Configuration file

The configuration file provides a way to edit both global and game-specific settings. It is a text file containing configuration keys and parameters.

Settings are also accessible directly from the Launcher. See Changing settings.

Location

The configuration file saves to different default locations, depending on the platform. The configuration file path is also displayed on the Paths tab.

%APPDATA%\ScummVM\scummvm.ini

For Windows 95/98/ME, the file is at C:\WINDOWS\scummvm.ini

~/Library/Preferences/ScummVM Preferences

Note

If an earlier version of ScummVM was installed on your system, the configuration file remains in the previous default location of ~/.scummvmrc.

Tip

To see the Library folder, press Option when clicking Go in the Finder menu.

ScummVM follows the XDG Base Directory Specification, so by default the configuration file is found at ~/.config/scummvm/scummvm.ini, but its location might vary depending on the value of the XDG_CONFIG_HOME environment variable.

If ScummVM was installed using Snap, the configuration file is found at ~/snap/scummvm/current/.config/scummvm/scummvm.ini

Note

.config is a hidden directory. To view it use ls -a on the command line.

Using the configuration file

Global settings are listed under the [scummvm] heading. Global keymaps settings are listed under the [keymapper] heading. Game-specific settings, including keymaps, are listed under the heading for that game, for example [queen] for Flight of the Amazon Queen. Use the configuration keys to change settings.

Example of a configuration file

[scummvm]
gfx_mode=supereagle
fullscreen=true
savepath=C:\saves\

[sky]
path=C:\games\SteelSky\

[germansky]
gameid=sky
language=de
path=C:\games\SteelSky\
description=Beneath a Steel Sky w/ German subtitles

[germandott]
gameid=tentacle
path=C:\german\tentacle\
description=German version of DOTT

[tentacle]
path=C:\tentacle\
subtitles=true
music_volume=40
sfx_volume=255

[loomcd]
cdrom=1
path=C:\loom\
talkspeed=5
savepath=C:\loom\saves\

[monkey2]
path=C:\amiga_mi2\
music_driver=windows

Default configuration file option

An initial (default) configuration file can be specified via the command line using the --i or --initial-cfg option. ScummVM uses this default file if the configuration file is missing from its usual location, such as after initial install, or if the user deletes their configuration file.

Setting an initial configuration file in this way allows default settings to easily be bundled with a game. The alternatives are to use the command line for all settings, which has fewer options and in some cases means the user can’t change settings, or to install a default configuration file to a writable location and using the --config option, which is harder to deploy, and leaves the user with no way to restore default settings except re-installing the game.

Configuration keys

There are many recognized configuration keys. In the table below, each key is either linked to an explanatory description in the Settings pages, or has further information in the Decription/Options column.

Key

Type

Default

Description/Options

alsa_port

integer

Specifies which ALSA port ScummVM uses when using the ALSA music driver (Linux).

alt_intro

boolean

false

altamigapalette

boolean

false

always_christmas

boolean

true

antialiasing

integer

0

0, 2, 4, 8

apple2gs_speedmenu

boolean

false

aspect_ratio

boolean

false

audio_buffer_size

integer

Calculated based on output sampling frequency to keep audio latency below 45ms.

Overrides the size of the audio buffer. Allowed values

  • 256

  • 512

  • 1024

  • 2048

  • 4096

  • 8192

  • 16384

  • 32768

audio_override

boolean

true

automatic_drilling

boolean

false

auto_savenames

boolean

false

autosave_period

integer

300

auto_savenames

boolean

false

Automatically generates names for saved games

bilinear_filtering

boolean

false

boot_param

integer

none

bright_palette

boolean

true

camera_on_player

boolean

true

cdrom

integer

0

Sets which CD drive to play CD audio from (as a numeric index). If a negative number is set, ScummVM does not access the CD drive.

cdromdelay

boolean

cheat

boolean

false

cheats

boolean

true

color

boolean

commandpromptwindow

boolean

false

confirm_exit

boolean

false

console

boolean

true

Enables the console window for Win32/Symbian32.

controller_map_db

string

gamecontrollerdb.txt is loaded from the specified extrapath

Specifies the custom controller mapping file to load to complete the default database (SDL backend only).

copy_protection

boolean

false

Enables copy protection

demo_mode

boolean

false

Starts demo mode of Maniac Mansion or the 7th Guest

correct_spanish_credits

boolean

false

credits_music

boolean

false

datausr_load

boolean

false

debug

boolean

false

description

string

desired_screen_aspect_ratio

string

auto

dimuse_tempo

integer

10

Sets internal Digital iMuse tempo per second; 0 - 100

disable_demo_mode

boolean

false

disable_dithering

boolean

false

disable_falling

boolean

false

disable_sensors

boolean

false

disable_stamina_drain

boolean

false

displaytext

boolean

true

dos_music_tempo

boolean

true

If set to false, plays the Windows version music tempo.

