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The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena
The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena cover
Developers
Starbreeze Studios
Tigon Studios
macOS (OS X) Virtual Programming
Publishers
Atari
Engines
Starbreeze Engine[1]
Release dates
Windows April 7, 2009
macOS (OS X) April 16, 2010
Reception
Metacritic 80
IGDB 81
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase
Microtransactions None
Modes Singleplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives First-person
Controls Direct control
Genres FPS, Stealth
Vehicles Robot
Art styles Realistic
Themes Sci-fi
Series The Chronicles of Riddick
The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena on HowLongToBeat
The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena on IGDB
The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena guide on StrategyWiki
The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena on MobyGames
The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena on Wikipedia
The Chronicles of Riddick
The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay 2004
The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena 2009

Key points

Includes a remake of The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay.
The game is very unoptimized for anti-aliasing,[2] recommended to disable it if you have performance issues.

General information

GOG.com Community Discussions for game series
GOG.com Support Page
Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Requires online activation
TAGES DRM 30-day timer on Windows release. Internet activation for OS X release.
Windows
macOS (OS X)
GamersGate (unavailable)
Requires online activation
TAGES DRM - [3]
Windows
Amazon.com (unavailable)
Requires online activation
Digital download. TAGES DRM 30-day timer.
The link to the store for some reason leads to the wrong place [Xbox-version there], although it is indicated here - https://amazon.com/dp/B0044DEQ7W
Windows
GOG.com (unavailable)
DRM-free
Windows
Steam (unavailable)
Icon overlay.png
Requires online activation
TAGES DRM 30-day timer.
Windows
Set up the Amazon Digital Download
  1. Install the downloaded game.
  2. Update TAGES (x64 version for most).
  3. Run the game in compatibilty mode for Windows XP Service Pack 3.
  4. When first launching the game, enter the DRM key that you got. Now you're good to go.

Version differences

All Windows versions except the retired GOG.com edition have TAGES DRM. After activating the game for a third time, TAGES will start a 30-day timer. After 30 days an activation will be restored up to the original total of three activations.[4]

DLC and expansion packs

Name Notes
Escape From Butcher Bay Commentary Mode Download from Mod DB or The Patches Scrolls.
Windows
Multiplayer Map: Tracker Star (CTF) Download from Mod DB or The Patches Scrolls.
Windows
Multiplayer Map: Viper Run (Butcher Bay Riot) Download from Mod DB or The Patches Scrolls.
Windows
Multiplayer Map: The Tangle (Pitch Black) Download from Mod DB or The Patches Scrolls.
Windows
Multiplayer Map: Sneerock (DM) Download from Mod DB or The Patches Scrolls.
Windows

Essential improvements

Patches

Patch 1.01 is available for Windows and OS X. An alternate download for Windows is available on Mod DB. Warning: this is not needed for the GOG.com version, it will also try to install/update the TAGES DRM driver.

Skip intro videos

Delete/rename audio files[citation needed]
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\Content\Videos.
  2. Delete or rename atari.ogg, Sbz.ogg, Tigon.ogg, and universal_ntsc.ogg.

Escape From Butcher Bay commentary

The commentary mode from the original EFBB can be added via DLC. By default it will only be available after completing the EFBB campaign for the first time.
Turn on commentary manually[5]
  1. Install the DLC from Mod DB or The Patches Scrolls.
  2. Go to the save game data location.
  3. Open _profile.
  4. Add the following and save.
*GAME_FINISHED_EFBB 1
*GAME_COMMENTARY 1.000000

Notes

You can toggle the commentary mode with a switch in the game options.

Debug Menu

An in-game debug menu can be enabled in the CubeWnd.xrg file - a pre-edited version can be downloaded here

TAGES Fix (Steam Release)

Replacing the WIN32_X86 folder with the same folder from the GOG release results in the game being playable via Steam.

Game data

Game settings.
Game settings.

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows %LOCALAPPDATA%\Atari\The Chronicles of Riddick - Assault on Dark Athena\
macOS (OS X) $HOME/Library/Application Support/Dark Athena
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/9860/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game data location

System Location
Windows %APPDATA%\Atari\The Chronicles of Riddick - Assault on Dark Athena\SaveGames\<user-id>\
macOS (OS X) $HOME/Library/Application Support/Dark Athena/Application Data/Atari/The Chronicles of Riddick - Assault on Dark Athena/SaveGames/
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/9860/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
GOG Galaxy
Steam Cloud

Video

Video settings.
Video settings.

