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Difference between revisions of "Star Trek: Elite Force II"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
(→‎API: Removed unneeded clarification.)
(37 intermediate revisions by 13 users not shown)
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{{Infobox game/row/reception|IGDB|star-trek-elite-force-ii|rating}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/reception|IGDB|star-trek-elite-force-ii|rating}}
 
|taxonomy    =  
 
|taxonomy    =  
−
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | }}
+
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | One-time game purchase }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | Singleplayer, Multiplayer }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | Singleplayer, Multiplayer }}
Line 29: Line 29:
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes            | Sci-fi }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes            | Sci-fi }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | Star Trek: Elite Force }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | Star Trek: Elite Force }}
 +
|official site= https://web.archive.org/web/20031229160920/http://st-ef2.com/
 
|steam appid  =  
 
|steam appid  =  
 
|gogcom id    = 2125201406
 
|gogcom id    = 2125201406
 
|hltb        = 9058
 
|hltb        = 9058
−
|strategywiki =
+
|lutris      = star-trek-elite-force-ii
−
|mobygames    = star-trek-elite-force-ii
+
|strategywiki = Star Trek: Elite Force II
 +
|mobygames    = 10170
 
|wikipedia    = Star Trek: Elite Force II
 
|wikipedia    = Star Trek: Elite Force II
 
|winehq      = 1523
 
|winehq      = 1523
 
|license      = commercial
 
|license      = commercial
 +
}}
 +
 +
{{Introduction
 +
|introduction      =
 +
 +
|release history  = The game received a single [[#Patches|official patch]] post-release. It was the final ''Star Trek'' game published by [[Company:Activision|Activision]], which would enter a lawsuit with ''Star Trek'' rightsholder [[Wikipedia:Paramount Pictures|Paramount Pictures]] which would end the publishing contract a year earlier than it would have normally expired, affecting the game's shelf life. Like most games in the [[Engine:id Tech 3|id Tech 3]] engine, its [https://www.gamefront.com/games/elite-force-2/file/elite-force-ii-game-source source code] was released to the public.
 +
 +
|current state    =
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 49: Line 59:
 
{{Availability/row| GOG.com | star_trek_elite_force_ii | DRM-free | | | Windows }}
 
{{Availability/row| GOG.com | star_trek_elite_force_ii | DRM-free | | | Windows }}
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{ii}} A [https://archive.org/details/stef2_sp_demo demo] is available.
+
{{ii}} A free demo version is available from [https://archive.org/details/stef2_sp_demo Archive.org (English)], [https://www.gamefront.com/games/elite-force-2/file/star-trek-elite-force-ii-sp-demo GameFront (English)] and [https://www.gamefront.com/games/elite-force-2/file/star-trek-elite-force-ii-sp-german GameFront (German)].
  
 
==Essential improvements==
 
==Essential improvements==
 
===Patches===
 
===Patches===
 
* [https://www.patches-scrolls.de/patch/3942/7/50803/download v1.1 Patch] updates the game to the latest version.
 
* [https://www.patches-scrolls.de/patch/3942/7/50803/download v1.1 Patch] updates the game to the latest version.
−
 
−
===Mods===
 
−
* [http://ef2-coop-mod.chrissstrahl.de HaZardModding Co-op Mod for Elite Force II] allows multiplayer coop and adds additional features and options.
 
−
* [https://www.moddb.com/mods/a-gate-two-birds-and-the-beautiful-sky A Gate two Birds and the Beautiful Sky mod] adds an all-new singleplayer campaign featuring a female protagonist.
 
−
* [https://www.moddb.com/mods/elite-force-2-aftermath The Aftermath Episodes mod] adds an all-new singleplayer campaign, the mod is released in episodes.
 
−
* [https://www.moddb.com/games/star-trek-elite-force-ii/downloads/elite-force-ii-ultimate-patch-11 Ultimate Patch Mod 1.1 for Elite Force II] is a community-made modification that fixes many issues in the game's multiplayer but mainly aims to adjust Elite Force II to be more like its predecessor.
 
  
 
===Skip intro videos===
 
===Skip intro videos===
 
{{Fixbox|description=Use a modified movie package|ref=|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Use a modified movie package|ref=|fix=
 
# Download the [https://www.moddb.com/games/star-trek-elite-force-ii/downloads/skip-intro-movies package with blank movie files].
 
