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Difference between revisions of "Blur"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
(Added 'Installing DirectPlay'. Is necessary to get this game running smoothly on newer systems)
m ("true" returns)
 
(117 intermediate revisions by 41 users not shown)
Line 9: Line 9:
 
|release dates=  
 
|release dates=  
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|May 25, 2010}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|May 25, 2010}}
 +
|reception    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/reception|Metacritic|blur|81}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/reception|OpenCritic|link|rating}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/reception|IGDB|blur|79}}
 +
|taxonomy    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing            | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives      | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls          | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres            | Racing }}
 +
{{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            | }}
 
|steam appid  = 42640
 
|steam appid  = 42640
−
|gogcom page  =  
+
|gogcom id    =  
 +
|hltb        = 1213
 +
|mobygames    = blur
 +
|lutris      = blur
 
|strategywiki = Blur
 
|strategywiki = Blur
 
|wikipedia    = Blur (video game)
 
|wikipedia    = Blur (video game)
 
|winehq      = 11551
 
|winehq      = 11551
 +
|license      = commercial
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
'''Key points'''
 
'''Key points'''
−
{{--}} Online and support for this title is pretty much dead, and Twitter integration doesn't work.
+
{{ii}} Sold as '''Blur Racerz''' in Japan.
−
{{--}} Game uses its own online account system<ref name="account">[http://steamcommunity.com/app/42640/discussions/0/648814845148097649/ DRM ? :: Blur General Discussions]</ref> and doesn't include VOIP, text chat or any other way to communicate with online players.  
+
{{--}} Game uses its own online account system<ref name="account">[https://steamcommunity.com/app/42640/discussions/0/648814845148097649/ DRM ? :: Blur General Discussions]</ref> and doesn't include VOIP, text chat or any other way to communicate with online players.  
 +
{{--}} Updates cause various audio issues (such as crackling and cutting-off earlier than expected) especially on higher quality audio presets and frame rates over 60. Downgrade to the original version to avoid frame rate and audio issues.<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Radmaxx|date=2022-05-03|comment=Audio crackling issue is still present on framerates below 60, however instances of it are very rare; surpassing 60 FPS drastically increases the number and the intensity of random crackling noises.}}</ref>
 +
{{--}} Despite the uncapped frame rate, gameplay sections are internally limited to 60 FPS with higher values duplicating the same frames while also breaking some post-processing effects (e.g. motion blur, lens flare, etc.). To change the internal limit and restore some of the broken effects see [[#High frame rate|High frame rate]].<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Radmaxx|date=2022-05-03|comment=Frontend automatically behaves as if the custom FPS edit is applied. Running the game at higher values than 60 FPS irrespective of the high FPS edit being applied causes menu navigation animations and camera sensitivity in gameplay and frontend to speed up; the patch simply allows more unique frames rendered in them as opposed to reused ones. The overall range of the "Shock" power-up is shared with the internal limit in the main .exe but will separate at runtime.}}</ref>
 +
{{ii}} Official Master server for multiplayer was shut down. Can be restored with a mod, see [[#Multiplayer types|Multiplayer types]]
  
 
'''General information'''
 
'''General information'''
−
{{mm}} [http://steamcommunity.com/app/42640/discussions/ Steam Community Discussions]
+
{{mm}} [https://steamcommunity.com/app/42640/discussions/ Steam Community Discussions]
  
 
==Availability==
 
==Availability==
 
{{Availability|
 
{{Availability|
−
{{Availability/row| Retail | | disc | {{DRM|SecuROM|v7.41.0004}} | | Windows }}
+
{{Availability/row| Retail | | disc | {{DRM|SecuROM|v7.41.0004(v7.42.0001 on 1.2)}} | | Windows }}
 +
{{Availability/row| Games for Windows Marketplace | GFWL | GFWL | <ref>{{Refurl|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225093746/http://www.gamesforwindows.com/en-US/gamesyoumissed/|title=Games You've Missed - Games for Windows|date=19 August 2022}}</ref> | | Windows | unavailable }}
 +
{{Availability/row| Steam | 42640 | Steam | | | Windows | unavailable }}
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{ii}} Online features require registering an account in-game.<ref name="account"/>
 
{{ii}} Online features require registering an account in-game.<ref name="account"/>
−
{{--}} This game is no longer sold digitally.
 
  
 
==Essential improvements==
 
==Essential improvements==
 +
===Patches===
 +
{{ii}} [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/2135-blur-patch/ Patch 1.2] for retail copies. Steam version is already patched.
 +
{{--}} Causes Audio issues at higher than 60 FPS and on higher quality audio presets.<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Radmaxx|date=2022-05-03|comment=None of the crackling, buffering or cutting off issues exist in the original, non-updated retail version.}}</ref>
 
===Skip intro videos===
 
===Skip intro videos===
 
{{Fixbox|description=Delete/rename video files|ref=<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170517211624/http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2594279#post29763522 How To : Disable Startup Videos - Steam Users' Forums] (retrieved)</ref>|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Delete/rename video files|ref=<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170517211624/http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2594279#post29763522 How To : Disable Startup Videos - Steam Users' Forums] (retrieved)</ref>|fix=
Line 36: Line 64:
 
# Delete or rename <code>atvi.bik</code> and <code>BizarreSplash.bik</code>.
 
# Delete or rename <code>atvi.bik</code> and <code>BizarreSplash.bik</code>.
 
}}
 
}}
 +
===Change driver name===
 +
{{ii}} Use [https://github.com/LANCommander/BlurNameChanger/releases/tag/v0.0.1 BlurNameChanger]
  
 
==Game data==
 
==Game data==
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
−
{{Game data/row|Windows|{{p|appdata}}\bizarre creations\blur\settings.xml}}
+
{{Game data/config|Windows|{{p|appdata}}\bizarre creations\blur\settings.xml}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===Save game data location===
 
===Save game data location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
−
{{Game data/row|Windows|{{p|appdata}}\bizarre creations\blur\save\blursave<!--lacks a file extension-->}}
+
{{Game data/saves|Windows|{{p|appdata}}\bizarre creations\blur\save\}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===[[Glossary:Save game cloud syncing|Save game cloud syncing]]===
 
===[[Glossary:Save game cloud syncing|Save game cloud syncing]]===
 
{{Save game cloud syncing
 
{{Save game cloud syncing
−
|origin               =  
+
|discord                  =
−
|origin notes         =  
+
|discord notes            =
−
|steam cloud           = false
+
|epic games launcher      =
−
|steam cloud notes    =  
+
|epic games launcher notes =
−
|uplay                =  
+
|gog galaxy                =
−
|uplay notes           =  
+
|gog galaxy notes          =
 +
|origin                   =  
 +
|origin notes             =  
 +
|steam cloud               = false
 +
|steam cloud notes        =
 +
|ubisoft connect          =
 +
|ubisoft connect notes    =  
 +
|xbox cloud                =  
 +
|xbox cloud notes         =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Video settings==
+
==Video==
 
