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BIK File - What is a .bik file and how do I open it?
Learn about .BIK files and view a list of programs that open them.
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What is a BIK file? A BIK file is a video file saved in the proprietary Bink Video format, a format developed by RAD Game Tools that is widely used in PC and console video games. It contains a cutscene, intro, or in-game movie. The Bink Video format compresses standard video files to reduce their size while preserving quality tailored to the target platform.
More Information Game developers often convert videos from common formats like .AVI or .MOV into the Bink format using RAD’s compression tools. The format allows developers to adjust data rates for a wide range of resolutions, from 320x240 for handheld devices to high-definition resolutions for modern PCs and consoles. This flexibility made Bink one of the most common video formats in the gaming industry during the 2000s and 2010s. Examples of games that support BIK files include: Left 4 Dead and Left 4 Dead 2 Portal and Portal 2 Hitman: Blood Money Fallout: New Vegas The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim XCOM: Enemy Unknown Saints Row: The Third Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II
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DeveloperN/A
Popularity3.7 | 20 Votes
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.BIK File Extension
2 file types use the .bik file extension.
Bink Video File
| Developer | RAD Game Tools |
| Popularity |
3.9 | 157 Votes |
NEW: Open your .BIK file online with File Helper . View Online
What is a BIK file?
A BIK file is a video file saved in the proprietary Bink Video format, a format developed by RAD Game Tools that is widely used in PC and console video games. It contains a cutscene, intro, or in-game movie. The Bink Video format compresses standard video files to reduce their size while preserving quality tailored to the target platform.
More Information
Game developers often convert videos from common formats like .AVI or .MOV into the Bink format using RAD’s compression tools. The format allows developers to adjust data rates for a wide range of resolutions, from 320x240 for handheld devices to high-definition resolutions for modern PCs and consoles. This flexibility made Bink one of the most common video formats in the gaming industry during the 2000s and 2010s.
Examples of games that support BIK files include:
How to open a BIK file
BIK files are not meant to be opened. Instead, the game packaged with the BIK file references the video to play it. You will most likely encounter BIK files only as part of installed game data.
However, you can open BIK files with various utilities, including RAD Video Tools, the official player released by RAD Game Tools. VideoLAN VLC media player can open BIK files and older sysytems with Windows Media Player may also play BIK files if the proper codec is installed.
Programs that open or reference BIK files
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Program Name
Platform
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X
Windows
File Viewer Plus
—
Get it from Microsoft
Free +
The RAD Video Tools
Free
Microsoft Windows Media Player with Windows 7 Codec Pack
Included with OS
Rebellion Aliens vs. Predator
Paid
VideoLAN VLC media player
Free
Mac
The Bink Video Player for MacOS X
Free
VideoLAN VLC media player
Free
Linux
The Bink Video Player for GNU/Linux
Free
VideoLAN VLC media player
Free
Web
FileHelper.com
Free
Category: Video Files
Updated: September 5, 2025
Video Game Movie File
| Developer | N/A |
| Popularity |
3.7 | 20 Votes |
Video format used by various video games, including Sid Meier's Civilization 4 and Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2; typically stored in the "\Data\movies\" folder within the program folder; referenced when video clips are played within the game.
Programs that open BIK files
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Platform
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Take-Two Interactive Civilization 4
Paid
Category: Game Files
Updated: November 16, 2015