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Difference between revisions of "Natural Selection 2"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
m (→‎Video: UI becoming small doesn't mean 4K is not supported.)
 
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−
{{infobox
+
{{Infobox game
−
|title          = Natural Selection 2
+
|cover        = Natural Selection 2 Cover.jpg
−
|cover          = NaturalSelection2.jpg
+
|developers  =  
−
|developer      = Unknown Worlds Entertainment
+
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Unknown Worlds Entertainment}}
−
|publisher     = Unknown Worlds Entertainment
+
|publishers  =
−
|engine        = Spark Engine
+
|engines     =  
−
|release dates  = Summer 2012
+
{{Infobox game/row/engine|Spark}}
 +
|release dates=
 +
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|October 30, 2012}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/date|Linux|Cancelled|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://unknownworlds.com/ns2/a-note-to-our-linux-users/|title=Natural Selection 2 - A Note to Our Linux Users|date=2022-12-10|snippet=With the upcoming release of patch 329, we will officially be ending our support for the Linux client of Natural Selection 2.}}</ref>}}
 +
|taxonomy    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | One-time game purchase }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | Multiplayer }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing            | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives      | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls          | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres            | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/sports            | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/vehicles          | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/art styles        | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes            | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | Natural Selection }}
 +
|steam appid = 4920
 +
|gogcom id    =
 +
|strategywiki =
 +
|mobygames    = natural-selection-ii
 +
|wikipedia    = Natural Selection 2
 +
|winehq      = 11412
 +
|license      = commercial
 +
|official site= https://unknownworlds.com/ns2/
 
}}
 
}}
−
Natural Selection 2 is the sequel to the [[Half-Life]] mod [[Natural Selection]], currently in private-beta development by [[Unknown Worlds Entertainment]].
 
−
==Beta Access==
 
−
Buying the game from [http://www.naturalselection2.com/buy the official site] will allow you to download, update and play the beta from [[Steam]]. The beta has an active online community and regular updates. The first official non-beta 'release' is currently scheduled for Summer 2012.
 
  
−
==Performance Issues==
+
'''Key points'''
−
'''''Note:''''' ''As of Beta 195, the game is not performance-optimized for less powerful computers. If you can't get the game running at a decent FPS, you'll either have to wait for the game to get further in development, or upgrade your computer.''
+
{{++}} Active community
−
*Some steps you could try:
+
{{--}} Development stopped<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://unknownworlds.com/ns2/unknown-worlds-entertainment-ceases-active-development-of-natural-selection-2/|title=Unknown Worlds Entertainment Ceases Active Development of Natural Selection 2|date=May 2023}}</ref>
−
**Lower the visual settings from High to Medium. Medium to Low has a minor effect.
 
−
**Lower your resolution.
 
−
**Play Fullscreen.''<br /><br />
 
  
−
'''''Alternatively, in the console you can toggle these commands to disable graphical effects such as bloom, atmospherics, etc):''
+
'''General information'''
 +
{{mm}} [https://forums.unknownworlds.com/ Official Forums]
 +
{{mm}} [https://wiki.unknownworlds.com/ns2/Main_Page Official Wiki]
 +
{{mm}} [https://www.reddit.com/r/ns2 Natural Selection Subreddit]
 +
{{mm}} [https://steamcommunity.com/app/4920/discussions/ Steam Community Discussions]
  
−
*r_bloom false          *''Disables bloom effect''
+
==Availability==
−
*r_atmospherics false   *''Disables atmospheric lighting''
+
{{Availability|
−
*r_shadows false         *''Disables shadow rendering''
+
{{Availability/row| Humble | natural-selection-2 | Steam | | | Windows }}
−
*r_flash false           *''Disables flash GUI''
+
{{Availability/row| Steam | 4920 | Steam | | | Windows }}
 +
}}
 +
{{ii}} All versions require {{DRM|Steam}}.
 +
 
