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Difference between revisions of "BlackSite: Area 51"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
m (updated template usage)
 
(48 intermediate revisions by 24 users not shown)
Line 9: Line 9:
 
|release dates=  
 
|release dates=  
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|November 12, 2007}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|November 12, 2007}}
 +
|reception    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/reception|Metacritic|blacksite-area-51|60}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/reception|IGDB|blacksite-area-51|58}}
 +
|taxonomy    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | None }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | Singleplayer }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing            | Real-time }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives      | First-person }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls          | Direct control }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres            | Shooter }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/sports            | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/vehicles          | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/art styles        | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes            | North America }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | Area 51 }}
 
|steam appid  =  
 
|steam appid  =  
 
|steam appid side  =  
 
|steam appid side  =  
|gogcom page  =  
+
|gogcom id    =  
 +
|hltb        = 1107
 +
|mobygames    = blacksite-area-51
 
|strategywiki =  
 
|strategywiki =  
 
|wikipedia    = BlackSite: Area 51
 
|wikipedia    = BlackSite: Area 51
 
|winehq      = 11862
 
|winehq      = 11862
 +
|license      = commercial
 
}}
 
}}
{{Series|Area 51}}
 
  
 
'''Key points'''
 
'''Key points'''
 
{{ii}} Game was released as '''BlackSite''' outside the U.S.
 
{{ii}} Game was released as '''BlackSite''' outside the U.S.
 +
{{--}} Game lacks an FPS limiter or Vsync and causes AI scripted problems at frame rates higher than 60 FPS. [[#Limit frame rate|Limit the frame rate]] to prevent this.
  
 
==Availability==
 
==Availability==
Line 25: Line 44:
 
{{Availability/row| Retail | | disc | {{DRM|SecuROM}} | | Windows }}
 
{{Availability/row| Retail | | disc | {{DRM|SecuROM}} | | Windows }}
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 
{{--}} This game is not available digitally.
 
{{--}} This game is not available digitally.
  
 
==Essential improvements==
 
==Essential improvements==
 
===Patches===
 
===Patches===
{{ii}} Install the [http://www.gamewatcher.com/games/blacksite-area-51/downloads latest patch (v1.2)].
+
{{ii}} Install the [https://www.gamewatcher.com/games/blacksite-area-51/downloads latest patch (v1.2)].
 +
 
 +
===Limit frame rate===
 +
The game has issues at frame rates above 60 fps.
 +
{{fixbox|description=Limit with RTSS|fix=
 +
You can use external tools like [https://www.guru3d.com/files-details/rtss-rivatuner-statistics-server-download.html Rivatuner Statistics Server (RTSS)] to manually limit the frame rate to 60.
 +
}}
  
 
==Game data==
 
==Game data==
Line 43: Line 69:
 
}}
 
}}
  
==Video settings==
+
==Video==
 
{{Image|Blacksite Area 51 video settings.jpg|Video settings.}}
 
{{Image|Blacksite Area 51 video settings.jpg|Video settings.}}
 
{{Image|Blacksite Area 51 post-processing.jpg|Post-processing enabled(up) and disabled(down).}}
 
{{Image|Blacksite Area 51 post-processing.jpg|Post-processing enabled(up) and disabled(down).}}
{{Video settings
+
{{Video
|wsgf link                  = http://www.wsgf.org/dr/blacksite-area-51
+
|wsgf link                  = https://www.wsgf.org/dr/blacksite-area-51
 
|widescreen wsgf award      = silver
 
|widescreen wsgf award      = silver
 
|multimonitor wsgf award    = silver
 
|multimonitor wsgf award    = silver
Line 55: Line 81:
 
|widescreen resolution notes=  
 
|widescreen resolution notes=  
 
|multimonitor              = hackable
 
|multimonitor              = hackable
|multimonitor notes        = See the [http://www.wsgf.org/dr/blacksite-area-51 WSGF entry].
+
|multimonitor notes        = Image is {{term|Vert-}} and FOV will need to be increased to compensate. See [[#Field of View|Field of View]].
 
|ultrawidescreen            = hackable
 
|ultrawidescreen            = hackable
|ultrawidescreen notes      = See the [http://www.wsgf.org/dr/blacksite-area-51 WSGF entry].
+
|ultrawidescreen notes      = Image is {{term|Vert-}} and FOV will need to be increased to compensate. See [[#Field of View|Field of View]].
 
