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RAD Video Tools

RAD Video Tools (formerly known as The RAD Video Tools) is a free video conversion utility by Epic Games Tools (previously RAD Game Tools). It allows you to convert standard video files into the Bink Video (.BIK) format - the proprietary video format used by the Gothic engine for cutscenes, intros, and credits.

tip

RAD Video Tools is the only way to create .BIK files for Gothic. You can convert any standard video (.avi, .mp4, .mov, .wmv, etc.) to Bink format and use it as a cutscene in your mod.

How Gothic Uses BIK Videos​

Gothic's ZenGin engine uses the Bink Video codec (by RAD Game Tools) for all full-motion video playback. The engine's internal oCBinkPlayer class handles loading and playing .BIK files.

Videos are played from Daedalus scripts using the built-in PlayVideo() and PlayVideoEx() external functions:

// Play a simple cutscene video
PlayVideo("INTRO.BIK");

// Play two videos in sequence (e.g., intro + addon title)
PlayVideo("INTRO.BIK");
PlayVideo("Addon_Title.BIK");

PlayVideo vs PlayVideoEx​

The engine provides two functions for video playback:

FunctionSignatureDescription
PlayVideoPlayVideo(string filename)Plays a video file. Returns TRUE on success.
PlayVideoExPlayVideoEx(string filename, int screenBlend, int exitSession)Extended version. screenBlend enables a black screen fade effect after playback. If exitSession is TRUE, the game session ends after the video (used for ending cutscenes).

Where to Place Video Files​

All .BIK files must be placed in the Gothic video directory:

<Gothic>/_work/Data/Video/
info

Video files cannot be packed into .vdf or .mod archives. They must exist as loose files in the Video directory.

Standard Gothic 2 Videos​

Gothic II: Night of the Raven ships with these .BIK files:

FileUsed for
logo1.bikPublisher logo (played on startup)
logo2.bikDeveloper logo (played on startup)
intro.bikMain intro cinematic
Addon_Title.bikNight of the Raven title screen
credits.bikEnd credits (part 1)
credits2.bikEnd credits (part 2)
ORCATTACK.BIKOrc attack event cutscene
YOURSHIP.BIKShip cutscene
info

The engine also supports resolution-specific videos. When opening a file like INTRO.BIK, it first tries resolution-tagged variants (e.g., INTRO1024x768.BIK, INTRO800x600.BIK) matching the current display resolution before falling back to the base file.

Where Videos Are Called in Scripts​

Videos are typically called in three places:

  1. Startup functions (Startup.d) - intro cinematics played when a new game starts or a chapter begins.
  2. Main menu (Menu_Main.d) - intro and credits videos triggered from menu items.
  3. Story events (Story/Events/) - in-game cutscenes triggered by script events (e.g., orc attacks, ship sequences).

Installing RAD Video Tools​

  1. Download RAD Video Tools from the official website:
  2. Extract the archive (you need 7-Zip or a compatible extractor).
  3. Run RADTools.exe - no installation required.

Converting Videos to BIK​

Step-by-Step Guide​

  1. Launch RAD Video Tools (RADTools.exe).
  2. Navigate to your video file using the built-in file browser.
  3. Select the video you want to convert and click "Bink it!".
  4. Configure compression settings:
    • Data rate - controls quality vs. file size. For Gothic cutscenes, 1000-3000 kbps is typically sufficient for 640x480 resolution.
    • Frame rate - match the source video's frame rate (usually 25 or 30 fps).
    • Audio - Bink includes its own audio codec. You can adjust audio compression or keep the defaults.
    • Key frame interval - lower values produce more key frames (faster seeking but larger files).
  5. Click "Bink" to start the conversion.
  6. Place the output .bik file in <Gothic>/_work/Data/Video/.
SettingRecommended value
Resolution640x480 or 800x600 (match Gothic's game resolution)
Data rate1500 - 3000 kbps
Frame rate25 fps
Audio44100 Hz, stereo
warning

Gothic 1 and Gothic 2 use Bink 1 (.bik), not Bink 2 (.bk2). Make sure you compress to the original Bink format. RAD Video Tools compresses to Bink 1 by default.

Playing BIK Files​

RAD Video Tools also includes a built-in Bink Player for previewing your videos. Simply double-click a .bik file or select it in RAD Video Tools and press "Play".

During playback in Gothic, the player can press Escape to skip the video. If extendedVideoKeys is enabled in the Gothic INI file, additional controls are available:

KeyAction
EscapeSkip / cancel video
SpacePause / unpause
Right ArrowSkip forward 30 frames
HomeRestart video
Up / DownAdjust volume
QToggle sound on/off

Using Your Video in a Mod​

Example: Adding a Custom Intro​

  1. Create or edit your video in any video editor (e.g., DaVinci Resolve, Premiere, Shotcut).
  2. Export to a standard format (.avi, .mp4).
  3. Convert to .bik using RAD Video Tools.
  4. Place the .bik file in <Gothic>/_work/Data/Video/.
  5. Call it from your Daedalus script:
// In Startup.d - play custom intro when starting a new game
func void startup_global()
{
    PlayVideo("MY_MOD_INTRO.BIK");
    // ... rest of startup
};

Example: Adding an Ending Cutscene​

Use PlayVideoEx with the exitSession flag to end the game after the video:

// Play ending cutscene and exit to main menu
PlayVideoEx("MY_MOD_ENDING.BIK", TRUE, TRUE);