{{Image|Blur - graphics.jpg|Graphics settings.}}
 
{{Image|Blur - graphics.jpg|Graphics settings.}}
−
{{Video settings
+
{{Video
−
|wsgf link                  = http://www.wsgf.org/dr/blur
+
|wsgf link                  = https://www.wsgf.org/dr/blur
 
|widescreen wsgf award      = silver
 
|widescreen wsgf award      = silver
−
|multimonitor wsgf award    = unsupported
+
|multimonitor wsgf award    = limited
 
|ultrawidescreen wsgf award = incomplete
 
|ultrawidescreen wsgf award = incomplete
 
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    = incomplete
 
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    = incomplete
 
|widescreen resolution      = true
 
|widescreen resolution      = true
 
|widescreen resolution notes=  
 
|widescreen resolution notes=  
−
|multimonitor              = false
+
|multimonitor              = true
−
|multimonitor notes        =  
+
|multimonitor notes        = {{Term|Hor+}} gameplay, {{Term|Vert-}} FMV and frontend scaling. Hud in gameplay snaps to corners. Loading screens and event starting aspect ratios are {{term|pillarboxed}} and {{term|letterboxed}} to 16:9.
−
|ultrawidescreen            = unknown
+
|ultrawidescreen            = true
−
|ultrawidescreen notes      =  
+
|ultrawidescreen notes      = {{Term|Hor+}} gameplay, {{Term|Vert-}} FMV and frontend scaling. Hud in gameplay snaps to corners. Loading screens and event starting aspect ratios are {{term|pillarboxed}} and {{term|letterboxed}} to 16:9.
−
|4k ultra hd                = unknown
+
|4k ultra hd                = true
 
|4k ultra hd notes          =  
 
|4k ultra hd notes          =  
 
|fov                        = false
 
|fov                        = false
Line 78: Line 116:
 
|windowed                  = true
 
|windowed                  = true
 
|windowed notes            = Can also be toggled with {{key|Alt|Enter}}.
 
|windowed notes            = Can also be toggled with {{key|Alt|Enter}}.
−
|borderless windowed        = hackable
+
|borderless windowed        = false
−
|borderless windowed notes  = Use [[Glossary:Borderless fullscreen windowed#Borderless Gaming|Borderless Gaming]].
+
|borderless windowed notes  =  
−
|anisotropic                = false
+
|anisotropic                = always on
−
|anisotropic notes          =  
+
|anisotropic notes          = Force higher samples through GPU control panel. Will not function if DXVK is used; download DXVK.CONF and uncomment d3d9.samplerAnisotropy and set it to desired value (e.g. 16).<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Radmaxx|date=2022-05-03|comment=Mipmaps and distorted reflections make the determination of the exact anisotropic sample count difficult. Textures are too sharp for a trilinear filtering implementation. Most likely 2-4 samples used.}}</ref>
 
|antialiasing              = true
 
|antialiasing              = true
−
|antialiasing notes        = [[MSAA]] 2x, 4x or 8x.
+
|antialiasing notes        = Up to 8x [[MSAA]].
 +
|upscaling                  = unknown
 +
|upscaling tech            =
 +
|upscaling notes            =
 
|vsync                      = true
 
|vsync                      = true
−
|vsync notes                = Without vsync menus may go wild.
+
|vsync notes                =  
 
|60 fps                    = true
 
|60 fps                    = true
 
|60 fps notes              =  
 
|60 fps notes              =  
−
|120 fps                    = true
+
|120 fps                    = hackable
−
|120 fps notes              =  
+
|120 fps notes              = Uncapped in menus (3D animations and camera movements), 2D menu navigation speed tied to frame rate. Gameplay limited to 60 FPS internally, higher values duplicating the same 60 frames and breaking some post-processing effects. Updates causes audio to be distorted and broken. See [[#High frame rate|High frame rate]].<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Radmaxx|date=2022-05-03|comment=There were no differences in levels of smoothness in any aspect between a locked 60 and 144 FPS during gameplay; however the differences of the same values were easily identifiable in frontend.}}</ref>
 
|hdr                        = unknown
 
|hdr                        = unknown
 
|hdr notes                  =  
 
|hdr notes                  =  
Line 96: Line 137:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Input settings==
+
===[[Glossary:Frame rate (FPS)|High frame rate]]===
 +
{{ii}} This method can only fully restore some of the broken post-processing effects like motion blur while others (like lens flare) may still exhibit broken and inconsistent behaviors. That is if the new internal limit matches the desired external value.
 +
{{ii}} Simply running at a higher rate - regardless of this fix being applied - speeds up camera movement and sensitivity. This fix helps the sped up camera to render at higher internal values.
 +
{{ii}} High frame rate may be somewhat difficult to consistently achieve on some setups due to limited multi-threading. This can be alleviated by using [https://github.com/doitsujin/dxvk/releases dxvk] to wrap D3D9 API calls to Vulkan. This reduces overall CPU usage and overhead but increases GPU usage.<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Radmaxx|date=2022-05-03|comment=CPU performance especially improved during city sections.}}</ref>
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Modify with Cheat Engine|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Radmaxx|date=2022-05-03|comment=}}</ref>|fix=
 +
# Install [https://www.cheatengine.org/ Cheat Engine] and attach the game process.
 +
# While {{file|Blur.exe}} is selected in the memory search range, search for {{code|0.016666666666}} as a float in rounded (extreme) mode, while '''Executable''', '''Writable''' and '''CopyOnWrite''' is set to '''Don't Care''' and the '''Fast Scan''' option disabled.
 +
# Change all viewed values to 1/FPS (e.g. {{code|0.006944444444}} for 144 FPS or to {{code|0.002777777777}} for 360 FPS) of which there should be three instances of. This will cause the gameplay to slow down.
 +
# Search for {{code|60.000000000000}} with the same options mentioned above, individually change each instance to the desired value until the two values that return the game to the intended speed are found.
 +
# Remove all irrelevant values and than save the cheat table.
 +
{{--}} Temporary solution. The saved cheat table must be used and its values changed with each launch.
 +
{{++}} This method will not alter the effective range of the "Shock" power-up.
 +
{{ii}} One of the two values responsible for game speed in accordance to the internal gameplay FPS target may show incorrect value in menus; however, it will automatically match itself with the other value during gameplay.
 +
}}
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Modify with hex editor|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Radmaxx|date=2022-05-03|comment=}}</ref>|fix=
 +
# Open {{file|Blur.exe}} with a hex editor such as [https://mh-nexus.de/en/hxd/ HxD].
 +
# Replace all instances of {{code|89 88 88 3C}} (60 FPS) with one of the following,
 +
#* <code>89 88 08 3C</code> for 120 FPS.
 +
#* <code>39 8E E3 3B</code> for 144 FPS.
 +
#* <code>89 88 88 3B</code> for 240 FPS.
 +
#* <code>61 0B 36 3B</code> for 360 FPS.
 +
# Replace the first instance of {{code|00 00 70 42}} (60 FPS) with one of the following,
 +
#* <code>00 00 F0 42</code> for 120 FPS.
 +
#* <code>00 00 10 43</code> for 144 FPS.
 +
#* <code>00 00 70 43</code> for 240 FPS.
 +
#* <code>00 00 B4 43</code> for 360 FPS.
 +
# If gameplay speed becomes slow change other instances of {{code|00 00 70 42}}; however, if not possible, all instances can be replaced at once without any noticeable changes to gameplay.
 +
{{++}} Permanent solution. Only needs to be applied once.
 +
{{--}} Higher values applied via this method will reduce the effective range of the "Shock" power-up.
 +
{{ii}} If the desired value is not listed above, apply it using the Cheat Engine method above. Right-Click one the changed values and select "Browse this memory region" to view the hex values.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Input==
 
