Redneck Rampage: Modern Build

Step-by-step instructions for setting up a modernized and cleaned-up build.

Foreword

Although it comes packed with the official expansion pack (Suckin' Grits on Route 66 by Sunstorm Interactive) and the optional Cuss Pack (lots of F-words from Leonard), the Steam release of Redneck Rampage unfortunately lacks the 8-track CDDA soundtrack and runs on DOSBox. However, one can get a much smoother experience with added music and Steam overlay by using a source port that supports widescreen resolutions and additional tweaking.

This guide was prepared with Raze in mind, a source port that combines various Build Engine ones in a single package with stability and renderer improvements and using several GZDoom systems as a backend. It is a dependable, feature-rich and user-friendly port that can be used to play all the Build Engine games, excluding TekWar and both Witchavens. In Redneck Rampage's and its sequel's case, it is based on Rednukem code.

SteamEdit, a nifty utility for editing local Steam data, is also needed to enable the overlay while using the port.

Get the latest versions of Raze and SteamEdit here[github.com]and here.[steamedit.tg-software.com]

Also download the additional package I prepared that includes the soundtrack and the zipped versions of Suckin' Grits on Route 66 and the Cuss Pack, here.[drive.google.com]

The soundtrack is ripped by me (-q9, 320kbps) and comes fully tagged with cover art.

Instructions

1) Open the folder titled 'Redneck' found in the installation directory and copy REDNECK.GRP to somewhere else. This is the only file the source port needs so once you get it copied, delete all the files in the installation directory to have a cleaner setup.

2) Unzip the contents of both the Raze package and the custom package provided above to the installation directory (while keeping the folder structure intact) and copy back REDNECK.GRP. The resulting setup should look like this:

3) While Steam is running in the background, launch SteamEdit (it can be run directly from the zipped archive). Find Redneck Rampage in the drop-down list and click on 'Edit Launch'. The executable line in the secondary window should read Launch Redneck Rampage.bat. Erase that line and type raze.exe instead. Click on 'OK' to close the window and then click on 'Save & Refresh' in the primary one. Steam should close and restart by itself.

At this point clicking on the 'Play' button in the Steam Library should launch Raze and show the following pop-up window:

According to your preference, you can either keep this pop-up window as it is and choose whether to play the original campaign or the expansion pack everytime you run the game or, you can opt to always launch the original by choosing Redneck Rampage in this window and ticking the below box ('Don't ask me this again') before clicking on 'Play Game'. If you prefer the latter, see the next section to learn about running the expansion pack via a command line switch.

Note that uninstalling / reinstalling the game or a Steam client update may revert the changes you make through SteamEdit, so keep the tool somewhere handy in case you need to do the last step again.

Options

If you want to play the original game with the Cuss Pack enabled, right click on the game from the Steam Library and choose 'Properties'. Type in / copy the following line in the 'Launch Options' box and close the window:

-file cusspack.zip

If you want to play Suckin' Grits on Route 66 use this line instead:

-gamegrp route66.zip

It is also possible to play the expansion pack with the Cuss Pack enabled. To do so, use:

-gamegrp route66.zip -file cusspack.zip

As a more advanced option, if you own both Redneck Rampage and the sequel RR Rides Again you can form a complete pack tied to a single executable. In a nutshell:

1) Rename RR tracks as redneckXX.ogg instead of trackXX.ogg.
2) Rename RRRA tracks as redneckridesXX.ogg instead of trackXX.ogg.
3) Have all the tracks in the \music subfolder (16 in total).
4) Rename RRRA's pack file, redneck.grp, to rides.grp.
5) Have redneck.grp, rides.grp, redint.mve and route66.zip in the root folder.

With the above setup, running the port should display the Game Selection window with three options: Redneck Rampage, Rides Again and Suckin' Grits on Route 66.

Notes

Be sure to check out the extensive options menu offered by Raze before hitting the road.

Upon first launch, Raze creates an .ini file in the installation directory (raze-YourUsername.ini) that holds your configuration and can be transferred between the installation folders of the games supported by the port to keep your non-game specific preferences intact.

Your saves for the base game and the expansion pack are separately kept under the Saves folder which is also created by Raze upon first running it.

As pointed out in detail by the user MetHy in this post[forums.duke4.net]over at Duke4.net forums, the kill counter is more-or-less broken in the original code and it remains so in the port.

The 8-track player, as named by the developers, plays all the music tracks in succession and on repeat. As the name implies however, it is limited to eight tracks only. Raze keeps the code intact, so even if you have more than that in the music folder, the ones named track10 and onwards are not played. Still, it is possible to mix and match the soundtracks of both games by appropriate naming to your heart's content. On my part, I like the original's soundtrack more than the sequel's (since half of the latter consists of short instrumentals) so I use it for both of them.

If you ever get stuck, Jon Hurt's oldish website Totally Redneck[jonhunt.com]has text-based walkthroughs and secret guides for all the games in the series.

Instructions for playing the sequel through Raze following the same format seen here has also been published alongside this one. Check it out if you are in for a completionist's run:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2565761606

Now go git yer scattergun and hold on to yer butt!

[Poltius]

Excellent guide. I followed your instructions and it worked flawless. The only thing I had to do in addition was to specify the directory for raze.exe (i.e. Redneck) in SteamEdit witch differ from your picture above. You get the question from SteamEdit before saving so just confirm.

[thgangster43]

does this work for gog too or no?

[ezekielthereb]

I could not find redneck .grp file but I found redneck.rts or redneck.gog

[Max Power]

Well done thx for this

[AntiqueGamer]

Link now works. Thank you. For those of you confused as to how to get the files, you click on the download option on the upper right-hand side of the screen. When I initially accessed this page, this option was missing for some bizarre reason - thank you! Y'all haz yew ah great American day now, y'hear?

[erc]

Antique, I've just modified the link, could you re-check it?

[AntiqueGamer]

Sadly when I go to the links provided for the zips and the music they are completely inaccessible - I mean, there they are, but there is no option to download them. Am I missing something vital that isn't entirely clear?

[Muckelchen]

All right

[erc]

Rides Again is the stand-alone sequel. The process should be more-or-less the same, with music tracks and the .grp file (no additional official packs for that one). I will post a similar guide to its own section when I get to chance to replay the sequel.

[Muckelchen]

Did you also include the other expansion: Rides Again? It seems no. The other guide did include it. I know it's a seperate game in steam, but I dont think anyone would care.