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Area 51 (2005)

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
Revision as of 12:27, 7 January 2018 by Effcol (talk | contribs) (Added proper title)
Area 51
Area 51 cover
Developers
Midway Studios Austin
Publishers
Midway Games
Release dates
Windows June 6, 2005
Area 51 (2005) on Wikipedia

Warnings

GameSpy online services have been shut down (see Network for solutions).
Area 51
Area 51 1995
Area 51 (2005) 2005
BlackSite: Area 51 2007

Key points

This game is available as a free download.
GameSpy servers have been shut down, but there is a workaround to connect to OpenSpy servers to play multiplayer; see Project Dreamland.

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
StarForce v3 DRM (removed in the latest patch).
Windows
The installer on the retail version of the game does not function correctly on modern operating systems (Windows 7 and later). See Installing the CD/DVD version for a solution or install the free version.

Free version

This game was released as a free download sponsored by the US Air Force.[1]
It can be downloaded here or here. Install the newest patch to remove the online DRM.

Essential improvements

Skip intro videos

Delete/rename Midway_640x480_30.bik[2]
  1. Go to MOVIES in the installation folder.
  2. Delete or rename Midway_640x480_30.bik.

Patches

Install the latest patch(1.2) to remove StarForce copy protection and fix various issues.

Project Dreamland

Project Dreamland is a source port of Area 51, that comes bundled together with all of its content. It enables multiplayer and fixes many bugs of the original. However it requires online connection even to play single player campaign, the low FOV issue after some cut-scenes isn't fixed and some alpha textures don't have transparency.

Game data

Configuration files location

Template:Game data/row
System Location
UserVConfig.ini contains player video settings.
UserInputConfig.ini contains player input settings.
LangConfig.ini contains the game language settings.
InputConfig.ini and VConfig.ini contain default settings; these files do not need to be edited directly.

Save game data location

Template:Game data/row
System Location

Video settings

Video settings.
Video settings.

Template:Video settings

Field of view (FOV)

Use Area 51 FOV Patch[citation needed]
  1. Install Patch 1.2.
  2. Use Area 51 FOV Patch to set a custom FOV.

Notes

After certain in-game cut-scenes, the FOV changes to a very low value.[3]

Windowed

Set windowed in UserVConfig.ini[2]
  1. Go to the installation folder.
  2. Edit UserVConfig.ini.
  3. Change Window = FALSE to Window = TRUE
  4. Set your resolution if needed.
  5. For borderless mode set your desktop resolution and use a borderless tool.
  6. Save your changes and close the file.

Anti-aliasing (AA)

Forced AA causing white outlines.
Forced AA causing white outlines.
The game doesn't support AA natively and forcing it through graphics card control panel can cause white outlines around letters and objects in the game.
Use Virtual/Dynamic Super Resolution[citation needed]
  1. Open your graphics card control panel.
  2. Turn on Virtual Super Resolution(AMD) or Dynamic Super Resolution(Nvidia)
  3. In the game video settings select resolution that is higher than the monitor's native resolution. If the game runs in a window change the desktop resolution first, so the game window fits on the screen.
Turn on morphological filtering in the graphics card control panel(AMD)[citation needed]
This can be used in combination with Virtual Super Resolution.

Input settings

Controls.
Controls.
Key mappings.
Key mappings.

Template:Input settings

Audio settings

Audio settings.
Audio settings.

Template:Audio settings

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Notes
LAN play
Online play
GameSpy servers have been shut down. To play online download Project Dreamland.

Issues unresolved

FOV changes after some cutscenes

After certain in-game cut-scenes FOV changes to a very low value. It changes back automatically when a new level is started or if the player loads the game from the next checkpoint.[3]

Issues fixed

Problem installing the CD/DVD version

The installation process fails with the following message "The wizard was interrupted before Area 51(R) could be completely installed".
Start the installation manually using the command console[4]
  1. Open My Computer.
  2. Open the first CD or DVD in a new window to view its contents.
  3. Inside the new window while holding Shift press the right mouse button and select "Open command window here".
  4. In the command window type msiexec /i "Area 51(R).msi" /qb and press Enter.
  5. Apply the newest patch to remove DRM.

Notes

Default installation folder is C:\Program Files\Midway Games\Area 51\ for 32 bit systems and C:\Program Files (x86)\Midway Games\Area 51\ for 64 bit systems. You can change the installation folder by using the INSTALLDIR option. For example, to install the game on E: drive in Games folder type msiexec /i "Area 51(R).msi" INSTALLDIR="E:\Games\Midway Games\Area 51\" /qb.

"An internet connection is required to enjoy free, ad-supported game play" error

The advertising servers for the free US Air Force version are no longer running.
Install the latest patch[2]

Choppy cutscene playback

FMV cutscenes play incorrectly in fullscreen mode on modern systems.
Run the game in a borderless fullscreen window[5]

High frame rate breaks jump physics

FPS >50 causes inability to jump while moving up sloped surfaces. FPS >100 breaks jumping mechanic entirely.[citation needed].
Jumping is not required for combat, and in most cases where jumping from one platform to another is required, there is an invisible scripted "jump assist" that allows the player to jump across gaps, even though normal jumping is prevented by high frame rate.
Video capture software such as FRAPS can be used to lower frame rate to 60 fps if jumping is required but there is not pre-scripted "jump assist", such as the section in the 2nd level where you are required to jump over moving beams of electricity[citation needed]
Alternatively, because the game has permanent v-sync, if your monitor has a manual refresh rate toggle button, switching the refresh rate to 60 hz will also cause the frame rate to be locked at 60[citation needed]

Other information

API

Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Audio Miles Sound System
Cutscenes Bink Video
Multiplayer GameSpy Servers have been shut down. To play online download Project Dreamland.

System requirements

Windows
Minimum
Operating system (OS) 2000, XP
Processor (CPU) Intel 1.4 GHz
AMD 1.2 GHz
System memory (RAM) 256 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 3 GB
Video card (GPU) ATI Radeon 9500
Nvidia GeForce FX 5200

References