A GRID Guide for the 21st Century

On August 31st, 2019, a person commented on my Dirt 3 guide, suggesting that I should make one for Race Driver: Grid. At that time, I didn't have a copy of the game, yet.

Now, 2 years later, I have a copy, since I know it will get Dirt 2'd in a couple of years with digital copies being scalped to the stratosphere, for 100 USD and above. Initially, I wasn't going to make a guide for this, since the guides that were already available did a good job. Aussiedroid, for example, had the best one in my opinion despite not being updated in over 3 years.

Usually, I would cover the mods, but here, I'll teach you guys how to have a definitive experience on a modern system.

Disclaimer

I take some inspiration from Aussiedroid since a guide like this is slightly out of my ballpark.

I never created any mod that may be listed here.

Any mod should be fine on your system since GRID runs on anything, and you installed it correctly.

The Introduction

It's been a while.

I wanted to make a GTR2 guide, but modding that game is not for the faint of heart.
And, I have absolutely no idea where the community went for that game. Still a cult classic. A guide for a SimBin game could still be on the table.

Anyways, back to the topic:

The purpose of this guide is to showcase essential mods, make multiplayer work, and make it actually playable on modern hardware.

I feel like this is a game that every racing videogame fan should experience at least once, but, they need to do it in the best way possible.

The Essentials

The Essentials are some quality-of-life changes and/or changes that are recommended.



GRID will play the intro video every time you launch the game. It's possible to disable these videos, though.

Step 1: Go to your game install location. (Steam Library, then right-click the game, manage, and then browse local files.)

Step 2: Delete or rename intro.bik and intro_us.bik. I renamed them since I get to keep the files, but if you don't have any purpose for them, delete or move the files somewhere else.





GRID can block proper resolutions since it is an old game and isn't used to the GPUs of today. This restriction can be removed by some line editing.

Step 1: Go to your GRID install location.


Step 2: Click on the "system" folder inside of the game folder.


Step 3: Open the file "hardware_settings_restrictions.xml" in a text editor (preferably Notepad++ since it's easier to read)

Step 4: Look for these lines and delete them, and then save the file.

data
res mem="270" maxWidth="1280"
/data

I didn't know this mod existed when I originally published my guide, but this is the best GRID mod out there so far. With GRID Xtra by Wojach, not only does it restore the lost V8 Supercars DLC, it overhauls the game. DLC cars are in the Career, the economy is re-balanced, events are improved, and much, much more.

NOTE: Please don't mix the DLC Cars In Career mod above with this one, this mod already handles it.



GRID Xtra

Step 1: Install the Prestige & 8-Ball DLC packs.
Step 2: Remove everything BUT schema.bin in the database folder in your game folder.
Step 3: Put all the folders from this archive in your game folder.



This is a mod that I actually made, which replaces the original Xbox 360 buttons with the genuine PS3 buttons from the console release.



PS3 Button Prompts[www.nexusmods.com]

Instructions:
In order to install this mod, drag "b_persistent.pssg" into your "frontend" folder in your game folder.



The Logitech G27 is one of the best and influential sim-racing wheels ever made, and GRID doesn't come with a preset for it by default. There's a fix that replaces the G25 config file on PCGamingWiki.

Step 1: Download the Logitech G27 Config from PCGamingWiki.



Logitech G27 Config for GRID[community.pcgamingwiki.com]

Step 2: Go to "ActionMap" in the game folder.



Step 3: Drag and drop the preset into there, and hit yes when asked to replace.
(If you want to keep the G25 config, backup the original Preset1.)



If you want, I wrote down the input device of each config file so you can read it and remember later.

Vanilla Input Configs
Preset 0: Keyboard
Preset 1: Logitech G25
Preset 2: Logitech MOMO Racing 
Preset 3: Logitech Driving Force Pro
Preset 4: XInput Pads (e.g. Xbox 360 Controller)
Preset 5: Thrustmaster RGT Force Feedback Pro
Preset 6: XInput Wheels (e.g. Xbox 360 Wheel)
Preset 7: Logitech RumblePad 2

GRID is quite an old game, and it doesn't have the custom artwork that you see in your Steam Library. You can get your own artwork that looks good.

Step 1: Go to SteamGridDB[www.steamgriddb.com] to get artwork.



SteamGridDB is a database of custom artwork for Steam games and other games as well, and you can make your own and upload them.

Step 2: Search "GRID" in the search bar and click the one with 2008 on the side.



Step 3: Choose a custom grid, hero, and logo. This is your personal choice, so go wild!



Step 4: To add custom box art, right-click the game in your library home, and hit "Set custom artwork". For the logo and background, right-click the banner and hit "Set Custom Background/Logo.





Step 5: Go to the place where you saved your images, and apply them based on what type they are. (Logo, Background, Cover)

The Graphics

The graphics are perhaps one of the most important parts of a game. See some things you could do.



If you're simply the type of person to remove the iconic Sepia filter and blur, this is perfect for you!

Step 1: Go to "system" in your game folder.



Step 2: Open "hardware_settings_config.xml" with a text editor.

