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Difference between revisions of "Fallout 3"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
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===Game crashes on start-up===
 
===Game crashes on start-up===
{{Fixbox|description=Make sure you can [[Games for Windows - LIVE#Sign-in problems|log in GWFL]]|ref={{cn|date=September 2016}}
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{{Fixbox|description=Make sure you can [[Games for Windows - LIVE#Sign-in problems|log in GFWL]]|ref={{cn|date=September 2016}}
 
In case of any problems, run Fallout 3 in compatibility mode - Windows XP SP3, and GFWL installer in Windows 7 copatibility mode.
 
In case of any problems, run Fallout 3 in compatibility mode - Windows XP SP3, and GFWL installer in Windows 7 copatibility mode.
 
}}
 
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Revision as of 08:26, 16 June 2018

Fallout 3
Fallout 3 cover
Developers
Bethesda Game Studios
Publishers
Bethesda Softworks
Engines
Gamebryo
Release dates
Windows October 28, 2008
Fallout 3 guide on StrategyWiki
Fallout 3 on Wikipedia

Warnings

For Games for Windows - LIVE on Windows 8 or later, install the latest Games for Windows - LIVE software.
Fallout
Fallout 1997
Fallout 2 1998
Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel 2001
Fallout 3 2008
Fallout: New Vegas 2010
Fallout 4 2015
Fallout Shelter 2016
Fallout 4 VR 2017
Fallout 76 2018

Key points

Runs better on Windows 7 and later with the multiple core CPU fix.
Shares many similarities with Fallout: New Vegas in terms of its engine and performance.
Extensive modding community.

General information

GOG.com Community Discussions for game series
GOG.com Support Page
Steam Community Discussions (Game of the Year Edition)
Steam Community Discussions
No Humans Allowed Forums for game
Fallout 3 Nexus - the most popular host for almost all Fallout 3 mods.

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
Icon overlay.png
Launcher uses SecuROM 7 DRM disc check, run with Fallout3.exe to bypass.[1]

Some other copies use SafeDisc v3 DRM[Note 1].
Russian copies use StarForce 5 DRM.
Windows
Amazon.com
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Game of the Year Edition is also available.
Windows
GamersGate
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Game of the Year Edition is also available.
Windows
Gamesplanet logo.svg
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Game of the Year Edition.
Windows
Incorrect store name. See here for available options.
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Game of the Year Edition.
Windows
GOG.com
DRM-free
Game of the Year Edition, multi-core issues are fixed.[4]
Windows
Green Man Gaming
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Game of the Year Edition is also available.
Windows
Humble Store
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Game of the Year Edition is also available.
Windows
Steam
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Game of the Year Edition is also available.
Windows
SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows Vista and later (see above for affected versions).
All versions except GOG.com require Games for Windows - LIVE DRM.[Note 2] GFWL can be disabled by running the game through FOSE.

Version differences

The Game of the Year Edition includes all DLC, and is the best choice for price and modding capability.
The German version only includes the German language and has content differences (e.g. no blood/gore).
The GOG.com version is uncensored for Germans.

DLC and expansion packs

Name Notes
Operation: Anchorage
Windows
The Pitt
Windows
Broken Steel
Windows
Point Lookout
Windows
Mothership Zeta
Windows

Essential improvements

Patches

The v 1.7 patch updates the game to the latest version. GOG.com and Steam versions are already patched. The Retail Game of the Year Edition will apply the patch during the DLC disc installation.

Skip intro videos

File removal[citation needed]
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\Data\Video\
  2. Delete or rename Fallout INTRO Vsk.bik.

Mods

Nexus Mod Manager

Unofficial Fallout 3 Patch

Fixes many of the bugs which official Bethesda patches never solved
If any of the 5 DLCs aren't present, an older bugged version is installed.

Fallout 3 Script Extender (FOSE)

Disables Games for Windows - LIVE (GFWL) when run.
Used by many Fallout 3 mods to extend the scripting capabilities of Fallout 3's game engine.
Russian and Polish DVD retail copies, Direct2Drive copies, and the unpatched game (1.0.0.12) are all unsupported.

Fallout Stutter Remover

Requires Fallout 3 Script Extender.
Fixes stuttering.
The section bHookLightCriticalSections = 1 under <path-to-game>\Data\fose\plugins has been a cause for stutter for some, and it is therefore advised to set it to 0 if you experience such issues.

Tale of Two Wastelands

Tale of Two Wastelands combines Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas into a single game. It uses the New Vegas engine. It also requires you to have all of the DLC.