 +
==Essential improvements==
 +
===Modifications===
 +
{{ii}} Installed mods must be activated through the main menu.
 +
{{++}} Natural Selection 2 supports [https://steamcommunity.com/workshop/browse/?appid=4920 Steam Workshop], allowing for easy installation, updating and sharing of modifications.
 +
{{--}} Be aware of reports that certain menu and UI mods may cause problems with the game. If encountering issues, the most likely culprit will be conflicts with installed mods.
 +
 
 +
==Game data==
 +
{{Image|Natural Selection 2 General.png|In-game general settings.}}
 +
 
 +
===Configuration file(s) location===
 +
{{Game data|
 +
{{Game data/config|Windows|{{p|appdata}}\Natural Selection 2\system_options.xml|{{p|appdata}}\Natural Selection 2\*.json}}
 +
{{Game data/config|Linux|}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Save game data location===
 +
{{Game data|
 +
{{Game data/saves|Steam|{{p|steam}}/userdata/{{p|uid}}/4920/}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===[[Glossary:Save game cloud syncing|Save game cloud syncing]]===
 +
{{Save game cloud syncing
 +
|discord                  =
 +
|discord notes            =
 +
|epic games launcher      =
 +
|epic games launcher notes =
 +
|gog galaxy                =
 +
|gog galaxy notes          =
 +
|origin                    =
 +
|origin notes              =
 +
|steam cloud              = true
 +
|steam cloud notes        =
 +
|ubisoft connect          =
 +
|ubisoft connect notes    =
 +
|xbox cloud                =
 +
|xbox cloud notes          =
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Video==
 +
{{Image|Natural Selection 2 Video.png|In-game video settings.}}
 +
{{Image|Natural Selection 2 multimonitor.jpg|Multi-monitor setup with multi-monitor HUD mod.}}
 +
{{Video
 +
|wsgf link                  = https://www.wsgf.org/dr/natural-selection-2/en
 +
|widescreen wsgf award      = gold
 +
|multimonitor wsgf award    = limited
 +
|ultrawidescreen wsgf award = incomplete
 +
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    = incomplete
 +
|widescreen resolution      = true
 +
|widescreen resolution notes=
 +
|multimonitor              = true
 +
|multimonitor notes        = [[#Multi-monitor|Multi-monitor HUD mod]] can be used to centre the HUD.
 +
|ultrawidescreen            = true
 +
|ultrawidescreen notes      = <ref>{{Refurl|url=https://steamcommunity.com/groups/ultrawidemasterrace/curation/app/4920/|title=Steam Community :: Group :: /r/ultrawidemasterrace Group|date=May 2023}}</ref>
 +
|4k ultra hd                = true
 +
|4k ultra hd notes          = UI elements will be too small. There is an experimental setting for UI scaling.
 +
|fov                        = true
 +
|fov notes                  =
 +
|windowed                  = true
 +
|windowed notes            =
 +
|borderless windowed        = true
 +
|borderless windowed notes  =
 +
|anisotropic                = limited
 +
|anisotropic notes          = On/off toggle. The level of anisotropic filtering is unknown. It seems to be 4x.<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://forums.unknownworlds.com/discussion/128231/anisotropic-filtering-level-offset-atmospherics-dynamically-lit-particles-console-improvements|title=forums.unknownworlds.com|date=May 2023}}</ref>
 +
|antialiasing              = true
 +
|antialiasing notes        = [[FXAA]] or [[TAA]].
 +
|vsync                      = true
 +
|vsync notes                =
 +
|60 fps                    = true
 +
|60 fps notes              =
 +
|120 fps                    = true
 +
|120 fps notes              = Custom FPS slider from 30 to 1000 FPS.
 +
|hdr                        = unknown
 +
|hdr notes                  =
 +
|color blind                = unknown
 +
|color blind notes          =
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===[[Glossary:Multi-monitor|Multi-monitor]]===
 +
{{Fixbox|description=NS2 Multi-monitor HUD|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
 +
# Download the [https://www.unknownworlds.com/ns2/forums/index.php?showtopic=117176 mod files].
 +
# Unzip to {{folder|{{p|game}}\ns2\lua\}}.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Input==
 +
{{Image|Natural Selection 2 Remapping.png|In-game key map settings.}}
 +
{{Input
 +
|key remap                = true
 +
|key remap notes          =
 +
|acceleration option      = true
 +
|acceleration option notes =
 +
|mouse sensitivity        = true
 +
|mouse sensitivity notes  = Find row <sensitivity> in {{p|steam}}/userdata/{{p|uid}}/4920/remote/options.xml to customise with greater precision
 +
|mouse menu                = true
 +
|mouse menu notes          =
 +
|invert mouse y-axis      = true
 +
|invert mouse y-axis notes =
 +
|touchscreen              = unknown
 +
|touchscreen notes        =
 +
|controller support        = false
 +
|controller support notes  = Support may be added in a future update.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=10649&view=findpost&p=1909981|title=Natural Selection 2 Forum - Xbox 360 Controller Compatibility|date=May 2023}}</ref>
 +
|full controller          = unknown
 +
|full controller notes    =
 +
|controller remap          = unknown
 +
|controller remap notes    =
 +
|controller sensitivity    = unknown
 +
|controller sensitivity notes=
 +
|invert controller y-axis  = unknown
 +
|invert controller y-axis notes=
 +
|xinput controllers        = unknown
 +
|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=
 +
|controller hotplug        = unknown
 +
|controller hotplug notes  =
 +
|haptic feedback          = unknown
 +
|haptic feedback notes    =
 +
|simultaneous input        = unknown
 +
|simultaneous input notes  =
 +
|steam input api          = unknown
 +
|steam input api notes    =
 +
|steam hook input          = unknown
 +
|steam hook input notes    =
 +
|steam input presets      = unknown
 +
|steam input presets notes =
 +
|steam controller prompts  = unknown
 +
|steam controller prompts notes =
 +
|steam cursor detection    = unknown
 +
|steam cursor detection notes =
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Audio==
 +
{{Image|Natural Selection 2 Audio.png|In-game audio settings.}}
 +
{{Audio
 +
|separate volume          = true
 +
|separate volume notes    = Sound, music, voice.
 +
|surround sound          = true
 +
|surround sound notes    = Supports 5.1 and 7.1
 +
|subtitles                = true
 +
|subtitles notes          =
 +
|closed captions          = false
 +
|closed captions notes    =
 +
|mute on focus lost      = true
 +
|mute on focus lost notes =
 +
|eax support              = unknown
 +
|eax support notes        =
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{L10n|content=
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = English
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    = Official translation.
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Czech
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Finnish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = unknown
 +
|notes    =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = French
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = German
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Polish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = unknown
 +
|notes    =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Romanian
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = unknown
 +
|notes    =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Russian
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = unknown
 +
|notes    =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Spanish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = unknown
 +
|notes    =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Swedish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = unknown
 +
|notes    =
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Network==
 +
{{Network/Multiplayer
 +
|local play           =
 +
|local play players  =
 +
|local play modes    =
 +
|local play notes    =
 +
|lan play            = false
 +
|lan play players    = 24
 +
|lan play modes      =
 +
|lan play notes      = Requires an internet connection for Steam authentication.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/4920/discussions/0/648813727973660533/|title=Local Server!? (LAN) :: Natural Selection 2 General Discussions|date=May 2023}}</ref>
 +
|online play          = true
 +
|online play players  = 24
 +
|online play modes    =
 +
|online play notes    =
 +
|asynchronous        =
 +
|asynchronous notes  =
 +
}}
 +
{{ii}} All official maps are designed for at most 24 players. However, dedicated servers can be set externally to have the max player limit increased beyond the recommended amount
 +
 
