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Beyond Good & Evil

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
Beyond Good & Evil
Beyond Good & Evil cover
Developers
Ubisoft Montpellier
Windows Ubisoft Milan
Publishers
Ubisoft
Poland Cenega
Russia Buka Entertainment
Brazil Electronic Arts
Engines
Jade
Release dates
Windows December 2, 2003[1]
Reception
Metacritic 83
IGDB 91
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase, Subscription gaming service
Modes Singleplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives Third-person
Controls Direct control
Genres Action, Adventure
Vehicles Hovercraft
Art styles Cartoon
Themes Sci-fi
Series Beyond Good & Evil
Beyond Good & Evil on HowLongToBeat
Beyond Good & Evil on IGDB
Beyond Good & Evil guide on StrategyWiki
Beyond Good & Evil on MobyGames
Beyond Good & Evil on Wikipedia
Beyond Good & Evil
Beyond Good & Evil 2003
Beyond Good & Evil 2 TBA

Beyond Good & Evil is a singleplayer third-person action and adventure game in the Beyond Good & Evil series.

General information

Ubisoft game page
Ubisoft forums
The IRIS Network - A wiki for the game
GOG.com Community Discussions
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)
Uses TAGES DRM. Doesn't have controller support.
Windows
Epic Games Store
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Gamesplanet logo.svg
Icon overlay.png
Windows
GOG.com
DRM-free
Doesn't have controller support.
Windows
Green Man Gaming
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Humble Store
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Steam
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Ubisoft Store
Icon overlay.png
Included with Ubisoft+.
Windows

Version differences

Some retail versions use Tages DRM, which isn't compatible with modern operating systems.
The GOG.com version has been modified to work with modern systems through the inclusion of a multi-thread wrapper.

Monetization

Type Notes
One-time game purchase The game requires an upfront purchase to access.
Subscription gaming service Available via Ubisoft+.

Essential improvements

Patches

Patch v1.01 updates the retail version of the game. Digital versions already include the patch.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Ubisoft\Beyond Good & Evil\
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/15130/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game data location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\sally.idx[Note 2]
<path-to-game>\slot*.sav[Note 2]
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/15130/pfx/[Note 1]
sally.idx contains an index of save game names which will not be shown if it is missing (saves can still be loaded).[2]

Save game cloud syncing

Video

External general video settings.
External general video settings.
External advanced video settings.
External advanced video settings.

Graphics feature State WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
See Widescreen resolution.
Multi-monitor
See Widescreen resolution.
Ultra-widescreen
See Widescreen resolution.
4K Ultra HD
See Widescreen resolution.
Field of view (FOV)
See Field of view (FOV).
Windowed
See Windowed.
Borderless fullscreen windowed
See Windowed.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anti-aliasing (AA)
Unknown type.
Forcing anti-aliasing through your graphics card control panel will result (at some point during gameplay) in black screens, or corrupted graphics.[3]
Vertical sync (Vsync)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
60 FPS
120+ FPS
High frame rate causes audio and cutscene de-sync issues.[4][5]
High dynamic range display (HDR)
See the glossary page for potential alternatives.
Options can only be changed in the launcher.

Widescreen resolution

Widescreen fix (Hor+)[6]
  1. Download Widescreen fix by nemesis2000.
  2. Extract bge.7z files to the installation folder (password: bge).
  3. Edit bge.ini to set the resolution, pillarbox, and FOV.

Notes

Supported exe size: 7,778,304 bytes (GOG.com/Buka version), 7,819,264 bytes, 7,489,200 bytes (Uplay version).
Does not work with Steam version.
Widescreen fix for Steam and new Uplay versions[7]
  1. Launch the game at least once for setup to be completed.
  2. Download the fix here.
  3. Extract it into the installation folder.
  4. Open BGEResolutionSettings.exe and set your resolution, a couple of other settings are available in d3d9.ini but are not required for most.

Notes

If the game shows an error message go into the Redist folder and run DXSETUP.exe.
This new patch seems to work with anti aliasing enabled.
If the game fails to launch with this fix, run CheckApplication.exe in Windows XP SP3 compatibility mode.
Because the game is internally rendered in a 16:9.4 aspect ratio instead of 16:9, you will see some very small borders on both sides of the game when playing in 16:9.
This patch only goes as wide as 16:9.
Widescreen fix based on dgVoodoo and stretching the image

The instruction can be found here along with the optional Reshade preset (20 shaders with various resharpers, e.g. cross-GPU CAS implementation, and RTGI).

