■ How to Inst & Config “SpellForce 2 – Anni Ed.” +Patch +Resolution/Camera Fix +change to stable Gold Version! – New 03.2021

Overview

How to Install & Configurate “SpellForce 2 ” for the best gaming experience!How to change “SpellForce 2 Basic Anni” to “SpellForce 2 Gold Edition Legacy Branch” !Resolution and camera fix and cheats via console!With this setting there is no Problem with Mouslag or Tearing!!

Review & History

A) Review:

Originally posted by Review of ovd_masterkey:

This was a JoWooD title and after this manufacturer, later only a producer, became insolvent, THQ Nordic GmbH took over its title and rights.
The developer studio Phenomic Game Development was part of the EA Group from 2006, and was closed in 2013.
Many of the problems the game had came from this troubled time of takeovers and closures.
A main problem was the “Anniversary Edition” because the changes created new problems and no one was there to fix them.
Recently at the middle of 2019 there has been the possibility to convert this version into the much better Gold Edition. Personally, I haven’t found a single bug with this version.
This change offers a new chance for anyone who has previously had technical issues or open quests.
I like the game and think it’s a shame when a lot of people have bought it and then never played it. The guide was a lot of work and it is work for everyone who tries to implement it, but it’s worth it!

In my guide all “historical” versions are explained!
If you have the “Anniversary Edition”, you also have the “Anni Basic Game”, but since this version does not run well, there is also the option of using the older, more stable “SpellForce 2 – Gold Edition” instead of the “Anni” version to install.
The gold version with all my instructions for installation and configuration and the additional tools for e.g. balanced CPU utilization deliver a perfect gaming experience, without errors!
You should also be able to load old saved games!
The work is definitely worth it, I don’t think SF2 looks better than SF3, but from the overall game fun it is better, especially in the handling and the coordination between RPG and strategy!

Link:
Review of ovd_masterkey

B) History:

SpellForce 2: Shadow Wars (2006)
+Spellforce 2: Dragon Storm (2007)
= SpellForce 2 – Gold edition
+Patch——————————————————–> -Patch
+Steam Rewards ——————————————–> – Steam Rewards
= SpellForce 2 – Anni Basic Game <——————>= SpellForce 2 – Gold edition
+(StAlone)SpellForce 2: Faith in Destiny (2012) (over Steam Beta Branch)
+(StAlone)SpellForce 2: Demons of the Past(2014)
= SpellForce 2 – Anni Edition (2017)

SpellForce 2 – Anni (=Anniversary) Edition (2017)

SpellForce 2 – Anni Basic Game
- SpellForce 2 – Gold edition
  - SpellForce 2: Shadow Wars (2006)
  - Spellforce 2: Dragon Storm (2007)
- +Patch
- +Steam Rewards
SpellForce 2: Faith in Destiny (2012)
SpellForce 2: Demons of the Past (2014)

Explanation
If you have the “Anni Edition”, then you also have the “Anni Basic Game” Version, but it doesn’t run well, so there is also the option of installing the older more stable “SpellForce 2 – Gold edition” instead of the “Anni Basic Game”, this is done via the Steam Beta Branch, read the next chapter.

Gold Edition +Patch

How to Do:

To get the best Version:

[INFO][app]: SpellForce2 Final Build: 125055

——–> You must install the “Gold Edition” under STEAM BETA Branch
- How to get SpellForce 2 Gold Edition – Legacy Branch
  Read the text next to the picture and click on the picture for a graphic help.
  
  Originally posted by https://media.thqnordic.com/TEMP/SteamBetaBranchGuide.jpg:
  
  To sign up for a game beta, open your game library, right-click on the “SpellForce 2 – Anniversary Edition” game icon, and click Properties. In the game properties window, switch to the Betas tab. Here you can opt for open betas by selecting them from the drop-down menu. In this case “SpellForce 2 – SpellForce 2” for the Gold Edition!
- From SpellForce 2 Support:
  [link]
  
  SpellForce 2 Gold Edition – Legacy Branch
  Hello,
  
  We setup a public branch with the original SpellForce 2 Gold Edition. The branch is called: “Spellforce 2 – Spellforce 2” and doesnt require a password.
  