|4k ultra hd                = unknown
 
|4k ultra hd                = unknown
 
|4k ultra hd notes          =  
 
|4k ultra hd notes          =  
 
|fov                        = hackable
 
|fov                        = hackable
|fov notes                  = See the [http://www.wsgf.org/dr/blacksite-area-51 WSGF entry].
+
|fov notes                  = See [[#Field of View|Field of View]]. Default is 75°.
 
|windowed                  = true
 
|windowed                  = true
 
|windowed notes            =  
 
|windowed notes            =  
Line 70: Line 96:
 
|antialiasing              = hackable
 
|antialiasing              = hackable
 
|antialiasing notes        = Available in the options menu, but doesn't do anything. Force in the graphics card control panel.
 
|antialiasing notes        = Available in the options menu, but doesn't do anything. Force in the graphics card control panel.
 +
|upscaling                  = false
 +
|upscaling tech            =
 +
|upscaling notes            =
 
|vsync                      = false
 
|vsync                      = false
 
|vsync notes                = Game can be played in windowed mode which enables double buffering in modern Windows and prevents screen tearing, but the framerate won't be capped.<ref name="refcheck Antrad">{{refcheck|user=Antrad|date=November 28, 2017}}</ref>
 
|vsync notes                = Game can be played in windowed mode which enables double buffering in modern Windows and prevents screen tearing, but the framerate won't be capped.<ref name="refcheck Antrad">{{refcheck|user=Antrad|date=November 28, 2017}}</ref>
Line 75: Line 104:
 
|60 fps notes              =  
 
|60 fps notes              =  
 
|120 fps                    = true
 
|120 fps                    = true
|120 fps notes              = No frame rate or refresh rate cap.
+
|120 fps notes              = No frame rate or refresh rate cap. High frame rates may break NPC scripting during scripted events. [[#Limit frame rate|Limit the frame rate]] to prevent this.
 +
|hdr                        = false
 +
|hdr notes                  =
 +
|color blind                = unknown
 +
|color blind notes          =
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Field of View===
 +
{{ii}} FOV can be edited in Coalesced.ini, however this involves editing multiple entries. Comprehensively edited files for {{term|Hor+}} gameplay in various different resolutions can be downloaded from the game's WSGF.com entry.
 +
{{ii}} The files provided on WSGF.com give an FOV that is about 7° wider than a true 1:1 {{term|Hor+}} increase from a base 4:3 image. Also, these files increase the FOV based on the default 75° at a 4:3 aspect ratio, however the game is designed around 75° FOV at a 16:9 aspect ratio, as indicated by the cutscenes which have a fixed FOV.
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Download a comprehensively edited Coalesced.ini from wsgf.com|fix=
 +
# Download the fix from the [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/1776-blacksite-area-51-fov-shake-fix/ Blacksite: Area 51 FOV & Shake Fix].
 +
# Replace Coalesced.ini in <code>{{p|game}}\A52Game\Content\Tweaks\</code> with the fixed version that corresponds to your screen resolution or preferred FOV.
 +
# If you're increasing FOV as Vert- compensation for an ultrawide aspect ratio, and you want a field of view closer to what the developers intended, use a Coalesced.ini file for one aspect ratio down from the one you're using. I.E. if your aspect ratio is 21:9, use the custom file for 16:9 aspect ratio.
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 86: Line 128:
 
}}
 
}}
  
==Input settings==
+
==Input==
 
{{Image|Blacksite Area 51 input settings.jpg|Input settings and key mappings.}}
 
{{Image|Blacksite Area 51 input settings.jpg|Input settings and key mappings.}}
{{Input settings
+
{{Input
 
|key remap                = true
 
|key remap                = true
 
|key remap notes          =  
 
|key remap notes          =  
|acceleration option      = false
+
|acceleration option      = always on
|acceleration option notes = Disabled by default.
+
|acceleration option notes = Acceleration intensity worsens at mouse polling rates above 125hz
 
|mouse sensitivity        = true
 
|mouse sensitivity        = true
 
|mouse sensitivity notes  =  
 
|mouse sensitivity notes  =  
Line 99: Line 141:
 
|invert mouse y-axis      = true
 
|invert mouse y-axis      = true
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 +
|touchscreen              = unknown
 +
|touchscreen notes        =
 