DurableArmor

boolean

false

easier_ai

boolean

false

EasyMouse

boolean

true

enable_assets_mod

boolean

true

enable_bearded_musicians

boolean

false

enable_black_lined_video

false

enable_censoring

boolean

false

enable_color_blind

boolean

false

enable_enhancements

boolean

true

enable_font_antialiasing

boolean

true

enable_gore

boolean

enable_gs

boolean

enable_high_resolution_graphics

boolean

true

enable_hq_video

boolean

true

enable_larryscale

boolean

true

enable_reporter

boolean

false

RISC OS only.

enable_video_upscale

boolean

true

enable_tts

boolean

false

enable_unsupported_game_warning

boolean

true

Shows a warning when adding a game that is unsupported.

extended_timer

boolean

false

extra

string

Shows additional information about a game, such as version

english_speech

boolean

false

extrapath

string

None

iconspath

string

None

infiniteAmmo

boolean

false

infiniteHealth

boolean

false

disable_fade_effects

boolean

false

doublefps

boolean

false

fade_style

boolean

true

fast_movie_speed

boolean

false

filtering

boolean

false

floating_cursors

boolean

false

fluidsynth_chorus_activate

boolean

true

fluidsynth_chorus_depth

integer

80

  • 0 - 210

fluidsynth_chorus_level

integer

100

  • 0 - 100

fluidsynth_chorus_nr

integer

3

  • 0 - 99

fluidsynth_chorus_speed

integer

30

  • 10 - 500

fluidsynth_chorus_waveform

string

Sine

  • sine

  • triangle

fluidsynth_misc_interpolation

string

4th

  • none

  • 4th

  • 7th

  • linear.

fluidsynth_reverb_activate

boolean

true

fluidsynth_reverb_damping

integer

0

  • 0 - 1

fluidsynth_reverb_level

integer

90

  • 0 - 100

fluidsynth_reverb_roomsize

integer

20

  • 0 - 100

fluidsynth_reverb_width

integer

1

  • 0 - 100

font_antialiasing

boolean

false

font_override

boolean

false

footsteps

boolean

true

force_2d_renderer

boolean

false

frameLimit

boolean

true

frameSkip

boolean

false

frames_per_secondfl

boolean

false

frontpanel_touchpad_mode

boolean

false

fullscreen

boolean

false

gameid

string

Short name of the game. For internal use only, do not edit.

gamepath

string

Specifies the path to the game

gfx_mode

string

normal (1x)

  • 1x

  • 2x

  • 3x

  • 2xsai

  • super2xsai

  • supereagle

  • advmame2x

  • advmame3x

  • hq2x

  • hq3x

  • tv2x

  • dot-matrix

  • opengl

gm_device

string

null

  • auto

  • alsa

  • seq

  • sndio

  • fluidsynth

  • timidity

gui_browser_native

boolean

true

gui_browser_show_hidden

boolean

false

Shows hidden files/folders in the ScummVM file browser.

gui_list_max_scan_entries

integer

-1

Specifies the threshold for scanning directories in the Launcher. If the number of game entires exceeds the specified number, then scanning is skipped.

gui_return_to_launcher_at_exit

boolean

false

gui_saveload_chooser

string

grid

  • list

  • grid

gui_saveload_last_pos

string

0

gui_use_game_language

boolean

helium_mode

boolean

false

help_style

boolean

false

herculesfont

boolean

false

hpbargraphs

boolean

true

hypercheat

boolean

false

iconspath

string

improved

boolean

true

intro_music_digital

boolean

true

InvObjectsAnimated

boolean

true

joystick_deadzone

integer

3

joystick_num

integer

0

Enables joystick input and selects which joystick to use. The default is the first joystick.

