Borderlands 2

Borderlands 2

Developer(s)	Gearbox Software
Publisher(s)	2K Games
Engine	Unreal Engine 3
First release date	September 18, 2012

Borderlands

Borderlands	2009
The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned
Mad Moxxi's Underdome Riot
The Secret Armory of General Knoxx
Claptrap's New Robot Revolution
Borderlands 2	2012
Mechromancer Pack (Premiere Club)
Captain Scarlett and Her Pirate's Booty
Mr. Torgue's Campaign of Carnage
Sir Hammerlock's Big Game Hunt

Key points

Gearbox has delivered every single promised feature from Claptrap's love letter to PC gamers.

Reports indicate that the game is very well optimised for PCs.

General information

Steam Forum - for both Borderlands games.

Steam Game Hub

BL2 PC Technical Support - official PC-specific tech forum.

/r/Borderlands - subreddit.

/r/Borderlands2 - subreddit.

Official Borderlands 2 Knowledge Database

Windows

Availability

Source(s)	Store unlock	Notes
Retail		Digital distribution and retail versions unlock on Steam.
Steam
GamersGate
Green Man Gaming

All versions require Steam, including retail.

Improvements

TweakGuides has created a comprehensive guide for fixing issues in this game. It can be found here.

Disable Launcher • Link Right-click on Borderland 2 in the Steam client, select 'Properties' and click on the "Set Launch Options". Enter "-NoLauncher" (without the quotes) in the box, and select OK.

Texture Pop-in • Link To get rid of texture pop-in, force the game to stream only the high res textures. To do this, simply follow the instructions here.

Game data

Save game location

	Location
Default	%USERPROFILE%\My Documents\My Games\Borderlands 2\WillowGame\SaveData\(SteamID64)

Save game cloud syncing

System	Native	Notes
Steam Cloud		Syncs save games and settings.
GameSave Manager		In the database.

Video settings

Multi-monitor screenshot from WSGF report.

Borderlands 2 video settings menu.

Graphics option	Native	WSGF	Notes
Widescreen resolution
Multi-monitor
Field of view (FOV)		Does not scale weapon models.
Windowed
Borderless fullscreen windowed		Window mode can be set to fullscreen.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Anti-aliasing (AA)
Vertical sync (Vsync)		Requires restarting the game to enable.

PhysX

PhysX can be enabled by any Nvidia card past series 8. AMD/ATi cards can enable the option at a very large performance hit due to the fact that the PhysX would be CPU-bound.(High PhysX on an AMD card with a Intel CORE i5 3750K @ 3.40GHz, Example Video) For players with a primary AMD card but a secondary Nvidia card, the Nvidia card can be made to run Physx calculations.

It is possible to run the game on high graphics and high PhysX with at least a Nvidia GTX 460 without the framerate dropping below 30 fps.

Graphical Tweaks

Disabling Intro Movies

The startup movies, while skippable, can get annoying some times. Luckily it is possible to disable them.

Tutorial Video on disabling Intro Videos for Borderlands 2

To disable the startup videos open WillowEngine.ini located in:
%USERPROFILE%\My Documents\My Games\Borderlands 2\WillowGame\Config\

Find the following entries:

[FullScreenMovie]
StartupMovies=2K_logo
StartupMovies=Gearbox_logo
StartupMovies=NVidia
StartupMovies=Loading
SkippableMovies=2K_logo
SkippableMovies=Gearbox_logo
SkippableMovies=Attract
SkippableMovies=NVidia

Replace them with:

[FullScreenMovie]
;StartupMovies=2K_logo
;StartupMovies=Gearbox_logo
;StartupMovies=NVidia
;StartupMovies=Loading
SkippableMovies=2K_logo
SkippableMovies=Gearbox_logo
SkippableMovies=Attract
SkippableMovies=NVidia

Disable Dynamic Shadows

Dynamic Shadows are a big resource hog, causing computers that exceed the recommended specs to see big FPS drops. By disabling dynamic shadows, FPS gains of up to 40FPS have been reported. To disable Dynamic Shadows:

Open WillowEngine.ini located in:
%USERPROFILE%\My Documents\My Games\Borderlands 2\WillowGame\Config\

Find the following entry under [SystemSettings]:

DynamicShadows=True

and set it to

DynamicShadows=False

Disable Cel-Shading Outlines

If you want a slightly more realistic look, you can disable the cel-shading outline on everything in game, without performance penalty. Simply open your WillowEngine.ini file and find the following line:
DefaultPostProcessName=WillowEngineMaterials.WillowScenePostProcess

and change it to:
DefaultPostProcessName=WillowEngineMaterials.CinematicScenePostProcess

Disable Texture Fade-In

Borderlands 2 will fade textures onto surfaces as they load. You can disable this fading effect by modifying the following lines in the WillowEngine.ini file:
MipFadeInSpeed0=0
MipFadeInSpeed1=0
A higher value will increase the fade speed; a lower value (such as 0, shown above) will decrease or remove the fade speed completely.