|controller support        = true
 
|controller support        = true
 
|controller support notes  =  
 
|controller support notes  =  
Line 109: Line 153:
 
|invert controller y-axis  = true
 
|invert controller y-axis  = true
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
|touchscreen               = unknown
+
|xinput controllers        = unknown
|touchscreen notes        =  
+
|xinput controllers notes  =
 +
|xbox prompts              = unknown
 +
|xbox prompts notes        =
 +
|impulse triggers          = unknown
 +
|impulse triggers notes    =
 +
|dualshock 4               = unknown
 +
|dualshock 4 notes        =
 +
|dualshock prompts        = unknown
 +
|dualshock prompts notes  =
 +
|light bar support        = unknown
 +
|light bar support notes  =
 +
|dualshock 4 modes        = unknown
 +
|dualshock 4 modes notes  =
 +
|tracked motion controllers= unknown
 +
|tracked motion controllers notes =
 +
|tracked motion prompts    = unknown
 +
|tracked motion prompts notes =
 +
|other controllers         = unknown
 +
|other controllers notes  =
 +
|other button prompts      = unknown
 +
|other button prompts notes=  
 
|button prompts            = false
 
|button prompts            = false
 
|button prompts notes      =  
 
|button prompts notes      =  
Line 119: Line 183:
 
|simultaneous input        = unknown
 
|simultaneous input        = unknown
 
|simultaneous input notes  =  
 
|simultaneous input notes  =  
|light bar support        = unknown
 
|light bar support notes  =
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
==Audio settings==
+
==Audio==
 
{{Image|Blacksite Area 51 audio settings.jpg|Audio settings.}}
 
{{Image|Blacksite Area 51 audio settings.jpg|Audio settings.}}
{{Audio settings
+
{{Audio
 
|separate volume          = true
 
|separate volume          = true
 
|separate volume notes    = Music, sound effects and dialogue
 
|separate volume notes    = Music, sound effects and dialogue
Line 136: Line 198:
 
|mute on focus lost      = false
 
|mute on focus lost      = false
 
|mute on focus lost notes =  
 
|mute on focus lost notes =  
 +
}}
 +
 +
{{L10n|content=
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = English
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = n/a
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = French
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = n/a
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = German
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = n/a
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Hungarian
 +
|interface = hackable
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = n/a
 +
|notes    = Fan translation, [https://magyaritasok.hu/download/1093/blacksite-area-51 download].
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Italian
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = n/a
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Polish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = n/a
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Russian
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = n/a
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Spanish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = n/a
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
 +
==Network==
 +
{{Network/Multiplayer
 +
|local play          =
 +
|local play players  =
 +
|local play modes    =
 +
|local play notes    =
 +
|lan play            = unknown
 +
|lan play players    =
 +
|lan play modes      =
 +
|lan play notes      =
 +
|online play          = false
 +
|online play players  =
 +
|online play modes    =
 +
|online play notes    = The official Quazal multiplayer service has been shut down.
 +
|asynchronous        =
 +
|asynchronous notes  =
 +
}}{{Network/Connections
 +
|matchmaking        =
 +
|matchmaking notes  =
 +
|p2p                =
 +
|p2p notes          =
 +
|dedicated          =
 +
|dedicated notes    =
 +
|self-hosting      =
 +
|self-hosting notes =
 +
|direct ip          =
 +
|direct ip notes    =
 +
}}{{Network/Ports
 +
|tcp  =
 +
|udp  =
 +
|upnp =
 +
}}
 +
 +
==VR support==
 +
{{VR support
 +
|gg3d name                  =
 +
|native 3d gg3d award        =
 +
|nvidia 3d vision gg3d award =
 +
|tridef 3d gg3d award        =
 +
|iz3d gg3d award            =
 +
|native 3d                  =
 +
|native 3d notes            =
 +
|nvidia 3d vision            =
 +
|nvidia 3d vision notes      =
 +
|tridef 3d                  =
 +
|tridef 3d notes            =
 +
|iz3d                        =
 +
|iz3d notes                  =
 +
|vorpx                      = hackable
 +
|vorpx modes                = G3D
 +
|vorpx notes                = User created game profile. Requires important settings to work properly, see [https://www.vorpx.com/forums/search/BlackSite_/ vorpx forum] profile introduction.
 +
|htc vive                    =
 +
|htc vive notes              =
 +
|oculus rift                =
 +
|oculus rift notes          =
 +
|osvr                        =
 +
|osvr notes                  =
 +
|windows mixed reality      =
 +
|windows mixed reality notes =
 +
|keyboard-mouse              =
 +
|keyboard-mouse notes        =
 +
|3rd space gaming vest      =
 +
|3rd space gaming vest notes =
 +
|novint falcon              =
 +
|novint falcon notes        =
 +
|trackir                    =
 +
|trackir notes              =
 +
|tobii eye tracking          =
 +
|tobii eye tracking notes    =
 +
|play area seated            =
 +
|play area seated notes      =
 +
|play area standing          =
 +
|play area standing notes    =
 +
|play area room-scale        =
 +
|play area room-scale notes  =
 +
}}
 +
 +
==Issues fixed==
 +
===Setup could not find file error when swapping discs during installation===
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Insert disc 2 into a second real or virtual DVD drive using a different drive letter.|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Demon272481|date=2023-01-15|comment=Comment (optional)}}</ref>|fix=
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 141: Line 352:
 
