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Difference between revisions of "BioShock 2"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
m (→‎Video settings: updated multi-mon method)
(moved patch and GFWL remover details to standard location, other misc. fixes)
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'''Key points'''
 
'''Key points'''
 
{{ii}} Uses [[SecuROM]] DRM with unlimited activations and an available revoke tool.
 
{{ii}} Uses [[SecuROM]] DRM with unlimited activations and an available revoke tool.
−
{{ii}} It is possible to [[#Disable_GFWL_using_Timeslip.27s_bioshock2-xlive.7z|disable GFWL]].
+
{{ii}} It is possible to [[#Play without Games for Windows - LIVE|Play without Games for Windows - LIVE]].
  
 
'''General information'''
 
'''General information'''
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{{Availability Table/row| [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0083VTNQA Amazon.com] | {{ID|Steam}} | }}
 
{{Availability Table/row| [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0083VTNQA Amazon.com] | {{ID|Steam}} | }}
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{ii}} All versions have [[SecuROM]].
+
{{ii}} All versions have [[SecuROM]] [[DRM]].
−
{{ii}} All versions have [[Games For Windows Live]], which [[#Disable Games For Windows Live (GFWL)|can be disabled]].
+
{{ii}} All versions require [[Games for Windows - LIVE]], which [[#Play without Games for Windows - LIVE|can be disabled]].
  
−
=== [[Games For Windows Live (GFWL)]] ===
+
==Improvements==
 +
=== v1.5 Patch (Retail) ===
 +
{{ii}} The latest patch is [http://www.gamershell.com/download_74644.shtml v1.5]. The Steam version already has this patch.
 +
{{ii}} The patch accidentally mutes the Little Sisters (see [[#No Little Sister voice acting]]). It may be advisable to avoid the patch because this is a significant aspect of the gameplay.
 +
 
 +
=== Play without [[Games for Windows - LIVE]] ===
 
{{Fixbox|1=
 
{{Fixbox|1=
 
{{Fixbox/fix|Disable GFWL using Timeslip's bioshock2-xlive.7z}}
 
{{Fixbox/fix|Disable GFWL using Timeslip's bioshock2-xlive.7z}}
 
# Ensure you have the [[#v1.5 Patch|v1.5 Patch]].
 
# Ensure you have the [[#v1.5 Patch|v1.5 Patch]].
−
# Download [http://timeslip.users.sourceforge.net/current/bioshock2-xlive.7z xlive.dll] from [http://timeslip.users.sourceforge.net/index.html Timeslip's site] (located on left under 'BioShock 2' heading, no hotlinking is allowed).
+
# Download xlive.dll from [http://timeslip.users.sourceforge.net/index.html Timeslip's site] (located on left under "BioShock 2").
 
# Copy <code>xlive.dll</code> to Bioshock 2's install <code>dir\SP\Builds\Binaries\</code>
 
# Copy <code>xlive.dll</code> to Bioshock 2's install <code>dir\SP\Builds\Binaries\</code>
 
# Create a file called <code>xlive.ini</code> in <code>%USERPROFILE%\My Documents\bioshock2</code>.
 
# Create a file called <code>xlive.ini</code> in <code>%USERPROFILE%\My Documents\bioshock2</code>.
Line 47: Line 52:
 
# Type <code>[xlive]</code> on the first line. Options are added below that in an <code>option=value</code> format. The following options are available:<br><code>profile</code>: Pick the name of the offline profile to use.<br><code>loader</code>: Set value to 1.
 
# Type <code>[xlive]</code> on the first line. Options are added below that in an <code>option=value</code> format. The following options are available:<br><code>profile</code>: Pick the name of the offline profile to use.<br><code>loader</code>: Set value to 1.
 
}}
 
}}
−
 
−
=== Retail v1.5 Patch ===
 
−
{{ii}} The latest patch is [http://www.gamershell.com/download_74644.shtml v1.5]. The Steam version already has this patch.
 
