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BioShock

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Revision as of 17:12, 12 September 2012 by Citadel (talk | contribs) (Robot: Cosmetic changes)

Template:Infobox BioShock (series)

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.

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

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.

Graphics

Most menus become hidden when gamepad controls are enabled. It's better to set all options before switching to gamepad mode.

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

Locate Default.ini in 

C:\Program Files (x86)\2K Games\Bioshock\Builds\Release\

Edit with Notepad. Scroll down 2/3rds down to the [WinDrv.WindowsClient] section (or Ctrl-F to search for "Fullscreen", no quotes). Edit the FullscreenViewportX and FullscreenViewportY values to desired resolution then save the file.

Update Graphics Card drivers from AMD or NVIDIA.

Changing Field of View

1. Navigate to 

C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Bioshock\

2. Open User.ini.

3. Scroll down to the controls and search for NumPad0= or use Ctrl+F to use the find function to search for NumPad0=. You do not have to choose "Numpad0", you can also choose to use another key.

4. Add exec command.txt to the end of it. It should now look like this: NumPad0=exec command.txt. Save and set as "Read Only".

5. Create a text document, name it command.txt and save in 

C:\Program Files (x86)\2K Games\Bioshock\Content\System\

6. Open the document and write SetFov 100, 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

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. I purchased the game via GFWL and was having this issue.

To fix:

1) Make sure you patch to version 1.1 first.

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

No Sound

Locate Default.ini in 

C:\Program Files (x86)\2K games\BioShock\Builds\Release\Default.ini

Edit with Notepad. Scroll down to [FMODAudio.FMODAudioSubsystem] or Ctrl+F to use the find function to search for "MaxChannels", no quotes. Change the MaxChannels=128 line to MaxChannels=64 and save the File.

Locate and right click Bioshock.exe 

C:\Program Files (x86)\2K Games\Bioshock\Builds\Release\

Select "Properties" and change compatibility mode to Windows XP (Service Pack 2).

If your motherboard uses a Realtek HD audio device do the following:

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'.

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: 

C:\Program Files (x86)\2K games\BioShock\Builds\Release\DefUser.ini
C:\Users\$USERNAME$\Application Data\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.

Improvements

Skip Introduction Logos

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

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

System Requirements

Template:SysReq

See Also