FlatOut

Not to be confused with Fallout.

FlatOut
FlatOut	2004
FlatOut 2	2006
FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage	2008
FlatOut 3: Chaos & Destruction	2011
FlatOut 4: Total Insanity	2017

FlatOut is a singleplayer and multiplayer first-person and third-person action, racing, tricks and vehicle combat game in the FlatOut series.

GameSpy multiplayer was planned for the PC version, but was not released. There are mentions of GameSpy for the PC version in patch 1.2.

General information

GOG.com Community Discussions for game series

GOG.com Support Page

Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source	DRM	Notes	Keys	OS
Retail		US: SecuROM 7 DRM (v1.2) Europe/Russia/CIS: StarForce 4 DRM^{[Note 1]} (v1.0/v1.1)
Retail		Polish and Czech release. (v1.1)
Publisher website		v1.0
Epic Games Store		v1.0
GamersGate

GOG.com		v1.1^[4]
Green Man Gaming
Humble Store
Steam		v1.1
ZOOM Platform		Super Digital Deluxe Edition (v1.1)
Publisher website		Russia, CIS.

StarForce DRM for this game does not work on modern versions of Windows (see above for affected versions).

Demo is available here (mirrors: [1], [2],[3], [4], [5]); see also retro demo.

Version differences

Steam version was updated in July 2024 with widescreen support and other added fixes and features.^[5]

Super Digital Deluxe: ZOOM Platform version, has exclusive fixes (some of which from version 1.2) as well as more supported languages.^[6]^[7]^[8]^[9]^[10] Those can be applied to any other release with the Super Digital Deluxe Upgrade.

GOG version has problems with textures and crashes in multiplayer.^[11]

Essential improvements

Patches

Retail: Custom v1.1 Retail Patch

Steam: Definitive v1.1 Steam Update

GOG: Custom v1.1 Steam Patch (was intended for the steam release but fixes multiplayer issues with the GOG version)

Version 1.2, which contains fixes for multiplayer, an online chat and other fixes, is available only with retail US copies and is bundled with SecuROM, no digital release has it.

Access the launcher

Use the `-setup` command line argument (Windows)^[12]

Modify `start.sh` (Linux)^{[citation needed]}
Open `<path-to-game>\start.sh`. Look for `default() {` and change the lower line `run_game` to `run_settings`.

Skip intro videos

Delete/rename video files^[13]

Go to <path-to-game>\data.
Delete or rename video.

Notes

Doesn't work with the Steam version since all game files are packed.

Use ThirteenAG's fix or ZolikaPatch^[12]

ZolikaPatch

Adds borderless windowed, fixes the HUD and FOV on widescreen resolutions, remove the FPS cap and forced Vsync, and more.

Doesn't work in Zoom Platform or GOG.com release.

Uncapping the frame rate can cause minor issues with car engine sounds. Very high frame rate makes car deform more easily.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System	Location
Windows	<path-to-game>\Savegame\^{[Note 2]}
Linux
Steam Play (Linux)	<SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/6220/pfx/^{[Note 3]}

It's unknown whether this game follows the XDG Base Directory Specification on Linux. Please fill in this information.

Save game data location

System	Location
Windows	<path-to-game>\Savegame\^{[Note 2]}
Linux
Steam Play (Linux)	<SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/6220/pfx/^{[Note 3]}

Save game cloud syncing

System	Native	Notes
Epic Games Launcher
GOG Galaxy
Steam Cloud

Video

Game's launcher.

Video settings.

Graphics feature	WSGF	Notes
Widescreen resolution		Native in Steam. Use ThirteenAG's fix or ZolikaPatch for others.
Multi-monitor		Use ThirteenAG's fix or ZolikaPatch.
Ultra-widescreen		Native in Steam. Use ThirteenAG's fix or ZolikaPatch for others.
4K Ultra HD		Native in Steam. Use ThirteenAG's fix or ZolikaPatch for others.
Field of view (FOV)	Use ThirteenAG's fix
Windowed	Use d3d9-wrapper. Change options in `d3d9.ini`
Borderless fullscreen windowed	Use d3d9-wrapper. Change options in `d3d9.ini`
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Anti-aliasing (AA)
High-fidelity upscaling	See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Vertical sync (Vsync)	Use ZolikaPatch to disable it.
60 FPS	Frame rate is cut in half when slow motion is used.
120+ FPS	Frame rate is capped at 100 FPS. Use ZolikaPatch to remove the cap outside menus.
High dynamic range display (HDR)	See the glossary page for potential alternatives.

Input

Input settings.

Controls mapping.

Keyboard and mouse	State	Notes
Remapping
Mouse acceleration		No mouse support.
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support		Button bound to Handbrake works as Select, Nitro works as Back.
Full controller support
Controller remapping
Controller sensitivity
Controller Y-axis inversion

Controller types

XInput-compatible controllers

PlayStation controllers

Generic/other controllers
Button prompts

Additional information
Button prompts
Controller hotplugging
Haptic feedback		For XInput controllers see XInput force feedback vibration in DirectInput games.
Digital movement supported
Simultaneous controller+KB/M		In menus, Controller and KB/M can be used at the same time. Controller used for races has to be set in the settings.