  To use this version SpellForce 2 requires a key. Please use this key: 25SZJ-E6NTT-U93AV-WW9FJ-67P6J-CP9CD-WYP3Q-E645Y
  
  Here are some more keys in case you want to play LAN multiplayer:
  2ECEC-NCHXX-HZGZS-P4WUK-AV5JX-UWETS-UZWY4-F3VTR
  3KVZW-LZYN5-C36QK-DNRLJ-S9J5C-3C9E6-NA66A-DXFSF
  2K222-XVM9Y-FSGHR-NLGA2-HA7WL-VNYE3-WKFCV-4ZFQQ
  2MP3Q-293EL-S6DC4-5LFXF-KQVM4-23EDD-R6U25-HTFR5
  3KVN2-GRMZ3-APW3L-XMWFA-SVRC5-9CKPC-73V47-QYDJC
  2QJ4V-FKP2R-GSKMW-JULQX-ERQWU-MNQXV-XQJY7-DQAAQ
  2ST3N-C29NY-H3NAN-3PJZX-FLVSC-2M7UQ-YX62D-WATKN
  337UU-Q73GS-Z6UHE-JZNVC-X9Y5V-6EHQJ-KVHWE-L3TQV
  3G7AY-L9MP3-D2UCN-3DC3K-ZC7RP-QFFYY-WJDXS-D5EUT
  
  Enjoy

Hardware Patch:
[link]
Hardware Patch:
Setup Initialize finished
Search Game Installation(s)…
Game Installation found here: C:spieleSTEAMSteamAppscommonSpellforce 2 Gold Edition
Setup started
Install Patch…
CPU found: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3570K CPU @ 3.40GHz
CPU maximum Speed: 3401
CPU current Speed: 1600
GPU found: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080
Current Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Spellforce 2 Dragon Storm Installation patched
Settings Updated with current Resolution
Patch successfull

If it will not work, take a look at the Point:
Manual Hardware Patch (optional only)

After New Game Start, you will get some info in log.txt file:

C:Users%UserName%DocumentsSpellForce2Diaglog.txt

[INFO][app]: SpellForce2 Final Build: 125055
[INFO][app]: CPU GenuineIntel family 6 detected.
[INFO][app]: CPU clock speed is ~3400 MHz.
[INFO][app]: CPU rating is 20 points. —————————–> importante!!
[INFO][app]: GFX rating is 20 points. —————————–>
[INFO][Create Device]: Switch to display parameters: 1920 × 1080 @ 0 Hz, fullscreen.
[INFO][Create Device]: Vendor ID = 0x10de
[INFO][Create Device]: Device ID = 0x1b80
[INFO][Create Device]: Subsystem ID = 0x33621462
[INFO][Create Device]: Device name = \.DISPLAY1
[INFO][Create Device]: Device description = NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080
[INFO][Create Device]: Driver version = 27.21.14.6140
[INFO][Create Device]: Driver description = nvldumd.dll
[INFO][Create Device]: Vertex shader = 0x300; Pixel shader = 0x300.
………………………….

To make a setup for 1920×1080 copy my Values in this File:

C:Users%UserName%DocumentsSpellForce2config.xml

1920×1080 Resolution 60 Hz:

<?xml version=”1.0″ encoding=”utf-8″ ?>
<application screenrefresh=”60″ maxshader=”0″ screenheight=”1080″ screenwidth=”1920″ simd=”1″ soundprovider=”Miles Fast 2D Positional Audio” fx2dvolume=”0.250000000″ fx3dvolume=”0.250000000″ speechvolume=”0.500000000″ musicvolume=”0.089999996″ globalvolume=”1.000000000″ />
<debugmain optionfileaccesslogfile=”” optionlogfileaccess=”0″ optionfunctionindex=”0″ optionvalueindex=”0″ />
<meta testcase=”0″ lastvendorid=”4318″ lastdeviceid=”7040″ lastdriverversion=”27.21.14.6140″ forcecheckdriver=”0″ forcechecksettings=”0″ />
<vismain optionshadowmapfilter=”2″ optionshadowobjects=”1″ optionshadowmap=”0″ optionenableskydome=”0″ optiontexturesizebias=”0.000000000″ optionwaterquality=”2″ optionenablegrass=”1″ optionenableautoexposure=”1″ optionenableglow=”1″ optionterraintextureanisotropy=”16″ optionenableflatshades=”1″ filtermaxdistance=”1000.000000000″ optiongama=”1.000000000″ optionrenderdigits=”1″ optionrenderfiguredamagedigits=”1″ optionrenderbuildingdeliverdigits=”1″ optionlighting=”1″ optionfog=”1″ optionrenderhealthbars=”1″ optionrenderdonuts=”1″ optionautolighting=”1″ optiondummywater=”1″ loadwater=”1″ filterminscreenarea=”0.000500″ filterminscreenareamindistance=”50.000000″ optionenablefxcache=”1″ optionenablefow=”1″ />
<pregame mtm_online_name=”” host_game_mode_lan=”coop” mp_lan_addon_1_features_enabled=”1″ />
<gui cam3rdinverty=”1.000000000″ borderscrolling=”0″ zoom_level_count_max=”1″ toggle_perspective_mode=”1″ cammovementspeed=”44.400001526″ camrotationspeed=”2.800000191″ sp_start_immediate=”0″ always_show_untargetable_spells=”1″ camrotation3rdpersonspeed=”8.000000000″ camrotationwasdspeed=”2.000000000″ camzoomspeed=”1.000000000″ mouseover_healthbars=”1″ extended_tooltips=”1″ debugmode=”0″ last_used_coop_avatar=”” />
<vissound optionackenable=”1″ optionlocationplugin=”1″ optionworldplugin=”1″ optionatmosphereplugin=”1″ optioneffectplugin=”1″ optionsoundenable=”1″ />
<script optiondump=”0″ />
<visterrain optionnearsectordistance2=”90.000000000″ optionnearsectordistance=”200.000000″ />
<gui_internal internal_frontfactor=”1.000000000″ internal_backfactor=”10.000000000″ internal_sidefactor=”3.000000000″ internal_rank_cap=”60.000000000″ internal_tolerance=”3.000000000″ internal_offset=”5.000000000″ />

For a 2560×1440 Resolution 60 Hz, change values screenheight and screenwidth:
Any resolution above 1920×1080 does make the game crash on startup.

But it will work with Nvidia DSR “Dynamic Super Resolution” = Downsampling!!

Only if You know what you do!!

<?xml version=”1.0″ encoding=”utf-8″ ?>
<application screenrefresh=”60″ maxshader=”0″ screenheight=”1440″ screenwidth=”2560″

If You want use 1920×1080 with 120 Hz, you mast set:
Background Application Max Frame Rate / 125 and
Max Frame Rate / 125 in Nvidia Driver Setup
and screenrefresh=”120″ in config file!

make this Files write protected!

C:Users%UserName%DocumentsSpellForce2config.xml
C:SteamsteamappscommonSpellforce 2 Gold Editionbasedatahwdb.xml
and make copy config.xml to config.xm_
hwdb.xml to hwdb.xm_ for security reasons, if write protection fails.

With this backup you can also switch back and forth between the versions, if necessary, only the two write-protected files remain:
SpellForce2 Final Build: 85906 Ver: 2.01 = Anni
SpellForce2 Final Build: 125055 Ver: 2.01 = Gold Version

make a profile for Spellforce 2 in your graphic card driver setup!

PS:
Thank´s to NeoX for his help:

Originally posted by NeoX:

The 3 steps of fixing SpellForce 2 Anniversary Edition for you:

1. revert the game to its original gold edition state:
[link]

2. apply the hardware patch:
[link]

3. start the game and enter one of the keys mentioned at step 1 but DO NEVER EVER enter the options of the game. They will reset and cause issues on modern hardware if you do.

Graphic Card Driver Setup

With this setting there is no Problem with Mouslag or Tearing!!
This is for 1920×1080 with 60 Hz!!
If you want to use 1920×1080 with 120 Hz, you need to set the following:
Background application Max. Frame rate / 125 and
Maximum frame rate / 125 in the Nvidia driver setup
and screenrefresh=”120″ in config file!
——-> BUT 120 Hz is not tested!! But may work too!!