{{Image|Blur - keyboard.jpg|Keyboard layout.}}
 
{{Image|Blur - keyboard.jpg|Keyboard layout.}}
 
{{Image|Blur - controller.jpg|Controller layout.}}
 
{{Image|Blur - controller.jpg|Controller layout.}}
−
{{Input settings
+
{{Input
−
|key remap                = false
+
|key remap                = hackable
−
|key remap notes          = Two layouts only.
+
|key remap notes          = Two layouts only.<br>There is a work-around via [https://github.com/aditya-jagdev/blur-autoHotKey-Script an AutoHotkey script].
 
|acceleration option      = n/a
 
|acceleration option      = n/a
−
|acceleration option notes =  
+
|acceleration option notes = No mouse support.
 
|mouse sensitivity        = n/a
 
|mouse sensitivity        = n/a
 
|mouse sensitivity notes  =  
 
|mouse sensitivity notes  =  
Line 110: Line 183:
 
|invert mouse y-axis      = n/a
 
|invert mouse y-axis      = n/a
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 +
|touchscreen              = unknown
 +
|touchscreen notes        =
 
|controller support        = true
 
|controller support        = true
 
|controller support notes  = XInput controllers only.
 
|controller support notes  = XInput controllers only.
 
|full controller          = true
 
|full controller          = true
−
|full controller notes    =  
+
|full controller notes    = Only keyboard button prompts are displayed.
 
|controller remap          = false
 
|controller remap          = false
 
|controller remap notes    = Three layouts only.
 
|controller remap notes    = Three layouts only.
Line 120: Line 195:
 
|invert controller y-axis  = n/a
 
|invert controller y-axis  = n/a
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
−
|touchscreen              = unknown
+
|xinput controllers        = true
−
|touchscreen notes         =  
+
|xinput controllers notes =  
−
|button prompts           = false
+
|xbox prompts             = false
−
|button prompts notes     =  
+
|xbox prompts notes       =  
−
|controller hotplug        = unknown
+
|impulse triggers          = false
−
|controller hotplug notes =  
+
|impulse triggers notes   =  
−
|haptic feedback          = hackable
+
|dualshock 4              = hackable
−
|haptic feedback notes     = Always enabled. See [[#Haptic feedback|Haptic feedback]].
+
|dualshock 4 notes         = Add Blur to Steam as a non-Steam game and use the 'Gamepad' preset in the controller configuration. Vibration can be disabled via Steam Big Picture.
 +
|dualshock prompts        = false
 +
|dualshock prompts notes  =
 
|light bar support        = unknown
 
|light bar support        = unknown
 
|light bar support notes  =  
 
|light bar support notes  =  
 +
|dualshock 4 modes        = unknown
 +
|dualshock 4 modes notes  =
 +
|tracked motion controllers= false
 +
|tracked motion controllers notes =
 +
|tracked motion prompts    = unknown
 +
|tracked motion prompts notes =
 +
|other controllers        = false
 +
|other controllers notes  =
 +
|other button prompts      = unknown
 +
|other button prompts notes=
 +
|controller hotplug        = true
 +
|controller hotplug notes  =
 +
|haptic feedback          = always on
 +
|haptic feedback notes    = See [[#Haptic feedback|Haptic feedback]].
 +
|simultaneous input        = true
 +
|simultaneous input notes  = Keyboard only.
 +
|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 =
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===[[Glossary:Controller|Haptic feedback]]===
 
===[[Glossary:Controller|Haptic feedback]]===
 
{{Fixbox|description=Disable controller vibration|ref={{cn|date=June 2017}}|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Disable controller vibration|ref={{cn|date=June 2017}}|fix=
−
# See the [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=933337066 Special K Unofficial Guide] to install Special K.
+
# See the [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=933337066 Special K Unofficial Guide] to install Special K.
 
# Start the game and press {{Key|Ctrl|Shift|Backspace}} to toggle Special K's Control Panel.
 
# Start the game and press {{Key|Ctrl|Shift|Backspace}} to toggle Special K's Control Panel.
 
# Expand "Input Management", then "Gamepad".
 
# Expand "Input Management", then "Gamepad".
Line 141: Line 244:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Audio settings==
+
==Audio==
 
{{Image|Blur - audio.jpg|Audio settings.}}
 
{{Image|Blur - audio.jpg|Audio settings.}}
−
{{Audio settings
+
{{Image|Blur - Advanced Audio.png|Audio settings.}}
 +
{{Audio
 
|separate volume          = true
 
|separate volume          = true
−
|separate volume notes    = Sound, music and menu.
+
|separate volume notes    = Effects, Music, Menu music.
 
|surround sound          = true
 
|surround sound          = true
 
|surround sound notes    =  
 
|surround sound notes    =  
Line 155: Line 259:
 
|mute on focus lost notes = See [[#Mute on focus lost|Mute on focus lost]].
 
|mute on focus lost notes = See [[#Mute on focus lost|Mute on focus lost]].
 
|eax support              =  
 
|eax support              =  
−
|eax support notes        =  
+
|eax support notes         =
 +
|royalty free audio       = unknown
 +
|royalty free audio notes  =  
 
}}
 
}}
 +
{{--}} "Medium', and "High" audio settings will sound better, but the updates cause audio to cut sooner, and may not properly load. Can be fixed with a replacement dsound.dll from Creative ALchemy or downgrading to the original version.<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Radmaxx|date=2022-05-03|comment=Issue only occurred on updated version.}}</ref>
  
 
===Mute on focus lost===
 
===Mute on focus lost===
 
{{Fixbox|description=Mute in background|ref={{cn|date=June 2017}}|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Mute in background|ref={{cn|date=June 2017}}|fix=
−
# See the [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=933337066 Special K Unofficial Guide] to install Special K.
+
# See the [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=933337066 Special K Unofficial Guide] to install Special K.
 
