View source for GoldSrc

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{{Hierarchy}}
{{Infobox engine
|title = GoldSrc
|image = Hl engine logo.png
|imagewidth    = 128px
|imagetooltip = "Powered by the Half-Life engine" logo used on some game boxarts.
|image2 = Screenshot-Half-Life_Surface_Tension.png
|imagetooltip2 = Screenshot in-game of {{hl1|1}}, using the GoldSrc Engine.
|developer = [[Valve|Valve Corporation]]
|releasedates = November 19, 1998
|codelang = [[WP:C++|C++]], [[WP:C_(programming language)|C]], [[WP:Assembly language|Assembly language]]
|sdk = [[Half-Life SDK]]
|platform = {{Win|1}}, {{Mac|1}}, {{Linux|1}}, {{xbox|1|nt=1}}, {{ps2|1}}<!-- only first-party games -->
|website = 
|links = [https://github.com/ValveSoftware/halflife/ GitHub page]<br>(SDK v2.5 source code & bug reports)<br>[https://github.com/ValveSoftware/halflife/tree/steam_legacy SDK v2.4 on GitHub] ({{code|steam_legacy}} branch) <br>[https://twhl.info/wiki/page/category%3AGoldsource_Tutorials '''GoldSrc tutorials'''] on '''TWHL'''
|license = [[WP:Proprietary software|Proprietary]] (source code available for non-commercial purposes)
|previousengine = 
|nextengine = {{Src|2}}
}}
{{gldsrc|4}} (also known as {{gldsrc|bold|nt=0}}, and formerly just the {{gldsrc|bold|nt=2}}) is a 3D video game engine created by {{Valve|1}} in 1996. It was the driving force behind many famous games of the late 90s and early 00s, such as {{hl|1}}, {{tfc|1}}, {{cs|1}}, and {{dod|1}}. GoldSrc is a heavily modified version of the {{quake|1}} engine and runs on C++ (with some "C" code). GoldSrc and its level editor, {{hammer3|1|nt=6}}, were released by Valve for public use, making it the source of countless community-made modifications.

GoldSrc was replaced by its successor, {{src|4.1}}, in 2004, which currently holds first place as the choice engine for Valve modders. Though GoldSrc is past its prime, many gamers and some third-party developers still seek to use it for mods and level design. 

The engine is actively being updated and maintained by Valve as of 2023, recently with the {{hl|1}}'s 25th-anniversary updates which increased the engine limits and fixed many bugs.

[[File:Half-life shadows.jpeg|thumbnail|Screenshot in-game of {{hlbs|1}}, using stencil Shadows.]]

[[File:Cry of Fear Lake.png|thumbnail|Screenshot in-game of {{cof|1}}, which runs on a heavily modified version of GoldSrc.]]

[[File:Counter-Strike Condition Zero - Screenshot 3.jpg|thumbnail|Screenshot in-game of {{cscz|1}}, using detail textures and higher-definition player models.]]

[[File:Counter-Strike_%28Xbox%29_-_Screenshot_3.png|thumbnail|In-game screenshot of {{csXbox|1|nt=2}} on Xbox.]]

==Features==
{{todo|expand here or add links}}
=== [[:Category:GoldSrc Programming|Renderer]] ===
GoldSrc has two in-game renderers [[Software renderer|Software Renderer]] and [[OpenGL]] (previously three as [[Direct3D|Direct3D 6]] support was removed in the 2013 SteamPipe Update) both renderers have differences.
* '''Colored lighting''' - Quake simply had monotone lighting
* '''Transparent textures''' - Glass can now be used in maps
* '''Transparent Water'''
* '''Water ripple'''
* '''Water waves''' 
* '''Dynamic iris simulation''' - adjust screen brightness automatically. A feature similar to Source's [[HDR|HDR Rendering]]. {{csXbox|only}}
* '''Texture Filtering''' - First introduced with [https://quake.fandom.com/wiki/GLQuake GLQuake], a version of {{Quake|1}} that runs on OpenGL.
** '''Anisotropic filtering''' (16x by default) supported since the 2013 SteamPipe update.
* '''Skeletal animation''' - allowing for more stable animation of models, compared to the vertex animation in Quake
* '''Higher poly counts''' - GoldSrc allows for far more detailed models than Quake
* '''[[Half-Life High Definition Content|HD models]]''' - Higher polygon and texture quality for in-game models.
* '''[[Detail textures (GoldSrc)|Detailed textures]] '''
{{bug|Detail texture rendering has been broken since the 25th Anniversary update.}}