NVIDIA

Ambient Occlusion / Off
Anisotropic filtering / 16x
Antialiasing – FXAA / Off
Antialiasing – Mode / Enhance the application setting
Antialiasing – Setting / 4x
Antialiasing – Gamma correction / On
Antialiasing – Transparency / 4x Supersampling
Background Application Max Frame Rate / 65
Max Frame Rate / 65
Triple buffering / On
Power management mode / Prefer maximum performance
Sharpening / Off
Low Latency Mode / Ultra
Texture filtering – Anisotropic sample optimization / On
Texture filtering – Negative LOD bias / Clamp
Texture filtering – Quality / High performance
Texture filtering – Trilinear optimization / On
Threaded optimization / Auto
Vertical sync / FastSync

AMD

1. AA with ATI Catalyst Control Center (2 – 4 / Stand.Filter / Supersampling )

2. Anisotrop Filter 16x ( High Quality / SurfaceOptimation=on) from Catalyst looks better!!!

3. Vertical Refresh On – OpenGL Tripel Buffering On

Gold Edition: Setting Camera FOV for High Resolution, +Cheats!!!

—-> This is also for SpellForce2 Final Build: 125055 “Gold Version”

Playing in screenheight=”1080″ screenwidth=”1920″.
Fov: UI:SetCameraFOV(1051) or
Fov: UI:SetCameraFOV(1050)

You can see my screen, using FOV 1051 ( near 3rd, far 3rd, far isometric)

—————–
FOV and Singelplayer-Cheats can be used over console!

See ConsoleHistory :
(C:Users%UserName%DocumentsSpellForce2 ConsoleHistory.xml):
You can copy values from here in your – ConsoleHistory.xml – file.

Open the game console by pressing Ctrl + ]
In German Game : “Strg” and same time “+” open console ingame.

<?xml version=”1.0″ encoding=”utf-8″ ?>

<ConsoleEntry text=”UI:SetCameraFOV(1050)” />
<ConsoleEntry text=”UI:SetCameraFOV(1051)” />
<ConsoleEntry text=”UI:CameraTrackEnd()” />
<ConsoleEntry text=”LogSender:AddMoney(500)” />
<ConsoleEntry text=”LogSender:GiveGood(500)” />
<ConsoleEntry text=”LogSender:GodMode(1)” />
<ConsoleEntry text=”LogSender:GodMode(0)” />
<ConsoleEntry text=”LogSender:NoManaUsage(1)” />
<ConsoleEntry text=”LogSender:NoManaUsage(0)” />
<ConsoleEntry text=”UI:FOWEnable(0)” />
<ConsoleEntry text=”UI:FOWEnable(1)” />

Than you have to look into config.xml in SpellForce2 folder:
– C:Users%UserName%DocumentsSpellForce2config.xml –

In this file all your settings are stored ( see also my config.xml below ).
Here are some important settings:

filtermaxdistance=”150″ – distance visibility only 3rd Person
FOV(1051) “1000” – “150” (~ + 6FPS)
– you can see difference only by night, on day light blocks the view (misty weather)!

CPU Trick for Gold Edition

Spellforce 2 only uses 2 cores but it uses “core 0” about 99% and “core 1” about 30%!
If you want to use all cores equal you must install for example “Easy Toolz”.
(With the point “CPU Affinity” you can bring core 0+1+2+3 together)

Spellforce 2 CPU cores with “Easy Toolz”
CPU Cores 0+1+2+3 are used equal !!!

Tip´s

– for setting waypoints, use MB-Right for waypoints and use MB-Left for the last (End-Point)
waypoint

– the quest about the thief Lemuel: Don´t tell the miliz about the plan of the thief, he will give you
a “Hand for Pickpocketing” ( very usefull !)