 +
{{Network/Connections
 +
|matchmaking        = true
 +
|matchmaking notes  = <ref>{{Refurl|url=https://unknownworlds.com/ns2/update-337-matched-play-bet/|title=Update 337 Matched Play|date=May 2023}}</ref>
 +
|p2p                = false
 +
|p2p notes          =
 +
|dedicated          = true
 +
|dedicated notes    = A full guide on running a dedicated server can be found on the [http://wiki.unknownworlds.com/ns2/Dedicated_Server Community Wiki].
 +
|self-hosting      = true
 +
|self-hosting notes = For dedicated, install Dedicated Server under Tools in the Steam client.
 +
|direct ip          = hackable
 +
|direct ip notes    = Open the console ({{key|~}}) and use <code>connect</code> followed by the IP and port.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{Network/Ports
 +
|tcp  = 27015-27016 (Server only), 27014-27050
 +
|udp  = 27015-27016 (Server only), 3478, 4379-4380, 27000-27030
 +
|upnp = unknown
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Issues fixed==
 +
===Random latency spikes while moving around maps===
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Downscale your graphical settings|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
 +
# If you are playing the game on high graphical settings with certain hardware setups, the game might stutter as it loads a new texture for the first time in a given match. Because of how the game is coded, this will appear as random high latency spikes in the ingame match ping overview (in spite of being related to graphical settings and not to latency). These spikes can typically be rectified by turning down the graphics via the options menu in the game.
 +
# Setting the texture quality to Medium or below will typically resolve the issue. If not, try to toggle the multicore settings.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==="Client and Server Differ" error message===
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Verify the game cache in Steam|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/4920/discussions/0/864951657941932674/#c864951657960324283|title=Steam Community Discussions - Client and Server Do not match|date=May 2023}}</ref>|fix=
 +
# Navigate to your library in Steam.
 +
# Right-click Natural Selection 2.
 +
# Click "''Properties''". Go to the "''Local Files''" tab.
 +
# Click the "''Verify Integrity of Game Cache''" button.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Cannot get past the Main Menu===
 +
{{ii}} There are two possible fixes for this issue.
 +
 