==== Since 2013 SteamPipe Update====
* '''FBO renderer''' - A new method of rendering the game, which allows MSAA to work with GoldSrc engine. This also allows the game to run on fullscreen in a borderless window (which also makes Alt+Tab faster), and aspect ratio that are different from your monitors, for example, 4:3 on 16:9, will not be stretched to fill the black bars.
{{note|You can disable the new FBO renderer using {{code|-nofbo}} command line, note that this will also disable MSAA.}}
* '''MSAA [[anti-aliasing]]''' - GoldSrc now natively support anti-aliasing, specifically, MSAA 4X, which is enabled by default on most modern hardwares. This will reduce the amount of jagged edges/staircases effect on the geometry.
* Support for '''Anisotropic filtering''' - Increases visual quality of textures at steep angles to the camera. GoldSrc uses 16x Aanisotropic filtering by default.

==== Since 25th Anniversary ====
* '''Widescreen "Hor+" FOV'''
** Instead of cropping the image and reducing FOV when using widescreen, the image will be expanded.
* '''Shaders support''' (OpenGL)
** With shaders support, it also fix the issues with overbright lighting not working under OpenGL.
* '''Dynamic Shadows'''
{{note|This feature was originally from {{quake|4|nt=5}}. To enable Dynamic Shadows {{code|r_shadows}} must be set to {{code|1}}}}
* '''[[Software renderer|Software Renderer]] support on {{Linux|3}}'''

=== AI ===
* '''AI flocking''' - [[NPC]]s can group together, seen with [[monster_houndeye (GoldSrc)|Houndeyes]].
* '''Scripted sequences''' - Used extensively to tell Half-Life's story.
* [[GoldSrc Bot|Player Bots]] - play multiplayer offline with bots. {{only|{{cscz}}{{csXbox}}}}
=== Sound System ===
* Supports [[MP3]] (since 2003), [[WAV]] audio files, aswell as CD audio.
* '''Hardware accelerated audio (A3D/EAX)''' - improves [[DSP]] sound effects (such as removing echo's buzzing noises), and add surround sounds support (Removed since 2013 SteamPipe update).
** Requires Sound Blaster-compatible (or A3D-compatible) sound cards (but can be bypassed using workaround below).
** While support for A3D/EAX was removed in most GoldSrc games since SteamPipe update (but can be restored using {{pcgw|Half-Life#MetaAudio|MetaAudio|icon=hide}}, which requires disabling {{Vac|1}} to work), there are some GoldSrc games that still support A3D/EAX. However, starting with Windows Vista or later, it requires {{Pcgw|Glossary:Sound_card#DirectSound_hardware_path|an workaround|icon=hide}} to enable A3D/EAX audio.

=== UI ===
* '''[[VGUI2]]''' - Introduced in 2003 update (Steam), Valve's custom GUI interface mimics most of the Windows controls. This will allow the game to switch between the game and the menu quicker, without switching resolutions to 640x480, which adds delay.

=== Programming and Platforms ===
* GoldSrc supports various platforms, such as {{Win|3}}, {{mac|3}} and {{Linux|3}}, aswell as consoles ({{Ps2|1}}, {{xbox|1}}).
*All, or most of the engine code written on C/C++ using Visual Studio 2010, and 2019 (since 25th anniversary) or later.