– to win the stone-game drakkar against Carla: always take the “second”

Setup Hints for InGame Options, that are inside my config file above!

optiontexturesizebias=”0″ – best Texture ( -1, -2 are very bad)
optionenableskydome=”0″ – only Clouds off – you can´t see them very often!!
optionshadowmap=”0″ – Shadow off (is not very “nice”! brings 15FPS)
optionenableglow=”1″ – costs +2 FPS but would be nice (can´t see it jet!)
(extrem lights will influence near areas so they will look softer)
optionautolighting=”1″
optionlighting=”1″ – On On On without it is very sad!
optionfog=”1″

PS:
[link]

Originally posted by Tumma_Lohikaarme:

If your game crash when the Main Story send you to Ghost Watch in Dragon Storm for the First Time. The Fix is:

1.- Talk with the man but tell him that you’re not ready.
2.- Save the Game.
3.- Return to the Main Menu, go to Graphics and put everything in Deactivate and Low, that includes the Resolution and V-Sync, only left as default the gamma, auto-bright, don’t touch that things.
4.- Apply.
5.- Load the game, talk with the man, tell him you´re ready, skip the cutscene with the mages.
6.- The loading screen appears.
7.- Congratulations 😀 you’re now in the level, wait unitl all fights over, and then save the game, return to the main menu and put your graphics how you want 😀

Manual Hardware Patch: (optional only)

First you have to look into log.txt in Diag-Subfolder:

C:Users%UserName%DocumentsSpellForce2Diag

log.txt :

[INFO][app]: SpellForce2 Final Build: 125055
[INFO][app]: CPU GenuineIntel family 6 detected.
[INFO][app]: CPU clock speed is ~3400 MHz.
[INFO][app]: CPU rating is 18 points. <———————————— !!!!!
[INFO][app]: GFX rating is 0 points. <———————————— !!!!
……………………………

New CPU and GPU must be patched manual ——- !!!!!!!

——-> So you must edit hwdb.xml:

Go to:

C:SteamsteamappscommonSpellforce 2 Gold Editionbasedatahwdb.xml

For my NVIDIA GTX1080:

-<vendor homepage=”http://www.nvidia.com” name=”Nvidia” ID=”0x10de”>
-<adapters>
<adapter points=”20″ pattern=”.*GeForce .*79…*” />
<adapter points=”18″ pattern=”.*GeForce .*78…*” />
<adapter points=”16″ pattern=”.*GeForce .*7[6-7]…*” />
<adapter points=”14″ pattern=”.*GeForce .*6[8-9]…*” />
<adapter points=”12″ pattern=”.*GeForce .*6[6-7]…*” />
<adapter points=”10″ pattern=”.*GeForce .*FX.*59…*” />

I write the line on top:

So you will get:

-<vendor homepage=”http://www.nvidia.com” name=”Nvidia” ID=”0x10de”>
-<adapters>
<adapter points=”20″ pattern=”.*GeForce .*1080*”/>
<adapter points=”20″ pattern=”.*GeForce .*79…*” />
<adapter points=”18″ pattern=”.*GeForce .*78…*” />
<adapter points=”16″ pattern=”.*GeForce .*7[6-7]…*” />
<adapter points=”14″ pattern=”.*GeForce .*6[8-9]…*” />

For my Intel Core i5:

After New Game Start, you will get:

[INFO][app]: SpellForce2 Final Build: 85906
[INFO][app]: OS version information: 6.2.9200 Service Pack 0
[INFO][app]: Physical memory total: 8159 MB
[INFO][app]: Physical memory available: 3072 MB
[INFO][app]: Virtual memory total: 2047 MB
[INFO][app]: Virtual memory available: 1846 MB
[INFO][app]: PageFile memory total: 23503 MB
[INFO][app]: PageFile memory available: 12129 MB
[INFO][app]: Memory load: 62 percent
[INFO][app]: Number of processors: 4
[INFO][app]: CPU GenuineIntel family 6 detected.
[INFO][app]: CPU clock speed is ~3400 MHz.
[INFO][app]: CPU rating is 20 points.
[INFO][app]: GFX rating is 20 points.
[INFO][Create Device]: Switch to display parameters: 1920 × 1080 @ 60 Hz, fullscreen.
[INFO][Create Device]: Vendor ID = 0x10de
[INFO][Create Device]: Device ID = 0x1b80
[INFO][Create Device]: Subsystem ID = 0x33621462
[INFO][Create Device]: Device name = \.DISPLAY1
[INFO][Create Device]: Device description = NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080
[INFO][Create Device]: Driver version = 27.21.14.6140
[INFO][Create Device]: Driver description = nvldumd.dll
[INFO][Create Device]: Vertex shader = 0x300; Pixel shader = 0x300.
[INFO][Create Device]: Testing sRGB support for display format 0x15, pass.
[INFO][Create Device]: Testing sRGB support for display format 0x16, pass.
[INFO][Create Device]: Testing sRGB support for display format 0x15, pass.
[INFO][Create Device]: Testing sRGB support for display format 0x16, pass.
[INFO][Create Device]: Testing sRGB support for display format 0x31545844, pass.
[INFO][Create Device]: Testing sRGB support for display format 0x33545844, pass.
[INFO][Create Device]: Testing sRGB support for display format 0x35545844, pass.
[INFO][Create Device]: Engine color space is linear.
[INFO][CPGMain]: – INIT

Troubleshooting

If You have problems with a Game:

Always verify Your Files with Steam-Verify and update Your Graphic Card Driver to the newest version!
If that is not enough, uninstall the game and then restart the computer and then do a fresh installation.
Now the third party apps should also be installed.
If not, Install manually :
C:STEAMSteamAppscommonSpellforce 2 Gold Edition
- DirectXDXSETUP.exe
If You Do a Steam Verify, REMEMBER:
You must install the Patch again!!
“spellforce2.exe” required neither compatibility mode nor administrator rights!
Take a look at C:Users%UserName%DocumentsSpellForce2Diaglog.txt
Here is my log.txt for Nvidia GTX 1080 and Intel Core i5:

[INFO][app]: SpellForce2 Final Build: 125055
[INFO][app]: CPU GenuineIntel family 6 detected.
[INFO][app]: CPU clock speed is ~3400 MHz.
[INFO][app]: CPU rating is 20 points.
[INFO][app]: GFX rating is 20 points.
[INFO][Create Device]: Switch to display parameters: 2560 × 1440 @ 60 Hz, fullscreen.
[INFO][Create Device]: Vendor ID = 0x10de
[INFO][Create Device]: Device ID = 0x1b80
[INFO][Create Device]: Subsystem ID = 0x33621462
[INFO][Create Device]: Device name = \.DISPLAY1
[INFO][Create Device]: Device description = NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080
[INFO][Create Device]: Driver version = 27.21.14.6589
[INFO][Create Device]: Driver description = nvldumd.dll
[INFO][Create Device]: Vertex shader = 0x300; Pixel shader = 0x300.
[INFO][Create Device]: Testing sRGB support for display format 0x15, pass.
[INFO][Create Device]: Testing sRGB support for display format 0x16, pass.
[INFO][Create Device]: Testing sRGB support for display format 0x15, pass.
[INFO][Create Device]: Testing sRGB support for display format 0x16, pass.
[INFO][Create Device]: Testing sRGB support for display format 0x31545844, pass.
[INFO][Create Device]: Testing sRGB support for display format 0x33545844, pass.
[INFO][Create Device]: Testing sRGB support for display format 0x35545844, pass.
[INFO][Create Device]: Engine color space is linear.
…………………………………..
[link]

Originally posted by Tumma_Lohikaarme:

If your game crash when the Main Story send you to Ghost Watch in Dragon Storm for the First Time. The Fix is:

1.- Talk with the man but tell him that you’re not ready.
2.- Save the Game.
3.- Return to the Main Menu, go to Graphics and put everything in Deactivate and Low, that includes the Resolution and V-Sync, only left as default the gamma, auto-bright, don’t touch that things.
4.- Apply.
5.- Load the game, talk with the man, tell him you´re ready, skip the cutscene with the mages.
6.- The loading screen appears.
7.- Congratulations 😀 you’re now in the level, wait unitl all fights over, and then save the game, return to the main menu and put your graphics how you want 😀

SpellForce 2 – Anniversary Edition Guide