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Difference between revisions of "Homeworld 2"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
m (updated template usage)
(Self-contradicting entry. Confirmed to be an intentional campaign-only thing, not unlike other games of the genre https://www.reddit.com/r/homeworld/comments/2xx3pp/hw2_marine_frigates_cannot_capture_vessels/)
 
(35 intermediate revisions by 10 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 +
{{disambig|the original release|the remastered version|[[Homeworld 2 Remastered Edition]]}}
 
{{Infobox game
 
{{Infobox game
 
|cover        = Homeworld 2 Box.jpg
 
|cover        = Homeworld 2 Box.jpg
Line 6: Line 7:
 
|publishers  =  
 
|publishers  =  
 
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Sierra Entertainment|Original}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Sierra Entertainment|Original}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Gearbox Software|Current}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Aspyr Media|OS X}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Aspyr Media|OS X}}
 
|engines      =  
 
|engines      =  
Line 11: Line 13:
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|September 16, 2003}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|September 16, 2003}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|OS X|September 21, 2004}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|OS X|September 21, 2004}}
 +
|taxonomy    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | One-time game purchase }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | Singleplayer, Multiplayer }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing            | Real-time }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives      | Free-roaming camera }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls          | Multiple select, Point and select }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres            | RTS }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/sports            | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/vehicles          | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/art styles        | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes            | Sci-fi, Space }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | Homeworld }}
 
|reception    =  
 
|reception    =  
 
{{Infobox game/row/reception|Metacritic|homeworld-2|83}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/reception|Metacritic|homeworld-2|83}}
{{Infobox game/row/reception|IGDB|homeworld-2|75}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/reception|IGDB|homeworld-2|rating}}
 
|steam appid  = 244160
 
|steam appid  = 244160
 
|gogcom id    = 2114871440
 
|gogcom id    = 2114871440
 
|gogcom id side = 1522747276
 
|gogcom id side = 1522747276
 
|strategywiki = Homeworld 2
 
|strategywiki = Homeworld 2
|mobygames    = homeworld-2
+
|mobygames    = 10403
 +
|lutris      = homeworld-2
 +
|hltb        = 4497
 
|wikipedia    = Homeworld 2
 
|wikipedia    = Homeworld 2
 
|winehq      = 2616
 
|winehq      = 2616
 
|license      = commercial
 
|license      = commercial
 
}}
 
}}
{{Series|Homeworld}}
 
  
'''Key points'''
+
{{Introduction
{{++}} Mod friendly
+
|introduction      =
{{++}} Small but dedicated community
+
 
 +
|release history  =
 +
 
 +
|current state    =
 +
}}
  
 
'''General information'''
 
'''General information'''
{{mm}} [http://www.relic.com/ Relic Entertainment Official site]
 
{{mm}} [http://homeworld.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page Encyclopedia Hiigara] - A wiki for everything Homeworld related
 
 
{{mm}} [http://shipyards.relicnews.com/ Homeworld Shipyards] - A fairly old but big Homeworld fan site
 
{{mm}} [http://shipyards.relicnews.com/ Homeworld Shipyards] - A fairly old but big Homeworld fan site
 
{{GOG.com links|2114871440|homeworld_remastered_collection|for game series}}
 
{{GOG.com links|2114871440|homeworld_remastered_collection|for game series}}
Line 40: Line 58:
 
{{Availability/row| Retail |  | Disc, Key | {{DRM|SecuROM|5}}. |  | Windows, OS X }}
 
{{Availability/row| Retail |  | Disc, Key | {{DRM|SecuROM|5}}. |  | Windows, OS X }}
 
{{Availability/row| GOG.com | homeworld_remastered_collection | DRM-free | Homeworld Remastered Collection |  | Windows }}
 
{{Availability/row| GOG.com | homeworld_remastered_collection | DRM-free | Homeworld Remastered Collection |  | Windows }}
{{Availability/row| MacApp | id991804858 | MacApp | Homeworld Remastered Collection. Updated for compatibility with modern systems. Currently no online multiplayer or mod support. |  | OS X }}
 
 
{{Availability/row| Steam | 244160 | Steam | Homeworld Remastered Collection |  | Windows }}
 
{{Availability/row| Steam | 244160 | Steam | Homeworld Remastered Collection |  | Windows }}
 +
{{Availability/row| MacApp | id991804858 | MacApp | Homeworld Remastered Collection. Updated for compatibility with modern systems. Currently no online multiplayer or mod support. |  | OS X | unavailable }}
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{ii}} The Homeworld Remastered Collection contains [[Homeworld]], Homeworld 2, [[Homeworld Remastered Edition]] and [[Homeworld 2 Remastered Edition]].
 