−
{{ii}} The patch accidentally mutes all the Little Sisters. This can be fixed (see [[#No Little Sister voice acting]]) but the fix requires an [[#Games For Windows Live (GFWL)]] account to be signed in. It may be advisable to avoid the patch because the interaction with the Little Sisters is a significant aspect of the gameplay.
 
  
 
== Game data ==
 
== Game data ==
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}}
 
}}
 
{{ii}} Because of [[GFWL]] you must back up both your Live profile and the game saves in order to transfer or restore your saves.  
 
{{ii}} Because of [[GFWL]] you must back up both your Live profile and the game saves in order to transfer or restore your saves.  
−
{{--}} Save games generated when signed into [[GFWL]] are not compatible with 'offline' mode, and vice versa.
+
{{--}} Save games generated when signed into [[GFWL]] are not compatible with saves from the [[#Play without Games for Windows - LIVE|GFWL disabling workaround]] and vice versa.
 
{{++}} Use [http://www.petersouza.com/Software/BioShock2Utilities BioShock 2 Saved Game Utilities] to easily back up the save folders needed for BioShock 2.
 
{{++}} Use [http://www.petersouza.com/Software/BioShock2Utilities BioShock 2 Saved Game Utilities] to easily back up the save folders needed for BioShock 2.
  
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|vsync                      = true
 
|vsync                      = true
 
|vsync notes                =  
 
|vsync notes                =  
 +
|oculus rift                = unknown
 +
|oculus rift notes          =
 +
|120hz                      = unknown
 +
|120hz notes                =
 +
|color blind                = unknown
 +
|color blind notes          =
 
}}
 
}}
  
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=== Menu flickering ===
 
=== Menu flickering ===
 
{{Fixbox|1=
 
{{Fixbox|1=
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Disable v-sync}}
+
{{Fixbox/fix|Disable Vsync}}
−
Disable v-sync from the in-game settings menu.   
+
Disable Vsync from the in-game settings menu.   
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
{{Fixbox|1=
 
{{Fixbox|1=
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Force v-sync}}
+
{{Fixbox/fix|Force Vsync}}
−
Force v-sync through graphics adaptor.
+
Force Vsync through graphics adaptor.
 
}}
 
}}
  
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{{Fixbox|1=
 
{{Fixbox|1=
 
{{Fixbox/fix|Disable GFWL}}
 
{{Fixbox/fix|Disable GFWL}}
−
Refer to [[#Disable_GFWL_using_Timeslip.27s_bioshock2-xlive.7z|Timeslip's bioshock2-xlive.7z xlive.dll fix]].
+
See [[#Play without Games for Windows - LIVE|Play without Games for Windows - LIVE]].
 
}}
 
}}
  
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{{Fixbox/fix|Reinstall GFWL under Windows 7 compatibility mode}}
 
{{Fixbox/fix|Reinstall GFWL under Windows 7 compatibility mode}}
 
# Uninstall '''Microsoft Games for Windows  - LIVE Redistributable''', '''Microsoft Games for Windows - LIVE''' and '''Microsoft Games for Windows Marketplace'''.
 
# Uninstall '''Microsoft Games for Windows  - LIVE Redistributable''', '''Microsoft Games for Windows - LIVE''' and '''Microsoft Games for Windows Marketplace'''.
−
# Download the GFWL installer from [http://www.xbox.com/en-US/LIVE/PC/DownloadClient here].
+
# Install the [http://www.xbox.com/LIVE/PC/DownloadClient Games for Windows Marketplace Client].
 
# Right click the above installer, choose Properties and go to the Compatibility tab. Here, check the "Run this program in compatibility mode" box and change its mode to "Windows 7". Also, check the "Run this program as an administrator" box. Save and exit.
 
# Right click the above installer, choose Properties and go to the Compatibility tab. Here, check the "Run this program in compatibility mode" box and change its mode to "Windows 7". Also, check the "Run this program as an administrator" box. Save and exit.
 