Graphics feature State WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
Anamorphic by default; see Widescreen resolution.
Multi-monitor
Ultra-widescreen
Only 2560x1080 appears to be supported. Higher ultrawide resolutions cannot be used.
4K Ultra HD
Field of view (FOV)
FOV is increased when in stealth mode.
Windowed
Can also be toggled with Alt+ Enter.
Borderless fullscreen windowed
Resolution is reduced in windowed mode (e.g. 1920x1017 rather than 1920x1080).
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Appears as "Anisotropy" in a percent setting.
Anti-aliasing (AA)
MSAA and CSAA, up to 32x. Turning on AA automatically disables SSAO and vice versa. The game is very unoptimized for anti-aliasing, recommended to disable it if you have performance issues.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
60 FPS and 120+ FPS
Refresh rate can be set up to 144 Hz in graphics options. A bug may result in it being reset to 23 Hz when you re-launch the game. See Incorrect refresh rate every time game is launched.
High dynamic range display (HDR)
See the glossary page for potential alternatives.

Widescreen resolution

Non-16:9 resolutions are letterboxed by default.
If you're letterboxed on a 16:9 resolution, open Environment.cfg (located in %LOCALAPPDATA%\Atari\The Chronicles of Riddick - Assault on Dark Athena) and make sure that VID_DWIDTH and VID_DHEIGHT are set to the correct values.
Remove letterboxing[6]
  1. Download a loader for your aspect ratio: 16:10 -- 5:4 -- 4:3
  2. Copy the loader to <path-to-game>\System\Win32_x86.
  3. Launch the game via the loader.

Notes

If the loader doesn't work for you then copy files from this archive to the same path.

Borderless Fullscreen Windowed

Use DxWnd[citation needed]
  1. See this thread: [1]

Notes

This works by increasing the native resolution slightly higher in windowed mode as opposed to it being lowered in windowed mode by the game so that it will fill the entire screen.

Screen Space Ambient Occlusion (SSAO)

Use AA and SSAO at the same time[citation needed]
  1. Turn on Anti Aliasing in the graphics settings.
  2. Open console with Ctrl+Alt+~.
  3. Enter xr_ssao 1 (values 1-3 enable Ambient Occlusion).

Notes

The setting is not saved when you quit the game. Use / in the console for quick access to the command so you can easily reapply it next time you're playing.

Remove "Green color filter / Reduced Color" Shading

Delete file[citation needed]
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\Content\Textures\.
  2. Delete ColorCorrection.xtc.

Remove Grain

Use a modded file[citation needed]
  1. Download the "NoGrain" Mod.
  2. Go to <path-to-game>\System\GL\HL_Shading.
  3. Replace XREngine_Final5.fp with the mod.

Notes

The author has a mod that reduces the saturation in the game as well.

Reduce Specular Highlight

Reduces the shiny:ness without destroying the look of textures.[citation needed]
  1. Open console with Ctrl+Alt+~.
  2. Enter xr_shaderspecularscale 1 0.2 1.

Notes

The setting is not saved when you quit the game. Use / in the console for quick access to the command so you can easily reapply it next time you're playing.
This will make blood decals a pink color when light reflects on them.

Input

Controls settings.
Controls settings.

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
Mouse acceleration
Mouse sensitivity
Supports adjusting the sensitivity for both axes separately.
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
Full controller support
Controller needs to be enabled before launching the game, there's no button prompts, nor haptic feedback
Controller remapping
Controller sensitivity
Controller Y-axis inversion
Controller types
XInput-compatible controllers
PlayStation controllers
Generic/other controllers
Additional information
Button prompts
Controller hotplugging
Haptic feedback
Digital movement supported
Simultaneous controller+KB/M

Audio

Audio settings.
Audio settings.
Subtitles settings.
Subtitles settings.

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Only music is adjustable
Surround sound
5.0 (Maybe require to set 7.1 in the Windows Sound settings, otherwise only Stereo sound available)
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
French
German
Hungarian
A fan translation available, that fixes some mistranslations.
Italian
Polish
Retail only. Patch for digital release here.
Brazilian Portuguese
Unofficial translation; download.
Russian
Official localization (by Akella), retail only.
Russian
Fan translation, download.
Spanish
Official translation.
Spanish
Improved fan translation by Clan Dlan, download.

