How to find stores, bars, internet cafes etc.. in GTA-4

Question

Is there anyway to quickly find where the stores, bars, internet cafes, food joints etc.. in GTA4 (PC version) other than walking up and down the streets looking for buildings to enter or having the place introduced in a mission?

Thanks

Asked by OrionDarkwood

Answer

The game comes with a poster-sized map which shows most of those locations:

There are also plenty of interactive maps on the web.

I would also assume that you could get a mod for the PC version which would make the in-game map more detailed.

Otherwise I think you're just supposed to learn your way around the city!

Answered by jwaddell

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Compatibility of controllers for PC games

Question

As the number of console ports seems to increase, there are more and more games that are meant to be played with a controller like on a console. The keyboard controls are sometimes pretty clumsy.

If I want to play games with a controller on my PC, are there any compatibility problems with different controllers and games? Are there some standard controllers that work with most games?

So, could I just choose any controller and happily play my games or do I have to be more careful in my selection?

Asked by Fabian

Answer

Short answer:

XBOX 360 controller

.

Why:

1. It is, and will be, officially supported by many new PC games, so no configuraiton needed (not even remapping buttons), especially Games for Windows titles, XBOX 360 ports and some other games no more than a few years old. (Super easy).

2. Where not officially supported, it's still recognised as a windows DirectX controller, so any windows game from the last 10 years or so that supports any joystick/joypads will work. You may have to re-map buttons, or even fiddle with config files, though. (Easy enough).

3. Where there is no/broken joystick support, you can use a utility that turns control pad commands into key presses and mouse movements like xPadder. (Do-able).

4. It's a pretty well-built controller. 3rd party controllers are almost never as accurate, responsive and comfortable as the ones that ship with the major consoles.

Any controller you can buy for PC can do 2 and 3, but not 1 and 4. (I have the pc dongle and wireless x360 controller, as well as many other controllers).

Answered by MGOwen

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How do I get out of the police car?

Question

I am stuck at the very beginning after the car crash. It is said I should look around and find a way out of the car, but all I see are my handcuffs, a shutgun, and the dead police officer. I have no idea how to interact with my surroundings.

How am I supposed to get out of the police car?

Asked by k0pernikus

Answer

Kick the window on the other side

Answered by Berkay

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Max Payne - Max Payne 2 Resolution / Perspective issue on a wide screen monitor

Question

So just bought Max Payne and Max Payne 2 from the Steam Sale. Is there a way to change the perspective of the game, so that it doesn't look weird on a Wide Screen monitor.

I am able to set it 1680x1050, but then everything looks Wide(fat). Is there a way to fix that, or should I stick to a 4:3 resolution and turn of scaling for my monitor/graphics card.

Asked by Some One

Answer

There's not a shred of evidence on Widescreen Gaming Forum (the definitive source for widescreen game support and fixes) that you can get an acceptable display in widescreen resolutions. The game simply stretches the image to fill your monitor, just as you described.

I would recommend sticking with your second idea of running the game pillarboxed at a 4:3 display ratio.

Answered by cowgod

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Why is my game constantly crashing silently to desktop with no error message?

Question

I have been searching for an answer to the crash-to-desktop (CTD) issue for days since I first began playing. All I come across are 10-page-long discussions that appear to consist only of new members joining the forum just so they can chime in with, "This is happening to me, too!" The only thing anyone ever has to offer is a link to the same site I've seen a dozen times with a list of "common things that may help", but none ever do.

The CTD is random. I hardly ever know when it's going to happen, although, sometimes, I get into a spot in the game where the crash is consistent at around the same spot.

Among some of the things I've tried:

• turned off AA
• using low setting presets
• playing windowed
• turning off v-sync (even though this is just spitting in the face of my 480GTX)
• 44.1 khz sound tweak

Many of these tweaks I tried only for peace of mind and would never play with them. For example, turning off AA or v-sync? No thanks, I'll take my smooth edges and jitter-free frame rates to another game.

There has to be something other than these compiled checklists of random tweaks that no one ever reports as 100% effective. Isn't there an official patch for this? Hasn't Bethesda addressed this? Hundreds upon hundreds of people are having this problem.

