FlatOut 2

Not to be confused with Flashout 2 or Fallout 2.

FlatOut
FlatOut	2004
FlatOut 2	2006
FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage	2008
FlatOut 3: Chaos & Destruction	2011
FlatOut 4: Total Insanity	2017

Warnings

The macOS (OS X) release of this game does not work on macOS Catalina (version 10.15) or later due to the removal of support for 32-bit-only apps.

GameSpy online services have been shut down (see Network for solutions).

FlatOut 2 is a singleplayer and multiplayer first-person and third-person action, racing, tricks and vehicle combat game in the FlatOut series.

Since January 2023, the Zoom Platform version has been continuously updated with bug fixes, improved widescreen support, localizations and extras.^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6] The Steam and Epic Games Store versions were updated in July 2024 to match the Zoom Platform release, with the exception of the exclusive extras.^[7]

General information

Remade as FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage in 2008.

GOG.com Community Discussions for game series

GOG.com Support Page

Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source	DRM	Notes	Keys	OS
Retail		US: SecuROM 7 DRM. 5 CDs. Europe: StarForce 4 DRM^{[Note 1]}. 1 DVD.
Retail		Xplosiv release. Also Polish and Czech release. (Czech release v1.0)
Publisher website
Epic Games Store		Pre-packaged with DxWrapper and includes additional fixes.
GamersGate

GOG.com
Green Man Gaming
Mac App Store		No online play ^[10]
Steam		Pre-packaged with DxWrapper and includes additional fixes.
ZOOM Platform		Super Digital Deluxe Edition. Pre-packaged with DxWrapper and includes additional fixes.
Amazon.com (unavailable)
GamersGate (unavailable)		DRM: Deliver2Mac
Publisher website (unavailable)		Russia, CIS. The site states that the game does not support Windows 8 and higher. But the game works fine.
Publisher website (unavailable)		Russia, CIS. Bundled with FlatOut, FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage, Flatout 3: Chaos & Destruction.

StarForce DRM for this game does not work on modern versions of Windows (see above for affected releases).

Version differences

The Mac App Store version does not support online play.^[10]

The Zoom Platform-exclusive Super Digital Deluxe Edition has exclusive extras. It initially had exclusive fixes for the game before the Steam version was synchronized with it in July 2024.

Essential improvements

Patches

The latest version for Windows is patch 1.2, available from Patches-Scrolls.

The latest version for OS X is patch 1.0.7, available from Patches-Scrolls.

Opening the launcher

After the first time launching the game, the launcher will not show up again, rendering the player unable to reconfigure the settings.

Run the game with the `-setup` command line argument^[11]

Delete Savegame/device.cfg^[12]
Go into `Savegame` in the installation folder. Delete `device.cfg`.

Skip intro videos

Use ZolikaPatch^{[citation needed]}

Skip intro fix^{[citation needed]}
Download BFS file and place it `<path-to-game>`. Open the `filesystem` file with a text editor. Add this new line at the bottom: `mcz-fo2noint.bfs`.

ZolikaPatch

Use OpenSpy for Multiplayer, add split-screen option.

Fix the stretched HUD and zoomed in FOV without breaking menus.

Remove 100 FPS limit and forced Vsync, add option for borderless windowed mode.

Option to skip intro videos and remove the 5 second wait on the legal screen.

Uncapping the framerate can cause car engine sounds to be silent.

Applying ZolikaPatch
Download the ZPatchFO2_v#.#.zip file. Extract the contents of the download to `<path-to-game>`; replace the file(s) when prompted.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System	Location
Windows	<path-to-game>\zoom_fo2.cfg^{[Note 2]} <path-to-game>\Savegame\^{[Note 2]}
macOS (OS X)
Linux
Steam Play (Linux)	<SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/2990/pfx/^{[Note 3]}

It's unknown whether this game follows the XDG Base Directory Specification on Linux. Please fill in this information.

Save game data location

System	Location
Windows	<path-to-game>\Savegame\^{[Note 2]}
macOS (OS X)
Linux
Steam Play (Linux)	<SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/2990/pfx/^{[Note 3]}

Save game cloud syncing

System	Native	Notes
Epic Games Launcher
GOG Galaxy
Steam Cloud

Video

Game launcher (access with -setup parameter).