{{ii}} The Homeworld Remastered Collection contains [[Homeworld]], Homeworld 2, [[Homeworld Remastered Edition]] and [[Homeworld 2 Remastered Edition]].
 +
{{ii}} A free demo version is available from [https://www.gamefront.com/games/homeworld-2/file/homeworld-2-demo GameFront].
  
 
==Essential improvements==
 
==Essential improvements==
Line 70: Line 89:
 
===[[Glossary:Save game cloud syncing|Save game cloud syncing]]===
 
===[[Glossary:Save game cloud syncing|Save game cloud syncing]]===
 
{{Save game cloud syncing
 
{{Save game cloud syncing
|discord               =  
+
|discord                   =  
|discord notes         =  
+
|discord notes             =  
|epic games store       =  
+
|epic games launcher       =  
|epic games store notes =  
+
|epic games launcher notes =  
|gog galaxy             = false
+
|gog galaxy               = false
|gog galaxy notes       =  
+
|gog galaxy notes         =  
|origin                 =  
+
|origin                   =  
|origin notes           =  
+
|origin notes             =  
|steam cloud           = true
+
|steam cloud               = true
|steam cloud notes     =  
+
|steam cloud notes         =  
|uplay                  =  
+
|ubisoft connect          =  
|uplay notes           =  
+
|ubisoft connect notes     =  
|xbox cloud             =  
+
|xbox cloud               =  
|xbox cloud notes       =  
+
|xbox cloud notes         =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 105: Line 124:
 
|fov notes                  =  
 
|fov notes                  =  
 
|windowed                  = hackable
 
|windowed                  = hackable
|windowed notes            = See [[#Windowed|Windowed]].
+
|windowed notes            = Run the game with the <code> -windowed -w ### -h ###</code> [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line arguments]], with inserted custom width and height values.
 
|borderless windowed        = hackable
 
|borderless windowed        = hackable
|borderless windowed notes  = See [[#Windowed|Windowed]].
+
|borderless windowed notes  = Run the game with the <code> -windowed -w ### -h ### -noborder</code> [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line arguments]], with inserted custom width and height values.
 
|anisotropic                = false
 
|anisotropic                = false
 
|anisotropic notes          =  
 
|anisotropic notes          =  
 
|antialiasing              = false
 
|antialiasing              = false
 
|antialiasing notes        =  
 
|antialiasing notes        =  
 +
|upscaling                  = unknown
 +
|upscaling tech            =
 +
|upscaling notes            =
 
|vsync                      = true
 
|vsync                      = true
 
|vsync notes                =  
 
|vsync notes                =  
Line 122: Line 144:
 
|color blind                = unknown
 
|color blind                = unknown
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
|color blind notes          =  
}}
 
 
===[[Glossary:Windowed|Windowed]]===
 
{{Fixbox|description=Set in shortcut|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
 
# Go to the shortcut properties.
 
# In the Target box add the line <code> -windowed -w ### -h ###</code>, substituting your resolution.
 
# For a borderless window use your desktop resolution and add <code> -noborder</code> to the end.
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
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|closed captions          = false
 
|closed captions          = false
 
|closed captions notes    =  
 
|closed captions notes    =  
|mute on focus lost      = true
+
|mute on focus lost      = always on
 
|mute on focus lost notes =  
 
|mute on focus lost notes =  
 
|eax support              =  
 
|eax support              =  
 
|eax support notes        =  
 
|eax support notes        =  
 +
|royalty free audio      = always on
 +
|royalty free audio notes =
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 226: Line 243:
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = unknown
 
  |audio    = unknown
  |subtitles = unknown
+
  |subtitles = true
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
Line 234: Line 251:
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = unknown
 
  |audio    = unknown
  |subtitles = unknown
+
  |subtitles = true
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
Line 242: Line 259:
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = unknown
 
  |audio    = unknown
  |subtitles = unknown
+
  |subtitles = true
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
Line 250: Line 267:
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = unknown
 
  |audio    = unknown
  |subtitles = unknown
+
  |subtitles = true
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |notes    =  
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Polish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    = Local retail only.
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
}}
 
