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Difference between revisions of "Postal"

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Revision as of 01:40, 11 March 2024

This page is for the original Postal. For the 2016 remake, see Postal Redux.

Postal
Postal cover
Developers
Running With Scissors
macOS (OS X) Ryan C. Gordon[1]
Linux Loki Software[2]
Publishers
Ripcord Games
Canada Softek International[3]
Japan MicroMouse[4]
Korea Shinsung[4]
Russia Akella
Europe Take-Two Interactive[5]
Classic and Uncut Whiptail Interactive[6]
Engines
RSPiX[7]
Release dates
Windows September 24, 1997[8]
Mac OS (Classic) September 24, 1997[8]
Linux October 29, 2001[9]
macOS (OS X) July 26, 2005[1]
Reception
Metacritic 56
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase, Freeware
Modes Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives Bird's-eye view, Isometric
Controls Direct control
Genres Shooter
Art styles Cartoon
Themes Dark, North America
Series Postal
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Postal on HowLongToBeat
Postal on IGDB
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Postal guide on StrategyWiki
Postal on MobyGames
Postal on Wikipedia
Icon overlay.png
Postal
Postal 1997
Postal² 2003
Postal III 2011
Postal Redux 2016
Postal 4: No Regerts 2022
Postal: Brain Damaged 2022
Poostall Royale 2023

Warnings

The macOS (OS X) version of this game does not work on macOS Catalina (version 10.15) or later due to the removal of support for 32-bit-only apps.

Postal is a singleplayer and multiplayer bird's-eye view and isometric shooter game in the Postal series developed by Running With Scissors and published by Ripcord Games.

Postal was first available as an open beta that ran from July 21, 1997 through August 21, 1997.[10] The game then released to retail for Windows and Mac OS on September 24, 1997,[8] Linux on October 29, 2001,[9] and OS X on July 26, 2005.[1]

Postal later released to several digital stores, including MacGameStore in November 2006,[11] GamersGate in October 2008,[12] GOG.com in April 2009,[13] Direct2Drive in February 2011,[14] and Steam in March 2013.[15]

The game's Steam release was followed by updates that introduced performance improvements, widescreen support, modernized controls, and other enhancements.[16][17] Due to compatibility issues, multiplayer and the level editor were removed.[18]

In December 2016, Running With Scissors released the source code for Postal.[19] A community-contributed update released on November 14, 2017, restoring Japanese-exclusive levels, Christmas content, LAN multiplayer, level selection, and other legacy features.[20]

In December 2019, the game became permanent freeware on Steam and GOG.com.[21][22]

General information

GOG.com Community Discussions for game series
GOG.com Support Page
Steam Community Discussions
Source code on GitHub

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
 Custom DRM code may sabotage the game by igniting all characters or forcing the Postal Dude to commit suicide.[23][24]
Windows
Mac OS
macOS (OS X)
Linux
Developer website
Icon overlay.png
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Linux
GOG.com
DRM-free
 Freeware.
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Linux
Steam
Icon overlay.png
 Freeware.
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Linux
ZOOM Platform
DRM-free
 Freeware.
Your Mom's Box Set also available.
Windows
Humble Store
Icon overlay.png
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Linux
Developer website (unavailable)
Requires online activation
 Softwrap DRM.
Windows
GamersGate (unavailable)
DRM details are not known
macOS (OS X)
Green Man Gaming (unavailable)
Icon overlay.png
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Linux
A demo is available.

Version differences

Going Over the Edge is a violence-neutered European edition that removes enemy executions, the marching band in Parade of Disasters, and the Elementary School post-game cutscene.[25] Censored content can be restored with patches.
Postal Plus includes the Special Delivery expansion.
Super Postal is a Japanese edition of Postal Plus that includes two exclusive levels, Tokyo and Osaka.[4] All blood and the Elementary School post-game cutscene are removed. Exclusive levels and audio from this edition are included in digital releases.[20]
Classic and Uncut is a 2003 re-release of Postal Plus.[26] The retail release includes the "Monday" demo of Postal 2.[6] All digital releases are based on this edition.

Monetization

DLC and expansion packs

Name Notes
Special Delivery Adds four new levels (EZ Mart, Shanty Town, Earthquake and La Palamino Resort) and new multiplayer features (in-game chat, co-op mode, and in-progress game joining).[27]
Included in Postal Plus and later editions.
Windows
Mac OS
macOS (OS X)
Linux

Essential improvements

Official retail patches

Original release patch (Euro-violence patch included)
Postal Plus patch

Fan patch

Unofficial patch that fixes bugs and adds new features, cheats, and optional balance changes.
Designed for digital releases.
An overview of features is presented in the author video, and in the mod readme.
Installation instructions
  1. Download the patch from Mega.nz.
  2. Extract patch, Postal_Fan_Patch.exe, and POSTALPATCH.INI to <path-to-game>.
  3. Launch the game via Postal_Fan_Patch.exe.