Nvidia 3D vision fix

http://helixmod.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/borderlands-2-3d-vision-patch.html

Input settings

Input Settings	Native	Notes
Remapping
Mouse acceleration		Can be easily enabled/disabled/tweaked via menu option
Controller support

Issues fixed

Crash after "Preparing to launch" window

Create steam_appid.txt • Link Create a .txt file in notepad and write the numbers '49520' without the ' '. Save it as 'steam_appid.txt' and save it in your Steam directory 'Steam\steamapps\common\Borderlands 2\Binaries\Win32' and run Borderlands2.exe as admin.

Microsoft .NET Framework Client Profile Restarting Install

Make Folder Writable • Link Issue can be fixed by making the entire Borderlands 2 folder writable. This is the preferred solution as it is the simplest, most convenient and safest option. 1) Right click on the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\borderlands 2\ 2) Click properties, and uncheck the 'read-only' option. 3) When starting the game, the .NET should update one more time. 4) The next time the game is launched, the .NET will not attempt to install again.

Click 'No' To Allow Changes • Link 1) After launching the game, it will ask to allow it to make changes to your computer. 2) Click 'No' at this stage.

Delete Redist Folder • Link 1) Go to the C:\Program Files (x86)\steam\steamapps\common\borderlands 2\Binaries\ 2) Either delete the Redist folder or rename it. 3) Now when steam starts the game It will not install anything. Every time 'verify local game files' is activated, the Redist folder will also be redownloaded, reinitiating this problem.

Regedit • Link Potentially extremely dangerous unless you are comfortable using regedit. 1) Open regedit (Run > regedit) and go to the following location: For 64 bit systems (x64): HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Valve\Steam\Apps\49520 For 32 bit systems (x86): HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Valve\Steam\Apps\49520 2) Right click and add a DWORD named NET40Redist and give it a value of 1. Further regedit Steps • Link 1) If you have other installers launching, look at the installscript.vdf which you can find in the Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\Borderlands 2\ folder. 2) Open installscript.vdf with Notepad and look at the names in quotes before each line of process 1. 3) Add the DWORD with a value of 1 which will tell steam the process has been completed and it will not launch again.

Installing from disc is slow

Restart installation • Link 1) During installation, if it is slow it is probably downloading from Steam. 2) Do not cancel installation. Open "My Computer" and open the game disk. 3) Run "Setup.exe". 4) When prompted, select "Reinstall".

Co-op doesn't connect properly

Fixing co-op connection issues • Link 1) Check the Ports May allow people to join your game Will caused decreased network protection. The first problem seems to be that it uses some hilariously odd ports to actually do the networking under. Ports that aren't covered by most routers 'unblocked ports' by default. These ports are as follows. UDP/TCP: UDP 50000-65535 Yeah, that's a lot of ports - and not a good move on Gearbox's part, but the most likely way to being able to connect is to unblock these ports. If you're REALLY worried, a third party firewall like COMODO may be helpful. 2) Disable your firewall/add an exception Will allow Borderlands 2 and associated ports to go through system firewall Will caused decreased computer protection Windows Firewall appears to enjoy blocking Borderlands 2 by default, you should add an exception for the applications, and if that doesn't work the actual ports. To test if it will actually work before going through the motions, you can disable Windows Firewall - you'll be safe as long as you don't do anything safe. You should also consider replacing Windows Firewall with something that works a little better - COMODO is free and gives Allow/Deny for anything that it doesn't recognise. This isn't an option for everyone though, and you will still need to add the exceptions either way. 3) Use the -tcp command line: This forces the game to use TCP network connections over UDP. Right click on Borderlands in your Steam, and select 'Properties', then click 'Set Launch Options' and type '-tcp'. You can also try right clicking the Steam shortcut and adding the same option to the shortcut of Steam - results are an odd split here - some people say it worked after, others claim there is no difference. 4) Check the integrity of game cache: Seriously, there appears to be a single file that it will always fail to validate and download when you do this. Right click the game in your Steam library, select Properties and then click 'Local Files' and 'Verify Integrity of Game Cache' and wait a moment. 5) Reboot Steam Some people are claiming that rebooting Steam makes a file download that makes the game work correctly - unlikely, but it wouldn't be the first time this was a solution. 6) Run Steam/the game as Administrator Close the Steam.exe then simply right click Steam and select 'Run as Administrator'. Log into Steam then make a Borderlands 2 shortcut on your desktop and right click and run that as Administrator.

Game appears to run in slow motion

Using Gigabyte's OC Guru overclocking tool can cause the game to appear to run in slow motion, then jump forward in time every few seconds, especially after Alt+Tabbing

Close the OC Guru overlay • Link 1) In the taskbar, right click on the Gigabyte OC Guru and click Close. 2) You may need to click show hidden icons to see the icon.