===API===
 
===API===
 
{{API
 
{{API
|direct3d versions      = 9
+
|direct3d versions      = 9.0c
 
|direct3d notes        =  
 
|direct3d notes        =  
 
|directdraw versions    =  
 
|directdraw versions    =  
Line 159: Line 370:
 
|shader model versions  = 3
 
|shader model versions  = 3
 
|shader model notes    =  
 
|shader model notes    =  
|64-bit executable     = false
+
|windows 32-bit exe    = true
|64-bit executable notes=  
+
|windows 64-bit exe    = false
 +
|windows arm app        = unknown
 +
|windows exe notes      =
 +
|macos intel 32-bit app =
 +
|macos intel 64-bit app =
 +
|macos arm app          = unknown
 +
|macos app notes        =
 +
|linux 32-bit executable=  
 +
|linux 64-bit executable=
 +
|linux arm app          = unknown
 +
|linux executable notes =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 175: Line 396:
 
|cutscenes        = Bink Video
 
|cutscenes        = Bink Video
 
|cutscenes notes  =  
 
|cutscenes notes  =  
|multiplayer      =  
+
|multiplayer      = Quazal
 
|multiplayer notes=  
 
|multiplayer notes=  
 
}}
 
}}
Line 185: Line 406:
 
===Dynamic shadow rendering bug===
 
===Dynamic shadow rendering bug===
 
{{ii}} Dynamic shadows of certain characters and objects are rendered incorrectly.
 
{{ii}} Dynamic shadows of certain characters and objects are rendered incorrectly.
{{ii}} Turning off dynamic shadows in video settings isn't an improvement, because it also turns off light in outdoor areas.
+
{{ii}} Turning off dynamic shadows in video settings also turns off light in outdoor areas.
  
 
===Game freezes when changing video settings===
 
===Game freezes when changing video settings===

Latest revision as of 21:23, 30 July 2023

BlackSite: Area 51
BlackSite: Area 51 cover
Developers
Midway Studios Austin
Publishers
Midway Games
Engines
Unreal Engine 3
Release dates
Windows November 12, 2007
Reception
Metacritic 60
IGDB 58
Taxonomy
Microtransactions None
Modes Singleplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives First-person
Controls Direct control
Genres Shooter
Themes North America
Series Area 51
BlackSite: Area 51 on HowLongToBeat
BlackSite: Area 51 on IGDB
BlackSite: Area 51 on MobyGames
BlackSite: Area 51 on Wikipedia
Area 51
Area 51 1995
Area 51 (2005) 2005
BlackSite: Area 51 2007

Key points

Game was released as BlackSite outside the U.S.
Game lacks an FPS limiter or Vsync and causes AI scripted problems at frame rates higher than 60 FPS. Limit the frame rate to prevent this.

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
SecuROM DRM
Windows
This game is not available digitally.

Essential improvements

Patches

Install the latest patch (v1.2).

Limit frame rate

The game has issues at frame rates above 60 fps.

Limit with RTSS

You can use external tools like Rivatuner Statistics Server (RTSS) to manually limit the frame rate to 60.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows %LOCALAPPDATA%\Midway\Blacksite\Config\
Screen.ini only contains screen resolution and option to start in window or fullscreen mode. Other settings are encrypted inside other files.