Change to other languages

It only affects the GUI, menu and subtitles.
Run the game launcher
  1. Go to <path-to-game>.
  2. Run DarkAthena_Launcher.exe with text editor.
  3. Select the preferred Language.
  4. Quit the launcher.

Notes

You can change to another language by clicking the flag icon at bottom right of the launcher.
It overrides the language selected in the configuration file.
Change the configuration file
  1. Go to the configuration file location.
  2. Open Environment.cfg with text editor.
  3. Locate the line LANGUAGE=ENG and change the value to FRE, GER, ITA or SPA.

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
LAN play
12
Online play
Official servers have been shut down.

VR support

Devices State Notes
3RD Space Gaming Vest

Issues unresolved

Screen saver mode deletes save files

Save files will delete themselves if the game is left running and your computer goes into screen saver mode. To avoid this, remember to quit the game before leaving it unattended or disable screen saver mode.

The game fails to restore resolution settings

The game may fail to change the desktop resolution back to the previous one (by default it launches at 640x480 fullscreen).
Set the startup resolution[citation needed]
  1. Create the configuration file location if it doesn't exist.
  2. Open it and create a file called Environment.cfg.
  3. To set the resolution and refresh rate, add VID_MODE=1920 1080 32 60
  4. Or to start the game in windowed mode, add VID_MODE=desktop

Issues fixed

Game window too large for monitor

If you're running Windows 7/8/10 and the game window doesn't fit on your monitor when in full screen mode, you may need to lower the scaling on font size. Display Settings > Change the size of text.
Open properties of the DarkAthena.exe in the Win32_x86 folder, go to Compatibility, Change high DPI settings, and in the High DPI scaling override, check the box so that the Application setting will be active. Press OK and Apply.

Unexpected error (13:6)

Update TAGES

Incorrect refresh rate every time game is launched

Open Environment.cfg (located in %LOCALAPPDATA%\Atari\The Chronicles of Riddick - Assault on Dark Athena) and make sure that VID_DWIDTH and VID_DHEIGHT are set to the correct values.

Crash to desktop on launch

Use Compatibility Mode for Windows XP Service Pack 3.

Slow Performance

Disable Threaded optimization (Nvidia only)[7]
  1. Run Nvidia Control Panel,
  2. Select or add Chronicles of Riddick.
  3. Set Threaded optimization to Off.
  4. Press "Apply Changes" in the top-right corner.

Notes

This can also be done through the in game menu, though it might be ignored.
Helps with performance when using SSAO.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 9.0c [8] Game does not contain the d3d9 files despite this claim
OpenGL
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows
macOS (OS X)

Enable quick save

Bind in console[9]
  1. Open console with Ctrl+Alt+~.
  2. Enter bind f5 savegame('quick') and bind f8 loadgame('quick')
  3. Press F5 to save and F8 to load.

Notes

The key bindings are lost when you quit the game. Use / in the console for quick access to your recent commands.
The game uses F9 to load the most recent save by default.

Reduce Bloom-like fog

Removes the fog-like effect in front of the player.[citation needed]
  1. Open console with Ctrl+Alt+~.
  2. Enter xr_zfog 0.

Notes

The setting is not saved when you quit the game. Use / in the console for quick access to the command so you can easily reapply it next time you're playing.
This removes all fog, not just the one surrounding the player.
Makes your "night vision" while crouched in the intro completely dark instead of slightly lit.

Soft Shadows

Softens the shadows.[citation needed]
  1. Open console with Ctrl+Alt+~.
  2. Enter XR_SOFTSTENCIL 1.

Notes

Has a fairly hefty performance penalty.

Higher Resolution Shadows

Higher Resolution Shadows
  1. Open console with Ctrl+Alt+~.
  2. Enter xr_shadowmapmode = 0.

Notes

Replaces the low resolution combed shadows with stencil shadows. Translucent textures lose their shadows, but in combination with xr_softstencil 1 they return in higher resolution.

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) XP SP2, Vista
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium D 805
AMD Athlon X2 +3800
System memory (RAM) 1 GB
2 GB (Vista)
Hard disk drive (HDD) 11 GB
Video card (GPU) ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT
Nvidia GeForce 6800 Ultra
Intel HD 620
DirectX 9.0c compatible
Controller


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>/9860/ in addition to or instead of this directory. The app ID (9860) may differ in some cases. Treat backslashes as forward slashes. See the glossary page for details.

References