Note

The balance and gameplay changes can be reverted by replacing Postal_Fan_Patch.exe with the one provided in Classic Gameplay (optional).

Game data

Digital releases on Windows write all game data to %APPDATA%.

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\POSTAL.INI[Note 1]
<path-to-game>\Postal Plus.ini[Note 1]
%APPDATA%\RunningWithScissors\Postal Plus\POSTAL.INI
Mac OS (Classic)
macOS (OS X)
Linux $XDG_DATA_HOME/PostalPlus/

Save game data location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\savegame\[Note 1]
%APPDATA%\RunningWithScissors\Postal Plus\savegame\
Mac OS (Classic)
macOS (OS X)
Linux $XDG_DATA_HOME/PostalPlus/
This game follows the XDG Base Directory Specification on Linux.

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
GOG Galaxy
Steam Cloud

Video

In-game video settings.
In-game video settings.

Graphics feature State Notes
Widescreen resolution
Digital releases only.
In-game HUD is stretched and menus remain in 4:3.
Multi-monitor
Ultra-widescreen
Digital releases only.
In-game HUD is stretched and menus remain in 4:3.
4K Ultra HD
Field of view (FOV)
Windowed
Press Alt+↵ Enter or use the --windowed command line argument.
Borderless fullscreen windowed
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Anti-aliasing (AA)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
60 FPS and 120+ FPS
High dynamic range display (HDR)
See the glossary page for potential alternatives.

Direct3D/OpenGL texture filtering

The Direct3D and OpenGL renderers force texture filtering for the entire game.
Disable with dgVoodoo 2 (Direct3D)[29]
  1. Download and install dgVoodoo 2 for DirectX 9 to <path-to-game>.
  2. Run dgVoodooCpl.exe.
  3. Under Config folder / Running instance, click Add and select <path-to-game>.
  4. Under DirectX > Texturing, set Filtering to Force point sampled.
  5. Click Apply.

Input

In-game general control settings.
In-game general control settings.
In-game key map settings.
In-game key map settings.

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
Mouse acceleration
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
Full controller support
Controller remapping
Controller sensitivity
Controller Y-axis inversion
Controller types
XInput-compatible controllers
Digital releases only.
Xbox button prompts
Impulse Trigger vibration
PlayStation controllers
Generic/other controllers
Additional information
Controller hotplugging
Haptic feedback
Digital movement supported
Simultaneous controller+KB/M

Weapon switching with mouse wheel

Binding the mouse wheel in the in-game options is broken; successful only on rare occasions.[30]
Mouse wheel weapon switching has yet to be added in a future update.[31]
Edit the configuration file[32]
  1. Open the configuration file in a text editor.
  2. Go to the [Mouse] section.
  3. Change the values of PrevWeapon and NextWeapon to Wheel Up and Wheel Down respectively.

WASD controls are unintuitive

Edit controls in-game[33][34]
  1. Map TURN LEFT to mouse move left and map TURN RIGHT to mouse move right. Set tap degrees to 0.
  2. Map forward, back, left and right to WASD, but also map A and D to Strafe (notice that there are two spaces for binding the "Strafe" command).

Crosshair stuck at mouse position while using controller

Disable "Use Mouse" in the in-game options[35]

Audio

In-game audio settings.
In-game audio settings.

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Surround sound
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
Brazilian Portuguese
Fan translation, download.
Only the main campaign is translated.
French
Going Over the Edge editions only.[25]
German
Going Over the Edge editions only.[25]
Japanese
Interface translation in Super Postal editions only.
Audio is available in digital releases; change voices in settings.
Audio is forced in the Tokyo and Osaka levels.
Polish
Retail only.
Russian
Retail only.
Patch for digital releases here.
Spanish
Fan translation, download.

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
LAN play
16 Co-op, Versus
Online play
16 Co-op, Versus
Removed from digital releases.[18]

Connection types

Type Native Notes
Matchmaking
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated
Retail only.
Self-hosting
Direct IP
Co-op only included in the Special Delivery expansion, Postal Plus, and later editions.

Issues fixed

Cannot turn left with keyboard + player turns too fast + NPCs spin rapidly

Occurs on Windows XP and later.[36]
Fully fixed in digital releases; no patch required.[16]
Use the official patch[37]
  1. Download the patch from the second hyperlink on the GOG.com Support article ("this file" text).
  2. Extract Postal_Plus.exe and rename it to Postal Plus.exe (no underscore).
  3. Copy Postal Plus.exe to <path-to-game> and overwrite the existing file.