# Start the game and press {{Key|Ctrl|Shift|Backspace}} to toggle Special K's Control Panel.
 
# Start the game and press {{Key|Ctrl|Shift|Backspace}} to toggle Special K's Control Panel.
 
# Expand "Window Management", then "Input/Output Behavior".
 
# Expand "Window Management", then "Input/Output Behavior".
Line 170: Line 277:
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = English
 
  |language  = English
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
−
  |audio    =  
+
  |audio    = true
−
  |subtitles =  
+
  |subtitles = false
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
−
|fan notes =
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = French
 
  |language  = French
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
−
  |audio    =  
+
  |audio    = true
−
  |subtitles =  
+
  |subtitles = false
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
−
|fan notes =
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = German
 
  |language  = German
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
−
  |audio    =  
+
  |audio    = true
−
  |subtitles =  
+
  |subtitles = false
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
−
|fan notes =
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = Italian
 
  |language  = Italian
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
−
  |audio    =  
+
  |audio    = true
−
  |subtitles =  
+
  |subtitles = false
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
−
|fan notes =
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = Polish
 
  |language  = Polish
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
−
  |audio    = no
+
  |audio    = true
−
  |subtitles = no
+
  |subtitles = false
 
  |notes    = Local retail version only.
 
  |notes    = Local retail version only.
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
−
  |fan notes =  
+
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Russian
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = false
 +
|notes    = Retail only. Patch for digital release [https://www.playground.ru/files/rusifikator_blur_polnyj_dlya_steam_versii-64790/ here].
 +
  |fan       =  
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = Spanish
 
  |language  = Spanish
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
−
  |audio    =  
+
  |audio    = true
−
  |subtitles =  
+
  |subtitles = false
−
  |notes    =  
+
  |notes    = Local retail version only.
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
−
  |fan notes =  
+
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Portuguese
 +
|interface = hackable
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = false
 +
|notes    = [https://100nome.blogs.sapo.pt/blur-jogo-traducao-portugues-pt-pt-br-23886 Fan translation by «100 Nome»]
 +
  |fan       = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
Line 226: Line 343:
 
==Network==
 
==Network==
 
{{ii}} Online features require registering an account in-game.<ref name="account"/>
 
{{ii}} Online features require registering an account in-game.<ref name="account"/>
−
{{ii}} Servers seems to be still online as of May 12, 2017‎.
 
  
 
{{Network/Multiplayer
 
{{Network/Multiplayer
Line 237: Line 353:
 
|lan play modes      =  
 
|lan play modes      =  
 
|lan play notes      =  
 
|lan play notes      =  
−
|online play          = true
+
|online play          = hackable
 
|online play players  = 20
 
|online play players  = 20
 
|online play modes    =  
 
|online play modes    =  
−
|online play notes    =  
+
|online play notes    = The official multiplayer service was shut down; use [https://amax-emu.com/how_to_play Amax Emu].
 
|asynchronous        =  
 
|asynchronous        =  
 
|asynchronous notes  =  
 
|asynchronous notes  =  
Line 257: Line 373:
  
 
{{Network/Ports
 
{{Network/Ports
−
|tcp  =  
+
|tcp  = 3074
−
|udp  =  
+
|udp  = 3074,50001
 
|upnp = true
 
|upnp = true
 
}}
 
}}
Line 272: Line 388:
 
|native 3d notes            =  
 
|native 3d notes            =  
 
|nvidia 3d vision            = true
 
|nvidia 3d vision            = true
−
|nvidia 3d vision notes      = Use [http://helixmod.blogspot.com/2012/05/blur.html Helix Mod: Blur] for better 3D support.
+
|nvidia 3d vision notes      = Use [https://helixmod.blogspot.com/2012/05/blur.html Helix Mod: Blur] for better 3D support.
 
|tridef 3d                  = unknown
 
|tridef 3d                  = unknown
 
|tridef 3d notes            =  
 
|tridef 3d notes            =  
 
|iz3d                        = unknown
 
|iz3d                        = unknown
 
|iz3d notes                  =  
 
|iz3d notes                  =  
 +
|vorpx                      = hackable
 +
|vorpx modes                = G3D
 +
|vorpx notes                = User created game profile, see [https://www.vorpx.com/forums/search/Blur_1_/ vorpx forum] profile introduction.<br>
 +
<code>Note:</code>Windowed mode may crash game !
 
|htc vive                    =  
 
|htc vive                    =  
 
|htc vive notes              =  
 
|htc vive notes              =  
Line 283: Line 403:
 
|osvr                        =  
 
|osvr                        =  
 
|osvr notes                  =  
 
|osvr notes                  =  
−
|tracked motion controllers  =
 
−
|tracked motion controllers notes=
 
 
|keyboard-mouse              =  
 
|keyboard-mouse              =  
 
|keyboard-mouse notes        =  
 
|keyboard-mouse notes        =  
Line 293: Line 411:
 
|trackir                    =  
 
|trackir                    =  
 
|trackir notes              =  
 
|trackir notes              =  
 +
|tobii eye tracking          =
 +
|tobii eye tracking notes    =
 
|play area seated            =  
 
|play area seated            =  
 
|play area seated notes      =  
 
|play area seated notes      =  
Line 302: Line 422:
  
 
==Issues fixed==
 
==Issues fixed==
−
===Unable to play online===
+
===Black screen, degrading frame rate, freezes on launch, or loads endlessly===
−
{{ii}} This is an issue which involves an inability to connect to online games, caused by Blur's overly strict reliance on [[Glossary:Port forwarding|port forwarding]].
+
{{Fixbox|description=Install [[DirectPlay]]|fix=
−
{{ii}} The only reliable way to play online is to use Virtual LAN software such as [https://secure.logmein.com/products/hamachi/download.aspx Hamachi] or [http://www.tunngle.net/index.php?l=en&pg=downloads Tunngle], the latter of which still has an active Blur community.
+
}}
  