# Download the [https://www.moddb.com/games/star-trek-elite-force-ii/downloads/skip-intro-movies package with blank movie files].
−
# Extract <code>pak50SkipIntroMovies.pk3</code> to <code>{{p|game}}\base\</code>.
+
# Extract {{file|pak50SkipIntroMovies.pk3}} to {{file|{{p|game}}\base|folder}}.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Fix broken low-gravity areas===
 +
If the frame rate is too high (due to high <code>com_maxfps</code> combined with high refresh rate or Vsync off), the player will not drop to the ground after jumping in these areas.
 +
{{fixbox|description=Set max FPS to 80 or below|fix=
 +
# Open {{file|{{p|game}}\base\{{p|uid}}.cfg}} in a text editor.
 +
# Add or change the line under the Cvars section: <code>seta com_maxfps "80" // or below</code>
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 114: Line 125:
 
|ultrawidescreen notes      = See the [https://www.wsgf.org/dr/star-trek-elite-force-ii WSGF entry].
 
|ultrawidescreen notes      = See the [https://www.wsgf.org/dr/star-trek-elite-force-ii WSGF entry].
 
|4k ultra hd                = hackable
 
|4k ultra hd                = hackable
−
|4k ultra hd notes          = See the [https://www.wsgf.org/dr/star-trek-elite-force-ii WSGF entry].
+
|4k ultra hd notes          = See the [https://www.wsgf.org/dr/star-trek-elite-force-ii WSGF entry].<br/>HUD does not scale to higher resolutions, and may be too small at resolutions higher than 640x480.<ref>{{Refcheck|user=SirYodaJedi|date=2022-11-25|comment=IMO, the HUD is too small even at 480p. The game uses IdTech 3, so it is probably possible to rectify this with a mod.}}</ref>
 
|fov                        = hackable
 
|fov                        = hackable
−
|fov notes                  = See the [https://www.wsgf.org/dr/star-trek-elite-force-ii WSGF entry].
+
|fov notes                  = Default is 80. See the [https://www.wsgf.org/dr/star-trek-elite-force-ii WSGF entry].
 
|windowed                  = true
 
|windowed                  = true
 
|windowed notes            =  
 
|windowed notes            =  
 
|borderless windowed        = false
 
|borderless windowed        = false
 
|borderless windowed notes  =  
 
|borderless windowed notes  =  
−
|anisotropic                = true
+
|anisotropic                = limited
−
|anisotropic notes          = Under advanced video settings. Force through driver for much better quality.
+
|anisotropic notes          = Low-quality; force through driver for much better quality.
 
|antialiasing              = true
 
|antialiasing              = true
−
|antialiasing notes        = Under advanced video settings.
+
|antialiasing notes        = Both antialiasing options result in 2x [[MSAA]]; higher-quality antialiasing can be forced in GPU control panel.<ref>{{Refcheck|user=SirYodaJedi|date=2022-11-25|comment=Compared with AA forced via Nvidia Profile Inspector. The jaggies look identical regardless of "Nvidia AA" setting. Only geometric edges are antialiased, so the game uses [[MSAA]], not [[FSAA]], contrary to its label.}}</ref>
 
|vsync                      = true
 
|vsync                      = true
−
|vsync notes                = Under advanced video settings. Disabling it causes zero-g physics to break, with the player failing to descend correctly.{{CN|date=August 2015}}
+
|vsync notes                = Disabling it causes zero-gravity physics to break, with the player failing to descend correctly, unless FPS is capped at 80 or below.{{CN|date=August 2015}}
 
|60 fps                    = true
 
|60 fps                    = true
 
|60 fps notes              =  
 
|60 fps notes              =  
 
|120 fps                    = hackable
 
|120 fps                    = hackable
−
|120 fps notes              = By default capped 91 fps.Use {{code|com_maxfps}} to desired value
+
|120 fps notes              = By default capped 85 fps. Set {{code|com_maxfps}} to desired value. More than 80 causes zero-gravity physics to break, with the player failing to descend correctly.
 
|hdr                        = unknown
 
|hdr                        = unknown
 
|hdr notes                  =  
 
|hdr notes                  =  
Line 136: Line 147:
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{ii}} Like many id Tech 3 games, Elite Force 2's '''volume shadows''' cause unsightly glitching on self-shadowing character models.
+
{{ii}} Like many id Tech 3 games, Elite Force 2's '''volumetric shadows''' cause unsightly glitching on self-shadowing character models.
  