=== Tools ===
* {{hammer3|2}} (formerly Worldcraft)
** WYSIWYG World editor
** Create [[Brush|world brushes]]
** Place [[NPC|AI NPCs]]
** Place [[Tool textures (Source)|triggers, clip brushes]], logic, etc.
** Allows level designer to hook up I/O between entities to control AI within the game
** {{Note|While it's functional, it is recommend to use modern [[Valve_Hammer_Editor_(GoldSrc)#Hammer_alternatives|third-party alternatives]] (such as {{jack|1}}) instead.}}
* {{hlmv|2|nt=1|linkto=gldsrc}}<!-- not sure if Goldsrc ver of HLMV should be listed here but Valve acquired it and later uses it on Source so keep it here for now. -->
** Full [[model]] previewer
** Rotate models in any direction
** Set up hit boxes
** View physics hull
** View normals
** Wireframe, shaded or textured view modes
* [[StudioMDL (GoldSrc)|StudioMDL]]
** Model compiler
* [[QCSG]], [[QBSP2]], [[QRAD]], [[VIS]]
** Map compilation tools (bsp, lighting and visibility)
** {{Note|It is recommend to use ZHLT, VHLT and derivatives map compilation tool ([[HLCSG]], [[HLBSP]], [[HLVIS]], [[HLRAD]]) instead, as some of the tools are bugged, especially QRAD which requires {{code|[[light_environment_(GoldSrc)|light_environment]]}} on every [[PVS]].}}

=== Other ===
* In-game advertisements ({{cs|2}}, removed since SteamPipe) - Introduced in 2007.
==== Since 25th Anniversary ====
* '''Increased engine limits''' - Valve has increased engine limitations, allowing for more entities and detailed maps.
*'''[[func_vehicle_(GoldSrc)|func_vehicle]] entity''' support from {{cs|4}}
*'''Native {{Steamdeck|4}} support'''
* '''[[Steam Input]] support''' - Steam Input support was added, which allows the game to support more controllers and buttons. VGUI menu can be navigated using the controller.

== Versions and forks ==
{{Cleanup}}
<!-- To edit the list of the branches, please visit the template page "Template:Goldsrc branches" instead. Or use the edit button shown near the template itself-->
<center><small> [[Template:Goldsrc branches|Click here to edit this list.]] </small></center>
{{Goldsrc branches}}

== Half-Life SDK ==
{{main|Half-Life SDK}}
As of August 2013, it is available on {{steamicon|4}} under the "Tools" section. With it comes {{hammer3|4.1|nt=4|linkto=3.x}}, the 3ds Max sources for many cut and retail NPCs as well as player and weapon models, tools for packing textures into [[WAD]]s, and detailed documentation on implementing baseline features such as voice chat into a [[mod]].

The full source code for Half-Life SDK (2.5), which contains changes from Half-Life 25th anniversary update, can be found on [https://github.com/ValveSoftware/halflife?files=1 Valve's GitHub Page]. Source code for previous version (SDK 2.4) can be found [https://github.com/ValveSoftware/halflife/tree/steam_legacy here].

{{note|{{hammer3|4.1|nt=5|linkto=3.x}} is the final GoldSrc-only editor released by Valve and can be downloaded separately, such as through the {{sven|4.1|addtext={{nbsp}}SDK}}.}}
{{clr}}

== Products using GoldSrc {{Table tools|Goldsrc_games}} ==<!-- DO NOT remove the underscore on this template, as it would break the edit, purge, etc... button completely -->
This is the list of games that uses the {{gldsrc|4}} engine.
<!-- To edit the list of the game, please visit the template page "Template:Goldsrc games" instead, then go to one of it's subpages there. Or use the edit button shown near the template itself-->
<center><small> [[Template:Goldsrc games|Click here to edit this list.]] </small></center>
{{Goldsrc games}}
*See [[:Category:GoldSrc games|GoldSrc games category]] for more games, and for articles about the game which uses the GoldSrc engine.

