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Crysis Warhead

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
(Redirected from Crysis: Warhead)
Crysis Warhead
Crysis Warhead cover
Developers
Crytek Budapest
Publishers
Electronic Arts
Engines
CryEngine 2
Release dates
Windows September 17, 2008
Reception
Metacritic 84
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase
Modes Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives First-person
Controls Direct control
Genres Action, FPS, Shooter
Vehicles Automobile, Flight, Helicopter, Hovercraft, Naval/watercraft, Tank, Transport, Truck
Art styles Realistic
Themes Asia, Sci-fi
Series Crysis
Crysis Warhead on HowLongToBeat
Crysis Warhead on IGDB
Crysis Warhead guide on StrategyWiki
Crysis Warhead on MobyGames
Crysis Warhead on Wikipedia
Crysis
Crysis 2007
Crysis Warhead 2008
Crysis 2 2011
Crysis 3 2013
Crysis Remastered 2020
Crysis 2 Remastered 2021
Crysis 3 Remastered 2021
Crysis 4 TBA

Warnings

GameSpy online services have been shut down (see Network for solutions).

Crysis Warhead is a singleplayer and multiplayer first-person action, FPS and shooter game in the Crysis series.

In a full installation, Crysis Warhead is the singleplayer campaign, while Crysis Wars is the multiplayer portion of the game.

Like the original, the game is very taxing, even on modern computers, due to limited threading capabilities.[1]

General information

Crysis Website
MyCrysis Forums
GOG.com Community Discussions - For the Crysis series.
GOG.com Support Page
Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
CD key
Requires online activation
Can only be used x times
SecuROM 7.37.0014 and SecuROM PA DRM, 50 machine limit.[2]
A De-Authorization Tool is available.
Custom DRM code may sabotage the game by changing all ammunition to chickens which deal no damage.
Windows
GOG.com
DRM-free
Windows
Origin
Requires online activation
Can only be used x times
DRM-free after installation through Origin client (notes may include more details)
SecuROM PA DRM, 50 machine limit.[3]
A De-Authorization Tool is available.
Can be launched and played without Origin running.[citation needed]
Windows
Steam
DRM-free after installation through Steam client (notes may include more details)
DRM-free when launched directly from the 64-bit executable.[4]
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Steam key can be activated on Origin/EA App and will include Crysis Wars as a downloadable add-on.[5]

Essential improvements

Patches

The latest game version for Crysis Warhead is 1.1, which can be found here. The latest game version for Crysis Wars is 1.5, which can be found here.

Improved executables for Crysis Warhead

c1-launcher project is an open-source replacement of the Crysis Warhead 64-bit executable.

Improved executables for Crysis Wars

cw-launcher project is an open-source replacement of the Crysis Wars executables. See this Steam guide for instructions.

Skip intro videos

Skip company logos[6]
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\Game\Localized\Video.
  2. Move, delete, or rename the following files:
CryTek.sfd
Trailer_Crytek.sfd
Trailer_CrytekC.sfd
Trailer_DemoLegal.sfd
Trailer_EA.sfd
Trailer_Intel.sfd
Trailer_NVidia.sfd
Trailer_PEGI.sfd
Trailer_Rating_Full.sfd
Trailer_Rating_Logo.sfd

Game data

In-game general settings.
In-game general settings.
In-game general settings (Crysis Wars).
In-game general settings (Crysis Wars).

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Crysis_WARHEAD\game.cfg
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/17330/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game data location

System Location
Windows %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Crysis_WARHEAD\SaveGames
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/17330/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
GOG Galaxy
Origin
OneDrive
Requires enabling backup of the Documents folder in OneDrive on all computers.
Steam Cloud

Video

In-game general video settings.
In-game general video settings.
In-game advanced video settings.
In-game advanced video settings.

Graphics feature State WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
Multi-monitor
Ultra-widescreen
Black bars in cutscenes do not fill ultrawide display. See Disable black bars in cutscenes.
4K Ultra HD
Field of view (FOV)
Default is 60° vertical. See Field of view (FOV).
Windowed
Borderless fullscreen windowed
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
See Anisotropic filtering (AF).
Anti-aliasing (AA)
FSAA (enabled by default with the "gamer" and "enthusiast" shaders quality options) or MSAA. Enabling MSAA automatically disables FSAA. Only FSAA has an effect on foliage.[7]
Vertical sync (Vsync)
60 FPS and 120+ FPS
No frame rate cap.[citation needed] See also Game uses incorrect refresh rate.
High dynamic range display (HDR)
See the glossary page for potential alternatives.

Field of view (FOV)

This game uses vertical FOV. See FOV Calculator for help.
Edit configuration files[citation needed]
  1. Create a System.cfg file in <path-to-game> with a text editor.
  2. Add the lines con_restricted = 0 and cl_fov = XX, with XX being the desired FOV value.