Audio

Audio settings.

Audio feature	State	Notes
Separate volume controls		Menu music, In-game music, Effects.
Surround sound		Up to 5.1. Up to 7.0 output with DirectSound3D restoration software.
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
EAX support		DirectSound3D.^[14] Select Hardware 3D in launcher.
Royalty free audio		The game uses licensed songs with no option to change to other songs

The song Whitmore - Nine Bar Blues is disabled in the US release.

Localizations

Language	UI	Audio	Sub	Notes
English
Czech				Retail, Steam and ZOOM Platform only; download for GOG.com release
French
German				Retail, Steam and ZOOM Platform only; download for GOG.com release.
Hungarian				ZOOM Platform only.
Italian
Polish				Retail, Steam and ZOOM Platform only.
Polish				Fan translation, download.
Brazilian Portuguese				Fan translation, download.
Russian				Retail, Steam and Zoom Platform only; download for GOG.com release.
Spanish

Network

Multiplayer types

Type	Players	Notes
Local play	4	Hot seat Bonus Rag-Doll Sports Mode, but missing split screen.
LAN play	8
Online play	8	US console version. After patch applied, GOG version supported on GameRanger.

VR support

3D modes	State	Notes
vorpX		G3D Officially supported game, see official vorpx game list.

Issues fixed

Steam version fails to start

Game process is opened in background but window doesn't appear.

Use dgVoodoo^[15]
Go to the installation folder. Delete `d3d9.dll`, `dxwrapper.dll`, and `dxwrapper.ini`. Download dgVoodoo. Copy `dgVoodoo.conf`, `dgVoodooCpl.exe`, and `MS\d3d9.dll` to the installation folder. Change options in `dgVoodooCpl.exe` if needed.

Resolution resets to 4:3 or other graphics issues

Delete Savegame/device.cfg^[16]
Go into `Savegame` in the installation folder. Delete `device.cfg`.

"Access Denied - Please login with administrator privileges and try again" error on launch

Install the v1.1 patch^{[citation needed]}

Missing car texture in some races (GOG.com)

Install this fix^{[citation needed]}

Other information

API

Technical specs	Supported	Notes
Direct3D	9.0c

Executable	32-bit	64-bit	Notes
Windows
Linux

Middleware

	Middleware	Notes
Physics	Havok
Audio	DirectSound3D, FMOD

System requirements

Windows
	Minimum	Recommended
Operating system (OS)	98, ME	2000, XP
Processor (CPU)	Intel Pentium 4 1.5 GHz AMD Athlon XP 1500+	Intel Pentium 4 2.0 GHz AMD Athlon XP 2000+
System memory (RAM)	256 MB	512 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD)	1.1 GB
Video card (GPU)	64 MB of VRAM DirectX 9.0c compatible	128 MB of VRAM

Notes

↑ This version of StarForce DRM does not work on Windows 8.1, Windows 10, or Windows 11.^[2]^[3] For supported versions of Windows the StarForce driver may need to be updated manually using SFUPDATE.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMDATA%, or %WINDIR% might be redirected to %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore on Windows Vista and later (more details).
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1
Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:
- File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data.
- Games with Steam Cloud support may also store data in ~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/6220/.
- Use Wine's registry editor to access any Windows registry paths.
- The app ID (6220) may differ in some cases.
- Treat backslashes as forward slashes.
- See the glossary page for details on Windows data paths.

References

↑ GOG.com Now Supports Linux! - July 24, 2014 - last accessed on May 2023
↑ Windows 8.1 support - StarForce Support
↑ Windows 10 support - StarForce Support
↑ Verified by User:AlexKVideos1 on 2024-03-11
Although the files are unpacked, I verified it's the 1.1 version. The patch notes text file is in the game folder, ragdolls can be turned on / off, and destruction derby can be played in multiplayer.
↑ https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/6220/view/4370264265339697534

↑ Update 1.1 - ZOOM Platform Discord - last accessed on 2023-04-06

"FlatOut: - Updated to Game Version 1.1. - Various bug fixes. - Added German and Russian localization. - All languages now in single installer.
"

↑ Update 1.2 - ZOOM Platform Discord - last accessed on 2023-04-06

"FlatOut: - Updated Installer to Version 1.2. - Added French, Italian and Spanish Manuals. Special Thanks to @SRDLINE | ZOOM!
"

↑ Update 1.3 - ZOOM Platform Discord - last accessed on 2023-04-06

"FlatOut: - Added Czech, Polish and Hungarian localizations, alongside some fixes.
"

↑ Update 1.4 - ZOOM Platform Discord - last accessed on 2023-04-06

"FlatOut: - Fixed Installer issues for some languages, added final localization fixes.
"

