Red Faction

Red Faction

Developers
	Volition
Mac OS (Classic)	Graphsim Entertainment
macOS (OS X)	Graphsim Entertainment
Publishers
2001-2013	THQ
2013-2020	THQ Nordic
2020-present	Deep Silver
Mac OS, OS X	Graphsim Entertainment
Engines
	Geo-Mod
Release dates
Windows	September 18, 2001
Mac OS (Classic)	November 28, 2001
macOS (OS X)	January 4, 2002
Reception
Metacritic	78
Taxonomy
Monetization	One-time game purchase
Microtransactions	None
Modes	Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing	Real-time
Perspectives	First-person
Controls	Direct control
Genres	FPS
Vehicles	Automobile, Flight, Naval/watercraft
Art styles	Stylized
Themes	Sci-fi, Space
Series	Red Faction

Red Faction
Red Faction	2001
Red Faction II	2003
Red Faction: Guerrilla	2009
Red Faction: Armageddon	2011
Red Faction Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered	2018

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.

Red Faction is a singleplayer and multiplayer FPS game in the Red Faction series developed by Volition and originally published by THQ. The game features a proprietary CSG-based destruction engine, Geo-Mod, which allows for real-time demolition of in-game levels via explosive weaponry.

Four months after its original PlayStation 2 launch, Red Faction was released for Windows on September 18, 2001. A port to Mac OS developed by Graphsim Entertainment was released on November 28, 2001, followed by a Carbonized OS X version on January 4, 2002. The game was released digitally via Steam on August 5, 2009, and later GOG.com on February 10, 2014.

The PC version of Red Faction suffers from severe bugs, security vulnerabilities, and compatibility issues, especially on modern systems. It is highly recommended to use the Dash Faction community patch, as it fixes virtually all known issues and introduces many quality-of-life features and enhancements.

General information

Red Faction Help - community help site for the Red Faction series

GOG.com Community Discussions for game series

GOG.com Support Page

Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source	DRM	Notes	Keys	OS
Retail		2 CDs. Disc 2 is used for the check.
Retail		Steam key provided as part of the Red Faction Complete Collection.
GOG.com
Humble Store
Steam
GamersGate (unavailable)
(unavailable)
Green Man Gaming (unavailable)
Discord (unavailable)

The Steam distribution includes retail installer files in <path-to-game>\RF_1 and <path-to-game>\RF_2.

An OS X application for the game is included with the v1.20 patch for Mac OS. Mac OS game discs were able to be mailed to Graphsim in exchange for an equivalent OS X disc.

Version differences

All retail distributions are v1.00. Digital distributions are v1.21.

GameStop retail distributions include an exclusive multiplayer level: Zig.

EB Games retail distributions include an exclusive multiplayer level: Watch Your Step.

The German retail version is censored; all blood and certain sound effects are omitted, the flamethrower damage animation is toned down, and dead bodies vanish faster.

The German GOG.com distribution has several notable differences and issues not present in other distributions:

• <path-to-game> contains levelspf.vpp, a packfile from the now-discontinued Pure Faction community patch that contains six custom multiplayer maps. The maps are unusable because the base game will not load this packfile.
• Rather than utilizing the standardized method of localizing files seen in retail distributions, it has completely replaced core game files with German versions of the same files. This causes compatibility issues with custom maps/mods.
• <path-to-game>\tables.vpp has been modified in order to translate in-game text, effectively rendering multiplayer unusable. To fix this, use the Dash Faction setup program to automatically patch <path-to-game>\tables.vpp, or manually replace it with the original file. The German translation pack can then optionally be used to restore the German localization.

Demos

All demos suffer from the same functional issues as the base game. There are no patches to resolve them.

See the Red Faction Wiki for more information.

International Demo

Includes the first three singleplayer campaign levels, the training mission, and the Glass House sandbox.

Multiplayer Test

Includes the multiplayer levels S.R.O., Score, and One to the Dome. A patch is also available.

Worldwide Demo

Includes all levels of the International Demo and the Multiplayer Test, plus the next four campaign levels and the Blasted Canyon multiplayer level.

