CFG File Format (settings)

The format of the configuration file fallout2.cfg

The paper describes the main configuration file format *Fallout 2*, which is located in the main directory of the game.

## The main structure of the configuration file fallout2.cfg

Fallout2.cfg is a plain text file in the root directory of *Fallout 2* and consists of several sections, separated by empty strings and specifying the general configuration of the game. Immediately after installation the file consists of two sections, [sound] and [system]. They keep track of sound and other game resource files. After starting the game these sections are expanded, adding [debug] and [preferences], which contain debugging output settings and preferences for the game, respectively.

### [sound]

Prior to the launch of the game has only two options:

```
music_path1 = path
music_path2 = path

```

In the music\_path1 sets the path for the loading music and audio ACM files, which will be copied as needed from the specified file path music\_path2. For example, the game was set in minimal- version (about 2 MB) in the C:\Fallout2, with a CD-ROM game is D:. Then the section will look like this:

```
[sound]
music_path1 = C:\Fallout2\data\sound, music,
music_path2 = D:\data\sound, music,
cache_size = N (448)

```

Presumably, the buffer size for DirectX audio output.

```
initialize = N (1)

```

Indicates whether it is necessary to initialize the sound card when running the game.

```
device = N (-1)
dma = N (-1)
irq = N (-1)
port = N (-1)

```

Technical parameters for sound card initialization. These parameters are completely ignored on Windows and Mac releases which will use their respective sound backends (DirectSound and ASound) because this is only applicable to DOS, and that narrows it down to Fallout 1 exclusively. If you happen to have a DOS release, but not the DOS sound configuration utility (only available from the original CD), here's a couple pointers.

1. Port is the decimal value of the actual port of the sound card in decimal. Normally a DOS sound config utility would say, for example, port 0x220 - for this port, you need to specify the decimal representation of hexadecimal 0x220 - 544. If your sound card has a different port then just do the math.
2. Device number follows a very strange map which isn't documented anywhere in the world. The following map is a result of continuously testing different settings with the DOS sound config utility:

```
master_volume = N (22281)
music_volume = N (22281)
sndfx_volume = N (22281)
speech_volume = N (22281)

```

Loudness. Used values from 0 to 0x7FFF (32767). The larger the value, the louder the sound. Variables used for controlling the general level of volume, volume of music, sound effects and speech, respectively.

```
music = N (1)
sounds = N (1)
speech = N (1)

```

Variables determine whether any music in the game, and it sounds appropriate: 0, if banned, and 1 if allowed. These installations have priority over volume variables.

### [system]

This section is information on the location and patch-file DAT- files, as well as some useful information.

```
critter_dat path =
critter_patches path =
master_dat path =
master_patches path =

```

These variables defined the paths to critter.dat, possible patch files for critter.dat, then the path to master.dat, and to patch files for master.dat. Continuing the previous example, this section will look like this:

```
[system]
critter_dat = D:\critter.dat
critter_patches = C:\Fallout2\data
master_dat = D:\master.dat
master_patches = C:\Fallout2\data
........
........

```

(which, it is interesting that *Fallout 2* patch v1.02d (patch000.dat), if available, is not established on the path master\_patches but in the main directory Fallout)

```
art_cache_size = N (32)

```

Variable seemed to indicate the size of the cache art- files.

```
color_cycling = N (1)
cycle_speed_factor = N (1)

```

Variable parameters for storing visual effect "transfusion" sites around the contour line of attack. Variable color\_cycling determine whether the spill contour altogether (1 = yes, 0 = no). If a spill, it sets the variable speed cycle\_speed\_factor overflowing. The higher the value, the slower happening transfusions. That is just not clear why this should have been placed in fallout2.cfg, yes, and even in such an important section.

```
executable = string (game)

```

Rather, there must set the type that gets this game, either, or even something. Perhaps the debugger. This variable, combined with Section[debug] makes tightly think ...

```
free_space = N (20480)

```

Rather, the amount of free disk space (in kilobytes) necessary for the game. Default-20 mb. Changing it hasn't been tested.

```
hashing = N (1)

```

Unknown.

```
interrupt_walk = N (1)

```

Takes two meanings. If interrupt\_walk = 0, then you can not set the place (which move) to suspend the movement of the hero or force him to flee a second click. If interrupt\_walk = 1, it becomes feasible.

```
language = string (english)

```

Specify language version of the game. In fact, it is the name of the folder from which the text of a game should be used. For example, if there indicates "russian", the text will be taken from "`text\russian\`".

```
scroll_lock = N (1)

```

The effect is not known (no effect on the ScrollLock key to the clipboard and has not).

```
splash N = (auto)

```

Number of the splashscreen which will appear the next time you start the game. Perhaps chosen at random. There are 6 screens (see the description of the file format and RIX converter rix2bmp).

```
times_run = N (5)

```

Frankly, I do not know%) Maybe, the number of launches *Fallout* succeeded before a final proposal on the registration of the game.

### [debug]

The section consists of variables, specifying debugging treatment plants for the game. (yet to know how it is included%)

```
mode = string (environment)

```

Unknown. Perhaps the type of debugging.

```
output_map_data_info = N (0)

```

Presumably, allowing extraction of map information.

```
show_load_info = N (1)

```

Same, but in relation to loading games.

```
show_script_messages = N (1)

```

Probably, taking debugging information from scripts

```
show_tile_num = N (1)

```

Perhaps taking the tile numbers of floors and walls.

### [preferences]

This section is fully duplicated options menu (Preferences Menu) in the game, so I will simply list the variables here, and the defaults.

```
brightness N = (1.000000)
combat_difficulty = N (1)
combat_looks = N (0)
combat_messages = N (1)
combat_speed = N (0)
combat_taunts = N (1)
game_difficulty = N (1)
item_highlight = N (1)
language_filter = N (0)
mouse_sensitivity N = (1.000000)
player_speedup = N (0)
running = N (0)
subtitles = N (0)
target_highlight = N (2)
text_base_delay N = (3.500000)
text_line_delay N = (1.000000)
violence_level = N (3)

```