↑ Update 1.5 - ZOOM Platform Discord - last accessed on 2023-04-06

"FlatOut: Super Digital Deluxe Edition: - Updated to ZOOM Version 1.5. - All languages besides Russian are now selectable via the launcher. Russian uses its own executable. - Fixed a GPU load issue that was sometimes caused by opening the credits menu.
"

↑ Verified by User:Mrtnptrs on 2023-04-06
Source would be nice to inform others about its severity.
↑ ^12.0 ^12.1 Verified by User:Nessy on 2022-03-19
↑ Verified by User:Keith on 2024-07-21
↑ FlatOut with 3D spatial sound 🎧 (OpenAL Soft HRTF audio) - last accessed on 9 June 2023
↑ Reference
↑ https://steamcommunity.com/app/6220/discussions/0/4518883158018281286/

[4] This version of StarForce DRM does not work on Windows 8.1, Windows 10, or Windows 11.^[2]^[3] For supported versions of Windows the StarForce driver may need to be updated manually using SFUPDATE.

[gamedir-15] 2.0 ^2.1 When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMDATA%, or %WINDIR% might be redirected to %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore on Windows Vista and later (more details).

[Proton_path_note-16] 3.0 ^3.1 Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:
File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data.
Games with Steam Cloud support may also store data in ~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/6220/.
Use Wine's registry editor to access any Windows registry paths.
The app ID (6220) may differ in some cases.
Treat backslashes as forward slashes.
See the glossary page for details on Windows data paths.

[4] File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data.

[5] Games with Steam Cloud support may also store data in ~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/6220/.

[6] Use Wine's registry editor to access any Windows registry paths.

[7] The app ID (6220) may differ in some cases.

[8] Treat backslashes as forward slashes.

[9] See the glossary page for details on Windows data paths.

[1] GOG.com Now Supports Linux! - July 24, 2014 - last accessed on May 2023

[StarForce_Windows_8.1-2] Windows 8.1 support - StarForce Support

[StarForce_Windows_10-3] Windows 10 support - StarForce Support

[5] Verified by User:AlexKVideos1 on 2024-03-11
Although the files are unpacked, I verified it's the 1.1 version. The patch notes text file is in the game folder, ragdolls can be turned on / off, and destruction derby can be played in multiplayer.

[6] ttps://store.steampowered.com/news/app/6220/view/4370264265339697534

[7] Update 1.1 - ZOOM Platform Discord - last accessed on 2023-04-06
"FlatOut: - Updated to Game Version 1.1. - Various bug fixes. - Added German and Russian localization. - All languages now in single installer.
"

[8] Update 1.2 - ZOOM Platform Discord - last accessed on 2023-04-06
"FlatOut: - Updated Installer to Version 1.2. - Added French, Italian and Spanish Manuals. Special Thanks to @SRDLINE | ZOOM!
"

[9] Update 1.3 - ZOOM Platform Discord - last accessed on 2023-04-06
"FlatOut: - Added Czech, Polish and Hungarian localizations, alongside some fixes.
"

[10] Update 1.4 - ZOOM Platform Discord - last accessed on 2023-04-06
"FlatOut: - Fixed Installer issues for some languages, added final localization fixes.
"

[update1.5-11] Update 1.5 - ZOOM Platform Discord - last accessed on 2023-04-06
"FlatOut: Super Digital Deluxe Edition: - Updated to ZOOM Version 1.5. - All languages besides Russian are now selectable via the launcher. Russian uses its own executable. - Fixed a GPU load issue that was sometimes caused by opening the credits menu.
"

[12] Verified by User:Mrtnptrs on 2023-04-06
Source would be nice to inform others about its severity.

[2022-03-19-13] 12.0 ^12.1 Verified by User:Nessy on 2022-03-19

[14] Verified by User:Keith on 2024-07-21

[17] FlatOut with 3D spatial sound 🎧 (OpenAL Soft HRTF audio) - last accessed on 9 June 2023

[18] Reference

[19] ttps://steamcommunity.com/app/6220/discussions/0/4518883158018281286/

[1]

[Note 1]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[Note 2]

[Note 3]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[2]

[3]

Developers

	Bugbear Entertainment
Publishers
Retail (Europe)	Empire Interactive
Retail (Russia/CIS)	Buka Entertainment
Retail (North America)	Vivendi Universal Games
Retail (Italy/Spain)	FX Interactive
Digital	Strategy First
Engines
	ROMU Engine
Release dates
Windows	November 5, 2004
Linux (Wine)	July 24, 2014^[1]
Reception
Metacritic	72
Taxonomy
Monetization	One-time game purchase
Microtransactions	None
Modes	Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing	Real-time
Perspectives	First-person, Third-person
Controls	Direct control
Genres	Action, Racing, Tricks, Vehicle combat
Vehicles	Automobile, Off-roading, Track racing
Art styles	Realistic
Themes	Contemporary
Series	FlatOut