 
==Input==
 
==Input==
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===[[Glossary:Mouse acceleration|Mouse acceleration]]===
 
===[[Glossary:Mouse acceleration|Mouse acceleration]]===
−
Both Mouse Acceleration and Mouse Smoothing are disabled by default. There is an option to enable Mouse Smoothing under "Game Options". Mouse Acceleration can be activated using console command <code>cl_mouseAccel 1</code>.
+
Both mouse acceleration and mouse smoothing are disabled by default. There is an option to enable mouse smoothing under "Game Options". Mouse acceleration can be activated using console command <code>cl_mouseAccel 1</code>.
  
 
==Audio==
 
==Audio==
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|separate volume notes    = Master, Music
 
|separate volume notes    = Master, Music
 
|surround sound          = true
 
|surround sound          = true
−
|surround sound notes    = with Creative ALchemy
+
|surround sound notes    = With Creative ALchemy
 
|subtitles                = true
 
|subtitles                = true
 
|subtitles notes          =  
 
|subtitles notes          =  
Line 218: Line 229:
 
|mute on focus lost notes =  
 
|mute on focus lost notes =  
 
|eax support              = true
 
|eax support              = true
−
|eax support notes        = A3D 3.0 & EAX 3<ref>[http://members.optusnet.com.au/kirben/3dsoftware.html Aureal A3D Central - 3D Sound Software list]</ref>
+
|eax support notes        = A3D 3.0 & EAX 3<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://members.optusnet.com.au/kirben/3dsoftware.html|title=Aureal A3D Central - 3D Sound Software list|date=May 2023}}</ref>
 +
|royalty free audio      = always on
 +
|royalty free audio notes =
 
}}
 
}}
  
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|lan play modes      =  
 
|lan play modes      =  
 
|lan play notes      =  
 
|lan play notes      =  
−
|online play          = true
+
|online play          = hackable
 
|online play players  = 32
 
|online play players  = 32
 
|online play modes    =  
 
|online play modes    =  
−
|online play notes    =  
+
|online play notes    = The official [[GameSpy]] service has been shut down; master server replacement available [https://www.moddb.com/mods/a-gate-two-birds-and-the-beautiful-sky/downloads/master-server-patch-for-star-trek-elite-force-2 here].
 
|asynchronous        =  
 
|asynchronous        =  
 
|asynchronous notes  =  
 
|asynchronous notes  =  
Line 282: Line 295:
  
 
==Issues fixed==
 
==Issues fixed==
−
===Buggy shadows===
+
===Buggy Shadows===
−
{{fixbox|description=Set Shadows in Simple|fix=
+
{{fixbox|description=Set Shadows to Simple|fix=
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Stuttering===
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Edit the configuration file|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gog.com/forum/star_trek_voyager_elite_force/frame_rate_issues/post6|title=Star Trek Elite Force II GOG Community|date=2021-09-08}}</ref>|fix=
 +
# Open {{file|{{p|game}}\base\{{p|uid}}.cfg}} with a text editor.
 +
# Add these lines under the Cvars section
 +
<pre>seta r_primitives "2"
 +
seta com_hunkMegs "72"
 +
</pre>
 +
 
 +
Notes:
 +
{{ii}} <code>seta com_hunkMegs</code> may not be needed.
 +
{{ii}} The <code>r_primitives</code> number can be changed to the following:
 +
<pre>
 +
* -1 = skips drawing results in black screen
 +
* 0 = uses glDrawElements if compiled vertex arrays are present, or strips of glArrayElement if not present
 +
* 1 = forces strips
 +
* 2 = forces drawElements
 +
* 3 = path for non-vertex array testing
 +
</pre>
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 294: Line 327:
 
|directdraw notes      =  
 
|directdraw notes      =  
 
|opengl versions        = 1.4
 
|opengl versions        = 1.4
−
|opengl notes          =  
+
|opengl notes          = <ref>{{Refcheck|user=Macgovern|date=2024-04-04|comment=Confirmed using game's own initialization log.}}</ref>
 
|glide versions        =  
 
|glide versions        =  
 
|glide notes            =  
 
|glide notes            =  
Line 310: Line 343:
 
|shader model notes    =  
 
|shader model notes    =  
 
|windows 32-bit exe    = true
 
|windows 32-bit exe    = true
−
|windows 64-bit exe    = unknown
+
|windows 64-bit exe    = false
 +
|windows arm app        = false
 
|windows exe notes      =  
 
|windows exe notes      =  
 
|mac os x powerpc app  = true
 
|mac os x powerpc app  = true
−
|macos intel 32-bit app = unknown
+
|macos intel 32-bit app = false
−
|macos intel 64-bit app = unknown
+
|macos intel 64-bit app = false
 +
|macos arm app          = unknown
 
