BioShock
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
Mouse Acceleration Fix
All of this was necessary when I beat the game back in 2008. I don't know if this has been fixed by patches in the meantime, but I'm posting it here assuming it hasn't.
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 "<Bioshock install dir>\Builds\Release\DefUser.ini" and "<User application data folder>\Bioshock\User.ini". Open up both of these 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=etc...
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=500" 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..... right? 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.
6) Enjoy? ;(
I don't think I've seen all of these steps compiled in one place before, but they worked for me, and none of them individually fixed the entire problem.
No Sound
Locate Default.ini in
C:\Program Files (x86)\2K Games\Bioshock\Builds\Release\
Edit with Notepad. Scroll down to [FMODAudio.FMODAudioSubsystem] or Ctrl+F to use the findf function to search for "MaxChannels", no quotes. Change the MaxChannels=128 line to MaxChannels=64 and save the File.
Alternatively right click the Bioshock.exe file in
C:\Program Files (x86)\2K Games\Bioshock\Builds\Release\
Select "Properties" and change compatibility mode to Windows XP (Service Pack 2).
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.
Graphical Tweaks
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.