−
{{Fixbox|description=Play online via Tunngle|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Resetting CPU affinity|fix=
−
# Download and install the Tunngle client.
+
#While the game is running, press {{key|Alt}}+{{key|Tab}}, and open Task Manager. Make sure you click the 'More details' arrow to show the full Task Manager.
−
# Log in and search for ''Blur'' in the search box to the left of the client.
+
#Go to the 'Details' tab, and find the process <code>Blur.exe</code>
−
# Enter the Blur room to connect to the VLAN system.
+
#Right click the process, and select 'Set affinity'.
−
# Launch Blur and navigate to the Local Area Network multiplayer game mode, where Tunngle games will then become visible.
+
#Uncheck the box for '<All Processors>', recheck 'CPU 0', and click OK.
 +
#Right click the 'Blur.exe' process again, and recheck the box for '<All Processors>', and click OK.
 +
{{ii}} This has to be done every time the game is launched.
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
===Black screen, degrading framerate, freezes on launch, or loads endlessly===
+
{{Fixbox|description=Changing CPU affinity|fix=
−
{{Fixbox|description=Install DirectPlay<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc5R2qU1DhIs Installing Blur for Windows 8/8.1/10 Complete Guide]</ref>
+
#Open the Task Manager, and go to the Details tab.
−
*Windows 8/8.1/10 removes important DirectX components that Blur uses. These components can be brought back by install DirectPlay. Without DirectPlay the game will not launch, and if put in compatibility mode, causes a framerates that slowly degrades over time.
+
#Right-click <code>Blur.exe</code> and select 'Set Affinity'.
 +
#Disable CPU 0 and leave the other CPUs checked. Then hit OK.
 +
{{ii}} This has to be done every time the game is launched.
 +
 
 +
Making affinity changes permanent (setting affinity in task manager only lasts until you exit the game):
 +
# Edit your preferred shortcut for launching the game (desktop and/or start menu)
 +
# In the target field, set the following (just put the default contents in double quotes and prepend cmd.exe /C ...):
 +
* For a 4/4 (core/thread) CPU {{code|cmd.exe /C start "" /affinity e "{{P|game}}\Blur.exe"}}
 +
* For a 4/8 and 8/8 (core/thread) CPU {{code|cmd.exe /C start "" /affinity fe "{{P|game}}\Blur.exe"}}
 +
* For a 6/6 (core/thread) CPU {{code|cmd.exe /C start "" /affinity 3e "{{P|game}}\Blur.exe"}}
 +
* For a 6/12 (core/thread) CPU {{code|cmd.exe /C start "" /affinity 7fe "{{P|game}}\Blur.exe"}}
 +
* For a 8/16 (core/thread) CPU and higher {{code|cmd.exe /C start "" /affinity fffe "{{P|game}}\Blur.exe"}}
 +
Verify correct affinity by launching the game and checking affinity in task manager (see beginning).
 +
 
 +
To be used in Steam launch options, to launch the game directly from Steam, it must be a little different:
 +
* Ex. for a 8/16 (core/thread) CPU and higher {{code|C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /C start "" /affinity FFFE "{{P|game}}\Blur.exe" %command%}}
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{Fixbox|description=(Retail) Works fine via other drives when run under Windows 8 compatibility mode or windows 95 compatibility mode (via a shortcut)|ref={{cn|date=February 2017}}}}
+
 
−
{{Fixbox|description=(Steam) Verify game cache|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Setting compatibility settings|fix=
−
* Verify game cache if using Steam version.
+
# Right click <code>Blur.exe</code> in the install directory and select properties.
 +
# Go to "Compatibility" and Enable Compatibility Mode and change it to Windows 7.
 +
# Also enable "Run this program as an administrator" and click apply.
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{Fixbox|description=Windows 8 compatibility mode on other hard drives|ref={{cn|date=February 2017}}|fix=
+
 
−
Works fine via other drives when run under Windows 8 compatibility mode.
+
===Distorted audio quality===
 +
{{ii}} On updated versions, frame rates over 60 FPS cause the game's audio to be distorted and broken.
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Downgrade to the original version|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Radmaxx|date=2022-05-03|comment=}}</ref>|fix=
 +
* Alternatively, see [[Glossary:Frame rate (FPS)#Frame rate capping|Frame rate capping]] or set monitor on 60hz and enable Vsync in Video options.
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{Fixbox|description=Skip intro videos|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
+
 
−
* See [[#Skip intro videos|Skip intro videos]].
+
===Audio cuts out when game first loads===
 +
{{ii}} This issue only occurs with the Medium, and High audio setting on updated versions.
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Downgrade to the original version or enable Compatibility Mode|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Radmaxx|date=2022-05-03|comment=}}</ref>|fix=
 +
#Right click on either on 'Blur.exe', or the shortcut to the exe, and select 'Properties'.
 +
#Click on the 'Compatibility' tab.
 +
#Under the Compatibility mode section, check the box 'Run this program...', and select Windows 7.
 +
#Click Apply, and then click OK.  
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
===Unable to play online===
 +
{{ii}} This is an issue which involves an inability to connect to online games, caused by Blur's overly strict reliance on [[Glossary:Port forwarding|port forwarding]].
 +
{{ii}} The only reliable way to play online is to use Virtual LAN software such as [https://secure.logmein.com/products/hamachi/download.aspx Hamachi] or Tunngle, the latter of which had an active Blur community, but had to shut down its services in 30/04/2018 due to the EU GDPR. Nowadays there is a discord that created an alternate server for playing the game online. Search for - "amax-emu.com\how_to_play".
  
 
===Retail installer hangs===
 
===Retail installer hangs===
 
{{ii}} Retail copies of the game may get stuck during the install process, specifically before the installer starts copying files from the disc. This mostly is to occur on PCs running Windows 8/8.1/10.
 
{{ii}} Retail copies of the game may get stuck during the install process, specifically before the installer starts copying files from the disc. This mostly is to occur on PCs running Windows 8/8.1/10.
  
−
{{Fixbox|description=Installer issue
+
{{Fixbox|description=Installing the game without the disk|ref={{cn|December 2022}}|fix=
−
* Copy all the files from the disc to the computer. Then install using the files on the computer.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc5R2qU1DhIs Installing Blur for Windows 8/8.1/10 Complete Guide]</ref>
+
#Make a folder called 'BLUR_DVD' anywhere you choose in the computer.
−
* When the installer reaches the point of "Updating Component Registration," hit cancel and wait for the ''Cancel Install'' dialog to appear. Click "No," and the installer will continue normally.|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|
+
#Open File Explorer, and view the files for BLUR_DVD.
 +
#Select all of the files, copy, and paste them into the 'BLUR_DVD' folder.
 +
#Once all the files have been copied over, select the 'Setup' folder, then the 'rsrc' folder.
 +
#Select 'AUTORUN.exe' to start the installation
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===Mouse cursor always visible in game===
 
===Mouse cursor always visible in game===
 
{{Fixbox|description=Hide mouse cursor|ref={{cn|date=June 2017}}|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Hide mouse cursor|ref={{cn|date=June 2017}}|fix=
−
# See the [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=933337066 Special K Unofficial Guide] to install Special K.
+
# See the [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=933337066 Special K Unofficial Guide] to install Special K.
 