}}
Line 262: Line 287:
 
|local play modes    =  
 
|local play modes    =  
 
|local play notes    =  
 
|local play notes    =  
|lan play            = unknown
+
|lan play            = true
|lan play players    =  
+
|lan play players    = 6
|lan play modes      =  
+
|lan play modes      = Versus
|lan play notes      =  
+
|lan play notes      = Not available in the Homeworld Remastered Collection version.<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://forums.gearboxsoftware.com/t/where-is-lan-in-the-classic-homeworld/100410|title=Gearbox Software Forums - Where is lan in the classic homeworld?|date=May 2023}}</ref> Can be restored with [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=690235948 this Workshop mod].
|online play          = true
+
|online play          = false
 
|online play players  = 6
 
|online play players  = 6
|online play modes    =  
+
|online play modes    = Versus
 
|online play notes    =  
 
|online play notes    =  
 
|asynchronous        =  
 
|asynchronous        =  
Line 288: Line 313:
 
|upnp =  
 
|upnp =  
 
}}
 
}}
 
==Issues unresolved==
 
===Marine frigate capture bug===
 
Marine frigates are unable to capture enemy vessels. Once the capture-order has been completed, ship control is never transferred, even with repeated attempts.
 
 
'''This is not a bug. Relic disabled the ability to capture ships that build other ships in Single Player.'''
 
  
 
==Issues fixed==
 
==Issues fixed==
 
===Windows Vista/7 compatibility fix===
 
===Windows Vista/7 compatibility fix===
{{Fixbox|description=Use the German cracked executable or completely disable DEP|ref=<ref>[http://www.thegameengine.org/homeworld-2/homeworld-2-on-windows-7/ Homeworld 2 on Windows 7]</ref>|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Disable Data Execution Prevention (DEP) in Windows, or use a German No-CD patch.|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://www.thegameengine.org/homeworld-2/homeworld-2-on-windows-7/|title=Homeworld 2 on Windows 7|date=May 2023}}</ref>|fix=
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===Choppy/laggy camera movement on Windows 7 fix===
 
===Choppy/laggy camera movement on Windows 7 fix===
{{Fixbox|description=Enable Vsync via the PLAYERCFG.LUA file found in Homeworld2/Bin/Profiles/Profile1 by editing it with a simple text editor. This will force the game to enable Vsync if the game crashes when you select Vsync in the Options menu ingame.|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Enable Vsync via editing the {{file|PLAYERCFG.LUA}} file found in {{folder|{{p|game}}\Bin\Profiles\Profile1}} in a text editor. |fix=
 
}}
 
}}
 +
{{ii}} This will force the game to enable Vsync if the game crashes when selecting Vsync in the Options menu ingame.
  
 
===Obsolete video card driver error message fix for modern Nvidia cards===
 
===Obsolete video card driver error message fix for modern Nvidia cards===
 
{{Fixbox|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|fix=
# Go to <code>{{P|game}}/BIN</code>
+
# Go to {{folder|{{P|game}}\bin}}
# Edit <code>driverConfig.lua</code> and replace some content with [https://pastebin.com/HUeqtaDZ/ this].
+
# Edit {{file|driverConfig.lua}} and replace some content with [https://pastebin.com/HUeqtaDZ this].
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 313: Line 333:
 
{{Fixbox|description=Replace the atioglxx.dll file|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Replace the atioglxx.dll file|fix=
 
# Download the [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/596-atioglxxdll/ updated atioglxx.dll] file.
 
# Download the [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/596-atioglxxdll/ updated atioglxx.dll] file.
# Place it under {{code|{{p|game}}\bin\release}}.
+
# Place it in {{folder|{{p|game}}\bin\release}}.
 