Ingame video options

Graphics feature	WSGF	Notes
Widescreen resolution		Native in Zoom Platform, Steam and Epic Games Store releases. Use ZolikaPatch for others.
Multi-monitor
Ultra-widescreen		Native in Zoom Platform, Steam and Epic Games Store releases. Use ZolikaPatch for others.
4K Ultra HD		Native in Zoom Platform, Steam and Epic Games Store releases. Use ZolikaPatch for others.
Field of view (FOV)
Windowed	Use d3d9hook.
Borderless fullscreen windowed	Use ZolikaPatch.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)	Up to 16x.
Anti-aliasing (AA)	Up to 8x MSAA.
High-fidelity upscaling	See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Vertical sync (Vsync)	Use ZolikaPatch to disable it.
60 FPS
120+ FPS	Frame rate is capped at 100 FPS. Use ZolikaPatch to remove the cap.
High dynamic range display (HDR)	See the glossary page for potential alternatives.
Color blind mode	See the glossary page for potential alternatives.

Input

Input options

Remapping options

Keyboard and mouse	State	Notes
Remapping
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse acceleration		No mouse support in-game.
Mouse input in menus
Keyboard and mouse prompts
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support		Must be enabled in options and plugged in before launching; default controls are unintuitive but can be rebound in options.
Full controller support		Requires user to press `↵ Enter` on the keyboard to begin a race. No controller support in menus.
Controller remapping
Controller sensitivity
Controller Y-axis inversion

Controller types

XInput-compatible controllers		Zoom Platform, Steam and Epic Games Store versions only.
Xbox button prompts		Zoom Platform, Steam and Epic Games Store versions only.
Impulse Trigger support

DirectInput-compatible controllers

PlayStation controllers		Zoom Platform, Steam and Epic Games Store versions only.
PlayStation button prompts		Zoom Platform, Steam and Epic Games Store versions only.
Motion sensors support
Light bar support
Adaptive trigger support
DualSense haptic feedback support
Connection modes

Nintendo controllers

Other controller(s)		Supports TouchSense-compatible controllers like the Logitech F710 (in DirectInput mode).
Additional button prompts		Zoom Platform, Steam and Epic Games Store versions only.

Additional information
Button Prompts		Not functioning on more recent controllers; prompts do not match required input.
Controller hotplugging
Input prompt override
Haptic feedback		TouchSense-compatible controllers. For XInput controllers see XInput force feedback vibration in DirectInput games.
Simultaneous controller+KB/M

Audio

Audio options

Audio feature	State	Notes
Separate volume controls		Music, Effects.
Surround sound		Up to 7.0 output with DirectSound3D restoration software.
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
EAX support		DirectSound3D.^[13] Select Hardware 3D in launcher.
Royalty free audio		The game uses licensed songs with no option to change to other songs

During development, FlatOut 2 lost several songs; AFI - Rabbits Are Roadkill On Rt. 37; Nine Black Alps - Cosmopolitan; Papa Roach - Blood Brothers (race mode); Nine Black Alps - Cosmopolitan (stunt mode); Yellowcard - Breathing (stunt mode).

Songs Papa Roach - Blood Brothers (race mode) and Yellowcard - Breathing (stunt mode) returned in Zoom Platform release.

All of the soundtracks can be restored using FO2 Musicplus

Localizations

None of the languages beside English display the icon in the "Begin race" text properly.^[14]

Language	UI	Audio	Sub	Notes
English				Metric measurements.
Simplified Chinese				Retail, Steam and ZOOM Platform only.
Traditional Chinese				Retail, Steam and ZOOM Platform only.
Czech				Retail, Steam and Zoom Platform only.
French
German
Hungarian				Retail, Steam and Zoom Platform only.
Italian
Polish				Retail, Steam and Zoom Platform only. Fan translation, download.
Brazilian Portuguese				Fan translation by Central de Traduções; download.
Russian				Retail, Buka Shop, Steam and Zoom Platform only.
Spanish
Ukrainian				Fan translation, download.

Network

Multiplayer types

Type	Players	Notes
Local play	8	Hot seat Rag Doll mini-games (Party Mode). For simultaneous split-screen, use either ZolikaPatch (native split-screen) or FlatOut 2 Splitscreen Mod (multiple instances).
LAN play	8
Online play	8	Either use the patched FlatOut2.exe or ZolikaPatch or OpenSpy Client. Not available in the Mac App Store version.^[10] Steam and Zoom Platform releases pre-configured to use OpenSpy.

VR support

3D modes	State	Notes
vorpX		G3D Officially supported game, see official vorpx game list.

Issues fixed

Steam version fails to start

Game process is opened in background but window doesn't appear.

Use dgVoodoo^[15]
Go to the installation folder. Delete `d3d9.dll`, `dxwrapper.dll`, and `dxwrapper.ini`. Download dgVoodoo 2. Extract `dgVoodoo.conf`, `dgVoodooCpl.exe`, and `d3d9.dll` (from `MS\x86`) to the installation folder. Change options in `dgVoodooCpl.exe` if needed.

Resolution resets to 4:3 or other graphics issues

Delete Savegame/device.cfg^[16]
Go into `<path-to-game>\Savegame`. Delete `device.cfg`.

