Higher camera distance / Wider zoom out

[ilaz]

In my quest of replaying my beloved topdowns, I felt the need to play GTA2 with a higher camera distance / wider zoom out.
 

I listed the following options to keep a written record for all those who are interested in the very same feature I was seeking for. All of them works for me, but they come with some downsides too. But what is a con for me, could be a pro for you.

This list may not be complete, so feel free to add further solutions if you have any. Hope it helps.

I use a Windows 10 laptop and I run Vike's GTA2 v11.44.

Option 1:

• Download and install Powerpatch.reg, to enable the Debug tab on the GTA2 Manager
• Tick the box "Do Debug Keys"
• Start a game, and FIRST press "1" on the numpad, and THEN zoom in & out with the numpad "7" and "9".
  IMPORTANT: if you DON'T press "1" on the numpad, the camera WON'T lock the Protagonist. This crucial detail is not mentioned anywhere. I discovered this after too many tries and ragequits... so please press that damn "1" first thing.

PROS:

• Zoom works ok. Not perfect, though.
• Windowmode works, and the window can be dragged, therefore it's optimal for using Sektor's GTA2 Radar v0.2
• The debug tab enables coordinates, teleport and all kind of cheats

CONS:

• No widescreen
• The arrow is a bit messed up at max zoom out, when it points a target (like a door) it's "mirrored", but after a while you get used to it
• Pedestrians and cars respawn is not affected, therefore you shall see a constant, abundant and sudden amount of on-screen spawns (for me this is a con, but this can be also considered a pro, e.g. for some KF and killing missions)
• When you get busted, police will release you on a lower "layer" of the map, so you need to 'reset' your position by pressing "5" on the numpad.

 

Option 2:

• Download and install ThirteenAG's GTA2 Widescreen Fix
• Start a game, and zoom in & out with the numpad "-" and "+".

PROS:

• The zoom works perfectly (can be finetuned by editing the .ini file)
• The widescreen works perfectly
• Pedestrians and cars respawn is heavily affected, the amount of on-screen spawn is relevantly decreased (for me this is a pro, but surely can be also seen as a con, especially for some timed KF or missions that need quick killings)
• A very appreciated bonus: quicksave button with "F5" key (customizable modifying the .ini file) while off-mission

CONS:

• The arrow is a bit messed up at max zoom out, when it points a target (like a door) it's "mirrored", but after a while you get used to it.
• When in windowmode the window has no titlebar, so I cannot drag it to the side of the desktop, and therefore I cannot use it along with the GTA2 Radar.

 

Option 3(?):
I randomly stumbled upon this very interesting video:

 

 

It seems like with this tool you can run GTA2 v11.44 (windowmode) and manually input the zoom values as you please.
By searching "dTmho2L1uL4" on Google I found an archived anonymous thread (https://warosu.org/vr/thread/4083663) where the author posted the video and asked for feedback (https://warosu.org/vr/thread/4083663#p4089852).
Other anons approved the tool with enthusiasm (someone asked him to post it on gtaforums!), so he posted the code publicly on pastebin (https://pastebin.com/8x4MRv8w) and something on Mega.nz but the content has been removed: https://warosu.org/vr/thread/4083663#p4090767

I don't know how to use Virtual Studio and I don't know Assembly language. I'm not a coder so I'm posting this for you code freaks.
 

What's certain is that there is no comprehensive and suitable ultimate solution that allow me to have all the following features at once:

1. Proper zoom out that (A) is locked to the player, (B) doesn't mess up the arrows and (C) retains a 'reasonable' respawn
2. Widescreen fix
3. Windowmode with draggable titlebar (so that I can use it in combo with Sektor's GTA2 Radar v0.2)

 

With the solutions we currently have, I am satisfied with just a little compromise. Perhaps one day someone will be able to develop an ultimate fix that satisfies all the above-mentioned features. Until that moment, I'm enjoying what I have.

Long live the topdowns.