Step 3: Find and change

<postprocess enabled="true" blur="true" />

to

<postprocess enabled="false" blur="false" />

Step 4: Save the file.

Here's what it would look like:

Image Credit: PCGamingWiki



I'd already introduced ReShade in my Dirt Rally guide, but, I'll just let the official description explain itself.

"ReShade is a generic post-processing injector for games and video software developed by crosire. Imagine your favorite game with ambient occlusion, real depth of field effects, color correction, and more ... ReShade exposes an automated and generic way to access both frame color and depth information (the latter is automatically disabled during multiplayer to prevent exploitation) and all the tools to make it happen.

The possibilities are endless! Add advanced depth-edge-detection-driven SMAA antialiasing, screen-space ambient occlusion, depth of field effects, chromatic aberration, dynamic film grain, automatic saturation and color correction, cross processing, multi-pass blurring ... you name it."

This video by "Good game channel" does a good job of showing the process.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBAGFafXEgA

ReShade[reshade.me]



Shiv's Xtreme Particle Mod changes all the smoke and dust from tires, dirt, sand, and gravel so they can be enhanced and last longer.

Other things include:

• All Sparks and debris now have collision and extended lifetime, plus velocity changes to match your vehicle's current velocity.
  
• Extra debris/sparks from collisions + extended lifetime
  
• Added debris and sparks to smaller collisions as well.
  
• Glass shards now have collision + extended lifetime
  
• Grass and dirt clumps have an extended lifetime
  
• Changed radiator smoke

Step 1: Go to "effects" than "particle_systems in your game folder.



Step 2: Drag all of the files from the "Xtreme Particles Mod" folder inside of the "Shivs_Xtreme_Particles_Mod" .zip file.



Step 3: Click the "Replace the file in the destination" button when asked to do so.

Here's what it would look like:

Image Credit: Shivaxi - ModDB

The DLC

GRID's DLC (Downloadable Content) was only available for consoles and Mac OS X. Years later, it's on PC.

The DLC in question is:

The ‘8 Ball’ pack for GRID™ features 8 thrilling new cars and two new online events as the first in a series of three new extensions for the game. Each carefully selected and beautifully realized vehicle is a thoroughbred racing car chosen for its unique personality to deliver a stunning race experience. All 8 cars become available in ‘Race Day’ mode and in online races. Two new multiplayer events, set on existing circuits from across GRID’s three continents, have been created to test drivers to their very limit online.

Car List:
 McLaren F1 GTR - The McLaren F1 GTR wrote itself into the history books as the only GT car to ever win Le Mans and is considered one of the finest examples of automotive engineering in history.

 TVR Cerbera Speed 12 – The TVR 12 smashes past 60 MPH in just under 3 seconds. Production models were planned, but they were considered too powerful to sell to the general public.

 Mitsubishi 2.0 Turbo Lancer Evolution X  – For over a decade the Evo has been billed as a supercar slayer – now the Evo-X in GRID lets you unleash its sledgehammer aggression in the Pro-Tuned class.

 Honda S2000 – This roadster is heavily modified for drifting and has become a cult favorite thanks to its award-winning engine.

 Nissan GTR GT500 – The production model was Top Gear’s Supercar of the Year 2007. Now one of the world’s hottest cars makes its debut in Race Driver: GRID in its fully tuned racing spec.

 VW Nardo – This powerful concept car made real from VW uses its 600BHP engine to rocket to 60MPH in 3.1 seconds.

 Pontiac Firebird Trans AM – The 1971 racing edition of this true American legend is a worthy addition to GRID’s exclusive group of muscle cars.

 Volvo C30 Green Racing – Adding to Race Driver: GRID’s touring car roster comes the C30, Volvo’s agile, cutting edge hot-hatch straight from the STCC grid.

In-game pictures:








(This image was literally impossible to find from the internet, so I went to some old PS3 game price checker to get it and upscale. Not even Tineye can find images of this! Please, archive things.)

The new Prestige Pack introduces the beautifully realised, legendary Australian Bathurst circuit and 10 of the planet’s most desirable cars, including the Ferrari F430 GTC, Bugatti Veyron, and Ferrari F575 GTC. Gamers can also get behind the wheel of the Mercedes SLR McLaren 722, Lotus 2-Eleven, Lamborghini Gallardo GT, Mazda Furai, Jaguar XKR GT3, Honda Integra Type-R (DC5), and Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4.

In-game pictures:







Step 1: Download the 8 Ball & Prestige Pack from ModDB.



Step 2: Make sure that your GRID version is 1.3, the latest version. (Steam already is 1.3)

Step 3: Drag and drop the files into your game folder.

steamapps\common\Grid

If asked, hit "Replace the file in the destination."



When you just install the DLC, you can only use it online. This mod allows for it to work in a single-player playthrough.

NOTE: This is if you just want the 8 Ball and Prestige DLC in your career and nothing else, but you won't get the V8 Supercars DLC.



Step 1: Download the GRID World DLC Car Mod from ModDB.

Step 2: Open your game folder and delete the "database" folder.