Juddery motion despite having a consistent frame rate

Use either 50 Hz or 100 Hz if the monitor is capable^{[citation needed]}

Notes

If using G-Sync/FreeSync, use a third-party tool to cap the frame rate at 50 FPS or leave it uncapped for 100 FPS. Only leave it uncapped if the PC is capable of delivering 100 FPS consistently.

Other information

API

Technical specs	Supported	Notes
Direct3D	9.0c

Executable	PPC	32-bit	64-bit	Notes
Windows
macOS (OS X)				This 32-bit-only macOS game does not work* on macOS Catalina (10.15) or later.*
Linux

Middleware

	Middleware	Notes
Physics	Havok Physics
Audio	DirectSound3D, FMOD
Multiplayer	GameSpy	GameSpy has been shut down; use OpenSpy or ZolikaPatch.

System requirements

Windows
	Minimum	Recommended
Operating system (OS)	2000	2000 SP4, XP
Processor (CPU)	Intel Pentium III 1.5 GHz AMD Athlon XP 2000+ 1.5 GHz	Intel Pentium 4 2.0 GHz
System memory (RAM)	256 MB	1 GB
Storage drive (HDD/SSD)	3.5 GB
Video card (GPU)	Nvidia GeForce FX 5xxx ATI Radeon 9600 Pro 64 MB of VRAM DirectX 9.0c compatible	256 MB of VRAM

macOS (OS X)
	Minimum
Operating system (OS)	10.6.8
Processor (CPU)	Intel
System memory (RAM)	512 MB
Storage drive (HDD/SSD)	4 GB
Video card (GPU)	Nvidia GeForce 7300 ATI Radeon X1600 Intel GMA X3100 128 MB of VRAM

Linux
	Minimum
Operating system (OS)	Ubuntu 14.04, Linux Mint 17
Processor (CPU)	Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2 GHz
System memory (RAM)	2 GB
Storage drive (HDD/SSD)
Video card (GPU)	Nvidia GeForce 8800 GT ATI Radeon HD 5770

Intel GPUs are not supported.

Notes

↑ Version 4.0 of StarForce DRM does not work on Windows 8.1, Windows 10, or Windows 11.^[8]^[9] For supported versions of Windows the StarForce driver may need to be updated manually using SFUPDATE.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMDATA%, or %WINDIR% might be redirected to %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore on Windows Vista and later (more details).
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1
Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:
- File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data.
- Games with Steam Cloud support may also store data in ~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/2990/.
- Use Wine's registry editor to access any Windows registry paths.
- The app ID (2990) may differ in some cases.
- Treat backslashes as forward slashes.
- See the glossary page for details on Windows data paths.

References

↑ GOG.com Now Supports Linux! - July 24, 2014 - last accessed on May 2023

↑ New Updates - 2023-01-31 - last accessed on 2023-06-05

"FlatOut 2: - Various bug fixes. - Added Russian language support. Special Thanks to SRDLINE! - Added French, Italian and Spanish Manuals. - All languages are now contained within one installer.
"

↑ New Titles and Updates - 2023-02-03 - last accessed on 2023-06-05

"FlatOut 2: - Added Czech, Polish and Hungarian localizations, alongside some fixes.
"

↑ New Updates - 2023-02-07 - last accessed on 2023-06-05

"FlatOut 2: - Fixed Installer issues for some languages, added final localization fixes.
"

↑ New Updates - 2023-03-26 - last accessed on 2023-06-05

"FlatOut 2: - Updated to ZOOM Version 1.4. - Fixed an issue where Alt-Tabbing/Minimizing would sometimes cause a white screen error. - Fixed a bug that would sometimes cause sound stuttering.
"

↑ New Updates - 2023-04-06 - last accessed on 2023-06-05

"FlatOut 2: Super Digital Deluxe Edition - Updated to ZOOM Version 1.5. - Improved 16:9 support for cutscene videos and cameras. - Improved surround sound. - All languages besides Russian are now selectable via the launcher. Russian uses its own executable.
"

↑ FlatOut - Steam Deck ✅, Workshop 🔧 and more! - Steam News - last accessed on 2024-07-26
↑ Windows 8.1 support - StarForce Support
↑ Windows 10 support - StarForce Support
↑ ^10.0 ^10.1 ^10.2 Mac App Store - FlatOut 2
↑ Verified by User:Nessy on 2022-03-21
↑ Fix for resolution resetting to 4:3 or other graphics issues. :: FlatOut General Discussions - last accessed on 2025-07-30
↑ FlatOut 2 with 3D spatial sound 🎧 (OpenAL Soft HRTF audio) - last accessed on 9 June 2023
↑ Verified by User:Averygoodperson on 2024-06-26
Checked on the Zoom Platform release.
↑ Verified by User:Keith on 2024-07-22
↑ Fix for resolution resetting to 4:3 or other graphics issues. :: FlatOut General Discussions - last accessed on 2025-07-30

[10] Version 4.0 of StarForce DRM does not work on Windows 8.1, Windows 10, or Windows 11.^[8]^[9] For supported versions of Windows the StarForce driver may need to be updated manually using SFUPDATE.