Allows using additional injector in form of dxgi.dll, since d3d9.dll widescreen fix itself prevents from using Reshade.

Field of view (FOV)

Use Widescreen fix by nemesis2000
Set wider FOV[8]
  1. Install a hex editor (e.g. HxD Hex Editor).
  2. Open BGE.exe with the hex editor.
  3. Click on Search, go to offset 9DC1 (hex).
  4. Replace 00 00 80 3F with 00 00 A0 3F or 00 00 D0 3F for a wider FOV.
  5. Save the file and close the editor.

Windowed

Force windowed mode
  1. Download and run DxWnd.
  2. Click on Edit, then Add.
  3. Set the name and executable path.
  4. Set the window position and size.
  5. Repeat the steps above for the SettingsApplication.exe executable.
  6. Click OK, then File and Save.
  7. Run SettingsApplication.exe to set the rendering resolution for the game.

Input

External key map settings.
External key map settings.

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
Mouse acceleration
No mouse acceleration.
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Only mouse buttons.
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Y and X axis cannot be toggled individually.[9]
Controller
Controller support
Not supported on retail and GOG versions.
Full controller support
Controller remapping
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Controller sensitivity
Is mapped to mouse sensitivity.
Controller Y-axis inversion
Controller types
XInput-compatible controllers
Not supported on retail and GOG versions.
Xbox button prompts
Displays generic button prompts based on the Xbox controller's letters, but doesn't actually display Xbox-themed button prompts.
Impulse Trigger vibration
PlayStation controllers
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Generic/other controllers
Additional information
Controller hotplugging
Haptic feedback
Digital movement supported
Simultaneous controller+KB/M

Audio

External audio settings.
External audio settings.

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Surround sound
Up to 7.0 output.[10] May require DirectSound 3D restoration software.
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
EAX support
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
Simplified Chinese
Steam/uPlay release only.
Traditional Chinese
Steam/uPlay release only.
Dutch
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Steam/uPlay release only.
Korean
Steam/uPlay release only.
Polish
Polish retail version only, download. Additional patch from publisher fixes a bug in the localization that makes the game unable to progress normally.
Brazilian Portuguese
Epic Games Store, Steam & Ubisoft Connect releases.
Russian
Local retail release only. Steam/uPlay contain Russian text, but no audio.
Spanish

VR support

3D modes State GG3D Notes
Nvidia 3D Vision
vorpX
G3D
User created game profile, see vorpx forum profile introduction.

Issues fixed

Beyond Good & Evil not properly installed or "application settings not correctly set or invalid" error

Instructions
  1. Install Callisto's registry fix (this removes the Install Path registry dependency).

Can't Alt+Tab with the GOG.com version

Alt+Tab support is disabled by default.[11]
MSI Afterburner's screen capture also does not work by default.
Disable compatibility fixes[12]
  1. Go to the installation folder.
  2. Rename BGE.exe to something else.
  3. Create new shortcut to that .exe or run it directly.

Notes

If you're already using external software to limit the frame rate or change other settings, don't forget to add the renamed executable to that software's profile as well.
Use the BG&E ENB mod[13]
  1. Download BG&E ENB from ENB by CaptainSkullsaber.
  2. Extract from .rar.
  3. Put into <path-to-game>.

Notes

This mod also alters the color pallete, if you wish not to use the feature, just delete the enbpalette.bmp.

Audio desynchronized in cutscenes

If there are problems with the sound not syncing up with the picture.
Choose sound card[14]
  1. Launch SettingsApplication.exe.
  2. Click on the Sound settings tab.
  3. Choose your sound card.
High frame rate causes audio and cutscene de-sync issues.[4][5]
Cap the frame rate at 60 FPS[4][5]
Set monitor to 60hz

Can't change resolution or refresh rate

Enable compatibility mode[15]

Can't enable EAX reverb

Install Creative ALchemy for the game[16]
  1. Download & install ALchemy.
  2. Launch ALchemy.
  3. Add a new Profile, name it Beyond Good And Evil.
  4. Select Use Game Path.
  5. Navigate to Beyond Good And Evil's install directory (For example C:\GOG Games\Beyond Good and Evil).
  6. Click OK.
  7. Click The newly created profile and then click >> to enable it.
  8. Close ALchemy & re-open the SettingsApplication.exe for Beyond Good and Evil.
  9. Go to the Sound tab, enable EAX Reverb.