Save game data location

System Location
Windows %LOCALAPPDATA%\Midway\Blacksite\

Video

Video settings.
Video settings.
Post-processing enabled(up) and disabled(down).
Post-processing enabled(up) and disabled(down).

Graphics feature State WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
Multi-monitor
Image is Vert- and FOV will need to be increased to compensate. See Field of View.
Ultra-widescreen
Image is Vert- and FOV will need to be increased to compensate. See Field of View.
4K Ultra HD
Field of view (FOV)
See Field of View. Default is 75°.
Windowed
Borderless fullscreen windowed
Run in windowed mode and use Borderless Gaming.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Up to 16x.
Anti-aliasing (AA)
Available in the options menu, but doesn't do anything. Force in the graphics card control panel.
High-fidelity upscaling
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
Game can be played in windowed mode which enables double buffering in modern Windows and prevents screen tearing, but the framerate won't be capped.[1]
60 FPS and 120+ FPS
No frame rate or refresh rate cap. High frame rates may break NPC scripting during scripted events. Limit the frame rate to prevent this.
High dynamic range display (HDR)
See the glossary page for potential alternatives.

Field of View

FOV can be edited in Coalesced.ini, however this involves editing multiple entries. Comprehensively edited files for Hor+ gameplay in various different resolutions can be downloaded from the game's WSGF.com entry.
The files provided on WSGF.com give an FOV that is about 7° wider than a true 1:1 Hor+ increase from a base 4:3 image. Also, these files increase the FOV based on the default 75° at a 4:3 aspect ratio, however the game is designed around 75° FOV at a 16:9 aspect ratio, as indicated by the cutscenes which have a fixed FOV.
Download a comprehensively edited Coalesced.ini from wsgf.com
  1. Download the fix from the Blacksite: Area 51 FOV & Shake Fix.
  2. Replace Coalesced.ini in <path-to-game>\A52Game\Content\Tweaks\ with the fixed version that corresponds to your screen resolution or preferred FOV.
  3. If you're increasing FOV as Vert- compensation for an ultrawide aspect ratio, and you want a field of view closer to what the developers intended, use a Coalesced.ini file for one aspect ratio down from the one you're using. I.E. if your aspect ratio is 21:9, use the custom file for 16:9 aspect ratio.

Post-processing effects

Motion blur, light bloom and color correction can be disabled by deleting or renaming an external file.
Disabling post-processing[1]
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\A52Game\CookedPC
  2. Delete or rename the file a52postfx.xxx

Input

Input settings and key mappings.
Input settings and key mappings.

Audio

Audio settings.
Audio settings.

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Music, sound effects and dialogue
Surround sound
5.1
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
French
German
Hungarian
Fan translation, download.
Italian
Polish
Russian
Spanish

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Notes
LAN play
Online play
The official Quazal multiplayer service has been shut down.

VR support

3D modes State Notes
vorpX
G3D
User created game profile. Requires important settings to work properly, see vorpx forum profile introduction.

Issues fixed

Setup could not find file error when swapping discs during installation

Insert disc 2 into a second real or virtual DVD drive using a different drive letter.[2]

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 9.0c
Shader Model support 3
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Physics Havok
Audio FMOD
Cutscenes Bink Video
Multiplayer Quazal

Issues unresolved

Dynamic shadow rendering bug.
Dynamic shadow rendering bug.
Dynamic shadows enabled(up) and disabled(down).
Dynamic shadows enabled(up) and disabled(down).

Dynamic shadow rendering bug

Dynamic shadows of certain characters and objects are rendered incorrectly.
Turning off dynamic shadows in video settings also turns off light in outdoor areas.

Game freezes when changing video settings

It can sometimes happen that the game freezes when changing dynamic light, anti-aliasing or filtering mode in the video settings menu.
Delete the settings file[1]
  1. Go to %LOCALAPPDATA%\Midway\Blacksite
  2. Delete the file settings.dat
  3. Next time the game is launched it will create a new file with default settings. Change the settings in the options menu.

System requirements

Windows
Minimum
Operating system (OS) XP, Vista
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium 4 3.0 GHz
AMD Athlon 64 4000+
System memory (RAM) 1 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 15 GB
Video card (GPU) 256 MB of VRAM
DirectX 9 compatible
Shader model 3.0 support


References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Verified by User:Antrad on November 28, 2017
  2. Verified by User:Demon272481 on 2023-01-15