kbdmouse_speed

integer

10

keymap_engine-default_DOWN

string

JOY_DOWN

keymap_engine-default_LCLK

string

MOUSE_LEFT JOY_A

keymap_engine-default_LEFT

string

JOY_LEFT

keymap_engine-default_MCLK

string

MOUSE_MIDDLE

keymap_engine-default_MENU

string

F5 JOY_LEFT_SHOULDER

keymap_engine-default_PAUSE

string

SPACE

keymap_engine-default_PIND

string

keymap_engine-default_RCLK

string

MOUSE_RIGHT JOY_B

keymap_engine-default_RETURN

string

RETURN

keymap_engine-default_RIGHT

string

JOY_RIGHT

keymap_engine-default_SKIP

string

ESCAPE JOY

keymap_engine-default_SKLI

string

PERIOD JOY_X

keymap_engine-default_UP

string

JOY_UP

keymap_global_DEBUGGER

string

C+A+d

keymap_global_MENU

string

C+F5 JOY_START

keymap_global_MUTE

string

C+u

keymap_global_QUIT

string

C+q

keymap_global_VMOUSEDOWN

string

JOY_LEFT_STICK_Y+

keymap_global_VMOUSELEFT

string

JOY_LEFT_STICK_X-

keymap_global_VMOUSERIGHT

string

JOY_LEFT_STICK_X+

keymap_global_VMOUSESLOW

string

JOY_RIGHT_SHOULDER

keymap_global_VMOUSEUP

string

JOY_LEFT_STICK_Y-

keymap_gui_CLOS

string

ESCAPE JOY_Y

keymap_gui_DOWN

string

JOY_DOWN

keymap_gui_INTRCT

string

JOY_A

keymap_gui_LEFT

string

keymap_gui_RIGHT

string

JOY_RIGHT

keymap_gui_UP

string

JOY_UP

keymap_sdl-graphics_ASPT

string

C+A+a

keymap_sdl-graphics_CAPT

string

C+m

keymap_sdl-graphics_FILT

string

C+A+f

keymap_sdl-graphics_FLT1

string

C+A+1

keymap_sdl-graphics_FLT2

string

C+A+2

keymap_sdl-graphics_FLT3

string

C+A+3

keymap_sdl-graphics_FLT4

string

C+A+4

keymap_sdl-graphics_FLT5

string

C+A+5

keymap_sdl-graphics_FLT6

string

C+A+6

keymap_sdl-graphics_FLT7

string

C+A+7

keymap_sdl-graphics_FLT8

string

C+A+8

keymap_sdl-graphics_FULS

string

A+RETURN

keymap_sdl-graphics_SCL-

string

C+A+MINUS

keymap_sdl-graphics_SCL+

string

C+A+PLUS

keymap_sdl-graphics_SCRS

string

A+s

keymap_sdl-graphics_STCH

string

C+A+s

language

string

local_server_port

integer

12345

mac_v3_low_quality_music

boolean

false

midi_gain

integer

  • 0 - 1000

midi_mode

string

  • Standard

  • D110

  • FB01

mm_nes_classic_palette

boolean

false

monotext

boolean

true

mouse

boolean

true

mousebtswap

boolean

false

mousesupport

boolean

true

movie

boolean

true

mpegmovies

boolean

true

mt32_device

string

auto

  • auto

  • alsa

  • seq

  • fluidsynth

  • mt32

  • timidity

mtropolis_debug_at_start

boolean

false

mtropolis_mod_auto_save_at_checkpoints

boolean

true

mtropolis_mod_dynamic_midi

boolean

true

mtropolis_mod_minimum_transition_duration

boolean

true

mtropolis_mod_obsidian_widescreen

boolean

false

mtropolis_mod_sound_gameplay_subtitles

boolean

false

multi_midi

boolean

music_driver [scummvm]

string

auto

  • null

  • auto

  • seq (Unix)

  • sndio (Unix)

  • alsa (Unix)

  • CAMD (Amiga)

  • core (Mac)

  • coremidi (Mac - hardware)

  • windows (Windows)

  • fluidsynth

  • mt32

  • adlib

  • pcspk

  • pcjr

  • cms

  • timidity

music_driver [game]

string

auto

The same options as music_driver in [scummvm] plus:

  • towns

  • C64

  • pc98

  • segacd

music_mute

boolean

false

Mutes the game music.