|macos app notes        =  
 
|macos app notes        =  
 
|linux powerpc app      = unknown
 
|linux powerpc app      = unknown
Line 321: Line 356:
 
|linux executable notes =  
 
|linux executable notes =  
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
===Middleware===
 +
{{Middleware
 +
|physics          =
 +
|physics notes    =
 +
|audio            =
 +
|audio notes      =
 +
|interface        =
 +
|interface notes  =
 +
|input            = DirectInput
 +
|input notes      =
 +
|cutscenes        =
 +
|cutscenes notes  =
 +
|multiplayer      = GameSpy
 +
|multiplayer notes=
 +
}}
 +
 +
===Modifications===
 +
* [http://ef2-coop-mod.chrissstrahl.de HaZardModding Co-op Mod for Elite Force II] allows multiplayer coop and adds additional features, tweaks and options.
 +
* [https://www.moddb.com/mods/a-gate-two-birds-and-the-beautiful-sky A Gate two Birds and the Beautiful Sky mod] adds an all-new singleplayer campaign featuring a female protagonist.
 +
* [https://www.moddb.com/mods/elite-force-2-aftermath The Aftermath Episodes mod] adds an all-new singleplayer campaign, the mod is released in episodes.
 +
* [https://www.moddb.com/games/star-trek-elite-force-ii/downloads/elite-force-ii-ultimate-patch-11 Ultimate Patch Mod 1.1] is a community-made modification that fixes many issues in the game's multiplayer but mainly aims to adjust Elite Force II to be more like its predecessor.
  
 
==System requirements==
 
==System requirements==
Line 333: Line 390:
 
|minDX    = 9.0
 
|minDX    = 9.0
 
|minVRAM  = 32 MB
 
|minVRAM  = 32 MB
 +
|minother = 4X CD-ROM
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 353: Line 411:
  
 
{{References}}
 
{{References}}
−
[[Category:GOG.com Enhancement Project]]
+
{{GOG.com Enhancement Project}}

Revision as of 15:51, 4 April 2024

Star Trek: Elite Force II
Star Trek: Elite Force II cover
Developers
Ritual Entertainment
macOS (OS X) Westlake Interactive
Publishers
Activision
macOS (OS X) Aspyr Media
Engines
id Tech 3
Release dates
Windows June 20, 2003
macOS (OS X) November 2003
Reception
Metacritic 78
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase
Modes Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives First-person
Controls Direct control
Genres FPS
Themes Sci-fi
Series Star Trek: Elite Force
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Star Trek: Elite Force II on HowLongToBeat
Star Trek: Elite Force II on IGDB
Icon overlay.png
Star Trek: Elite Force II guide on StrategyWiki
Star Trek: Elite Force II on MobyGames
Star Trek: Elite Force II on Wikipedia
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Star Trek: Elite Force
Subseries of Star Trek
Star Trek: Voyager - Elite Force 2000
Star Trek: Elite Force II 2003

Warnings

The Mac OS X version of this game does not work on Mac OS X Lion (version 10.7) or later due to the removal of support for PowerPC apps.
GameSpy online services have been shut down (see Network for solutions).

Star Trek: Elite Force II is a singleplayer and multiplayer first-person FPS game in the Star Trek: Elite Force series.

The game received a single official patch post-release. It was the final Star Trek game published by Activision, which would enter a lawsuit with Star Trek rightsholder Paramount Pictures which would end the publishing contract a year earlier than it would have normally expired, affecting the game's shelf life. Like most games in the id Tech 3 engine, its source code was released to the public.

General information

Developer's forum
Memory Alpha - A massive wiki for Star Trek
GOG.com Community Discussions
GOG.com Support Page

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
CD key
Windows
macOS (OS X)
GOG.com
DRM-free
Windows
A free demo version is available from Archive.org (English), GameFront (English) and GameFront (German).

Essential improvements

Patches

  • v1.1 Patch updates the game to the latest version.

Skip intro videos

Use a modified movie package
  1. Download the package with blank movie files.
  2. Extract pak50SkipIntroMovies.pk3 to <path-to-game>\base.

Fix broken low-gravity areas

If the frame rate is too high (due to high com_maxfps combined with high refresh rate or Vsync off), the player will not drop to the ground after jumping in these areas.