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Delete Local Game Content|ref={{cn|date=October 2016}}|fix=
 +
# On Steam, Right click Natural Selection 2 and select "''Delete Local Game Content''".
 +
# This will delete the game, and afterwards you need to redownload and install the game. Note this will delete any mods you may currently have.
 +
}}
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Remove all files related to Natural Selection 2|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
 +
# Uninstall Natural Selection 2 from Steam.
 +
# Delete the [[#Game data|configuration folder]].
 +
# Delete the installation folder.
 +
# Reinstall Natural Selection 2.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Favorite servers do not get saved===
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Create FavoriteServers.json|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
 +
# Go to the [[#Game data|configuration file(s) location]].
 +
# Create an empty file called {{code|FavoriteServers.json}}.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Windows===
 +
====Textures are pitch black/transparent on AMD cards====
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Use application settings|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
 +
# In the Catalyst Control Center, go to the AA Tab under 3D settings.
 +
# If "Use Application settings" is unchecked, this will cause the textures in the game to appear pitch black. Checking this field again will resolve the issue.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
====Game crashes immediately on Gigabyte graphics cards====
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Close the Gigabyte OC Guru overlay|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
 +
# In the taskbar, right click on the Gigabyte OC Guru and click Close.
 +
# You may need to click show hidden icons to see the icon.
 +
# Other overlays such as mumble or Fraps may apparently cause the same issue, so try disabling those as well.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
====Game crashes when marines fire====
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Disable Steam in-game overlay from Steam's right click menu on NS2|ref={{cn|date=October 2016}}}}
 +
 
 +
==Other information==
 +
===Console commands===
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: left;"
 +
! scope="col" | Command || Notes
 +
|-
 +
| <code>fps</code> || Toggles the FPS counter on the HUD.
 +
|-
 +
| <code>i_rawinput true</code> || Sets raw mouse input to true.
 +
|-
 +
| <code>setsensitivity x</code> || Set mouse sensitivity, substitute x with a desired value.
 +
|-
 +
| <code>maxfps 60</code> || Limits FPS to chosen parameter.
 +
|-
 +
| <code>r_bloom false</code> || Disables bloom effect.
 +
|-
 +
| <code>r_atmospherics false </code> || Disables atmospheric lighting.
 +
|-
 +
| <code>r_shadows false</code> || Disables shadow rendering.
 +
|-
 +
| <code>r_flash false</code> || Disables flash GUI.
 +
|-
 +
| <code>r_aa true</code> || Enables [[FXAA]] (Fast Approximate Anti-Aliasing).
 +
|-
 +
| <code>r_stats</code> || Displays render scene data/stats/FPS.
 +
|-
 +
| <code>net_stats</code> || Displays network data.
 +
|-
 +
| <code>server_sound false</code> || Turns off server sounds.
 +
|-
 +
| <code>retry</code> || Connects to previously-played server if disconnected.
 +
|-
 +
| <code>kill</code> || Commit suicide.
 +
|-
 +
| <code>j1</code> || Join Marines (Ready Room only).
 +
|-
 +
| <code>j2</code> || Join Aliens (Ready Room only).
 +
|}
 +
{{ii}} A full list of console commands is available at the [http://wiki.unknownworlds.com/ns2/Console_Commands official NS2 wiki].
 +
 