My specs -

Windows 7 32-bit 4 GB RAM Nvidia 480 GTX Intel i5 3.33 Ghz

Asked by oscilatingcretin

Answer

Maybe your computer or graphics card is getting too hot. Check how long you can run Skyrim until it crashes.

Also, check this out -> http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=4192 I heard it does a very good job of preventing CTDs.

And save often!

Answered by ChrisGS

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How do I glide in “Batman: Arkham City” during the “Demon Trials”?

Question

I am playing Batman: Arkham City on the PC (Windows). I am stuck on the Demon Trials level where one has to follow a blue path through the air by alternating between gliding and dive bombing.

I have looked online, and everywhere says the same thing. One simply holds down W+Space to glide, and W+Space+Left CTRL to dive bomb. So, essentially, one should just hold down W+Space the whole time, and switch between holding down the Left CTRL and not holding it down, in order to dive bomb or not, respectively.

However, every single time, I start in glide mode, then I do a dive bomb, and as soon as I let go of the Left CTRL button, Batman stops gliding and plummets to the ground like a bag of wet cement.

I have read some things that seem to indicate pulling back (or forward) on the mouse makes a difference, but not as far as I've experienced. I've also tried every variation I can think of for how I switch between keys and which ones I hold down in what order, but nothing makes a difference.

How can I get Batman to glide and dive bomb using a PC keyboard and mouse as is necessary to pass this level?

Asked by Dave M G

Answer

It could be your keyboard and key combinations that's causing problems.

The key here is to never release the glide button (Space) and you don't necessarily have to hold forward (W) IIRC. Hold forward and glide (W + Space) to start the initial jump off the ledge and gliding. While gliding, make sure you're holding the glide button (Space) to keep on gliding. The movement buttons (W, S, A and D I assume) controls your pitch and yaw (fly up/down, left/right).

Every once in a while, you'll need to dive-bomb to not only follow the path but also gain some needed momentum. While gliding, hold the dive-bomb button (Ctrl) and don't release the glide button! After diving for a while and gaining speed, release (only) the dive-bomb button and fly upward (S or W if inverted flight is off) to gain more altitude. The speed you got in the dive should allow you to fly back up close to the height you started diving but you'll be gliding forward a bit faster. And repeat as necessary.

Assuming you're doing all this and not releasing the glide button at any point, you should be fine. If you still stop gliding after releasing the dive-bomb button, try changing your glide button to a different key and see if that makes a difference. Try Alt as it's a modifier key and should be able to be combined with most other keys (though Ctrl + W + Space and possibly A/D shouldn't cause problems on most keyboards today).

Answered by Jeff Mercado

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Is it possible to play Street Fighter X Tekken with 2 players online on one PC?

Question

The XBox360 version allows only one player to play online, so if you want to play online with your buddy (same team), you basically need 2 XBox360s each with a copy of the game.

Will the PC version be the same? Do I need 2 PCs with one copy each to play 2 player tag team online?

Asked by ayckoster

Answer

No. Similar to the Xbox360 version, same system online co-op will not be available on the PC version.

This has been answered by Cacpom here

Answered by JohnoBoy

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Using the Courtesan in multiplayer on PC

Question

For a long time since I've been playing, I had the feeling that the Courtesan was just not a selectable character in multiplayer on the PC. I know that console players have been able to choose her but it never seemed like PC players were able to. Some people say that you need to be at level 50 so she would be unlocked -- I think they're talking about Brotherhood. But I've seen videos of people less than 50 and were playing as Courtesan and I've already gotten past level 50 once and am currently at level 40 -- working my way to prestige -- and I have yet to be able to choose her. She doesn't even appear in the roster as unlockable. What gives? I've seen similar questions on the net, all not really having a right answer as they answer from a console player's perspective.

Now, I've seen a player online and they were using the Cortesan! They've prestiged once already (at level 48 and about to prestige again) so I'm guessing I must prestige once before she's available? Or maybe it's just a coincidence since the first DLC has been out and she's a bonus?

Can anyone verify if this is true or know exactly when she may be used on PC?

Asked by Jeff Mercado

Answer

She can only be unlocked if you have:

1. Played Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
2. Linked your UPlay account for both games to the same account

From the wiki:

"The Courtesan can only be unlocked in Assassins Creed: Revelations if you have played Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood."