# Launch the game.
 
# Launch the game.
 
}}
 
}}
Line 320: Line 340:
 
===API===
 
===API===
 
{{API
 
{{API
|direct3d versions      =  
+
|direct3d versions      = 9.0b
 
|direct3d notes        =  
 
|direct3d notes        =  
 
|directdraw versions    =  
 
|directdraw versions    =  
Line 342: Line 362:
 
|windows 32-bit exe    = true
 
|windows 32-bit exe    = true
 
|windows 64-bit exe    = false
 
|windows 64-bit exe    = false
 +
|windows arm app        = false
 
|windows exe notes      =  
 
|windows exe notes      =  
|macos 32-bit app       = unknown
+
|mac os x powerpc app  = true
|macos 64-bit app       = unknown
+
|macos intel 32-bit app = unknown
 +
|macos intel 64-bit app = unknown
 +
|macos arm app          = unknown
 
|macos app notes        =  
 
|macos app notes        =  
 
|linux 32-bit executable=  
 
|linux 32-bit executable=  
 
|linux 64-bit executable=  
 
|linux 64-bit executable=  
 +
|linux arm app          = unknown
 
|linux executable notes =  
 
|linux executable notes =  
 
}}
 
}}
Line 366: Line 390:
 
|multiplayer notes=  
 
|multiplayer notes=  
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
===[[Glossary:Command line arguments|Command line arguments]]===
 +
{{ii}} A full list of command line arguments is found in [http://complex.mastertopforum.com/command-line-switches-used-by-hw2-vt1011.html?highlight=switches this forum thread].
  
 
==System requirements==
 
==System requirements==
Line 371: Line 398:
 
|OSfamily = Windows
 
|OSfamily = Windows
  
|minOS    = XP
+
|minOS    = 98, ME, 2000, XP
 
|minCPU  = Intel Pentium III 833 MHz
 
|minCPU  = Intel Pentium III 833 MHz
 
|minCPU2  = AMD Athlon 833 MHz
 
|minCPU2  = AMD Athlon 833 MHz
Line 382: Line 409:
 
|recCPU  = Intel Pentium 4 1.6 GHz
 
|recCPU  = Intel Pentium 4 1.6 GHz
 
|recRAM  = 512 MB
 
|recRAM  = 512 MB
|recGPU  = Nvidia GeForce3 series
+
|recGPU  = Nvidia GeForce 3 series
 
|recGPU2  = ATI Radeon 8500
 
|recGPU2  = ATI Radeon 8500
 
|recVRAM  = 64 MB
 
|recVRAM  = 64 MB
Line 394: Line 421:
 
|minRAM  = 4 GB
 
|minRAM  = 4 GB
 
|minHD    = 20 GB
 
|minHD    = 20 GB
|minGPU  = ATI Radeon HD 3870
+
|minGPU  = Nvidia GeForce GT 640M
|minGPU2  = Nvidia GeForce 640M
+
|minGPU2  = ATI Radeon HD 3870
|minGPU3  = Intel HD 4000
+
|minGPU3  = Intel HD Graphics 4000
 
|minVRAM  = 512 MB
 
|minVRAM  = 512 MB
  

Latest revision as of 22:55, 29 March 2024

This page is for the original release. For the remastered version, see Homeworld 2 Remastered Edition.

Homeworld 2
Homeworld 2 cover
Developers
Relic Entertainment
macOS (OS X) Beenox Shift
Publishers
Original Sierra Entertainment
Current Gearbox Software
OS X Aspyr Media
Release dates
Windows September 16, 2003
macOS (OS X) September 21, 2004
Reception
Metacritic 83
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase
Modes Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives Free-roaming camera
Controls Multiple select, Point and select
Genres RTS
Themes Sci-fi, Space
Series Homeworld
Homeworld 2 on HowLongToBeat
Homeworld 2 on IGDB
Homeworld 2 guide on StrategyWiki
Homeworld 2 on MobyGames
Homeworld 2 on Wikipedia
Homeworld
Homeworld 1999
Homeworld: Cataclysm 2000
Homeworld 2 2003
Homeworld Remastered Edition 2015
Homeworld 2 Remastered Edition 2015
Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak 2016
Homeworld 3 2024

Warnings

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

Homeworld 2 is a singleplayer and multiplayer free-roaming camera RTS game in the Homeworld series.