 +
==Other information==
 +
===API===
 +
{{API
 +
|direct3d versions      = 9
 +
|direct3d notes        = 11 is WIP<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://trello.com/c/mmok4DbY|title=trello.com|date=May 2023}}</ref>
 +
|directdraw versions    =
 +
|directdraw notes      =
 +
|opengl versions        = 3.1
 +
|opengl notes          = <ref>{{Refurl|url=https://wiki.unknownworlds.com/ns2/Linux_Guide|title=wiki.unknownworlds.com|date=May 2023}}</ref>
 +
|glide versions        =
 +
|glide notes            =
 +
|software mode          =
 +
|software mode notes    =
 +
|mantle support        =
 +
|mantle support notes  =
 +
|metal support          =
 +
|metal support notes    =
 +
|vulkan versions        =
 +
|vulkan notes          =
 +
|dos modes              =
 +
|dos modes notes        =
 +
|shader model versions  = 3
 +
|shader model notes    = <ref>{{Refurl|url=https://wiki.unknownworlds.com/ns2/FAQ|title=wiki.unknownworlds.com|date=May 2023}}</ref>
 +
|windows 32-bit exe    = false
 +
|windows 64-bit exe    = true
 +
|windows arm app        = false
 +
|windows exe notes      = <ref>{{Refurl|url=https://unknownworlds.com/ns2/update-319-anniversary/|title=unknownworlds.com|date=May 2023}}</ref>
 +
|mac os x powerpc app  =
 +
|macos intel 32-bit app = unknown
 +
|macos intel 64-bit app = unknown
 +
|macos app notes        =
 +
|linux 32-bit executable=
 +
|linux 64-bit executable=
 +
|linux arm app          = unknown
 +
|linux executable notes =
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Middleware===
 +
{{Middleware
 +
|physics          = PhysX
 +
|physics notes    =
 +
|audio            = FMOD
 +
|audio notes      =
 +
|interface        =
 +
|interface notes  =
 +
|input            =
 +
|input notes      =
 +
|cutscenes        =
 +
|cutscenes notes  =
 +
|multiplayer      =
 +
|multiplayer notes=
 +
|anticheat        =
 +
|anticheat notes  =
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==System requirements==
 +
{{System requirements
 +
|OSfamily = Windows
 +
 
 +
|minOS    = Vista
 +
|minCPU  = Intel Core 2 Duo 2.6 GHz
 +
|minRAM  = 4 GB
 +
|minHD    = 12 GB
 +
|minGPU  = ATI Radeon X800
 +
|minGPU2  = Nvidia GeForce 8600
 +
|minVRAM  = 1 GB
 +
|minDX    = 9
 +
 
 +
|recOS    = 7
 +
|recCPU  = Intel Core 2 Quad 3.0 GHz
 +
|recRAM  =
 +
|recGPU  = AMD Radeon HD 5770
 +
|recGPU2  = Nvidia GeForce GTX 450
 +
|recVRAM  = 1 GB
 +
|recDX    =
 +
}}
  
−
[[Category:Game]]
+
{{References}}

Latest revision as of 11:03, 29 November 2023

Natural Selection 2
Natural Selection 2 cover
Developers
Unknown Worlds Entertainment
Engines
Spark
Release dates
Windows October 30, 2012
Linux Cancelled[1]
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase
Modes Multiplayer
Series Natural Selection
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
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Natural Selection 2 on MobyGames
Natural Selection 2 on Wikipedia
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Natural Selection
Natural Selection 2002
Natural Selection 2 2012
NS2: Combat 2014

Key points

Active community
Development stopped[2]

General information

Official Forums
Official Wiki
Natural Selection Subreddit
Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Humble Store
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Steam
Icon overlay.png
Windows
All versions require Steam DRM.