Answered by Gareth Jones

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To be or not to be a Dark Brotherhood and a Guild Master

Question

First of all I'm trying to don't repeat this question: What should I consider when deciding to join or destroy the Dark Brotherhood?

I was reading the http://elderscrolls.wikia.com and I have a few doubts about the history line. I was read that you can kill Astrid, but then you can become Dark Brotherhood anwyay, if you do not choose start the another history. Is that correct?

My idea is try to complete this questline but then kill'em all. So I think in kill Astrid first. So, there are my questions:

1. If I kill Astrid can I really become a dark brotherhood and then once completed destroy 'em all?
2. If not, there's a way to do that?
3. If I only choose destroy them, can I get the Shadowmere? How?
4. There's a consecuence for being a dark brotherhood with any NPC?
5. In relation with these, I'm married with Mjoll the Lioness. If I become a Guild Master I will have problems?

Any comment or answerd will be grateful. Thanks and kind regards.

Please before downvote this question, comment or edit why you think this question must be different.

Asked by Leandro

Answer

You can only choose one of two things:

1. Kill Astrid and destroy the Brotherhood (and not obtain shadowmere)
2. Join the Brotherhood

Also, barely any consequences. No-one will really have anything but maybe different speech options for intimidate.

Ofcourse there always are console commands to fix your needs if you feel like cheating.

Answered by Assile

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Prince of Persia (2008): Quick Response Prompts

Question

I am looking for some help with getting a better grasp on the combat system in Prince of Persia (the cel-shaded iteration from 2008). I do well enough through most everything else, but the quick prompt combat queues are beyond me. Can anyone help me with better anticipating the prompts that accompany the combat. Im not terrible at executing the combos, but hitting the right key (playing on the pc) leaves me at a total loss. I'm sure that there is a degree of motor response that I may be lacking, but any help would be appreciated.

Asked by mfg

Answer

I'm assuming that your referring to the attacks that require you to press a key to counter/dodge the attack

With the bosses (Hunter, Alchemist, Warrior & Concubine), each quick prompt combat response will be tied to a particular attack animation. It will take you a a short while, but eventually you'll begin to recognise which animation is tied to which key press.

I have to admit they are quite difficult to get the hang of and I often miss one, but you'll eventually begin to recognise them

Answered by Alastair Pitts

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Where to look for the current patch version installed?

Question

I was reading the Masseffect.wikia Planet Scanning article and found this tip:

Patch your game. Before you begin mining, make sure that you have patch 1.02 or higher as it reduces the time required for mining by providing a larger scan area.

I did not find the current version number anywhere in the game setting, where should I look? By the way, I bought the game on Steam, I thought it is supposed to be patched automatically, isn't it?

Asked by DavRob60

Answer

Each installed Game in your Steam library has an individual setting for whether or not it should be kept up to date. You can verify that this option is selected for Mass Effect by right-clicking on the entry in your Library, then choosing Properties. On the Updates tab there is a check box entitled "Always keep this game up to date".

To answer the actual question: this Technical FAQ http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/106/index/6861142/1 says to run the ME2 Launcher, select Configure and choose the Game tab. The number next to MassEffect2.exe is your patch level.

Check this to see if the Launcher behaviour is different in the Steam version (which I don't have) and let me know, at which point I'll edit out this caveat.

Answered by JamesCW

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Does Halo 2 only work under Windows Vista?

Question

I have Halo 2 for Windows Vista and I'm considering upgrading to Windows 7.

Will Halo 2 run on Windows 7, or is it Windows Vista only?

Asked by Nate Koppenhaver

Answer

Yes, though there is great potential for installation misery. The top entry of the official Bungie FAQ:

Does Halo 2 Vista work with Windows 7 32-bit/64-bit?

Yes and no. Some people have issues, some people run the game fine. The only way to know is to try yourself.

If you do run into issues, try installing the latest patches (W7, GFWL, and H2) or these workarounds.

Answered by sean

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How to jump in Medal of Honor?

Question

I just started playing Medal of Honor today on my PC, and I started with the lowest mission, for "beginners." However, I get stuck a few minutes into it because I have to jump over barrels in a hallway. However, I can't figure out how to jump! I tried a bunch of different keys and nothing seemed to work. Does anyone know?