Anisotropic filtering (AF)

Crysis Warhead disables AF by default as the engine does not support using anisotropic filtering with parallax occlusion mapping. This mod allows the engine to use AF and POM simultaneously.
Install the POM+AF mod to allow anisotropic filtering[8]
  1. Download the POM+AF mod from here.
  2. Open zz_GlobalAmbientLighting_POMAf.pak using WinRAR or an equivalent tool.
  3. Inside zz_GlobalAmbientLighting_POMAf.pak, navigate to Shaders\HWScripts\CryFX and extract fragLib.cfi somewhere.
  4. Go to <path-to-game>\Game.
  5. Open Shaders.pak using WinRAR or an equivalent tool.
  6. Inside Shaders.pak, navigate to Shaders\HWScripts\CryFX and drop the previously extracted fragLib.cfi file into CryFX.
  7. Force anisotropic filtering in the graphics card control panel.

Anti-aliasing (AA)

Disable FSAA[citation needed]
  1. Create a System.cfg file in <path-to-game> with a text editor.
  2. Add the lines con_restricted = 0 and r_UseEdgeAA = 0 to it.

Depth of field

Disable depth of field[citation needed]
  1. Create a System.cfg file in <path-to-game> with a text editor.
  2. Add the lines con_restricted = 0 and r_depthoffield = 0 to it.

Disable black bars in cutscenes

Disable black bars in cutscenes for a better ultrawide experience[9]
  1. Create a System.cfg file in <path-to-game> with a text editor.
  2. Add the line con_restricted = 0 and hud_panoramicHeight = 0 to it.

Input

In-game keyboard/mouse settings.
In-game keyboard/mouse settings.
In-game gamepad settings.
In-game gamepad settings.

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
Firing the right-hand weapon while dual-wielding is hardcoded to the right mouse button. See Remapping dual wielding secondary fire.
Mouse acceleration
Disabled by default. See Mouse acceleration.
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
XInput controllers only.
Full controller support
Controller remapping
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Controller sensitivity
Controller Y-axis inversion
Controller types
XInput-compatible controllers
Xbox button prompts
Xbox 360 icons.
Impulse Trigger vibration
PlayStation controllers
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Generic/other controllers
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Additional information
Controller hotplugging
Haptic feedback
Listed as force feedback.
Digital movement supported
Simultaneous controller+KB/M

Mouse acceleration

Enable mouse acceleration[citation needed]
  1. Open the console with the tilde (~) key.
  2. Enter con_restricted = 0 to enable all console commands.
  3. Enter i_mouse_accel = 1 to enable mouse acceleration.
  4. Enter i_mouse_accel_max = XXX with XXX being a number bigger than 0 to set the acceleration amount (the default value is 100).

Hold to aim

Modify config files[10]
  1. Open the following file in a text editor:
    • %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Crysis_WARHEAD\Profiles\default\actionmaps.xml
  2. Find the zoom action. Replace mouse2 with a key that is not needed.
    • <action name="zoom" onPress="1" onRelease="1">
    • <key name="mouse2"/> - change mouse2 to 9 or something else that's out of the way.
  3. Navigate to the xi_zoom action. Put the mouse2 key here.
    • <action name="xi_zoom" onPress="1" onRelease="1">
    • <key name="mouse2"/>
  4. Save the changes. Make a backup first if desired.
  5. Create a file named System.cfg in <path-to-game>.
  6. Add the following lines to it:
    • con_restricted = 0
    • hud_ctrlzoommode = 1
  7. Save the file.

Note: controller users only need to add hud_ctrlzoommode = 1 to the System.cfg file in <path-to-game>.

Toggle crouch

Modify config files[citation needed]
  1. Open the console with the tilde (~) key.
  2. Enter con_restricted = 0 to enable all console commands.
  3. Enter cl_crouchToggle = 1 to enable crouch toggle.

Audio

In-game audio settings.
In-game audio settings.
In-game audio settings (Crysis Wars).
In-game audio settings (Crysis Wars).

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Surround sound
Up to 7.1 output.[citation needed]
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
EAX support
See Enable 3D audio mixing. Alternatively, DirectSound can be restored with Creative Alchemy and Game Mode - set XP SP2 compatibility mode and admin rights, then 3D positional audio can be restored by CMSS3D.[11]
Royalty free audio

Enable 3D audio mixing

Use DSOAL with modifications to System.cfg[12]
  1. Extract DSOAL to <path-to-game>\Bin32 or <path-to-game>\Bin64 according to the executable of choice and configure the INI files as desired.
  2. If using the 64-bit executable, extract the files contained within the included 64-bit.zip file to <path-to-game>\Bin64 as well, overwriting any files.
  3. Open System.cfg in <path-to-game> with a text editor.
  4. Copy and paste these commands into the file:
    con_restricted = 0
    s_HRTF_DSP = 1
    s_SoundMoodsDSP = 1
    s_reverbtype = 1
    
  5. Save the file and launch the game.

Notes

Windows 10 users additionally might have to tweak a registry setting as described in this guide for DSOAL to work.