# Start the game and press {{Key|Ctrl|Shift|Backspace}} to toggle Special K's Control Panel.
 
# Start the game and press {{Key|Ctrl|Shift|Backspace}} to toggle Special K's Control Panel.
 
# Expand "Input Management", then "Mouse Cursor".
 
# Expand "Input Management", then "Mouse Cursor".
 
# Enable "Hide When Not Moved" and set "Seconds Before Hiding" to "0".
 
# Enable "Hide When Not Moved" and set "Seconds Before Hiding" to "0".
 
# Close the Control Panel and press {{key|Ctrl|Shift|O}} to disable Special K's On-Screen Display.
 
# Close the Control Panel and press {{key|Ctrl|Shift|O}} to disable Special K's On-Screen Display.
 +
}}
 +
 +
===Can't find any LAN games===
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Free hogged port|ref={{cn|date=August 2023}}|fix=
 +
# If you have AnyDesk installed, quit it in the system tray.
 +
# If you do not have AnyDesk installed, in PowerShell, run <code>Get-Process -Id (Get-NetUDPEndpoint -LocalPort 50001).OwningProcess</code> to see which process is hogging the discovery port.
 +
# Kill the process with <code>taskkill</code>.
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 348: Line 510:
 
===API===
 
===API===
 
{{API
 
{{API
−
|direct3d versions      = 9
+
|direct3d versions      = 9.0c
 
|direct3d notes        =  
 
|direct3d notes        =  
 
|directdraw versions    =  
 
|directdraw versions    =  
Line 362: Line 524:
 
|metal support          =  
 
|metal support          =  
 
|metal support notes    =  
 
|metal support notes    =  
−
|vulkan support        =  
+
|vulkan versions        =  
−
|vulkan support notes   =  
+
|vulkan notes           =  
 
|dos modes              =  
 
|dos modes              =  
 
|dos modes notes        =  
 
|dos modes notes        =  
−
|shader model versions  =  
+
|shader model versions  = 3.0
 
|shader model notes    =  
 
|shader model notes    =  
−
|64-bit executable     = false
+
|windows 32-bit exe    = true
−
|64-bit executable notes=  
+
|windows 64-bit exe    = false
 +
|windows arm app        = unknown
 +
|windows exe notes      =
 +
|macos intel 32-bit app =
 +
|macos intel 64-bit app =
 +
|macos arm app          = unknown
 +
|macos app notes        =
 +
|linux 32-bit executable=  
 +
|linux 64-bit executable=
 +
|linux arm app          = unknown
 +
|linux executable notes =
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Middleware===
 +
{{Middleware
 +
|physics          =
 +
|physics notes    =
 +
|audio            =
 +
|audio notes      =
 +
|interface        =
 +
|interface notes  =
 +
|input            =
 +
|input notes      =
 +
|cutscenes        = Bink Video
 +
|cutscenes notes  =
 +
|multiplayer      =
 +
|multiplayer notes=
 +
|anticheat        =
 +
|anticheat notes =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 379: Line 569:
 
|minRAM  = 1 GB
 
|minRAM  = 1 GB
 
|minHD    = 14 GB
 
|minHD    = 14 GB
−
|minGPU  = Nvidia GeForce 6600GT
+
|minGPU  = Nvidia GeForce 6600 GT
−
|minGPU2  = ATI Radeon 1600XT
+
|minGPU2  = ATI Radeon X1600 XT
 
|minVRAM  = 256 MB
 
|minVRAM  = 256 MB
 
|minSM    = 3.0
 
|minSM    = 3.0
  
−
|recCPU  = Intel Pentium Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz or better
+
|recCPU  = Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz
 
|recRAM  = 2 GB
 
|recRAM  = 2 GB
−
|recGPU  = Nvidia GeForce 7800GT
+
|recGPU  = Nvidia GeForce 7800 GT
−
|recGPU2  = ATI Radeon 1800XT
+
|recGPU2  = ATI Radeon X1800 XT
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
{{References}}
 
{{References}}

Latest revision as of 14:21, 15 April 2024

Blur
Blur cover
Developers
Bizarre Creations
Publishers
Activision
Engines
Horizon
Release dates
Windows May 25, 2010
Reception
Metacritic 81
IGDB 79
Taxonomy
Genres Racing
Blur on HowLongToBeat
Blur on IGDB
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Blur guide on StrategyWiki
Blur on MobyGames
Blur on Wikipedia
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png

Key points

Sold as Blur Racerz in Japan.
Game uses its own online account system[1] and doesn't include VOIP, text chat or any other way to communicate with online players.
Updates cause various audio issues (such as crackling and cutting-off earlier than expected) especially on higher quality audio presets and frame rates over 60. Downgrade to the original version to avoid frame rate and audio issues.[2]
Despite the uncapped frame rate, gameplay sections are internally limited to 60 FPS with higher values duplicating the same frames while also breaking some post-processing effects (e.g. motion blur, lens flare, etc.). To change the internal limit and restore some of the broken effects see High frame rate.[3]
Official Master server for multiplayer was shut down. Can be restored with a mod, see Multiplayer types

General information

Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
 SecuROM v7.41.0004(v7.42.0001 on 1.2) DRM
Windows
Games for Windows Marketplace (unavailable)
Icon overlay.png
 [4]
Windows
Steam (unavailable)
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Online features require registering an account in-game.[1]

Essential improvements

Patches

Patch 1.2 for retail copies. Steam version is already patched.
Causes Audio issues at higher than 60 FPS and on higher quality audio presets.[5]

Skip intro videos

Delete/rename video files[6]
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\UI\movies\
  2. Delete or rename atvi.bik and BizarreSplash.bik.

Change driver name

Use BlurNameChanger

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows %APPDATA%\bizarre creations\blur\settings.xml
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/42640/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game data location

System Location
Windows %APPDATA%\bizarre creations\blur\save\
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/42640/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
Steam Cloud

Video

Graphics settings.
Graphics settings.

Graphics feature State WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
 
Multi-monitor
 
 Hor+ gameplay, Vert- FMV and frontend scaling. Hud in gameplay snaps to corners. Loading screens and event starting aspect ratios are pillarboxed and letterboxed to 16:9.
Ultra-widescreen
 
 Hor+ gameplay, Vert- FMV and frontend scaling. Hud in gameplay snaps to corners. Loading screens and event starting aspect ratios are pillarboxed and letterboxed to 16:9.
4K Ultra HD
 
Field of view (FOV)
Windowed
Can also be toggled with Alt+↵ Enter.
Borderless fullscreen windowed
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Force higher samples through GPU control panel. Will not function if DXVK is used; download DXVK.CONF and uncomment d3d9.samplerAnisotropy and set it to desired value (e.g. 16).[7]
Anti-aliasing (AA)
Up to 8x MSAA.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
60 FPS
120+ FPS
Uncapped in menus (3D animations and camera movements), 2D menu navigation speed tied to frame rate. Gameplay limited to 60 FPS internally, higher values duplicating the same 60 frames and breaking some post-processing effects. Updates causes audio to be distorted and broken. See High frame rate.[8]
High dynamic range display (HDR)
See the glossary page for potential alternatives.