Asked by phoffer

Answer

I've never played the game, but jumping defaults to space bar (or sometimes right-click) in every FPS I've ever played.

Answered by BlueRaja - Danny Pflughoeft

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What is the fastest way to get a high multiplier and score?

Question

With the new Scorepocalypse spin-off from All Zombies Must Die, I have the problem that I am sometimes already at wave 50, but score is still around 100.000 only. Silver Medal is 400.000 Score.

From what I understand, Zombies with status effects ( sonic, fire, mutated etc. ) give the multiplier as long as they live and it drops when zombies with a special status die.

But in the same time, those special zombies are very fast and become a threat pretty quick.

So what is the best strategy to acummulate a high score and multiplier early on and are there any other factors that help?

Asked by scorcher24

Answer

Since there is no answer yet, I paste the one from the developer of the game on steam forums:

There are a few good ways to improve your multiplier, and therefore your scores, here are some tips:

1. Collect Z'Orbs, don't get hit by zombies. Z'Orbs contribute to your temporary multiplier (albeit a small amount), however they are knocked back down by a certain percentage every time you get hit. This requires quite some skill, but if you master being hit as little as possible your scores will improve.
2. Make use of the status effects. I don't just mean keeping zombies on fire or sonified, there are other side effects too. Try spawning a few mutants with radiation and see what happens to your multiplier..
3. This is an obvious one but challenges, challenges, challenges... the more you complete earlier on in the level, the higher your multiplier stays permanently. The quicker you complete them the faster a new challenge will appear too!
4. Get rid of those pesky necromancer zombies when they appear... ghosts give no score when killed!

Hope this helps, happy zombie slaying!

Kind regards, Stanith

http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showpost.php?p=30436831&postcount=4

Answered by scorcher24

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Is the gamepad support in The Witcher 2: Enhanced Edition the same as in the Xbox 360 version?

Question

The Witcher 2 already had gamepad support, I know that, but with the Xbox 360 "Enhanced Edition" this has been completely rehauled to better fit the Xbox 360 controller and console play, alongside the UI and all menus in the game.

What I want to know is: Does the current version of The Witcher 2, which I believe is also called "Enhanced Edition" (if not, I probably wouldn't even be asking this question) use the overhauled Xbox 360 control scheme when you're playing with a gamepad or does it use the older version?

Asked by Rukishou

Answer

While Witcher 2 has always had (really good) support for the 360 controller, the Enhanced Edition's revised 360 controls currently have not made it to the PC Enhanced Edition. Kotaku:

Weirdly, the 360's enhanced controller setup doesn't make its way over to the PC version of the Enhanced Edition, which bummed me out. I'm one of the odd ones who played The Witcher 2 with a controller on PC, and I find that I prefer the 360's button layout and targeting system, which feel a touch different (and are arranged differently) on the PC.

Answered by sean

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Is it possible to find out what level your follower is on?

Question

Also, is it possible to level them up? Or do they level up just like me by fighting and increasing their skills?

Asked by David

Answer

They are locked at the level on which you hired them, and will not continue to level up as you do.

To set them on your current level(should be higher) you can:

• use console commands on the PC ("disable" then "enable" the character while they are not in your party.

• use Wabbajack to turn them into a mudcrab/goat/etc, then rehire them when they change back.

This resets their stats to the current player level, and also does not appear to reset their inventory or quest scripting (although you will need to take an item from their inventory and put it back to get them to re-equip any non-default equipment you've given them). However, it has no effect if they are currently in your party. Essential characters can not be transformed, therefore essential followers can not reset their stats unless using console commands.

There are a couple very specific occasions in which certain Followers will level up due to scripted events in quests.

Note that most of followers can reach max lvl 30 so updating them past this level would be useless.

For those on PC check out getlevel and setlevel console commands.

Answered by Arremer

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Skyrim Elder Scrolls V: Is it possible to find out what level your follower is on?

Question

Also, is it possible to level them up? Or do they level up just like me by fighting and increasing their skills?

Asked by David

Answer

They are locked at the level on which you hired them, and will not continue to level up as you do.

To set them on your current level(should be higher) you can:

• use console commands on the PC ("disable" then "enable" the character while they are not in your party.

