy kills Cobb before he's able to perform a scripted task, you must return to the main map by killing yourself. (The Incinerate! plasmid at your feet works well.) Reloading an old save is also an option. Source

If your saves to do not go far enough back then the first two are game-ending issues. Technically, modifying the save file or using a trainer would also fix the issue, but neither solution has been documented.

Excessive Screen Tearing

If you are noticing excessive tearing on Nvidia cards, Go to the control panel, 3D settings, add the Bioshock.exe to the list, and under options enable both FXAA and Vsync. This forces the stay at your refresh rate and fixes the somewhat broken MLAA that caused tearing.

Field of View

Options - Graphics Options - Horizontal FOV Lock - Off

This is vital for users on widescreen monitors. Otherwise, what's visible on-screen will be less than what you'd get from a 4:3 resolution.

Can't Change Resolution From 1024x768

Instructions

Alt-Tabbing

If you run at a different resolution than your desktop resolution, BioShock will not be fullscreen when you return to it. To fix this, change the resolution to anything other than its original resolution, and cancel when it asks you to confirm.

Slow Loading Times

If you are experiencing extremely slow loading times (> 1 minute), but have a high-end PC, it is most likely related to Securom DRM.

Instructions

Audio

No Sound

Instructions


Crash on startup in Windows 7 64-bit

With some Windows 7 installations, Bioshock will crash on startup due to a bug with how OpenAL is implemented. To fix this:

Instructions

Improvements

Skip Introduction Logos

Edit the shortcut (right click -> properties), then:

  • Steam: set launch options -> -nointro
  • Windows: Target: "C:\...\*.exe" -nointro

System Requirements

Template:System Requirements

Template:System Requirements