High frame rate

This method can only fully restore some of the broken post-processing effects like motion blur while others (like lens flare) may still exhibit broken and inconsistent behaviors. That is if the new internal limit matches the desired external value.
Simply running at a higher rate - regardless of this fix being applied - speeds up camera movement and sensitivity. This fix helps the sped up camera to render at higher internal values.
High frame rate may be somewhat difficult to consistently achieve on some setups due to limited multi-threading. This can be alleviated by using dxvk to wrap D3D9 API calls to Vulkan. This reduces overall CPU usage and overhead but increases GPU usage.[9]
Modify with Cheat Engine[10]
  1. Install Cheat Engine and attach the game process.
  2. While Blur.exe is selected in the memory search range, search for 0.016666666666 as a float in rounded (extreme) mode, while Executable, Writable and CopyOnWrite is set to Don't Care and the Fast Scan option disabled.
  3. Change all viewed values to 1/FPS (e.g. 0.006944444444 for 144 FPS or to 0.002777777777 for 360 FPS) of which there should be three instances of. This will cause the gameplay to slow down.
  4. Search for 60.000000000000 with the same options mentioned above, individually change each instance to the desired value until the two values that return the game to the intended speed are found.
  5. Remove all irrelevant values and than save the cheat table.
Temporary solution. The saved cheat table must be used and its values changed with each launch.
This method will not alter the effective range of the "Shock" power-up.
One of the two values responsible for game speed in accordance to the internal gameplay FPS target may show incorrect value in menus; however, it will automatically match itself with the other value during gameplay.
Modify with hex editor[11]
  1. Open Blur.exe with a hex editor such as HxD.
  2. Replace all instances of 89 88 88 3C (60 FPS) with one of the following,
    • 89 88 08 3C for 120 FPS.
    • 39 8E E3 3B for 144 FPS.
    • 89 88 88 3B for 240 FPS.
    • 61 0B 36 3B for 360 FPS.
  3. Replace the first instance of 00 00 70 42 (60 FPS) with one of the following,
    • 00 00 F0 42 for 120 FPS.
    • 00 00 10 43 for 144 FPS.
    • 00 00 70 43 for 240 FPS.
    • 00 00 B4 43 for 360 FPS.
  4. If gameplay speed becomes slow change other instances of 00 00 70 42; however, if not possible, all instances can be replaced at once without any noticeable changes to gameplay.
Permanent solution. Only needs to be applied once.
Higher values applied via this method will reduce the effective range of the "Shock" power-up.
If the desired value is not listed above, apply it using the Cheat Engine method above. Right-Click one the changed values and select "Browse this memory region" to view the hex values.

Input

Keyboard layout.
Keyboard layout.
Controller layout.
Controller layout.

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
Two layouts only.
There is a work-around via an AutoHotkey script.
Mouse acceleration
No mouse support.
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
XInput controllers only.
Full controller support
Only keyboard button prompts are displayed.
Controller remapping
Three layouts only.
Controller sensitivity
Controller Y-axis inversion
Controller types
XInput-compatible controllers
Xbox button prompts
Impulse Trigger vibration
PlayStation controllers
Add Blur to Steam as a non-Steam game and use the 'Gamepad' preset in the controller configuration. Vibration can be disabled via Steam Big Picture.
PlayStation button prompts
Light bar support
Adaptive trigger support
DualSense haptic feedback support
Connection modes
Generic/other controllers
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Additional information
Controller hotplugging
Haptic feedback
See Haptic feedback.
Digital movement supported
Simultaneous controller+KB/M
Keyboard only.

Haptic feedback

Disable controller vibration[citation needed]
  1. See the Special K Unofficial Guide to install Special K.
  2. Start the game and press Ctrl+⇧ Shift+← Backspace to toggle Special K's Control Panel.
  3. Expand "Input Management", then "Gamepad".
  4. Enable "Disable ALL Rumble" and close the Control Panel.
  5. Press Ctrl+⇧ Shift+O to disable Special K's On-Screen Display.

Audio

Audio settings.
Audio settings.
Audio settings.
Audio settings.

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Effects, Music, Menu music.
Surround sound
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
See Mute on focus lost.
Royalty free audio
"Medium', and "High" audio settings will sound better, but the updates cause audio to cut sooner, and may not properly load. Can be fixed with a replacement dsound.dll from Creative ALchemy or downgrading to the original version.[12]

Mute on focus lost

Mute in background[citation needed]
  1. See the Special K Unofficial Guide to install Special K.
  2. Start the game and press Ctrl+⇧ Shift+← Backspace to toggle Special K's Control Panel.
  3. Expand "Window Management", then "Input/Output Behavior".
  4. Enable "Mute Game" and close the Control Panel.
  5. Press Ctrl+⇧ Shift+O to disable Special K's On-Screen Display.

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
French
German
Italian
Polish
Local retail version only.
Russian
Retail only. Patch for digital release here.
Spanish
Local retail version only.
Portuguese
Fan translation by «100 Nome»

Network

Online features require registering an account in-game.[1]

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
Local play
4 Split-screen.
LAN play
20
Online play
20 The official multiplayer service was shut down; use Amax Emu.

Ports

Protocol Port(s) and/or port range(s)
TCP 3074
UDP 3074,50001
This game supports Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) for automatic port configuration.

VR support

3D modes State GG3D Notes
Nvidia 3D Vision
Use Helix Mod: Blur for better 3D support.
vorpX
G3D
User created game profile, see vorpx forum profile introduction.
Note:Windowed mode may crash game !

Issues fixed

Black screen, degrading frame rate, freezes on launch, or loads endlessly

Install DirectPlay
Resetting CPU affinity
  1. While the game is running, press Alt+Tab ↹, and open Task Manager. Make sure you click the 'More details' arrow to show the full Task Manager.
  2. Go to the 'Details' tab, and find the process Blur.exe
  3. Right click the process, and select 'Set affinity'.
  4. Uncheck the box for '<All Processors>', recheck 'CPU 0', and click OK.
  5. Right click the 'Blur.exe' process again, and recheck the box for '<All Processors>', and click OK.
This has to be done every time the game is launched.
Changing CPU affinity
  1. Open the Task Manager, and go to the Details tab.
  2. Right-click Blur.exe and select 'Set Affinity'.
  3. Disable CPU 0 and leave the other CPUs checked. Then hit OK.
This has to be done every time the game is launched.