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
Traditional Chinese
Retail and GOG version only.
Czech
French
German
Hungarian
Italian
Japanese
GOG version only.
Polish
Brazilian Portuguese
Fan translation, download.
Russian
Spanish

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
LAN play
32
Online play
32 GameSpy services have been discontinued. See Improved executables for Crysis Wars for an alternative.

Connection types

Type Native Notes
Matchmaking
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated
Self-hosting
Dedicated server software is available for Windows and Linux.
Direct IP

Ports

Protocol Port(s) and/or port range(s)
TCP 80, 443, 6667, 28910, 29900-29901
UDP 27900-27901, 29910, 64087
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.

VR support

3D modes State GG3D Notes
Nvidia 3D Vision
TriDef 3D
iZ3D
Devices
3RD Space Gaming Vest

Issues fixed

TweakGuides has created a comprehensive guide for fixing issues with the game.

Hangs on startup

Run the 64-bit version of the game[citation needed]
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\Bin64.
  2. Launch crysis64.exe to play the 64-bit version of the game.
If the game still doesn't work, run it in Vista SP2 compatibility mode.

Crashes on systems with AMD CPUs

Replace CrySystem.dll with a fixed version (32-bit)[13]
  1. Download a fixed CrySystem.dll and extract it.
  2. Move it to <path-to-game>\Bin32 and override the existing file.
Makes the game use SSE/MMX code paths instead of the deprecated 3D Now! instruction paths.
Run the 64-bit version of the game[13]
If the 64-bit version crashes, run it in Vista SP2 compatibility mode.

Remapping dual wielding secondary fire to other keys

By default, mouse2 (mouse right-click) is permanently mapped to the dual wielding secondary fire command regardless of what mouse2 is actually mapped to in-game, the only way to remap the command being manually editing the profile key map file.
Remapping the dual wielding secondary fire command[citation needed]
  1. Go to %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Crysis_WARHEAD\Profiles\<user-id>.
  2. Open actionmaps.xml with a text editor.
  3. Go to the lines with <action name="attack2" onPress="1" onRelease="1"> <key name="mouse2" /> .
  4. Set the key name variable to another key, e.g. <key name="mouse3" /> .
  5. Save the file and launch the game.

Game uses incorrect refresh rate

The game may set the monitor's refresh rate to its lowest supported refresh rate when in fullscreen mode, resulting in a lowered frame rate when Vsync is on, and screen tearing or stuttering even if the frame rate is high.
Use Crysis Warhead refresh rate fix[14]
  1. Download a fix and extract it to <path-to-game>.

RivaTuner Statistics Server OSD doesn't appear in DirectX 10 mode

Edit RTSS config file[15]
  1. Open RivaTuner Statistics Server.
  2. Click on Add button, navigate to <path-to-game> and add Crysis.exe.
  3. Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\RivaTuner Statistics Server\Profiles.
  4. Edit Crysis.exe.cfg.
  5. Under [Hooking] section add this line D3D1xDevicePriority=0.

Crash to desktop when using MSI Afterburner's On Screen Display

Config file edit[16]
  1. Open the MSI On-Screen Display Server program (RivaTuner Statistics Server).
  2. Click the plus sign (or newly "add" button), navigate to <path-to-game> and add Crysis64.exe.
  3. Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\RivaTuner Statistics Server\Profiles.
  4. Edit Crysis64.exe.cfg.
  5. Change EnableDynamicOffsetDetection=0 to EnableDynamicOffsetDetection=1.
  6. Change HookDirectDraw=0 to HookDirectDraw=1.

Crashes when saving, loading, or starting a level

Lower the graphics settings or resolution.[citation needed]

Low performance (Linux)

By default, Proton and Lutris/Wine will use ESync to synchronize game threads. This does not work well with Crysis.
Steam Play/Proton: disable ESync[17]

Add as a Launch option PROTON_NO_ESYNC=1 %command%.