Essential improvements

Modifications

Installed mods must be activated through the main menu.
Natural Selection 2 supports Steam Workshop, allowing for easy installation, updating and sharing of modifications.
Be aware of reports that certain menu and UI mods may cause problems with the game. If encountering issues, the most likely culprit will be conflicts with installed mods.

Game data

In-game general settings.
In-game general settings.

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows %APPDATA%\Natural Selection 2\system_options.xml
%APPDATA%\Natural Selection 2\*.json
Linux
Steam Play (Linux) <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/4920/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game data location

System Location
Steam <Steam-folder>/userdata/<user-id>/4920/
Steam Play (Linux) <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/4920/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
Steam Cloud

Video

In-game video settings.
In-game video settings.
Multi-monitor setup with multi-monitor HUD mod.
Multi-monitor setup with multi-monitor HUD mod.

Graphics feature State WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
 
Multi-monitor
 
 Multi-monitor HUD mod can be used to centre the HUD.
Ultra-widescreen
 
 [3]
4K Ultra HD
 
 UI elements will be too small. There is an experimental setting for UI scaling.
Field of view (FOV)
Windowed
Borderless fullscreen windowed
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
On/off toggle. The level of anisotropic filtering is unknown. It seems to be 4x.[4]
Anti-aliasing (AA)
FXAA or TAA.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
60 FPS and 120+ FPS
Custom FPS slider from 30 to 1000 FPS.
High dynamic range display (HDR)
See the glossary page for potential alternatives.

Multi-monitor

NS2 Multi-monitor HUD[citation needed]
  1. Download the mod files.
  2. Unzip to <path-to-game>\ns2\lua\.

Input

In-game key map settings.
In-game key map settings.

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
Mouse acceleration
Mouse sensitivity
Find row <sensitivity> in <Steam-folder>/userdata/<user-id>/4920/remote/options.xml to customise with greater precision
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
Support may be added in a future update.[5]
Controller types

Audio

In-game audio settings.
In-game audio settings.

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Sound, music, voice.
Surround sound
Supports 5.1 and 7.1
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
Official translation.
Czech
Finnish
French
German
Polish
Romanian
Russian
Spanish
Swedish

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
LAN play
24 Requires an internet connection for Steam authentication.[6]
Online play
24
All official maps are designed for at most 24 players. However, dedicated servers can be set externally to have the max player limit increased beyond the recommended amount

Connection types

Type Native Notes
Matchmaking
[7]
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated
A full guide on running a dedicated server can be found on the Community Wiki.
Self-hosting
For dedicated, install Dedicated Server under Tools in the Steam client.
Direct IP
Open the console (~) and use connect followed by the IP and port.

Ports

Protocol Port(s) and/or port range(s)
TCP 27015-27016 (Server only), 27014-27050
UDP 27015-27016 (Server only), 3478, 4379-4380, 27000-27030
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.

Issues fixed

Random latency spikes while moving around maps

Downscale your graphical settings[citation needed]
  1. If you are playing the game on high graphical settings with certain hardware setups, the game might stutter as it loads a new texture for the first time in a given match. Because of how the game is coded, this will appear as random high latency spikes in the ingame match ping overview (in spite of being related to graphical settings and not to latency). These spikes can typically be rectified by turning down the graphics via the options menu in the game.
  2. Setting the texture quality to Medium or below will typically resolve the issue. If not, try to toggle the multicore settings.