Making affinity changes permanent (setting affinity in task manager only lasts until you exit the game):

  1. Edit your preferred shortcut for launching the game (desktop and/or start menu)
  2. In the target field, set the following (just put the default contents in double quotes and prepend cmd.exe /C ...):
  • For a 4/4 (core/thread) CPU cmd.exe /C start "" /affinity e "<path-to-game>\Blur.exe"
  • For a 4/8 and 8/8 (core/thread) CPU cmd.exe /C start "" /affinity fe "<path-to-game>\Blur.exe"
  • For a 6/6 (core/thread) CPU cmd.exe /C start "" /affinity 3e "<path-to-game>\Blur.exe"
  • For a 6/12 (core/thread) CPU cmd.exe /C start "" /affinity 7fe "<path-to-game>\Blur.exe"
  • For a 8/16 (core/thread) CPU and higher cmd.exe /C start "" /affinity fffe "<path-to-game>\Blur.exe"

Verify correct affinity by launching the game and checking affinity in task manager (see beginning).

To be used in Steam launch options, to launch the game directly from Steam, it must be a little different:

  • Ex. for a 8/16 (core/thread) CPU and higher C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /C start "" /affinity FFFE "<path-to-game>\Blur.exe" %command%
Setting compatibility settings
  1. Right click Blur.exe in the install directory and select properties.
  2. Go to "Compatibility" and Enable Compatibility Mode and change it to Windows 7.
  3. Also enable "Run this program as an administrator" and click apply.

Distorted audio quality

On updated versions, frame rates over 60 FPS cause the game's audio to be distorted and broken.
Downgrade to the original version[13]
  • Alternatively, see Frame rate capping or set monitor on 60hz and enable Vsync in Video options.

Audio cuts out when game first loads

This issue only occurs with the Medium, and High audio setting on updated versions.
Downgrade to the original version or enable Compatibility Mode[14]
  1. Right click on either on 'Blur.exe', or the shortcut to the exe, and select 'Properties'.
  2. Click on the 'Compatibility' tab.
  3. Under the Compatibility mode section, check the box 'Run this program...', and select Windows 7.
  4. Click Apply, and then click OK.

Unable to play online

This is an issue which involves an inability to connect to online games, caused by Blur's overly strict reliance on port forwarding.
The only reliable way to play online is to use Virtual LAN software such as Hamachi or Tunngle, the latter of which had an active Blur community, but had to shut down its services in 30/04/2018 due to the EU GDPR. Nowadays there is a discord that created an alternate server for playing the game online. Search for - "amax-emu.com\how_to_play".

Retail installer hangs

Retail copies of the game may get stuck during the install process, specifically before the installer starts copying files from the disc. This mostly is to occur on PCs running Windows 8/8.1/10.
Installing the game without the disk[citation needed]
  1. Make a folder called 'BLUR_DVD' anywhere you choose in the computer.
  2. Open File Explorer, and view the files for BLUR_DVD.
  3. Select all of the files, copy, and paste them into the 'BLUR_DVD' folder.
  4. Once all the files have been copied over, select the 'Setup' folder, then the 'rsrc' folder.
  5. Select 'AUTORUN.exe' to start the installation

Mouse cursor always visible in game

Hide mouse cursor[citation needed]
  1. See the Special K Unofficial Guide to install Special K.
  2. Start the game and press Ctrl+⇧ Shift+← Backspace to toggle Special K's Control Panel.
  3. Expand "Input Management", then "Mouse Cursor".
  4. Enable "Hide When Not Moved" and set "Seconds Before Hiding" to "0".
  5. Close the Control Panel and press Ctrl+⇧ Shift+O to disable Special K's On-Screen Display.

Can't find any LAN games

Free hogged port[citation needed]
  1. If you have AnyDesk installed, quit it in the system tray.
  2. If you do not have AnyDesk installed, in PowerShell, run Get-Process -Id (Get-NetUDPEndpoint -LocalPort 50001).OwningProcess to see which process is hogging the discovery port.
  3. Kill the process with taskkill.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 9.0c
Shader Model support 3.0
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Cutscenes Bink Video

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) XP, Vista, 7
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium D Dual Core 3.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz
System memory (RAM) 1 GB 2 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 14 GB
Video card (GPU) Nvidia GeForce 6600 GT
ATI Radeon X1600 XT
256 MB of VRAM
Shader model 3.0 support		 Nvidia GeForce 7800 GT
ATI Radeon X1800 XT


Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data (use Wine regedit to access Windows registry paths). Games with Steam Cloud support may store data in ~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/42640/ in addition to or instead of this directory. The app ID (42640) may differ in some cases. Treat backslashes as forward slashes. See the glossary page for details.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 DRM ? :: Blur General Discussions
  2. ↑ Verified by User:Radmaxx on 2022-05-03
    Audio crackling issue is still present on framerates below 60, however instances of it are very rare; surpassing 60 FPS drastically increases the number and the intensity of random crackling noises.
  3. ↑ Verified by User:Radmaxx on 2022-05-03
    Frontend automatically behaves as if the custom FPS edit is applied. Running the game at higher values than 60 FPS irrespective of the high FPS edit being applied causes menu navigation animations and camera sensitivity in gameplay and frontend to speed up; the patch simply allows more unique frames rendered in them as opposed to reused ones. The overall range of the "Shock" power-up is shared with the internal limit in the main .exe but will separate at runtime.
  4. ↑ Games You've Missed - Games for Windows - last accessed on 19 August 2022
  5. ↑ Verified by User:Radmaxx on 2022-05-03
    None of the crackling, buffering or cutting off issues exist in the original, non-updated retail version.
  6. ↑ How To : Disable Startup Videos - Steam Users' Forums (retrieved)
  7. ↑ Verified by User:Radmaxx on 2022-05-03
    Mipmaps and distorted reflections make the determination of the exact anisotropic sample count difficult. Textures are too sharp for a trilinear filtering implementation. Most likely 2-4 samples used.
  8. ↑ Verified by User:Radmaxx on 2022-05-03
    There were no differences in levels of smoothness in any aspect between a locked 60 and 144 FPS during gameplay; however the differences of the same values were easily identifiable in frontend.
  9. ↑ Verified by User:Radmaxx on 2022-05-03
    CPU performance especially improved during city sections.
  10. ↑ Verified by User:Radmaxx on 2022-05-03
  11. ↑ Verified by User:Radmaxx on 2022-05-03
  12. ↑ Verified by User:Radmaxx on 2022-05-03
    Issue only occurred on updated version.
  13. ↑ Verified by User:Radmaxx on 2022-05-03
  14. ↑ Verified by User:Radmaxx on 2022-05-03