Play without Games for Windows - LIVE

Games for Windows Live can be disabled as an alternative to using a local profile.
Games for Windows - LIVE Disabler[citation needed]
Requires Fallout 3 v1.1 or higher.
Removes login delay, reducing startup time.
  1. Download and run the Games for Windows LIVE Disabler
  2. To retrieve save games, move files from: %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Fallout3\Saves\<user-id>\ to %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Fallout3\Saves\
  3. Use the 'Move DLC's' button to get DLC working again. Steam version of Game of the Year Edition owners do not need to move DLC.

Windows 10 Fallout 3 Patcher

If Fallout 3 crashes on launch, this patcher may get it running.
Configures fallout.ini (or creates it if non existent) to run properly on Windows 10 automatically, including the Multi-core CPU fix.
Provides links to GfWL, DirectX 9, and .NET Runtime which are required to launch the game.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Fallout3\*.ini
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/22300/pfx/[Note 3]

Save game data location

System Location
Windows %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Fallout3\Saves\
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/22300/pfx/[Note 3]

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
GOG Galaxy
Steam Cloud

Save games missing

If logged into Games for Windows LIVE, the game will save the save files under the currently logged-in username. If logged out of the service, the game will be unable to locate the saves.

Retrieve Missing Saves[citation needed]
  1. Go to %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Fallout3\Saves
  2. Search in the folders for your latest saves (if you're were not logged in while saving, the saves will be found in the Saves folder. If you were logged in, the saves will be under your Games for Windows LIVE folder)
  3. Copy the files out to either folder (your username if you plan on logging in each time, or the Saves folder if you do not.)

If you restart the game, your saves should be detected.

Video settings

Video settings.
Video settings.

Template:Video settings

Most graphics options are accessible on the main launcher screen.

Multi-monitor

Adds support for multi-monitor displays.
Displays HUD on the middle display.
Multi-monitor[citation needed]
  1. Open %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Fallout3\FALLOUT.ini
  2. Find the following lines:
iSafeZoneXWide=15
iSafeZoneYWide=15
iSafeZoneX=15
Relevant multi-monitor resolutions:
3840x1024 5040x1050
iSafeZoneXWide=610 iSafeZoneXWide=770
iSafeZoneYWide=15 iSafeZoneYWide=15
iSafeZoneX=610 iSafeZoneX=770

Field of view (FOV)

Edit Field of view (FOV)[5]
  1. Open %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Fallout3\FALLOUT.ini
  2. Find the section: [Display]
  3. Add these lines to the bottom of the section:
    • fDefaultWorldFOV=75.0000
    • fDefault1stPersonFOV=55.0000
  4. Change the FOV value based on your aspect ratio.

The second line affects the FOV of the gun, so a lower value is recommended to avoid clipping. For example 66

These values use the 5:4 aspect ratio as a baseline FOV:

Aspect Ratio FOV Value
4:3 79.9000
16:9 105.3000
15:9 99.0000
16:10 95.2000
21:9 80.0000

Input settings

Input settings.
Input settings.

Template:Input settings

Mouse acceleration

Disable mouse acceleration[6][7]
  1. Open %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Fallout3\fallout.ini
  2. Find the section: [Controls]
  3. Add the lines:
    • fForegroundMouseAccelBase=0
    • fForegroundMouseAccelTop=0
    • fForegroundMouseBase=0
    • fForegroundMouseMult=0

Audio settings

Audio settings.
Audio settings.

Template:Audio settings

May require DirectSound3D restoration software to restore proper audio functionality on Vista and later.

Localizations

The German version only includes the German language.
Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
French
German
Italian
Polish
Russian
Retail only. Patch for digital release here.
Spanish

VR support

3D modes State GG3D Notes
Nvidia 3D Vision
Use Helix Mod: Fallout 3 for better 3D support.
TriDef 3D
Devices
3RD Space Gaming Vest

Issues fixed

TweakGuides has created a comprehensive guide for fixing issues in this game. It can be found here.

Game crashes randomly

Multiple Core CPU Fix[8][9]
The most common fix required for this game.
Not required for the GOG.com version.[4]
  1. Open %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Fallout3\FALLOUT.ini
  2. Change bUseThreadedAI=0 to bUseThreadedAI=1
  3. Make a new line after it and add iNumHWThreads=2
  4. If the game still crashes, try iNumHWThreads=1

Game crashes on start-up

Make sure you can log in GFWL[citation needed]

In case of any problems, run Fallout 3 in compatibility mode - Windows XP SP3, and GFWL installer in Windows 7 copatibility mode.

