Improvements for Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory

This guide will show you how to improve your experience in Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, and optimize it for modern computers.

Ubisoft discontinued the servers for Chaos Theory in April 2016. However, the multiplayer is still playable using a custom server (for Versus mode only) or virtual LAN applications.

[SP] = Single Player
[VS] = Versus Mode

[SP] Skipping Intros

Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory begins with many intros which can be tedious after booting it up everytime, let's skip them.

How To:

From your Steam library, right click Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, click properties, and enter the command "-nointro" in the Launch Options field.

[SP] Thermal Vision Fix for AMD GPUs

AMD graphics cards might encounter thermal vision issues, such as being unable to see heat or only seeing cold surfaces.

Downloads:

Fix #1: Latest Fix[drive.usercontent.google.com]
Fix #2: Old Fix[drive.usercontent.google.com]

How To:

Download and extract the archive into your game's main directory and merge the folders.

Recommended to try both fixes if the first one doesn't work, only apply one at a time.

Note: The latest fix has the highest percentage of working with newer AMD GPUs.

[SP] Custom Resolutions

The max widescreen resolution this game supports is 1920x1080. If your resolution is lower than that, it still possibly can be unsupported if it's a uncommon resolution or aspect ratio.

How To:

C:\ProgramData\Ubisoft\Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory
Note: The ProgramData folder is a hidden folder in Windows. Make sure to enable it.

Open SplinterCell3.ini, find the section: [WinDrv.WindowsClient]
And edit the following lines to a resolution you'd like to use:

FullscreenViewportX=640
FullscreenViewportY=480

------------------------------------------------------------------------

There is an alternate option, ThirteenAG Widescreen Fix, it will auto detect your native resolution, fixes some UI/HUD elements, and adjusts your field of view. Skip the field of view section below if using this fix.

Downloads:

ThirteenAG Widescreen Fix [github.com]

How To:

Download it, and place all the contents into your System folder.
If you open the scripts folder, there is a .ini that has a few options for you:

[MAIN]
ResX = 0
ResY = 0
HudWidescreenMode = 1 // Makes certain hud elements offset to screen edges.
WidescreenHudOffset = 100.0 // This is the default offset for 16:9. For lower aspect ratios adjusted automatically, for higher you may change it manually.
DisableAltTabFix = 0 // Set 1 to disable Alt+Tab fix
;Game Language
; English = 0
; French = 1
; German = 2
; Hungarian = 3
; Italian = 4
; Polish = 5
; Russian = 6
; Spanish = 7
GameLanguage = 0

[GRAPHICS]
;Shadow map size, can be: 0 , 2048, 3072, 4096, 5120, 6144, 7168, 8192
; 0 = 2048 = disable shadow map size changing, use game default (2048)
ShadowMapResolution = 0
EnableShadowFiltering = 0 // If 1, shadows will be smoother, but will be broken on multi-monitor screen resolution

[MISC]
FPSLimit = 1000

Note: ThirteenAG Widescreen Fix removes the game's 100 FPS cap and defaults to 1000 FPS. However, it is recommended to use 30 or 60 FPS instead, as certain elements such as AI pathing and physics objects may encounter problems at higher frame rates.

[SP] Field of View

How To:

C:\ProgramData\Ubisoft\Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory
Note: The ProgramData folder is a hidden folder in Windows. Make sure to enable it.

Open SplinterCell3User.ini, find the section: [Engine.PlayerController]
And edit the following lines to match your aspect ratio:

DesiredFOV=75
DefaultFOV=75

Do not edit your field of view if using ThirteenAG's Widescreen Fix.
Both players must use the same field of view when joining a coop session.

Aspect Ratio	Field of View
4:3	75.0
16:10	85.281273
15:9	87.616615
16:9	91.315445

[SP] EAX Restoration

EAX enhances the game's audio using hardware acceleration to process advanced 3D environments. Since Windows Vista, Microsoft has stripped out the DirectSound3D API, preventing EAX from functioning.

Using the archive below, EAX can be restored to its original state using software to emulate it.

Downloads:

EAX Restoration[drive.usercontent.google.com]

How To:

Download and extract the archive into your game's main directory and merge the folders. Once extracted, run the "eax_restore" registration entries in the System folder. Click Yes on the registry prompt to register DirectSound into your Windows.

[SP] Controller Support

You may have noticed when trying to use a controller on Chaos Theory, the triggers will not work on Xbox controllers. XInput was introduced in December 2005 alongside the launch of the Xbox 360, so it wasn't properly supported in this game.

Downloads:

Xinput Trigger Fix [drive.google.com]
Original Post for the Xinput Trigger Fix

How To:

Download and extract the archive into your game's main directory and merge the folders.
Connect your controller prior to starting up the game. Make sure "Use Joystick" is enabled and the current joystick is labeled "Xbox Controller #1."

[SP] AI Enhanced Videos

We have enhanced the Bink (*.bik) video files from the Videos folder from the base resolution of 640x360/640x480 to 1920x1080 using Topaz Video AI to enhance them. The videos that are in 4:3 aspect ratio have not been stretched but have black bars displayed.