In-Game Console

Enabling The Console

Enable Console • Link 1) Go to the following directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Borderlands 2\WillowGame\Config. 2) Open the file DefaultInput.ini. 3) Find the [Engine.Console] heading, and add the following entry to it: ConsoleKey=Tilde 4) You may also want to add TypeKey=Backslash otherwise you will not be able to exit the console.

The console should now be available for use, simply go in-game and press the tilde (~) key to open the console and the backslash key (\) to close it.

Available Commands

• Stat FPS - Displays the current FPS in game.

• ToggleHUD - Toggles the HUD on and off.

• FOV - Allows you to adjust the FOV beyond the range available from the Video Options menu. Note that some rendering issue may occur with very large or very small FOV settings.

• Exit - Allows you to quickly exit the game.

• Quit - Allows you to quickly exit the game.

• Gamma value - Allows you set the Gamma value (brightness) beyond the bounds of the Video Options menu. Value is a floating point number (for example, 2.5).

• SetRes HxV - Allows you to set a custom screen resolution to a value other than what is offered in the Video Options menu. H is the horizontal resolution. V is the verical resolution (for example, "setres 1024x768").

• Shot - Take a screen shot.

• Screenshot - Take a screen shot.

• TiledShot 6 128 - Take an ultra resolution screen shot, more info HERE. To take a TiledShot you must turn the cell shade off, click here to learn how.

Tiledshot with Cell Shading Picture here Tiledshot without Cell Shading Picture here

Issues unresolved

AMD FX Chipset Restart After Launcher

Game resets when clicking on launcher.

Problem caused on AMD FX chipsets.

• Fix: Some users have reported that update your BIOS to the latest version solves this and other problems for users with AMD FX chips.

Microstutter on Powerful Rigs

Game micro stutters on powerful rigs.

Problem occurs on wireless and wired connections.

Low FPS regardless of settings changes.

• Fix: Some users have reported that playing on a wired connection fixes the microstutter, others report that updating NIC drivers alleviates the problem, and yet still others report that disconnecting from the internet solves the problem..
• Fix: Changing MinDesiredFrameRate from 35 to 60 in WillowEngine.ini in the USERS directory may result in the expected performance from high-powered hardware.

System requirements

Windows
	Minimum	Recommended
Operating system (OS)	Windows XP SP3	Windows XP SP3 / Vista / 7
Processor (CPU)	2.4 GHz Dual Core Processor	2.3 GHz Quad Core Processor
System memory (RAM)	2 GB	2 GB
Video card (GPU)	NVIDIA GeForce 8500 / ATI Radeon HD 2600	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 / ATI Radeon HD 5850
Hard disk drive (HDD)	13 GB	13 GB

Initial installation requires one-time internet connection for Steam authentication.

Mac

Official knowledge base for the Mac version

Borderlands 2 Mac FAQ

Availability

Source(s)	Store unlock	Notes
Retail		Digital distribution and retail versions unlock on Steam for both PC and Mac.
Steam
GamersGate
Green Man Gaming
Mac App Store		Fully separate from the Steam version. No multiplayer yet, will be patched in early 2013 along with Game Center support. Exclusive skins and rocket grenade mod.

Borderlands 2 uses Steam Play which means that if you own the game on Steam you also own the Mac version.

Cross Platform Multiplayer

Borderlands 2 supports cross platform between Mac and PC versions of the game through Steam, but they both have to have the same version of the game. Mismatch issues might be caused by delayed Mac versions of the patches.

The Mac App Store is fully separate from the Steam version so you can only play with other Mac App Store players when the multiplayer launches.

System requirements

Mac
	Minimum	Recommended
Operating system (OS)	OS X 10.7.5 (Lion), 10.8.2 (Mountain Lion)	OS X 10.7.5 (Lion), 10.8.2 (Mountain Lion)
Processor (CPU)	Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.2 GHz	Intel Quad Core, 2.6 GHz
System memory (RAM)	4 GB	8 GB
Video card (GPU)	NVIDIA GeForce 8800, ATI Radeon HD 2600, or Intel HD 3000 with 256 MB of video memory	512MB of video memory
Hard disk drive (HDD)	13 GB	13 GB

Initial installation requires one-time internet connection for Steam authentication.

Full list of supported video cards:

   NVIDIA GEFORCE 8800
   NVIDIA GEFORCE GT 120
   NVIDIA GEFORCE 320M
   NVIDIA GEFORCE 330M
   NVIDIA GEFORCE 650M
   ATI RADEON HD 2600
   ATI RADEON HD 3870
   ATI RADEON HD 4670
   ATI RADEON HD 4850
   ATI RADEON HD 5670
   ATI RADEON HD 5750
   ATI RADEON HD 5770
   ATI RADEON HD 5870
   ATI RADEON HD 6630
   ATI RADEON HD 6750
   ATI RADEON HD 6770
   ATI RADEON HD 6970
   Intel HD Graphics 3000
   Intel HD Graphics 4000