Set max FPS to 80 or below
  1. Open <path-to-game>\base\<user-id>.cfg in a text editor.
  2. Add or change the line under the Cvars section: seta com_maxfps "80" // or below

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\base\<user-id>.cfg[Note 1]
macOS (OS X)
Configuration file uses the Windows user name.

Save game data location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\base\save[Note 1]
macOS (OS X)

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
GOG Galaxy

Video

General settings.
General settings.

Graphics feature State WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
 
 See the WSGF entry.
Multi-monitor
 
 See the WSGF entry.
Ultra-widescreen
 
 See the WSGF entry.
4K Ultra HD
 
 See the WSGF entry.
HUD does not scale to higher resolutions, and may be too small at resolutions higher than 640x480.[1]
Field of view (FOV)
Default is 80. See the WSGF entry.
Windowed
Borderless fullscreen windowed
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Low-quality; force through driver for much better quality.
Anti-aliasing (AA)
Both antialiasing options result in 2x MSAA; higher-quality antialiasing can be forced in GPU control panel.[2]
Vertical sync (Vsync)
Disabling it causes zero-gravity physics to break, with the player failing to descend correctly, unless FPS is capped at 80 or below.[citation needed]
60 FPS
120+ FPS
By default capped 85 fps. Set com_maxfps to desired value. More than 80 causes zero-gravity physics to break, with the player failing to descend correctly.
High dynamic range display (HDR)
See the glossary page for potential alternatives.
Like many id Tech 3 games, Elite Force 2's volumetric shadows cause unsightly glitching on self-shadowing character models.

Input

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
Mouse acceleration
See Mouse acceleration.
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
Controller types

Mouse acceleration

Both mouse acceleration and mouse smoothing are disabled by default. There is an option to enable mouse smoothing under "Game Options". Mouse acceleration can be activated using console command cl_mouseAccel 1.

Audio

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Master, Music
Surround sound
With Creative ALchemy
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
EAX support
A3D 3.0 & EAX 3[3]
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
German
Retail only; download for GOG.com version.
Spanish
Partial fan translation download.

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
LAN play
Online play
32 The official GameSpy service has been shut down; master server replacement available here.

Connection types

Type Native Notes
Matchmaking
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated
Self-hosting
Available for Windows (included with the game - install v1.1 Patch to update) and Linux.
Direct IP

Issues fixed

Buggy Shadows

Set Shadows to Simple

Stuttering

Edit the configuration file[4]
  1. Open <path-to-game>\base\<user-id>.cfg with a text editor.
  2. Add these lines under the Cvars section
seta r_primitives "2"
seta com_hunkMegs "72"

Notes:

seta com_hunkMegs may not be needed.
The r_primitives number can be changed to the following:
* -1 = skips drawing results in black screen
* 0 = uses glDrawElements if compiled vertex arrays are present, or strips of glArrayElement if not present
* 1 = forces strips
* 2 = forces drawElements
* 3 = path for non-vertex array testing

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
OpenGL 1.4 [5]
ExecutablePPC 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows
macOS (OS X)

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Input DirectInput
Multiplayer GameSpy

Modifications

System requirements

Windows
Minimum
Operating system (OS) 98, 98SE, ME, 2000, XP
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium III or AMD Athlon, 600 MHz
System memory (RAM) 128 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 1.5 GB
Video card (GPU) 32 MB of VRAM
DirectX 9.0 compatible
Other 4X CD-ROM
macOS (OS X)
Minimum
Operating system (OS) 10.1.5
Processor (CPU) PowerPC 7xx
PowerPC G3
System memory (RAM) 256 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD)
Video card (GPU) 3D accelerator
Other 4x CD-ROM drive


Notes

  1. ↑ 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

  1. ↑ Verified by User:SirYodaJedi on 2022-11-25
    IMO, the HUD is too small even at 480p. The game uses IdTech 3, so it is probably possible to rectify this with a mod.
  2. ↑ Verified by User:SirYodaJedi on 2022-11-25
    Compared with AA forced via Nvidia Profile Inspector. The jaggies look identical regardless of "Nvidia AA" setting. Only geometric edges are antialiased, so the game uses MSAA, not FSAA, contrary to its label.
  3. ↑ Aureal A3D Central - 3D Sound Software list - last accessed on May 2023
  4. ↑ Star Trek Elite Force II GOG Community - last accessed on 2021-09-08
  5. ↑ Verified by User:Macgovern on 2024-04-04
    Confirmed using game's own initialization log.