[gamedir-14] 2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMDATA%, or %WINDIR% might be redirected to %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore on Windows Vista and later (more details).

[Proton_path_note-15] 3.0 ^3.1 Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:
File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data.
Games with Steam Cloud support may also store data in ~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/2990/.
Use Wine's registry editor to access any Windows registry paths.
The app ID (2990) may differ in some cases.
Treat backslashes as forward slashes.
See the glossary page for details on Windows data paths.

[4] File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data.

[5] Games with Steam Cloud support may also store data in ~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/2990/.

[6] Use Wine's registry editor to access any Windows registry paths.

[7] The app ID (2990) may differ in some cases.

[8] Treat backslashes as forward slashes.

[9] See the glossary page for details on Windows data paths.

[1] GOG.com Now Supports Linux! - July 24, 2014 - last accessed on May 2023

[1.1_update-2] New Updates - 2023-01-31 - last accessed on 2023-06-05
"FlatOut 2: - Various bug fixes. - Added Russian language support. Special Thanks to SRDLINE! - Added French, Italian and Spanish Manuals. - All languages are now contained within one installer.
"

[1.2_update-3] New Titles and Updates - 2023-02-03 - last accessed on 2023-06-05
"FlatOut 2: - Added Czech, Polish and Hungarian localizations, alongside some fixes.
"

[1.3_update-4] New Updates - 2023-02-07 - last accessed on 2023-06-05
"FlatOut 2: - Fixed Installer issues for some languages, added final localization fixes.
"

[1.4_update-5] New Updates - 2023-03-26 - last accessed on 2023-06-05
"FlatOut 2: - Updated to ZOOM Version 1.4. - Fixed an issue where Alt-Tabbing/Minimizing would sometimes cause a white screen error. - Fixed a bug that would sometimes cause sound stuttering.
"

[1.5_update-6] New Updates - 2023-04-06 - last accessed on 2023-06-05
"FlatOut 2: Super Digital Deluxe Edition - Updated to ZOOM Version 1.5. - Improved 16:9 support for cutscene videos and cameras. - Improved surround sound. - All languages besides Russian are now selectable via the launcher. Russian uses its own executable.
"

[7] FlatOut - Steam Deck ✅, Workshop 🔧 and more! - Steam News - last accessed on 2024-07-26

[StarForce_Windows_8.1-8] Windows 8.1 support - StarForce Support

[StarForce_Windows_10-9] Windows 10 support - StarForce Support

[Mac_App_Store-11] 10.0 ^10.1 ^10.2 Mac App Store - FlatOut 2

[2022-03-21-12] Verified by User:Nessy on 2022-03-21

[13] Fix for resolution resetting to 4:3 or other graphics issues. :: FlatOut General Discussions - last accessed on 2025-07-30

[16] FlatOut 2 with 3D spatial sound 🎧 (OpenAL Soft HRTF audio) - last accessed on 9 June 2023

[17] Verified by User:Averygoodperson on 2024-06-26
Checked on the Zoom Platform release.

[18] Verified by User:Keith on 2024-07-22

[19] Fix for resolution resetting to 4:3 or other graphics issues. :: FlatOut General Discussions - last accessed on 2025-07-30

[1]

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[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[Note 1]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[Note 2]

[Note 3]

[13]

[14]

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[16]

[8]

[9]

Developers

	Bugbear Entertainment
Updates since 2023	Jordan Freeman Group
macOS (OS X)	Virtual Programming
Publishers
Retail (Europe)	Empire Interactive
Retail (North America)	Vivendi Universal Games
Retail (Russia/CIS)	Buka Entertainment
Digital	Strategy First
OS X	Virtual Programming
Engines
	ROMU Engine
Release dates
Windows	June 30, 2006
macOS (OS X)	October 3, 2008
Linux (Wine)	July 24, 2014^[1]
Reception
Metacritic	76
IGDB	83
Taxonomy
Monetization	One-time game purchase
Modes	Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing	Real-time
Perspectives	First-person, Third-person
Controls	Direct control
Genres	Action, Racing, Tricks, Vehicle combat
Vehicles	Automobile, Off-roading, Track racing
Art styles	Realistic
Themes	Contemporary
Series	FlatOut