Setting a Widescreen Resolution

[Alex53]

If you get Quake 2 on Steam, when you go to the video settings you will likely find that widescreen resolutions are not listed.

1. Open the baseq2 folder, which will probably be in;
C:\Program Files (x86)\SteamLibrary\SteamApps\common\Quake 2\baseq2

Or a similar path.

2. Create a new file called autoexec.cfg

3. Pause a second to remember autoexec.bat with some nostalgia if you are old enough.

4. Edit with notepad and paste the following;

set r_mode "-1"
set r_customwidth "1920"
set r_customheight "1080"
set cl_widescreen_fov "0"
set fov "90"

Change the height or width accordingly if yours is not 1920x1080.

5. Save the file and start the game.

[Hyper Sonic]

I suppose I could change all 10 video selections to modern resolutions. I'd have to locate and change the name strings as well so people knew what they were changing to. Shouldn't be difficult finding the string locations.

You can select any fov you want in the game just by typing fov x in the console (x being the fov value.) The exe change is just so the gun model shows at 0-179, not just 0-90.

Need to find out the 10 most popular resolutions being used nowdays. Definately at least
1920x1080 & 3840x2160.

Too bad the 2D graphics don't scale, the text gets awfully tiny on a 4K small monitor!

[76561198292631324]

Great.

Originally posted by "3DMightyMouse":

Need to find out the 10 most popular resolutions being used nowdays. Definately at least
1920x1080 & 3840x2160.

Refer to the "Common resolutions" section in Wikipedia, regarding "16:9" screen display topic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16:9

Full 4K UHD is 4096x2304 resolution, from there you have clear nine steps inter alios through 3840x2160, 2560x1440, 1920x1080, finishing with 1280x720.

16:10 seems less abundant in options. 21:9 is somewhat exotic, unlikely to be used outside of some exceptions. I believe 16:9 for the good beginning is the best choice.

Pity lack of possibility to set higher default FOV in your hex editing. Many players are less into technicalities to get around that, but they are the ones who later complain about things.

[Hyper Sonic]

Consumer monitors aren't 4096 across, rather 3840. Here's what I'm thinking of putting on the list (dynamic list, I'll edit this occasionally.)

16:9 resolutions (1.77 ratio)
7680x4320 8k (future proof)
5129x2880 5k (future proof)
3840x2160 4k (~1% use this)
2560x1440 3k (~2% use this)
1920x1080 2k (~50% use this)
1600x0900 (~5% use this)
1366 x 768 (~20% use this)
1280x0720 (YouTube popular)
-
-

4:3 resolutions are already covered in the original exe so no point in adding those. I'm thinking of sticking with 16:9 ratios as 16:10 and 21:9 aren't very common.

No need to alter fov in exe, you already have fov control using the console (type the ~ key then enter say fov 120 and the fov is 120 degrees accross.)

UPDATE: I'll probably go by this http://store.steampowered.com/hwsurvey/ click on primary display resolution, at least for everything over 4%. Might do some guessing about how resolution popularity will be in the next 2-3 years.

[76561198292631324]

Players who know how to change their FOV will simply do that if they find something else more suitable, while I suggest enhanced FOV for the sake of those who will just stick with what is default.

Good source of info you found there on resolutions.

[76561198292631324]

There is also something specific about Quake2 keybindings, namely, it stubbornly adds own definitions to those put by the player. Maybe Quake2 forces what is in the .EXE file, so perhaps clearing it could allow just for the options set by the player? I would recommend only to leave F1 for the personal communicator access, as it is indicated by the HUD icon.

[76561198292631324]

Eventually if done and confirmed to work, I recommend to establish a new thread with transparent download link, description of what has been changed and how to install the patch - which, I suppose, is simply to download the file, move and overwrite it into Quake2 folder. Directions to typical path where usually Quake2 is being kept within STEAM directory could also be helpful. Then we will pin the thread. In case the solution works.

[76561198292631324]

We must also remember why do we want an updated "quake2.exe":

= easiest way to get the classic Quake2 experience working with modern displays
= expansion sets and mods full compatibility
= STEAM compatibility without tricks
= most transparent and least line of resistance approach option for STEAM customers

[76561198292631324]

I guess the karmic cost is too big nonetheless to put the solution into practice, it seems.

[Hyper Sonic]

I'll make a quake2.exe modified for 16:9 resolutions eventually, shouldn't be hard but perhaps a bit time consuming. Unfortunately it won't fix the lack of 2D graphic scaling. Anti virus might complain downloading a modified exe. I had trouble with Fitzquake and Quakespasm with anti-virus.

[76561198292631324]

Allright. Include all the major fixes that you are aware of, which can be dealt with that way.

[76561198292631324]

Even if it mattered, it may be part of the Quake2 stubborn custom of overwriting the existing data that it deletes my typed in addresses of multiplayer servers, so perhaps if you could check it.

[76561198292631324]

@3dMightyMouse, if you will be up to give the file to testing, post it here, so that eventually we could agree upon a more inclusive topic - containing the file - hinting on how to get the best Quake2 experience, with such themes discussed, as:

1. Quake2.EXE - what does it do, why do I need it?

2. Music, how do I bring it back?

3. Mission packs and mods, how do I play them?

4. Multiplayer, how do I join it, how do I start?

5. What else do I need to know?
[for example, that "8-bit" textures are best set to negative]
[that your best alternative is "Yamagi" sourceport, which could be harder to install and handle to upgrade technically, but is a more modern take on bringing the game back]

[76561198292631324]

@3dMighty, if it is within the range of possibilities, please set up as default the recommended video menu options, which is:

Originally posted by "3dMightyMouse":

Regarding the video menu: no for 8bit textures (use 16bit.) yes for sync every frame (no tearing.) Max texture quality slider (not sure what var this affects.)

Options menu:
= sound quality: high
= always run: yes
= freelook: yes

[76561198292631324]

How is the progress?

[Hyper Sonic]

I'll get to it soon, but it's mostly just going to be changing the video options to 16:9 and showing the gun at all FOVs. As for the other stuff, it would take awhile to find out at what addresses those are compiled, at least for me. Much easier to change the source code, though it's setting up the source code for a specifc compiler that's tough.

That menu option 8bit color yes/no is odd, it's as if 8bit color is an added feature that's better than whatever the original is. One might think if 8bit color is off it's 4bit color, when in fact it's 16bit color.

Holy cow, i've been playing with always run off and thought that was the normal speed. Running seems crazy fast, though maybe I can make some jumps that I couldn't make before.