Essential improvements

Dash Faction

Open-source community patch/launcher that fixes various bugs and security vulnerabilities, improves performance and compatibility with modern systems, enhances video and graphical quality, autosaves the game after each level transition, and offers many other usability upgrades over the base game.

Requires Windows 7 or later.

Directly compatible only with English v1.20 game installations. Other versions of the game must first be patched.

Use the -game command line argument to launch directly into the game instead of the launcher window.

See the Red Faction Wiki for more information.

Install with the setup program

Download the setup program from GitHub or FactionFiles. Run the setup program and follow the instructions. Notes Optionally applies all necessary official patches and/or file replacements to any game installation that is not directly supported. Optionally replaces the base game launcher executable with a symbolic link to the Dash Faction launcher. Allows Dash Faction to be easily run with the Steam version of Red Faction.

Set up the .zip release

Make sure the game is properly patched: Retail: apply the v1.20 patch. For non-English retail installations, <path-to-game>\RF.exe must also be replaced with the English v1.20 file. Digital: replace <path-to-game>\RF.exe with the English v1.20 file. For German GOG.com installations, <path-to-game>\tables.vpp must also be replaced with the original file from the English version. The German translation pack can then optionally be used to restore the German localization. Download the Dash Faction .zip release from GitHub or FactionFiles. Extract the .zip file to any location and run <dash-faction-folder>\DashFactionLauncher.exe. Open the options menu and make sure the game executable path correctly points to <path-to-game>\RF.exe before running the game. Notes The setup program is required to enable the rf://IP:PORT protocol handler. Steam users can use the %command% command line argument with <dash-faction-folder>\DashFactionLauncher.exe in the launch options for Red Faction to force Steam to launch the game with Dash Faction.

Level enhancements

Client-side mods that make small improvements to campaign levels. For more information on mods, see Custom maps/mods.

L6S1 - Stealth Patch for Admin HQ

Makes stealth completely optional, allowing the player to proceed with all weapons and armor.

L8S1 - Use Key Patch

Makes pressing the use key on the labcoat required to go undercover, preventing the player from walking near it and accidentally doing so.

L18S3 - Merc Spawning Patch for Crash Site

Fixes an oversight preventing mercenary enemies from spawning in the hallway of the base.

Official patches

The latest retail version is v1.20:

• Windows: English, German, French
• Mac OS

Digital distributions contain v1.21.

Game data

In-game general settings.

Configuration file(s) location

System	Location
Windows	HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Volition\Red Faction <path-to-game>\players.cfg
Mac OS (Classic)	<path-to-game>/players.cfg
macOS (OS X)	<path-to-game>/players_osx.cfg
Steam Play (Linux)	<Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/20530/pfx/

Save game data location

System	Location
Windows	<path-to-game>\savegame\
Mac OS (Classic)	<path-to-game>/savegame/
macOS (OS X)	<path-to-game>/savegame/
Steam Play (Linux)	<Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/20530/pfx/

Save game cloud syncing

System	Native	Notes
Discord
GOG Galaxy
Steam Cloud

Video

Launcher video settings.

In-game video settings.

Graphics feature	State	WSGF	Notes
Widescreen resolution			Stretched. Use Dash Faction for Hor+. Menu UI and FMV cutscenes are still stretched.
Multi-monitor			Use Dash Faction.
Ultra-widescreen			Stretched. Use Dash Faction for Hor+. Menu UI and FMV cutscenes are still stretched.
4K Ultra HD			HUD is displaced at resolutions higher than 1280x1024. Use Dash Faction for proper HUD support, as well as an option to use a bigger HUD for high resolutions.
Field of view (FOV)		90° only. See Field of view (FOV).
Windowed		Use Dash Faction.
Borderless fullscreen windowed		Use Dash Faction.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)		Use Dash Faction.
Anti-aliasing (AA)		Use Dash Faction for up to 8x MSAA. Nvidia users can enhance to SGSSAA.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
60 FPS
120+ FPS		Capped at 120 FPS. Exceeding 60 FPS results in various issues with physics, animation timing, and other game logic. Use Dash Faction to allow for up to 240 FPS without major issues, and a configurable frame rate cap.
High dynamic range display (HDR)		See the glossary page for potential alternatives.