music_volume

integer

192

  • 0-256

mute

boolean

false

native_mt32

boolean

false

NaughtyMode

boolean

true

noanimwhileturning

boolean

false

nodelaymillisfl

boolean

false

ntsc

boolean

object_labels

boolean

true

opl2lpt_parport

null

opl3_mode

boolean

false

opl_driver

string

  • auto

  • mame

  • db

  • nuked

  • alsa

  • op2lpt

  • op3lpt

  • rwopl3

original_gui

boolean

true

original_menus

boolean

false

originalsaveload

boolean

false

outputchannels

integer

Allows the user to specify the number of audio output channels; 1 for mono or 2 for stereo

output_rate

integer

Sensible values are:

  • 11025

  • 22050

  • 44100

palette_mods

boolean

false

platform

string

portaits_on

boolean

true

prefer_digitalsfx

boolean

true

prerecorded_sounds

boolean

true

renderer

string

default

  • opengl

  • opengl_shaders

  • software

render_mode

string

default

  • hercGreen

  • hercAmber

  • cga

  • ega

  • vga

  • amiga

  • fmtowns

  • pc9821

  • pc9801

  • 2gs

  • atari

  • macintosh

repeatwillihint

boolean

restored

boolean

true

retrowaveopl3_bus

string

Specifies how the RetroWave OPL3 is connected:

  • serial (connected to a USB port using a PotatoPi)

  • spi (connected as a HAT using SPI)

retrowaveopl3_disable_buffer

boolean

false

retrowaveopl3_port

string

Specifies the serial port that the RetroWave OPL3 is connected to. For example:

  • COM3

  • ttyACM2

retrowaveopl3_spi_cs

string

Specifies the GPIO chip and line that the RetroWave OPL3 is connected to. Use the format <chip>,<line>.

rgb_rendering

boolean

false

rootpath

string

savepath

string

save_slot

integer

autosave

Specifies the saved game slot to load

scalemakingofvideos

boolean

false

scanlines

boolean

false

screenshotpath

string

See screenshotpath

Specifies where screenshots are saved

semi_smooth_scroll

boolean

false

sfx_mute

boolean

false

Mutes the game sound effects.

sfx_volume

integer

192

shorty

boolean

false

show_fps

boolean

false

ShowItemCosts

boolean

false

silver_cursors

boolean

false

sitcom

boolean

false

skip_support

boolean

true

skiphallofrecordsscenes

boolean

false

slim_hotspots

boolean

true

smooth_scrolling

boolean

true

sound

boolean

true

speech_mute

boolean

false

speech_volume

integer

192

speedrun_mode

boolean

false

stretch_mode

string

  • center

  • pixel-perfect

  • fit

  • stretch

  • fit_force_aspect

studio_audience

boolean

true

subtitles

boolean

false

talkspeed

integer

60

  • 0 - 255

tempo

integer

100

Sets the music tempo, in percent, for SCUMM games.

  • 50-200

targetedjump

boolean

true

TextWindowAnimated

boolean

true

themepath

string

none

transition_mode

boolean

false

For Riven, this is a string with 4 options
  • Disabled

  • Fastest

  • Normal

  • Best

transparent_windows

boolean

true

transparentdialogboxes

boolean

false

trim_fmtowns_to_200_pixels

boolean

false

tts_enabled

boolean

false

tts_enabled_objects

boolean

false

tts_enabled_speech

boolean

false

tts_narrator

boolean

false

use_cdaudio

boolean

true

If true, ScummVM uses audio from the game CD.

versioninfo

string

Shows the ScummVM version that created the configuration file.

unlockAlllevels

boolean

false

usecd

boolean

false

use_crawl_subs

boolean

true

usehighres

boolean

false

use_linear_filtering

boolean

true

version

boolean

false

voice

boolean

true

venusenabled

boolean

true

vsync

boolean

true

wallcollision

boolean

false

water_effects

boolean

widescreen_mod

boolean

false

window_style

boolean

true

windows_cursors

boolean

false

zip_mode

boolean

Screenshot path

The default location for the screenshotpath depends on your system.

In Users\username\My Pictures\ScummVM Screenshots

On the Desktop.

In the XDG Pictures user directory, for example ~/Pictures/ScummVM Screenshots

In the current directory.