Notes

Only compatible with Postal Plus and later editions.
Issues may still persist after applying the patch.[38]

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 9 Digital releases only.
Enabled by default.[39]
OpenGL
Digital releases only.
Forceable with the -opengl command line argument.[16]
Software renderer
Default for retail.
Forceable in digital releases with the -software command line argument.[16]
ExecutablePPC16-bit 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows
macOS (OS X)
This 32-bit-only macOS game does not work on macOS Catalina (10.15) or later.
Linux
Mac OS (Classic)

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Input SDL
Multiplayer MPlayer.com, Heat.net, Kali Retail only.

Santa Patch

Official alternate Christmas content theme.[40]
Included in digital releases and enabled automatically during holidays.[20]
Apply the patch[41]
  1. Download the patch.
  2. Open santa.exe and press the Setup button.
  3. In the directory menu, click Browse and go to <path-to-game>. Select <path-to-game> and confirm.
  4. Press the X-mas button.

Mods

Hotmail - Adds the signature mechanic from Superhot.
A Day in Paradise - Total conversion of sorts; changes enemies and story but maintains the same levels.

Audio extraction utility

Official tool for extracting .wav audio from .sak archives.
Download from PCGamingWiki Files.

System requirements

Retail

Windows
Minimum[42] Recommended
Operating system (OS) 95, NT 4.0
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium 90 MHz Intel Pentium 166 MHz
System memory (RAM) 16 MB 32 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD)
Sound (audio device) Sound Blaster or compatible
Other 2x CD-ROM drive 4x CD-ROM drive
Mac OS
Minimum[42] Recommended
Operating system (OS) 7.1 7.5
Processor (CPU) PowerPC 66 MHz PowerPC 100 MHz
System memory (RAM) 16 MB 32 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD)
Other 2x CD-ROM drive 4x CD-ROM drive
macOS (OS X)
Minimum[citation needed]
Operating system (OS) 10.4
Processor (CPU) PowerPC
System memory (RAM)
Hard disk drive (HDD)
Linux
Minimum[43]
Operating system (OS) Linux kernel 2.2 (glibc-2.1)
Processor (CPU) 166 MHz
System memory (RAM) 16 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD)
Video card (GPU) XFree86 3.3.5
Sound (audio device) OSS compatible
Other 8x CD-ROM drive

Digital

Windows
Minimum[44] Recommended
Operating system (OS) XP
Processor (CPU) 90 MHz 166 MHz
System memory (RAM) 16 MB 32 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 400 MB
Video card (GPU) DirectX 7 compatible
macOS (OS X)
Minimum[44] Recommended
Operating system (OS) 10.5.8
Processor (CPU) 90 MHz 166 MHz
System memory (RAM) 16 MB 32 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 400 MB
Linux
Minimum[44] Recommended
Operating system (OS) Ubuntu 12.04 or equivalent
Processor (CPU) 90 MHz 166 MHz
System memory (RAM) 16 MB 32 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 400 MB
Video card (GPU) OpenGL 2.0 compatible


Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 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).