Lutris/Wine: disable ESync[17]
  1. Open up the game configuration dialog.
  2. Navigate to Runner Options.
  3. Turn Enable Esync to off.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 9.0c, 10 DX10 by default. Use the -dx9 command line argument to change the API.
Shader Model support 3, 4
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Audio FMOD
Multiplayer GameSpy Use Crysis Wars Multiplayer Mod[citation needed] to replace the discontinued GameSpy services.
Anti-cheat PunkBuster
Installation of PunkBuster and other additional software can be canceled or skipped without issues.[18]

Console commands

The console can be opened with the tilde (~) key, but the available commands are limited. This limitation can be bypassed by the con_restricted = 0 command or by adding -devmode to the game's shortcut. A thorough list of console commands can be found here.
Instead of re-entering console commands every time the game starts, a System.cfg file can be created in <path-to-game> to apply console commands automatically. The commands need to be formatted differently in the file, using an equal sign instead of a space. For example, to change the FOV to 80, cl_fov = 80 has to be used rather than "cl_fov 80" like in the console.

Persistent corpses

By default, dead enemy bodies disappear after a short amount of time.
Increase corpse persistence time[19]
  1. Enable all console commands by adding con_restricted = 0 command to System.cfg in <path-to-game>.
  2. Set a high g_ragdollmintime value, such as g_ragdollmintime = 10000.

Weapon carry limit

By default, it is possible to carry two guns in the assault category.
Disable the limitation[20]
  1. Start the game in developer mode by adding -devmode command line argument.
  2. Enable all console commands by adding con_restricted = 0 command to System.cfg in <path-to-game>.
  3. Add line i_noweaponlimit = 1.

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) XP SP2, Vista
Processor (CPU) 2.8 GHz (XP)
3.2 GHz (Vista)
System memory (RAM) 1.0 GB (XP)
1.5 GB (Vista)
Hard disk drive (HDD) 15 GB
Video card (GPU) 256 MB of VRAM
Supported Processors: Intel Pentium 4 2.8 GHz (3.2 GHz for Vista) or faster, Intel Core 2.0 GHz (2.2 GHz for Vista) or faster, AMD Athlon 2800+ (3200+ for Vista) or faster.
Supported chipsets: Nvidia GeForce 6800 GT or greater; ATI Radeon 9800 Pro (Radeon X800 Pro for Vista) or greater. Laptop versions of these chipsets may work but are not supported. Integrated chipsets are not supported. Updating the video and sound card drivers may be required.


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>/17330/ in addition to or instead of this directory. The app ID (17330) may differ in some cases. Treat backslashes as forward slashes. See the glossary page for details.

References

  1. YouTube - DigitalFoundry - Crysis 10 Years On: Why It's Still Melting The Most Powerful Gaming PCs - last accessed on 2020-02-03
    "So while threading was added in development, and you can see three cores, or almost four, doing something during the game, most of the game logic and especially AI is all on one thread."
  2. MyCrysis Forums - Crysis 1 & Warhead activation limit increased! - last accessed on 2018-08-06
  3. EA - Crysis Warhead EULA - last accessed on 2018-02-15
    "CRYSIS WARHEAD uses access control and copy protection technology. An online connection is required to authenticate CRYSIS WARHEAD and verify your license. CRYSIS WARHEAD may install additional components required for proper functionality of the copyright protection. CRYTEK reserves the right to periodically validate Your License through subsequent online authentication. If Your License is not valid You may not be able to use CRYSIS WARHEAD. The first end user of this License can install and authenticate CRYSIS WARHEAD on a set number of machines."
  4. Steam Community - last accessed on 9 June 2023
  5. Verified by User:Mrtnptrs on 2022-11-23
    Key of Crysis Warhead I got through purchase of the Crysis Maximum Edition on Steam fully activated when I redeemed it on the EA App. Crysis Wars is available then as downloadable add-on for Crysis Warhead.
  6. Crysis intro videos; just let me play! · powdahound - last accessed on 9 June 2023
  7. tweakguides.pcgamingwiki.com - last accessed on May 2023
  8. CRYENGINE - Quality Mod (V1.31) - last accessed on November 15, 2016
  9. crysis-wide-screen-cutscene-fix - last accessed on November 2022
  10. Turn off aim toggle? :: Crysis General Discussions - last accessed on May 2023
  11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqhITpAAw5o
  12. How to get 🎧 IMMERSIVE BINAURAL AUDIO 🎧 in Crysis with DSOAL! [HRTF mod] - YouTube
  13. 13.0 13.1 Verified by User:Vlad 54rus on 2020-07-19
  14. Verified by User:Vlad 54rus on 2021-12-18
  15. MSI AB / RTSS development news thread - last accessed on November 2023
  16. Can't get my afterburner OSD to work in crysis (Solved) - last accessed on May 2023
  17. 17.0 17.1 ProtonDB Reports - last accessed on 2022-01-10
  18. https://steamcommunity.com/app/17330/discussions/0/648814844186503068
  19. https://www.cryengine.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=16223
  20. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=113193939