• use Wabbajack to turn them into a mudcrab/goat/etc, then rehire them when they change back.

This resets their stats to the current player level, and also does not appear to reset their inventory or quest scripting (although you will need to take an item from their inventory and put it back to get them to re-equip any non-default equipment you've given them). However, it has no effect if they are currently in your party. Essential characters can not be transformed, therefore essential followers can not reset their stats unless using console commands.

There are a couple very specific occasions in which certain Followers will level up due to scripted events in quests.

Note that most of followers can reach max lvl 30 so updating them past this level would be useless.

Answered by Arremer

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sibbi's stash key not opening stash in quest “promises to keep”

Question

I am doing the quest "promises to keep" and i persuaded sibbi to give me the key to his stash.

I went to the Black Briar brewing. Went to the basement and at the bottom of the stairs is the chest. I have the key in my inventory but it will not allow me to open the chest. Keeps saying that a key is required.

Bug? Am i doing something wrong? Suggestions?

thanks!

Asked by prolink007

Answer

Go to the Black briar lodge you are in Black briar meadery.

There will be two men outside in front of the lodge, an archer and a swordsman. You can either fight them and enter through the front or sneak around and open the basement door on the West side of the house.

Once downstairs, there will be a barrel in the back with the papers in a strongbox. The papers may also be found on one of the tables.

More about the quest here.

Answered by Arremer

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Does Brink use GFWL or Steamworks?

Question

I heard in some previews that Brink would have used Steamworks but today I went on an online store and the PC cover shows the logo Game For Windows Live.

Can you clarify which is the truth? I am asking this because I am not a big fan of GWFL (to say it softly) and I would buy probably only if it use Steam infrastructure for matchmaking, ladders, server browsing and so on.

Asked by Drake

Answer

See the Brink FAQ being maintained on the Steam forums:

Q. Is BRINK a GFWL title?

Nope. BRINK is a Steamworks title. BRINK carries the 'Games for Windows' moniker, which is different to GFWL. For a game to be certified for GFW, it has to meet the following requirements:

• An "Easy Install" option that installs the title on a PC in the fewest possible steps and mouse clicks
• Compatibility with the Windows Vista/ 7 Games Explorer
• Installs and runs properly on x64 versions of Windows Vista/ 7 and is compatible with 64-bit processors (though the game itself can be 32-bit)
• Supports normal and widescreen resolutions, such as 4:3 aspect ratio (800 x 600, 1024 x 768), 16:9 aspect ratio (1280 x 720, 1920 x 1080), and 16:10 aspect ratio (1280 x 800, 1440 x 900, 1680 x 1050, 1920 x 1200)
• Supports parental controls and family settings features in Windows Vista/ 7
• Supports launching from Windows Media Center

Q. Can I activate a retail copy through Steam?

BRINK uses Steamworks so retail copies can be activated through Steam.

Answered by DMA57361

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How Can I Force AA in GTA IV?

Question

I'm a newbie of GTA IV.

My GTA IV version is 1.0.7.0.

But there is no AA setting.

The image looks fine but if you save the image and see it bigger size, you can see clear aliasing. it looks very dirty.

so i'm trying to accept AA by NVIDIA control panel(I'm using GTX560ti), but it's not effect.

How can I accept AA?

Asked by ks0830

Answer

AFAIK, the driver software for both Nvidia and AMD/ATI can't force AA in GTA IV due to how GTA IV's graphics engine was made (or rather, how it was ported to the PC from the console platform).

You can however, force SMAA on it by using injectSMAA:

Description:

• adds "Subpixel Morphological Antialiasing" to an application
• is based on "injectFXAA" (written by "some dude")
• is supposed to work only with directx 9, directx 10, directx 11, x86 applications
• may be incompatible with any other form of antialiasing
• may be incompatible with overlays (Steam Overlay, MSI Afterburner, Fraps, ...)

SMAA is a very efficient GPU-based MLAA implementation, capable of handling subpixel features seamlessly, and featuring an advanced pattern detection & handling mechanism.

http://www.iryoku.com/smaa/

Screenshots (from http://mrhaandi.blogspot.com/p/injectsmaa.html - click to enlarge):

No AA:

With SMAA:

Answered by galacticninja

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