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 IcculusFinger v2.1.27 - last accessed on 2023-10-12
    "Running With Scissors, myself, and the MacNinjas spent some time moving the original Postal to MacOS X. If you want it, the complete game is on the MacWorld "Total Tiger" disc, which hits newstands today, July 26th."
  2. ↑ LOKI GOES LOCO FOR POSTAL (retrieved) - last accessed on 2023-10-19
  3. ↑ Blame Canada for Going POSTAL! (retrieved) - last accessed on 2024-02-06
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Japan and Korea Go POSTAL! (retrieved) - last accessed on 2024-02-06
  5. ↑ Leading Interactive Entertainment Company's European Arm Signs Letter of Intent to Publish and Distribute Six Entertainment Titles for the PC, Including Highly Anticipated Postal (retrieved) - last accessed on 2023-12-09
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Whiptail bring you the Original Postal (retrieved) - last accessed on 2023-06-17
  7. ↑ Postal Engine :: POSTAL 2 General Discussions - last accessed on 2020-07-11
    "Custom engine, RSPiX."
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Now Shipping (retrieved) - last accessed on 2023-12-10
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Loki | Loki in the News | News (retrieved) - last accessed on 2023-10-12
    "10.29.01 Postal Plus is now shipping!"
  10. ↑ RIPCORD GAMES ANNOUNCES EXCITING 'POSTAL' BETA-TEST/CONTEST OPPORTUNITY - last accessed on 2024-03-07
  11. ↑ Running With Scissors and MacGameStore.com Cut A Download Deal (retrieved) - last accessed on 2024-02-21
  12. ↑ Running With Scissors Cuts Digital Delivery Deal with GamersGate | Running With Scissors Official Website (retrieved) - last accessed on 2023-10-20
  13. ↑ POSTAL Games Join GOG Library | Running With Scissors Official Website (retrieved) - last accessed on 2023-10-20
  14. ↑ Direct 2 Drive Now Carries POSTAL 1, POSTAL 2 and Apocalypse Weekend | Running With Scissors Official Website (retrieved) - last accessed on 2023-10-20
  15. ↑ POSTAL 1: Now on Steam! (retrieved) - last accessed on 2023-10-20
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 What's in the latest update?! :: POSTAL General stuff - last accessed on 2023-12-08
  17. ↑ POSTAL - POSTAL 1 goes on sale and receives major controller improvements! - Steam News - last accessed on 2024-03-06
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Calling All Wannabe Devs - Come Update The Original POSTAL - Running With Scissors - last accessed on 2024-02-21
  19. ↑ The Original POSTAL Has Been Made Open Source - Running With Scissors - last accessed on 2023-10-20
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 POSTAL - 20th Anniversary Community Update for POSTAL - Steam News - last accessed on 2023-06-22
  21. ↑ In Development: POSTAL 4: No Regerts + POSTAL 2 giveaway - GOG.com (retrieved) - last accessed on 2023-12-12
    "From now on you can also get the first part of the POSTAL series for free on GOG.COM, this time permanently."
  22. ↑ Running With Scissors on X - last accessed on 2023-12-12
    "Celebrate 8 glorious nights of fire with POSTAL 1 now free on Steam, GOG or http://POSTALgames.com and set ablaze the marching band!"
  23. ↑ Techfaq9 - When I shoot things, everyone on the screen catches on fire. (retrieved) - last accessed on 2024-03-06
  24. ↑ POSTAL Beta - YouTube - last accessed on 2023-12-09
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 POSTAL - Going Over The Edge (European Censored POSTAL) - YouTube - last accessed on 2024-02-23
  26. ↑ Postal: Classic and Uncut announced - GameSpot - last accessed on 2024-02-21
  27. ↑ POSTAL - Special Delivery (retrieved) - last accessed on 2024-03-06
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 POSTAL Patches (retrieved) - last accessed on 2024-03-06
  29. ↑ Verified by User:Mystyle48 on 2024-03-10
  30. ↑ Verified by User:Mystyle48 on 2024-02-25
    Tested with the GOG.com release on Windows 11 23H2 with a Logitech M510 mouse. The only way I was able to bind either direction of the scroll wheel was by holding ↵ Enter on the bindable action to rebind it continuously, and rapidly scrolling the wheel at the same time. The wheel registered very infrequently, and even when it did, the game would often unbind the action again if I kept scrolling just a few times after.
  31. ↑ Question to the devs about possbile future features :: POSTAL General stuff - last accessed on 2024-02-25
  32. ↑ Feeling Like a Genius :: POSTAL General stuff - last accessed on 2024-02-25
  33. ↑ WANTED: "Absolute" controls mod for Postal 1, page 1 - Forum - GOG.com - last accessed on 2024-02-20
  34. ↑ Postal 1 has abominable controls!, page 1 - Forum - GOG.com - last accessed on 2024-02-20
  35. ↑ Verified by User:Mystyle48 on 2024-03-06
  36. ↑ Post #8 - postal 1 left turn fix, page 1 - Forum - GOG.com - last accessed on 2024-02-21
  37. ↑ Post #14 - postal 1 left turn fix, page 1 - Forum - GOG.com - last accessed on 2024-02-21
  38. ↑ Verified by User:Mystyle48 on 2024-02-24
    Tested with retail Classic and Uncut on Windows 11 23H2. The Postal Dude still turns too fast when pressing right and NPCs still rapidly spin in place at an increasing rate.
  39. ↑ Please try the beta build! :: POSTAL General stuff - last accessed on 2024-02-21
  40. ↑ SANTA GOES POSTAL (retrieved) - last accessed on 2024-03-06
  41. ↑ Apply 'The Santa Patch' for maximum holiday cheer! :: POSTAL General stuff - last accessed on 2024-02-21
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 Postal (retrieved) - last accessed on 2024-03-10
  43. ↑ Loki | Products | Postal Plus | Overview (retrieved) - last accessed on 2024-03-10
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 POSTAL on Steam - last accessed on 2024-03-10