# Run the installer. After it finishes, try running the game again.
 
# Run the installer. After it finishes, try running the game again.

Revision as of 01:00, 2 October 2013

Template:Infobox game/row/osxporter
BioShock 2
Cover image missing, please upload it
Developers
2K Marin
2K China
Publishers
2K Games
OS X Feral Interactive
Engines
Unreal Engine 2.5
Release dates
Windows February 9, 2010
macOS (OS X) March 29, 2012
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
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BioShock 2 on Wikipedia
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Warnings

For Games for Windows - LIVE on Windows 8 or later, install the latest Games for Windows - LIVE software.
BioShock
BioShock 2007
BioShock 2 2010
BioShock Infinite 2013
BioShock Remastered 2016
BioShock 2 Remastered 2016

Key points

Uses SecuROM DRM with unlimited activations and an available revoke tool.
It is possible to Play without Games for Windows - LIVE.

General information

2K Games Forum
Steam Users' Forums - for BioShock and BioShock 2.

Availability

Template:Availability Table

All versions have SecuROM DRM.
All versions require Games for Windows - LIVE, which can be disabled.

Improvements

v1.5 Patch (Retail)

The latest patch is v1.5. The Steam version already has this patch.
The patch accidentally mutes the Little Sisters (see #No Little Sister voice acting). It may be advisable to avoid the patch because this is a significant aspect of the gameplay.

Play without Games for Windows - LIVE

Instructions

Game data

File:BioShock 2 Saved Game Utilities.png
BioShock 2 Saved Game Utilities.

Template:Game Location Table

Because of GFWL you must back up both your Live profile and the game saves in order to transfer or restore your saves.
Save games generated when signed into GFWL are not compatible with saves from the GFWL disabling workaround and vice versa.
Use BioShock 2 Saved Game Utilities to easily back up the save folders needed for BioShock 2.

Video settings

Template:Video settings

Field of view (FOV)

Any custom FOV settings will be reset automatically at various times during gameplay when control is taken away from the player; i.e. for cutscenes. Zooming down iron sights will also yield this effect.
Instructions

Anisotropic filtering (AF)

Instructions

Anti-aliasing (AA)

There is no native AA support in BioShock 2. AA can be forcibly enabled, however, through your graphics driver's control panel. Please consult the user guide for your particular graphics driver on how this is performed.

Input settings

Template:Input Settings

There is no native controller support (Xbox 360 or otherwise) in this game.

Disabling auto-aim

Instructions

Audio settings

Template:Audio settings

Issues fixed

Hold to Duck / Hold to Aim Down Sights

Instructions
Instructions

Menu flickering

Instructions
Instructions

Crash on startup

Instructions

Left Plasmid hand disappears

This glitch is especially likely when using the Scout-Plasmid. Therefore it is advisable to quicksave before using it.
Instructions

Green Pepper Edition - no product key

The Green Pepper Edition of Bioshock 2 does not contain a product key. Therefore it is not possible to create a Windows Live Account or add Bioshock 2 to an existing account.
Instructions
Instructions
Instructions

Game does not start on Windows 8

When installed on Windows 8 Pro x64, trying to run the game doesn't do anything. This is mostly like an issue with GFWL.
Instructions

Crashing Windows 7 and 8

The game will periodically crash when installed on Windows 7 or 8.
Instructions

No Little Sister voice acting

May occur after installing 1.5 Patch, which causes Little Sisters to become mute.
Instructions
Instructions

SecuROM

Error message: Too many activations on different PCs or too many reactivations on the same PC have been performed
Instructions

Performance tweaks

Havok

Instructions

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) Windows XP SP2 Windows 7
Processor (CPU)
System memory (RAM)
Hard disk drive (HDD) 11 GB
Video card (GPU) NVIDIA 7800GT 256 MB
ATI Radeon X1900 256 MB 		NVIDIA 8800GT 512 MB
ATI Radeon HD 4830 512 MB

References