Topic: SS2 HOTU version

Make sure you've read the SS2 Technical FAQ before you go on. Post problems in Helpdesk.

• End of support
• Differences between the HOTU version and the original CD version of SS2
• Download
• SS2Tool on SS2 HOTU version
• Cutscene instructions for SS2 HOTU version
• Download original videos

End of support
We used to provide support for the HOTU version of SS2 but stopped supporting it for technical reasons: It relies on an old & incompatible DivX codec, sounds and videos are of less quality than the original game has (due to compression) and the smaller download size (144MB) is negligible with current day connections.

You can still find all the informations gathered about it on this page. But note that we prefer people to use original CDs or images of original CDs as stated in the SS2 Technical FAQ.

Differences between the HOTU version and the original CD version of SS2
The HOTU version is pre-patched with the only official patch (v.2.3). The audio files have been compressed as OGG files. Before playing they need to be uncompressed again. (Run OggSetup.exe) The videos have been re-compressed with DivX 5 codec, cutting down the filesize from 100MB to 22MB. Having a current DivX codec installed on your system won't cut it, as it's incompatible with its own earlier version 5. Either you have to uninstall your current DivX codec and install DivX5 or - preferably - install the latest ffdshow which runs any DivX encoded video.

Download
The site dosgamesonline.com has a direct download of the SS2 HOTU version on their site. It is also quite easily distinguished by its size (144MB) on torrent sites.

SS2Tool on SS2 HOTU version
Although this game version is patched with the official patch already it is recommended to use the SS2Tool with all options set. While that double-patches the game, there's no harm done and more importantly, the SS2Tool's "Patching Up" option also merges the CRFs, which prevents quite a few bugs.

Cutscene instructions for SS2 HOTU version

• Install ffdshow if you don't have it.
• Got to: Start -> Accessories -> Right click: DOS prompt
• Select: Run As Administrator
• Type: regsvr32 "c:\your\path\to\SS2\LGVID.AX" Return

Download original videos
If you can't get the DivX encoded HOTU videos to work and would rather try the original videos.
Torrent Download: SS2_LGS_original_cutscenes.7z.torrent  [100 MB]
Learn more at the Strangebedfellows Torrent Tracker.