Disable Other Monitors[10][citation needed]
If the game is crashing on start-up, disabling any other monitors in use could resolve this.
  1. Right-click on the desktop and select Screen Resolution from the context menu.
  2. In the Screen Resolution Control Panel, click on the drop down list labeled "Multiple Displays" and select "Show desktop only on 1" (or the monitor you wish to run the game on).
  3. Click apply then on the pop-up window click "Keep changes".
Change FalloutPrefs.ini to reference your current GPU[citation needed]
If fallout3.exe does nothing when trying to open it, your FalloutPrefs.ini may be referencing an old GPU.
  1. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winsat
  2. Open the entry named PrimaryAdapterString and copy the text, it should be something similar to AMD Radeon R9 200 Series for AMD cards
  3. Edit %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Fallout3\falloutprefs.ini
  4. Change sD3DDevice to your PrimaryAdapterString
  5. It should look something like this sD3DDevice="AMD Radeon R9 200 Series"

Crash when starting new game or loading save

unsupported IGPs and windows 10 AU: use graphics bypass[11]
Reset codecs[12]
  1. Check if renaming <path-to-game>\Data\Music or <path-to-game>\Data\Video solves the issue.
  2. If so, fix codecs.
Run as administrator[citation needed]

Game keeps minimizing

Caused by the cursor being active in the background (and clicking Icons, Links, Buttons etc.)
Disable Visual Themes and Desktop Composition[citation needed]

Certain non-conversation voices, such as museum exhibits and random speech, are too quiet

Editing the config file[13][citation needed]
  1. Open %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Fallout3\fallout.ini
  2. Edit fFilterdBAttenuation=11.5 to 0

Pip-Boy radio skipping or stuttering

Commonly caused by an issue with current MP3 codec, the format used exclusively by songs played through Pip-Boy radio.
The music may not be stuttering when the game is minimized, with the song played normally.
Fix for Creative X-Fi soundcards[14][citation needed]
Try the Audio Codec fix for game crashes first, if your Pip-Boy radio still skips (test with the enclave channel) owners of a creative soundcard may find that this helps.
  1. Open %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Fallout3\fallout.ini
  2. Edit iAudioCacheSize=2048 to 4096.
  3. Install the latest ALchemy.
  4. Add Fallout 3 to Creative Alchemy: select Use Registry Path and point it to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Bethesda Softworks\Fallout3\Installed Path. Do not install to subfolder. Settings should be: Buffers=10; Duration=5; Maximum Voice Count=128. Leave direct music enabled.
Use IndirectSound[15]
Disable MP3 decoding in LAV Splitter Configuration[16]
Might work with similar codec packs, for example ffdshow.
  1. Open LAV Splitter Configuration program by finding the shortcut in the Start Menu.
  2. In Input Formats tab, find mp3 codec and uncheck it.

Crash when leaving Rivet City marketplace

Use UPDATED Unofficial Fallout 3 Patch version 1.3 or greater[citation needed]
  1. See UUF3P Instructions
Use fixed Broken Steel patch[citation needed]
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\Data\
  2. Replace the file Unofficial Fallout 3 Patch - Broken Steel.esp with the one found here

Game hangs on closing

Disable threaded audio[citation needed]
  1. Open %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Fallout3\FALLOUT.ini
  2. Change bMultiThreadAudio=1 to bMultiThreadAudio=0

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 9
Shader Model support 3
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Physics Havok
Audio DirectSound
Cutscenes Bink Video 1.7d

Large Address Aware

This patch may remove GFWL!
Improves stability on systems with at least 3GB RAM, when using many heavily scripted mods

System requirements

Fallout 3 is not optimized for Windows 7 and later.
Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) XP, Vista
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium 4 2.4 GHz
AMD Athlon 64 4000+
System memory (RAM) 1 GB (XP)
2 GB (Vista)
Hard disk drive (HDD) 7 GB
Video card (GPU) ATI Radeon X850
Nvidia GeForce 6800
256 MB of VRAM
DirectX 9.0c compatible
Sound (audio device) DirectX 9.0c

Notes

  1. SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows 10[2] or Windows 11 and is disabled by default on Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 when the KB3086255 update is installed.[3]
  2. Games for Windows - LIVE DRM features: Legacy activation, supports local profiles.
  3. 3.0 3.1 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>/22300/ in addition to or instead of this directory. The app ID (22300) may differ in some cases. Treat backslashes as forward slashes. See the glossary page for details.

References