Overview
This guide will help you get Redline running on Windows 10 (possibly Windows 7 & 8), as well as give you other troubleshooting tips and tricks to get the most enjoyment out of Redline.
Introduction
Redline has been released on Steam and GOG with no support, leading to a rather lacklustre experience and a lot of negative reviews.
With no hope on the horizon to fix this game for modern systems, Xanarki created a forum post with troubleshooting tips. I stumbled upon this thread a few months ago when I picked this game up, and it was a life saver!
That’s why, with Xanarki’s permission, I am creating this guide using the information from his original post and possibly including a few extra things.
One misconception that I must get out of the way, the Steam and GOG versions are actually v1.1, you do not need the official v1.1 patch.
Community Discord
For people needing more help or wanting to organise multiplayer games, come join us at our Redline Discord here![discord.gg]
We’d really love to build a community around this game and get some regular multiplayer sessions going. If you’re not interested in multiplayer, just come and hang!
Widescreen Patch
One of the first things you’ll want to do is download the fan made widescreen patch here: [link]
- Extract the contents to your installation directory (C:Program Files (x86)SteamsteamappscommonRedline)
- Run RedlineConfig.exe for the first time, this will allow you to set your custom resolution and FOV (NOTE: Game will crash if you exceed a resolution of 2048*2048)
- Once you’re happy, click on Save & Run and you should be greeted with the Redline launcher
- Click on Play Redline and the game should run (the videos will still play at a smaller resolution and the menu will also be a smaller resolution)
- With all consecutive plays, be sure to run the game via the redlinePatcher.exe, this will ensure that all your custom settings remain
The custom FOV slider can be a little confusing. I found 0.15 to work best, but feel free to tweak as you see fits.
*Running the game this way means that Steam will not keep track of your time. If this is an issue, you can always run the game through Steam and leave the Redline launcher running while you play via redlinePatcher.exe.
dgVoodoo2
Instead of using the Widescreen Patch, you can use the latest version of dgVoodoo2. The only downside being that you cannot adjust the FOV (or atleast I couldn’t find a way, if you have, let me know!).
To use dgVoodoo2, download the latest stable release from here: [link]
- After downloading the zip, extract the contents to a new folder, name it whatever you like
- Within that folder you want to go to MS then x86 and copy the files here, minus d3d9.dll, then paste them into your Redline installation directory (C:Program Files (x86)SteamsteamappscommonRedline)
- You’ll also want to copy and paste dgVoodooCpl.exe and dgVoodoo.conf into the installation directory
- Once you’ve copied that all into the Redline directory, run dgVoodooCpl.exe, click on the DirectX tab, set your resolution and uncheck the dgVoodoo Watermark
- Now you can run Redline as per usual, through Steam
As this method allows you to run the game normally through Steam, you’re able to keep track of play time. It also seems that this method doesn’t suffer from any lag during menu use. But again, the down side is a lack of adjustable FOV.
Crashes When Starting
The game will usually crash for Windows 10 users. There are 5 solutions, so start with #1 and try each solution if it doesn’t work.
1. Go to your Library, right click Redline on the left, go to Properties, go to Local Files, go to Browse Local Files, and open Redline.exe to start the game from there (you can launch it from Steam and keep the splash screen open, then do the mentioned steps to track your game time). For some reason, after doing this only 1 time, I was able to always launch from Steam afterwards.
2. Do the same steps as above, but instead of opening Redline.exe, right click Redline.exe and go to Properties, go to Compatibility tab, check the Run this program in compatibility mode box, select Windows 98, check the Run this program as administrator box, and click OK.
3. Do the same steps as above, but instead, right click anywhere in the Redline folder, go to Properties, go to Security tab, go to Edit, left click on your Windows login account name, check the Allow box next to Full control, click OK.
4. When opening Redline.exe, at the launcher, click Display & Audio, and make sure Primary Display Driver is selected, and the correct resolution is selected.
5. Message me (Xanarki) directly on Steam if all that fails, I can probably send you something to help.
You can also message myself, [re-fund], and I also might be able to help. Although surprisingly, I didn’t have any issues with crashing.
Laggy Main Menu
For whatever reason, the menu for Settings is extremely slow. This makes remapping the controls (which is very necessary, because the defaults are terrible) a pain.
If you click a key enough times while mashing the remapped button, it will change. An easier method is to open the Redline folder (steps mentioned above), and open the redline.cfg file in Notepad, and edit the keys.
For on-foot, I suggest using WSAD for forward/back/sidestep left/sidestep right, Q/E for diving left/right, space to jump, mouse left click for fire, and 1-0 for changing weapons.
For driving, I suggest using WSAD for moving, Z for left weapon, C for right weapon, X for back weapon, space for handbrake, Q/E for exiting, mouse left click for front weapon, mouse middle click for changing weapon, and mouse right click for auto-target.
Also, be certain that Free Look is enabled under the Settings, as it will make aiming while driving much easier.
Here’s a link to the custom config as mentioned above: Redline config[drive.google.com]
Textures Loading Slow
When a level is loading, the Textures bar will load very slowly. To get around this, simply alt+tab in and out of the game (or ctrl+alt+delete), and it will automatically load up.
Music Not Playing
The CD music will only play the tracks in order when a level is started. I suggest turning this off in Settings.
During the game, scripted music plays at the start of levels, and during crucial moments, and this can’t be shut off (since they’re short anyway). It’s a lot better than the same CD songs looping over and over.
Special Weapons
To use the zoom on the sniper rifle, just press the number 4 button to zoom in and out. This saves on binding another key to zoom in.
To fly with the saw blade (in multiplayer and Freakway level only), click and hold the left click on mouse as if you’re shooting, hold the W key to move forward, and hold the space bar to jump.
Finally in single player, number 6 is the alien goo gun, but in multiplayer, it’s a flash grenade that will blind other players.
Final Level (Showdown) Won’t End
Even though patch 1.1 was supposed to fix the bug where the last level never ends, it will still sometimes happen.
There are a few steps you can follow to avoid having this issue:
- Ensure your turret isn’t destroyed
- Don’t use the EMP on anyone
- Make sure you kill someone
If you follow these three steps, you should be fine!
Secret Dev Level
There are a lot of secrets and cheats in Redline, and one of those secrets is the Developer Level.
To access this level, you’ll need to be in game and press and hold G, O, and D. Upon releasing Command: will appear on the screen, you now need to type teambeyond and hit enter.
Multiplayer
Even though Mplayer, Heat.net, and Gamespy are shut down, you can still connect to other people.
Firstly, make sure your firewall isn’t blocking the game (it will usually ask you after you close the game).
If you wish to play LAN on Windows 10, download and install IPXWrapper. I have tested it between 2 PCs and it works with Redline. An old program called Kali also exists and supports Redline as well.
If you’re wanting to play online though and not locally, you will need to forward the following ports on your router:
- TCP/UDP 2300
- TCP/UDP 47624
- UDP 6073
If you are hosting, you will then need to give your IP to everyone who intends to join. The best way to work out your IP address is to type what is my ip in to Google.
The client will need to go to Multiplayer, click on Internet (TCP), click Join and enter the host’s IP address, then click on the Internet button. The game will now search for the host and should connect, assuming everyone has forwarded the necessary ports.