Starsiege

Starsiege

Developers
	Dynamix
Publishers
	Sierra On-Line
Engines
	Darkstar
Release dates
Windows	March 24, 1999
Taxonomy
Monetization	Freeware
Modes	Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing	Real-time
Perspectives	First-person, Third-person
Controls	Direct control
Genres	Action, FPS, Shooter
Themes	Sci-fi
Series	Metaltech

Metaltech
Metaltech: Earthsiege	1994
Metaltech: Battledrome	1994
Earthsiege 2	1996
Starsiege	1999
Tribes (series)

Key points

Use the Sierrahelp installer to play the game on Windows 7 and later and with no CD.

Works on modern Windows with minimal fuss.

Re-released as a free download for the series' 20th anniversary.

General information

Starsiege Mercenaries - Forum and fan site.

Starsiege Men in Black HQ - Forum and mod downloads.

Availability

Source	DRM	Notes	Keys	OS
Retail		Original 2-CD set or 1-CD re-release.
Official website		Freeware re-release

Version differences

The 1-CD release uses different music tracks than the original, while the freeware re-release lacks any music.

The freeware re-release has been patched to the latest version (1.04). For other versions, use the modern installer.

Essential improvements

Modern Windows installer

The Sierrahelp Starsiege Installer automatically applies the latest patch, rips all of the music tracks in high quality MP3 to play and loop in-game properly, adds a no-CD patch, and fixes the mouse issues on Windows 7.

Does not support the Tribes Universe freeware version. An alternative no-CD for the free version is available here.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System	Location
Windows	<path-to-game>\defaultPrefs.cs

Save game data location

System	Location
Windows	<path-to-game>\savedGames

Video

Detail settings.

Graphics feature	State	Notes
Widescreen resolution		Game supports all resolutions listed in Windows with no stretching.
Multi-monitor
Ultra-widescreen
4K Ultra HD
Field of view (FOV)		FOV scales automatically with the resolution and cannot be manually changed.
Windowed		Software rendering only.
Borderless fullscreen windowed		See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)		See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anti-aliasing (AA)		See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Vertical sync (Vsync)		Enabled by default. The setting is broken and cannot be turned off.
60 FPS and 120+ FPS		Requires a 120hz monitor due to vsync.

Input

Input settings.

Keyboard and mouse	State	Notes
Remapping
Mouse acceleration
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion		Go to the controls menu, click Edit on the Look up/down setting with Mouse to the right of it, go to Advanced and untick the Flipped box.
Controller
Controller support
Full controller support
Controller remapping
Controller sensitivity
Controller Y-axis inversion		Go to the controls menu, click Edit on the Look up/down setting with Joystick to the right of it, go to Advanced and untick the Flipped box.

Additional information
Controller hotplugging
Haptic feedback
Simultaneous controller+KB/M

Audio

Audio and general video settings.

Audio feature	State	Notes
Separate volume controls		3D, 2D, and CD Music volume all have separate sliders.
Surround sound		DirectSound 3D, A3D 2.0, and EAX are all supported.
Subtitles		All story dialog is shown in a message box. Squad-mate chatter is not subtitled.
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
EAX support		A3D 2.0, EAX
Royalty free audio
Red Book CD audio		On Windows, CD music might not play correctly; see the troubleshooting guide for solutions.

Localizations

Language	UI	Audio	Sub	Notes
English
French				French is not available in any version but the French version of the game.

Network

Multiplayer types

Type	Native	Players	Notes
LAN play		32
Online play		32	The official WON multiplayer service was shut down.

Connection types

Type	Native	Notes
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated
Self-hosting
Direct IP

Other information

API

Technical specs	Supported	Notes
Software renderer

Executable	32-bit	64-bit	Notes
Windows

Middleware

	Middleware	Notes
Multiplayer	WON (World Opponent Network)

Mods

The Junkyard has many mods for Starsiege.

System requirements

Windows
	Minimum	Recommended
Operating system (OS)	98, 95, or NT 4.0 SP4
Processor (CPU)	Intel Pentium 166	Intel Pentium 200
System memory (RAM)	32 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD)	700 MB
Video card (GPU)	DirectDraw compatible	OpenGL or 3Dfx Glide compatible