Central Hall glitches and crashing / Triangle key doesn't drop after defeating bots

[dubious – discuss]

This error only happens in pirate versions of the game or in the legitimate version if the DRM (TAGES DRM) erroneously detects and makes its version illegal in modern systems[17][18][19]
This tool can patch save games, including glitches in the 'Central Hall' area, and the triangle key not falling from the vent after defeating the bots.
Some info: "Back up your saves and sally.idx before trying it. Save patching is used for the following. The "Central Hall Fix" button will give you required keycard. The "Central Hall Swap" button shifts you out of the crashy area. The Double-H thing is for fixing him if he gets stuck outside the navigable map."[20]
Use Rahly's Unofficial BGAEfix Patch[21]
  1. Make a backup of your save game data folder.
  2. Download BGAE Fix to <path-to-game> and start the patcher.
  3. Select the save file and click Central Hall Fix.
  4. Load the fixed save file, then take the extra key you get and give it to Double H, now open the door and go get your pic.
  5. Once you get your pic, go back to the robot room, and save at the robot room once more (overwrite the same file you fixed (meaning save on top of it)).
  6. Exit the game.
  7. Open the patcher again, click on the same save file in the patcher and then click Central Hall Swap.
  8. Now go play and you should be outside the room.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 9.0b
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 98 SE, ME, 2000, XP
Processor (CPU) 700 MHz Pentium III, Celeron, or AMD Athlon
System memory (RAM) 64 MB (98 SE)
128 MB (ME, 2000, XP)
Hard disk drive (HDD) 2.2 GB
Video card (GPU) ATI Radeon 7200
Nvidia GeForce 256
Hardware T&L
32 MB of VRAM
DirectX 9.0b compatible
Sound (audio device) DirectX 9.0 compatible


Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data (use Wine regedit to access Windows registry paths). Games with Steam Cloud support may store data in ~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/15130/ in addition to or instead of this directory. The app ID (15130) may differ in some cases. Treat backslashes as forward slashes. See the glossary page for details.
  2. 2.0 2.1 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. Ubisoft - Beyond Good & Evil Now Available for Xbox and PC (retrieved) - last accessed on 2023-11-06
  2. Tip: Best to include "sally.idx" when backing-up save games, page 1 - Forum - GOG.com - last accessed on May 2023
  3. https://web.archive.org/web/20181001170629/https://support.ubi.com/en-US/Faqs/000009237/Beyond-Good-Evil-patch-v1-01-PC-BGE
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Updated 2020 Guide for Audio cutscene de-sync FIX, page 1 - Forum - GOG.com
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Verified by User:Keith on 2021-09-04
  6. Beyond Good & Evil - WSGF - last accessed on 2017-01-25
  7. Widescreen fix :: Beyond Good & Evil General Discussions - last accessed on 2018-02-15
  8. Beyond Good & Evil - WSGF - last accessed on 2017-01-25
  9. Buy on Steam or XBLA? - Giant Bomb - last accessed on May 2023
  10. PC Gaming Surround Sound Round-up - last accessed on May 2023
  11. Cannot alt-tab, page 1 - Forum - GOG.com - last accessed on May 2023
  12. DxWnd / Discussion / General Discussion:Beyond Good and Evil - Alt+Tab fix not working - last accessed on November 18, 2016
  13. Steam discussion about BG&E ENB mod for improving FPS - last accessed on 2020-11-02
  14. Backlog on 1UP FM -- Replay this great game! - Beyond Good & Evil Message Board for PC - GameFAQ - last accessed on May 2023
  15. Resolution problem, page 1 - Forum - GOG.com - last accessed on May 2023
  16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLj9obfMppk
  17. [As mentioned in the forums the bug only occurs in pirated versions of the game or when installing the original game on modern OS due to DRM. http://www.abandonsocios.org/index.php?topic=13672.msg124045#msg124045,
  18. http://www.abandonsocios.org/index.php?topic=13672.msg141460#msg141460
  19. http://www.abandonsocios.org/index.php?topic=13672.msg141494#msg141494]
  20. http://www.abandonsocios.org/index.php?topic=13672.msg141494#msg141494]
  21. Backlog on 1UP FM -- Replay this great game! - Beyond Good & Evil - last accessed on May 2023