The archive includes a modified game executable that removes the 640x480 video restriction when playing Bink videos and increases it to 3840x2160. Using the original game executable with videos higher than 640x480 will crash your game.

Downloads:

AI Enhanced Menu Videos (601 MB)[drive.usercontent.google.com]

All original languages from the North America region are supported (English, Spanish, French, German, Italian).

AI Enhanced Story Videos (2.36 GB)[drive.usercontent.google.com]
AI Enhanced Training Videos (1.73 GB)[drive.usercontent.google.com]

If your language is not supported in the above downloads:

AI Enhanced Story Videos - Polish Language Pack (2.22 GB)[drive.usercontent.google.com]
AI Enhanced Training Videos - Polish Language Pack (1.60 GB)[drive.google.com]

AI Enhanced Story Videos - Russian Language Pack (2.35 GB)[drive.usercontent.google.com]
AI Enhanced Training Videos - Russian Language Pack (1.73 GB)[drive.usercontent.google.com]

How To:

Download and extract the archive, place it in your game's main directory and merge the Data and System folders.

Comparisons:

[VS] Versus Mode Downloads

Enhanced SCCT Versus[github.com] is a major patch I have created to fix bugs and exploits while improving gameplay and map balance.

Note: Enhanced SCCT Versus includes SCCT Versus Reloaded, so there's no need to install it separately.

Downloads:

Enhanced SCCT Versus v3.5a[github.com]

How To:

After downloading the game, extract the contents, and you should have a Enhanced SCCT Versus folder. You can place it anywhere you like, it's portable.

Run the game executable, SCCT_Versus.exe in the System folder to begin playing.

Open the Reloaded settings in-game with F12 or Ctrl+O hotkeys.

The game is patched with a new custom server for online play. No third party programs will be necessary to play online.

[VS] SCCT Versus Reloaded

SCCT Versus Reloaded (created by AllyPal) is a patch for Versus mode that brings many improvements and fixes to SCCT Versus and is compatible with both the default and Enhanced versions.

Note: Enhanced SCCT Versus includes SCCT Versus Reloaded, so there's no need to install it separately.

Downloads:

SCCT Versus Reloaded[allypal.github.io]

How To:

Download and extract the archive into the Versus\System folder, overwrite any files when prompted.

Open the Reloaded settings in-game with F12 or Ctrl+O hotkeys.

If experiencing an error on startup, you likely need to install Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (x86)[aka.ms]

You may configure additional settings from:
Versus \ System \ SCCT_Versus.config

/*
	SCCT Versus Reloaded V2.1
	Website: https://allypal.github.io/SCCT_Versus_Reloaded/
*/

{

  // May improve frame pacing on some systems, at the expense of increased CPU usage.
  // Most people want this off.
  "alternate_frame_timing_mode": false,

  // Fixes animated textures running too fast and looking like they're flickering at high FPS.
  "animation_fix": true,

  // Port used to send ping requests to servers.
  // Warning: settings other than 7776 will prevent you from joining LAN/Radmin games.
  "client_port_query": 7776,

  // Anisotropic filtering level adjusts how textures appear when viewed at an angle.
  // Higher values improve clarity and detail with minimal performance hit.
  // Default 4, Minimum: 0, Maximum: 16.
  "filter_level": 4,

  // Forces your game to run at your monitor's maximum refresh rate.
  "force_max_refresh_rate": true,

  // FPS limit whilst playing as mercenary.
  "fps_merc": 120,

  // FPS limit whilst playing as spy.
  "fps_spy": 60,

  // Port used when players join your server.
  "host_port_game": 8888,

  // Port used to respond to ping requests on the server list.
  // Warning: settings other than 7776 will prevent players from joining via LAN/Radmin.
  "host_port_query": 7776,

  // Use UPnP to automatically port forward your game.
  // UPnP needs to be enabled on your router to use this feature.
  "host_upnp": true,

  // Experimental feature.  Your game will be stuck in the top left corner
  // if you don't use your monitor's native resolution.
  "labs_borderless_fullscreen": false,

  // Setting to 'false' stops your server from being added to the Reloaded master server list.
  // Wait 1 minute after turning this off to be sure the previous registration has expired.
  "list_on_reloaded_master_server": true,

  // Determines how far away models become lower quality. The stock game uses 1.0.
  "lod": 10.0,

  // Specify the Reloaded master server used for playing online.
  "master_server_dns": "master.scct-reloaded.ovh",

  // Changes the key to open the console to the number to the left of 1.
  "override_console_key": true,

  // Makes vertical and horizontal sniper scope sensitivity match.
  // Default is off which gives the stock game experience.
  "scope_sync": true,

  // Security feature which may be incompatible with certain software like OBS, so should normally be kept off.
  "security_acg": false,

  // Recommended security feature to improve safety whilst playing online.
  "security_dep": true,