General information

Homeworld Shipyards - A fairly old but big Homeworld fan site
GOG.com Community Discussions for game series
GOG.com Support Page
Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
CD key
SecuROM 5 DRM.
Windows
macOS (OS X)
GOG.com
DRM-free
Homeworld Remastered Collection
Windows
Steam
Icon overlay.png
Homeworld Remastered Collection
Windows
Mac App Store (unavailable)
Icon overlay.png
Homeworld Remastered Collection. Updated for compatibility with modern systems. Currently no online multiplayer or mod support.
macOS (OS X)
The Homeworld Remastered Collection contains Homeworld, Homeworld 2, Homeworld Remastered Edition and Homeworld 2 Remastered Edition.
A free demo version is available from GameFront.

Essential improvements

Patches

Official

Fan-made

  • Patch 1.2 - This unofficial patch adds some added bug fixes and enhancements to the game. Note that it is largely incompatible with mods.

Game data

In-game gameplay settings.
In-game gameplay settings.

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Steam Play (Linux) <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/244160/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game data location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\Bin\Profiles\[Note 2]
macOS (OS X)
Steam Play (Linux) <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/244160/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
GOG Galaxy
Steam Cloud

Video

In-game graphics settings.
In-game graphics settings.

Graphics feature State WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
See the WSGF entry.
Multi-monitor
See the WSGF entry.
Ultra-widescreen
4K Ultra HD
Field of view (FOV)
Windowed
Run the game with the -windowed -w ### -h ### command line arguments, with inserted custom width and height values.
Borderless fullscreen windowed
Run the game with the -windowed -w ### -h ### -noborder command line arguments, with inserted custom width and height values.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anti-aliasing (AA)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
60 FPS and 120+ FPS
High dynamic range display (HDR)
See the glossary page for potential alternatives.

Input

In-game key map settings.
In-game key map settings.

Audio

In-game audio settings.
In-game audio settings.

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Surround sound
Subtitles
On by default.
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
French
German
Italian
Spanish
Polish
Local retail only.

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
LAN play
6 Versus
Not available in the Homeworld Remastered Collection version.[1] Can be restored with this Workshop mod.
Online play
6 Versus
GameSpy services have been shut down;[2] see GameSpy for workarounds.

Issues fixed

Windows Vista/7 compatibility fix

Disable Data Execution Prevention (DEP) in Windows, or use a German No-CD patch.[3]

Choppy/laggy camera movement on Windows 7 fix

Enable Vsync via editing the PLAYERCFG.LUA file found in <path-to-game>\Bin\Profiles\Profile1 in a text editor.
This will force the game to enable Vsync if the game crashes when selecting Vsync in the Options menu ingame.

Obsolete video card driver error message fix for modern Nvidia cards

Instructions
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\bin
  2. Edit driverConfig.lua and replace some content with this.

Black screen, then crash on startup for AMD cards

Replace the atioglxx.dll file
  1. Download the updated atioglxx.dll file.
  2. Place it in <path-to-game>\bin\release.
  3. Launch the game.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 9.0b
ExecutablePPC 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows
macOS (OS X)

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Multiplayer GameSpy

Command line arguments

A full list of command line arguments is found in this forum thread.

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 98, ME, 2000, XP
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium III 833 MHz
AMD Athlon 833 MHz
System memory (RAM) 256 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 1.6 GB
Video card (GPU) ATI Radeon 7500
32 MB of VRAM
DirectX 9.0b compatible
macOS (OS X)
Minimum
Operating system (OS) 10.9.5
Processor (CPU) Intel 2.2 GHz
System memory (RAM) 4 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 20 GB
Video card (GPU) Nvidia GeForce GT 640M
ATI Radeon HD 3870
Intel HD Graphics 4000
512 MB of VRAM


Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:
  2. 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