Stilwater
A custom client for Saints Row 2 on PC: our own launcher, core patch and mods, and online co-op that works again.
Online co-op
Runs on Stilwater Online, our own replacement for GameSpy: accounts, friends, invites, the game list and NAT negotiation. Game ports are forwarded through UPnP while you play.
Launcher
Finds Saints Row 2 in your Steam libraries, checks the exe build, 4 GB patch, core and DXVK, then starts the game. Pages for Play, Friends, Mods and Settings.
Mods
Switch loose mods on and off, and compare a mods code with your co-op partner so you're running the same set.
Core patch
A fork of Juiced Patch v9.2.0 with Stilwater branding, and its own update prompts turned off.
GTA-style controls
A tool that applies GTA Online-style controls for controller and keyboard/mouse (right mouse aims).
One-click updates
The launcher's Update button installs new releases with the same installer.
Own the game
Saints Row 2 on Steam is all it needs.
Download and extract
Get the newest release zip above and extract it anywhere.
Run install.bat
It sets up Juiced Patch v9.2.0 (checked against a known hash), the unencrypted exe with the 4 GB flag, DirectX 9, the .NET 8 Desktop Runtime when missing, DXVK on PCs with Vulkan, and points Steam's Play button at the launcher.
Press Play in Steam
The launcher opens. Make an account on the Friends page, add your friends and invite them to co-op.
Didn't Saints Row 2 online shut down?
Its GameSpy servers did. Stilwater Online is our own replacement for the GameSpy services SR2's co-op uses, so online co-op works again with the Stilwater client.
Does it change my game files?
The installer swaps Steam's encrypted exe for the unencrypted build using Juiced Patch, and backs up the DLL it replaces when installing the core.
What password should I use for my co-op account?
One you don't use anywhere else. GameSpy's sign-in protocol needs the server to store it in an old format.
Who made it?
Stilwater is made by holdonquietly. The core is a fork of Juiced Patch by the Juiced Team (Kobraworks Modding Group: Soaa, Tervel, Clippy, Scanti and contributors), which builds on scanti's Monkey Patch.