  // Mouse sensitivity during gameplay
  "sens": 1.0,

  // Mouse sensitivity for cam network and sticky cams
  "sens_cam": 1.0,

  // Mouse sensitivity in menus
  "sens_menu": 0.75,

  // Mouse sensitivity whilst sniping
  "sens_scope": 0.75,

  // Specify IP:PORT of servers which aren't on the master server.
  // Do not add a , after the last IP:PORT you specify.
  // Example: "server_list": ["127.0.0.1:7776","192.168.0.1:7776"],
  "server_list": [],

  // Specify shadow quality (Default 2.0, Minimum: 0.5, Maximum: 16.0).
  // A value of 8.0 corresponds to 8K textures.
  // Using a setting above 8.0 will significantly increase VRAM and GPU usage.
  // Some devices may have rendering issues or crashes if this is set too high.
  "shadow_quality": 2.0,

  // The map Terminus has very demanding lighting, so this setting will override shadow_quality on Terminus only.
  // Setting a value higher than shadow_quality will not make the resolution higher.
  "shadow_quality_terminus": 1.0,

  // Display your current location on the HUD.
  "show_location": true,

  // Show scoreboard (F10)
  "show_scoreboard": true,

  // Stops viewing previous sticky cam/exiting when attempting to fire a new camera.
  // This entirely removes the context menu, so you will need to use the previous camera bind.
  "sticky_camera_fix": true,

  // Use widescreen aspect ratio. With this off, your image will be stretched horizontally at widescreen resolutions.
  "widescreen": true,

  // Use smaller enhanced reality icons in widescreen.
  "ws_er_small": true,

  // Caps widescreen field of view for people who are sensitive to motion sickness.
  // The default is 105.0 which gives a similar experience to many modern FPS games, but settings up to 112.0 will increase Merc FOV.
  "ws_fov": 112.0
}

Mouse Polling Rate

Note: You may use any polling rate for Versus mode when playing with the SCCT Versus Reloaded patch (included with Enhanced SCCT Versus).

Currently, many mice come with polling rates that can reach 1000 Hz or higher. However, in Chaos Theory, higher polling rates may cause issues with your mouse aim. If your mouse allows it, try setting the polling rate to 125 Hz through software. This issue also applies to all games in the series, from the original Splinter Cell to Splinter Cell: Blacklist. It is possibly related to the use of the Unreal Engine 2.

Steam Overlay

Some games have their Steam Overlay disabled regardless of user settings because the developers thought it might lead to conflicts. However, many games with this flag can have their overlay restored without issues.

Downloads:

SteamDisableOverlayBypass[github.com]

How To:

Run the executable, SteamDisableOverlayBypass.exe. If Steam is running when the script is executed, restart Steam to apply the changes.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Downloads:

Steam Overlay Restoration (Old Method)[drive.usercontent.google.com]

How To:

Extract the archive and run the "EnableOverlay" command script after opening the game.

This method requires the script to be run each time the game is started.

Other Guides

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1692255530
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1361585370
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=935210001
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2969130403

[Joshhhuaaa]

I haven't had any issues yet with Nvidia cards but I'm a few generations behind still, try using the "thermal vision fix for AMD GPUs", I heard it helps fixes Nvidia sometimes

[Doomie The Destroyer]

Have an issue.

Windows 10
RTX 4060
AMD Ryzen 9 7900x

The game boots and runs, and I can even get it into 2K with the fixes, but graphically, some of the effects don't work properly, and the visions don't work at all. NV comes up blindingly white, while the others come in black. If I change from shader 1.1 to 3.0, I do get NV, but the other visions remain black, and normal vision just gets some nasty afterburn from light effects as they just smear across the screen. This only goes away when you switch to NV.

Alt-Tabbing doesn't fix the issue either. If anything, it makes the problems worse. Should I set up dgvoodoo2? Swap out the main exe with testapp?

[Joshhhuaaa]

The game itself shouldn't have black bars, if you're talking about the main menu, the background video is 4:3 aspect ratio because we don't want to stretch it.

[rabidkitty]

The AI enhanced videos work but also forces the game be played with black bars, is there a fix for this?

[Joshhhuaaa]

Haven't heard of the issue either, does it also happen with ThirteenAG's widescreen patch?

I would make sure there's no overlays running that can be hooking into the game (OBS recording, Discord overlay, Xbox game bar), because the game sometimes likes to crash with overlays.

[STANKsoGOOD]

ive looked everywhere and cant find a fix for my problem. both my PC and laptop refuse to boot game both b4 and after installing a crap ton of fixes. as soon as it shows the booting picture of same before it attempts to launch game. it just pops up a black border-less window thats fills the top left corner of my screen then crashes. i have also reinstalled and check the integ files. i haven't even seen anyone talk about my issues b4 but i have it happen on two different systems?

[B4NDIT_12]

Thank you very much

[Joshhhuaaa]

You can just delete the dsound.dll / dsound.ini out of your system folder to disable it.

[B4NDIT_12]

I'm glad you've made that series of guides, very handy.
What about turning EAX off? it's in registry and I can't find any options to disable it in game config

[Joshhhuaaa]

There's no official controller support. You can only bind inputs using Steam Input, and there are controller profiles for the game that you can download from the community.

Unless you absolutely don't like using keyboard and mouse, I'd just recommend using it instead.