Field of view (FOV)

Custom FOV with Dash Faction

Run the game with Dash Faction. Open the in-game console. Use the fov <value> command to change FOV. Use fpgun_fov_scale <value> to change first-person weapon FOV. Note By default, Dash Faction automatically scales horizontal FOV for other aspect ratios based on the standard of 90° at 4:3. Use r_togglewidefov to toggle the scaling. Use fov with no value specified to print your current horizontal FOV. Use fov 0 to use the default horizontal FOV for your aspect ratio.

Input

In-game control settings.

Keyboard and mouse	State	Notes
Remapping
Mouse acceleration
Mouse sensitivity		Configurable via slider. Use Dash Faction to set to numeric values via the ms <value> console command.
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support

Audio

Launcher audio settings.

In-game audio settings.

Audio feature	State	Notes
Separate volume controls		Music, radio messages, and sound effects each have independent volume sliders. Use Dash Faction to control level ambient sound volume separate from other sound effects.
Surround sound		Use Dash Faction. May also require DirectSound3D restoration software.
Subtitles		Always displayed for radio messages, but never for PA announcements or face-to-face dialog.
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost		Use Dash Faction.
EAX support		EAX 2.0.
Royalty free audio		Most in-game music will be Content ID claimed by CD Baby CO.

Localizations

Language	UI	Audio	Sub	Notes
English
French				Retail only; a pack is available to convert English installations into French: download.
Persian				Fan translation of in-game signage: download.
German				Retail and GOG.com only; a pack is available to convert English installations into German: download. The GOG.com distribution suffers from several issues that effectively render multiplayer unusable and impact compatibility with custom maps/mods.
Russian				Unofficial translation, available via bootleg distributions.
Spanish				Fan translation: download.

Network

Launcher network settings.

Multiplayer types

Type	Native	Players	Notes
LAN play		32	Versus
Online play		32	Versus The official multiplayer master server has been shut down; use eRFGT2. Dash Faction automatically replaces the original master server with eRFGT2 if detected in the options.

Connection types

Type	Native	Notes
Matchmaking
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated
Self-hosting		See <path-to-game>\dedicated_server.txt. Using Dash Faction is strongly recommended due to crippling bugs and critical security vulnerabilities present in servers using the base game.
Direct IP		Use Add Server button in server browser. Install Dash Faction via the setup program to allow usage of the rf://IP:PORT protocol handler.

Ports

Protocol	Port(s) and/or port range(s)
UDP	Servers listen on 7755 by default (can be configured via the -port <value> command line argument) and use 18444 (outbound only) to register with the multiplayer master server. Clients communicate on 7755 by default, but clients using Dash Faction use a randomly selected high port instead (with an option in the Dash Faction options panel to force a specific port).

Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status can be hacked for this game: Use Dash Faction.

Issues fixed

Game fails to launch/immediately crashes upon launch

Many causes for this issue exist across all versions of the game.

Use Dash Faction

"At least 8 MB of available video memory is required to run Red Faction!"

Encountered when launching retail versions of the game on systems with more than 2 GiB of available video memory.

Use Dash Faction

"Error: Unable to initialize DirectX 8.0 -- Device creation failed!"

Use Dash Faction

Game freezes when using Alt+Tab ↹

The game is officially known to have issues with Alt+Tab ↹ behavior.

Use Dash Faction

Game window unresponsive, always on top

A bug that occurs if you click on another window after launching the game but before the game screen appears.

Use Dash Faction

Game crashes when picking up items or entering cheat codes

Encountered when running the digital version at higher resolutions than 1280x1024.

Use Dash Faction

L5S3 - Submarine explodes when dropped from crane

Occurs at frame rates above 60, causing the submarine on the crane to explode upon deployment.

Use Dash Faction

Other information

API

Technical specs	Supported	Notes
Direct3D	8	Dash Faction uses Direct3D 9 via d3d8to9.
OpenGL	1.2.1	Mac OS and OS X only.

Executable	PPC	16-bit	32-bit	64-bit	Notes
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Mac OS (Classic)

Middleware

	Middleware	Notes
Cutscenes	Bink Video	1.0x

Command line arguments

To use command line arguments with Dash Faction, run <dash-faction-folder>\DashFactionLauncher.exe with the argument.