Step 3: Move the database folder and the cars folder to your game folder.

Some people have reported bugs, but, as of November 2021, I've never had any problems. I've been able to use these cars over multiplayer as well.

I’ll recommended that you’ll install both mods before attending a career play through, so you don’t risk corrupting your save file. Remember, always back up files that you’re going to be replacing.

The Liveries

Liveries are almost like clothes for a car. There are some custom livery mods out there that can transform a ride.

I'll be using RallyGamer[rallygamer.com] skins as an example since he has done a lot of livery mods for Codemasters games, and, I like him the most.





Step 1: Go to RallyGamer's site, then to the download section, and scroll down until you see "GRID Liveries".



Step 2: Choose a skin.

Step 3: Copy and paste the .pssg file into the folder it tells you in the readme file.

(e.g. The Ferrari 575 Marlboro states that it should go into this folder below.)

C:\...\Codemasters\Grid\cars\550\livery_00\textures_high

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1DQa-Sg4Sw&feature=youtu.be

The Multiplayer

GRID's online servers shut down in June 2011, and while there were LAN alternatives, the most popular one, Tunngle, was shut down in 2018 due to the European General Data Protection Regulation. You can still use Radmin VPN to play the game, which is what I use.

This video shows how to set it up, but not just specifically for GRID.

You can use DLC online since I've done it before over LAN with my friends.

Hamachi[www.vpn.net] is still an option.

The Other Things

Other things that I didn't mention include:



The UK English PC manual was archived and scanned. It's accessible and downloadable from the Internet Archive.

Race Driver: GRID - UK Manual[ia801808.us.archive.org]



Sometimes, you barely get any flashback time to use. There's a fix for that.

Step 1: Set the refresh rate on 60hz and enable VSync in the game options.

You can limit the FPS in NVIDIA's Control Panel down here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-VeaCDZ65A&ab_channel=SlurpTech
For AMD users:
https://youtu.be/A-0A4019ABA


You can play GRID in a windowed mode if you want to switch tabs faster.

Step 1: Go to the configuration file location.

%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Codemasters\GRID\hardwaresettings\

Step 2: Open hardware_settings_config.xml with a text editor.

Step 3: Change

fullscreen="true"

to

fullscreen="false"

Credit to PCGamingWiki for the windowed method.



GRID doesn't let you disable the HUD in replays for better screenshots. This mod removes that HUD.



Step 1: Download the mod here from this thread from Melee.

https://steamcommunity.com/app/12750/discussions/0/1290691937729372422/

Step 2: Go to your game folder and open the "system" folder.

Step 3: Replace "states.bin".

Now you can take screenshots without having to worry about anything.





This guide made by Ohayoghurt shows the stats of every car in the game, including DLC. It can also be used as a tier list.

For a guide this detailed, I think they deserve some love.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2075879351

The Closer

That's everything you need to know to maximize the experience of this game.

I'd like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking time out of your day to read this guide or any of the guides that I made.

I'd also like to thank my fans (if I have any) and this creative and wonderful community. I don't write for myself, but for all of you.

This guide took 5 days to complete, composing everything, all of the images, the research, and the digging. If it's coming from me, this is my best guide yet, possibly even the best thing I've ever written.

Everyone should experience this game. Despite its age and its flaws, this is one one the best.

Likes and awards are sincerely appreciated, and if I still have the time, I'll keep writing guides.

Again, thank you all.

[MrWonka]

Thanks for making this guide btw, nice to have the v8 supers in this one.

[MrWonka]

@EnderOfMidnight -so there are a couple of oal fixes that I have found and used on different games, the first is dsoal, which works to restore the eax in Halo pc original and custom edition, it may not help for this- the other is a program called open al soft and this to me would possibly be what you need https://openal-soft.org

[.s7ven6]

you are legend

[✪ Kryogenix 低温学]

So I have this game running with the mods but no matter what I do… I cannot get the game to open when I edit the xml to enable modern resolutions, and I cannot find anything anywhere how to fix it. I’m on Windows 11. Newest update as of this post. I’m losing my mind trying to figure it out lol.

[TheBlueSalamander]

Thanks for this. It's a shame that PCGamingWiki doesn't include vital information on every game page and so it still takes extra research to figure out and find all the main stuff like DLCs, APIs, and 3D audio just to name a few.

[EnderOfMidnight]

The only thing you are probably missing is for people experiencing sound issues due to OpenAL (like I currently am and I'm not sure if its OpenAL anymore). Any bits of guidance you can give on that front would be incredibly helpful!
I may end up making a post on it anyways, cuz I've tried just about everything.

[Faded Vantage]

Thanks, appreciate it!

[parthl]

legend.

[Faded Vantage]

Oh, nice! I didn't even know that someone restored those services, I'll definitely update that section soon, thanks!

[StoneCold]

Excellent guide thanks for sharing - maybe you can update the online multiplayer section to reflect this: https://wiki.aiwarehouse.xyz/en/grid-pc-guide

That restores the online multiplayer through the in-game menu without requiring to use 3rd party tools to play LAN races via the internet :)