"Client and Server Differ" error message

Verify the game cache in Steam[8]
  1. Navigate to your library in Steam.
  2. Right-click Natural Selection 2.
  3. Click "Properties". Go to the "Local Files" tab.
  4. Click the "Verify Integrity of Game Cache" button.

Cannot get past the Main Menu

There are two possible fixes for this issue.
Delete Local Game Content[citation needed]
  1. On Steam, Right click Natural Selection 2 and select "Delete Local Game Content".
  2. This will delete the game, and afterwards you need to redownload and install the game. Note this will delete any mods you may currently have.
Remove all files related to Natural Selection 2[citation needed]
  1. Uninstall Natural Selection 2 from Steam.
  2. Delete the configuration folder.
  3. Delete the installation folder.
  4. Reinstall Natural Selection 2.

Favorite servers do not get saved

Create FavoriteServers.json[citation needed]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Create an empty file called FavoriteServers.json.

Windows

Textures are pitch black/transparent on AMD cards

Use application settings[citation needed]
  1. In the Catalyst Control Center, go to the AA Tab under 3D settings.
  2. If "Use Application settings" is unchecked, this will cause the textures in the game to appear pitch black. Checking this field again will resolve the issue.

Game crashes immediately on Gigabyte graphics cards

Close the Gigabyte OC Guru overlay[citation needed]
  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.
  3. Other overlays such as mumble or Fraps may apparently cause the same issue, so try disabling those as well.

Game crashes when marines fire

Disable Steam in-game overlay from Steam's right click menu on NS2[citation needed]

Other information

Console commands

Command Notes
fps Toggles the FPS counter on the HUD.
i_rawinput true Sets raw mouse input to true.
setsensitivity x Set mouse sensitivity, substitute x with a desired value.
maxfps 60 Limits FPS to chosen parameter.
r_bloom false Disables bloom effect.
r_atmospherics false Disables atmospheric lighting.
r_shadows false Disables shadow rendering.
r_flash false Disables flash GUI.
r_aa true Enables FXAA (Fast Approximate Anti-Aliasing).
r_stats Displays render scene data/stats/FPS.
net_stats Displays network data.
server_sound false Turns off server sounds.
retry Connects to previously-played server if disconnected.
kill Commit suicide.
j1 Join Marines (Ready Room only).
j2 Join Aliens (Ready Room only).
A full list of console commands is available at the official NS2 wiki.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 9 11 is WIP[10]
OpenGL 3.1 [11]
Shader Model support 3 [12]
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows
[9]

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Physics PhysX
Audio FMOD

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) Vista 7
Processor (CPU) Intel Core 2 Duo 2.6 GHz Intel Core 2 Quad 3.0 GHz
System memory (RAM) 4 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 12 GB
Video card (GPU) ATI Radeon X800
Nvidia GeForce 8600
1 GB of VRAM
DirectX 9 compatible 		AMD Radeon HD 5770
Nvidia GeForce GTX 450
1 GB of VRAM
A 64-bit operating system is required.


Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:

References

  1. ↑ Natural Selection 2 - A Note to Our Linux Users - last accessed on 2022-12-10
    "With the upcoming release of patch 329, we will officially be ending our support for the Linux client of Natural Selection 2."
  2. ↑ Unknown Worlds Entertainment Ceases Active Development of Natural Selection 2 - last accessed on May 2023
  3. ↑ Steam Community :: Group :: /r/ultrawidemasterrace Group - last accessed on May 2023
  4. ↑ forums.unknownworlds.com - last accessed on May 2023
  5. ↑ Natural Selection 2 Forum - Xbox 360 Controller Compatibility - last accessed on May 2023
  6. ↑ Local Server!? (LAN) :: Natural Selection 2 General Discussions - last accessed on May 2023
  7. ↑ Update 337 Matched Play - last accessed on May 2023
  8. ↑ Steam Community Discussions - Client and Server Do not match - last accessed on May 2023
  9. ↑ unknownworlds.com - last accessed on May 2023
  10. ↑ trello.com - last accessed on May 2023
  11. ↑ wiki.unknownworlds.com - last accessed on May 2023
  12. ↑ wiki.unknownworlds.com - last accessed on May 2023