See the Red Faction Wiki for a full list of command line arguments supported by the base game and Dash Faction.

Console commands

The console is accessible at any time in-game by pressing ~.

See the Red Faction Wiki for a full list of console commands supported by the base game and Dash Faction.

Custom maps/mods

Maps and mods can be found on FactionFiles.

Many custom maps and mods require Dash Faction in order to function correctly.

For guides on installing maps and mods, see the following Red Faction Wiki pages:

• Installing Custom Levels
• Installing Clientside Mods
• Installing Conversion Mods

Singleplayer campaigns

Kava: a Red Faction Prequel

Full-length expansion campaign. Prequel to the main game storyline.

Red Faction N-Gage Remake

Recreation of the entire Red Faction (N-Gage) campaign.

Bearskinner

Custom campaign inspired by a German fairy tale.

Red Faction Fighter

Prequel mini campaign to the main game storyline.

PS2 Demo

Port of the mini campaign in the PlayStation 2 Red Faction demo. Contains levels cut from the final release of the game.

Nano-Theft

Short custom campaign that attempts to bridge the gap between the plot events of Red Faction and Red Faction II.

Toxic Agenda

Custom mission featuring the infiltration and destruction of an Ultor chemical plant.

Multiplayer map packs

PS2 Map Ports

Map pack containing authentic ports of all multiplayer maps from the PlayStation 2 version of Red Faction.

N-Gage Map Ports

Map pack containing faithful recreations of all multiplayer maps from the N-Gage version of Red Faction.

Red Faction Unite Map Packs

All editions of the "Red Faction Unite" community level design project.

RF Game Night Map Packs

Multiplayer map packs for biweekly "Red Faction Game Night" community events.

Total conversion mods

Red Faction Classic

Mod that aims to make the game look and play as close to the original PlayStation 2 version as possible, with enhancements.

All Geo

Mod that removes limitations on where Geo-Mod can be used, allowing for full destruction of all levels.

Iron Sun Mod: Complete Edition

Arcade realism-focused multiplayer mod inspired by Counter-Strike.

Snow'd Out 2: Out Cold Edition

Wintery snowball fight multiplayer mod.

AQuest Speedrun Edition

Epic fantasy/RPG-style single player mod.

Enhancement mods

Fixed Full Envirosuit Pickup Model

Removes an inconsistent transparent panel from the chest of the envirosuit pickup model.

Extended Riot Stick Taser Sound

Extends the abruptly-cut Electric Shock sound of the Control Baton secondary fire.

AI Upscale Texture Pack

4x AI upscaled pack for base game textures.

Goober's RF Retexturing Project Pack 01

Project to recreate textures from scratch, resulting in higher quality assets than the AI Upscale Texture Pack. Currently only contains some wall decals.

60 FPS Cinematics

60 FPS versions of in-game cinematics (e.g. the campaign intro video).

HD Music Mod

High quality 44 kHz versions of most music tracks played throughout the game.

HD Music Mod Update

Addon for the HD Music Mod that contains high quality 44 kHz versions of the rest of the music tracks in the game.

Goober's Revised Pickups

High poly versions of most pickups, including health, armor, and ammo.

System requirements

Windows

Mac OS (Classic)

macOS (OS X)

Windows
	Minimum	Recommended
Operating system (OS)	95, 98, ME
Processor (CPU)	Intel Pentium II 400 MHz AMD K6-2 400 MHz	Intel Pentium III 500 MHz AMD K6-2 500 MHz
System memory (RAM)	64 MB	128 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD)	900 MB
Video card (GPU)	8 MB of VRAM DirectX 8.0 compatible	32 MB of VRAM
Sound (audio device)	DirectX compatible	EAX compatible
Other	4x CD-ROM drive

Mac OS
	Minimum	Recommended
Operating system (OS)	8.6
Processor (CPU)	PowerPC G3 300 MHz PowerPC G4 300 MHz	PowerPC G3 400 MHz PowerPC G4 400 MHz
System memory (RAM)	128 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD)	1.2 GB
Video card (GPU)	6 MB of VRAM OpenGL 1.2.1 compatible	16 MB of VRAM
Other	8x CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive