System Shock 2

System Shock 2

Developer(s)	Irrational Games Looking Glass Studios
Publisher(s)	Electronic Arts
Engine	Dark Engine
First release date	August 11, 1999

System Shock

System Shock	1994
System Shock 2	1999

Key points

Install SS2Tool to add widescreen/multi-monitor support and fix various compatibility and performance issues.

Install outside C:\Program Files (x86)\ to avoid problems.

General information

Modding guide on The Port Report

TTLG Forums - System Shock Series

systemshock.org Forum

systemshock.org Forum - SS2 Troubleshooting Guide

Steam Community Discussions

GOG.com Community Discussions

GOG.com Support Page

Availability

Source(s)	Store unlock	Notes
Retail		Use SS2Tool.
GOG.com		Pre-patched with NewDark. Update to the latest SS2Tool.
GamersGate		Pre-patched with SS2Tool 4.0. Update to the latest SS2Tool.
Steam		Pre-patched with SS2Tool 5.0. Update to the latest SS2Tool.

The GOG.com version of System Shock 2 is the best version because it's DRM-free, patched with fixes, and includes extra items such as music, concept art, and wallpapers.

Improvements

SS2Tool

Essential patcher which integrates the NewDark patch and fixes various issues.

Use SS2Tool for all versions of the game.

Recommended mods

Modding guide available on The Port Report.

• SHTUP - 'Shock Texture Upgrade Project' enhances object texture quality.
• Rebirth Beta 0.2 - enhances polygons of enemies.

Game data

Save game location

	Location
Save game location	System Shock 2\save_0\

Save games are kept in multiple folders, e.g. \save_0\, \save_1\

Configuration file location

	Location
Configuration files location	System Shock 2\

The cam_ext.cfg is the configuration file for the game once patched using SS2Tool.

Save game cloud syncing

System	Native	Notes
Steam Cloud
GameSave Manager

Video settings

General settings.

FOV of 150.

Graphics option	Native	WSGF	Notes
Widescreen resolution			Native for digital versions; for retail versions install SS2Tool.
Multi-monitor			Native for digital versions; for retail versions install SS2Tool.
Field of view (FOV)		Edit cam_ext.cfg. See Field of view (FOV).
Windowed		Edit cam_ext.cfg. See Windowed.
Borderless fullscreen windowed		Enable Windowed mode, then use desktop resolution in-game.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)		Native for digital distribution versions; for retail versions install SS2Tool.
Anti-aliasing (AA)		Native for digital distribution versions; for retail versions install SS2Tool.
Vertical sync (Vsync)		See Vertical sync (Vsync).

Windowed

Edit cam_ext.cfg to change windowed mode • Link Open System Shock 2\cam_ext.cfg using Notepad. Change ;force_windowed to force_windowed

Field of view (FOV)

Edit cam_ext.cfg to change field of view (FOV) • Link Open System Shock 2\cam_ext.cfg using Notepad. Change ;fov 90 to fov # (any number).

Vertical sync (Vsync)

Enable vsync • Link Disable vsync in graphics adaptor.

Input settings

Input Settings	Native	Notes
Remapping		Full remapping available, but no 'default' can be loaded.
Controller support		Interface interaction can only be done with the mouse; see controller with keyboard-only game for solutions.

Issues fixed

Random crashing

Use SS2Tool • Link See SS2Tool.

Left-clicking or dragging does not work

Set default control scheme using SS2 Mod Manager • Link See SS2 Mod Manager. Go to Tools menu, click Fix Use-Mode keybind file

Edit User2.bnd • Link Open User2.bind using Notepad. Find the line bind mouse1 Replace with bind mouse1 +drag_and_drop_mode

Small game window or black screen

Enable SS2Tool Safe Mode • Link Download and run the SS2Tool installer. At the Choose Components installation step, enable Safe Mode. Click Install and finish installing.

Edit cam_ext.cfg to disable multisampling • Link Open System Shock 2\cam_ext.cfg using Notepad. Comment out and change multisampletype 8 to ;multisampletype 8

UI too small on high screen resolutions

Edit cam_ext.cfg to enable ui scaling • Link Open cam_ext.cfg in notepad or any other text editor. Uncomment the line ;d3d_disp_scaled_2d_overlay 64 by removing the semicolon. Note: If the above does not fix the issue, you may try scaling the ui to arbitrary resolutions by re-commenting out the above line (add back in the semicolon), uncommenting the line ;d3d_disp_scaled_2d_overlay 640 480 and adjusting the 640 and the 480 to your desired resolution. However, this may cause the ui to become blurry/pixelated, so try the initial fix first.

Runs too fast on 120 Hz monitor

Edit cam_ext.cfg to change timings • Link Open System Shock 2\cam_ext.cfg using Notepad. Change ;vsync_mode 7 to vsync_mode 7