== Specifications ==
{{Engine Limits}}

== Bugs and Limitations ==
{{update|Half-Life 25th Anniversary Update fixes a lot and breaks other stuff.}}
Use [https://github.com/ValveSoftware/halflife/issues GitHub] in order to prevent duplicate or outdated bug reports at the wiki.
{{Bug|only=goldsrc|Various GoldSrc non-standalone mods has been broken with the recent {{hl1|4}} update, as part of its 25th anniversary. Some of these games would crash on startup with Visual C++ error.<br> Other games like {{tfc|4}} was also affected, but appears to work almost perfectly fine aside from HUD scaling fixes were non-functional. And another one such as {{cs|4}}, which has been fixed to support the 25th anniversary update, may have other problems and issues that can crash the game. Additionally, mods that use custom OpenGL renderer (such as {{Paranoia|4}} (non-Xash3D version) and older version of {{cof|4}}, etc...) will be also crashed on startup aswell ([https://github.com/ValveSoftware/halflife/issues/3710 Issues #3710]).{{Workaround|To temporarily fix this, select the beta branch {{code|steam_legacy}} on {{hl1|1}} (and in some games such as {{cs|1}}) by going to Half-Life > Properties... > Betas > select {{code|steam_legacy}}. Once those games has been fixed, you can opt out by set the beta branch to "None".}}}}
{{Bug|only=goldsrc|Overbright lighting ({{cmd|gl_overbright|1}}) is broken due to an [[OpenGL]] extension used for multi-texturing, which is required for the [[Detail textures (GoldSrc)|detail textures]] used by {{czero|4.1}}, {{dod|4.1}}, and some third-party mods. <br>This make the color less saturated and lighting much less brighter, as well as introduce chromatic aberration on brightly lit lightmaps. <br>The issue was fixed in the 25th anniversary update, which deprecated the {{code|gl_overbright 1}} in favor of {{code|gl_use_shaders 1}}. However, there are [https://github.com/ValveSoftware/halflife/issues/3424 more issues] that was yet to be fixed with the new overbright lighting.<br> This issue can be also found on [[Quake|GLQuake]], but for different reasons. {{workaround|To fix this for the older version of {{hl1|4}} ({{code|steam_legacy}} branch) and most standalone mods, see {{pcgw|Half-Life#OpenGL_overbright_lighting|Overbright lighting}} section in PCGamingWiki's Half-Life page for more information.{{Important|Please note that using DLL-based solutions in {{vac|4.1}}-protected multiplayer servers may result in a false positive ban. Use {{code|[[Command-Line Parameters|-insecure]]}} to disable VAC for local servers. This is not an issue for singleplayer, which is unaffected by VAC. Additionally, GPU driver hacks do not trigger VAC.}}}}
{{note|Even though the overbright was properly fixed with the 25th anniversary update and with the November 19 hotfix patch, which fixes the brightness issues after enabling overbright, along with another one that [https://github.com/ValveSoftware/halflife/issues/3424#issuecomment-1822924828 fixed the underwater fog bug], models [https://github.com/ValveSoftware/halflife/issues/3424#issuecomment-1823797137 may not be affected] by the overbright lighting.}}
}}
{{Bug|only=goldsrc|On some systems running {{win7|4|nt=3}} or later, the engine may suffer from extremely low frame rates during gameplay, especially on Intel iGPUs. {{workaround|<ul><li>Set the game ({{file|hl|exe}}) to "'''High Priority'''" in [https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-11/how-to-run-task-manager-on-windows-11-6-ways/m-p/2701239 Task Manager].<li>{{pcgw|Half-Life#OpenGL_overbright_lighting|Disable multitexturing}}.}}}}
{{Bug|only=goldsrc|Creative EAX and Aureal A3D Audio are no longer supported since [[SteamPipe]] update in 2013. This also removes support for surround sound, and drastically impacts how certain [[DSP]] effects sound (such as buzzing noises on DSP's Weirdo 1-3). [https://github.com/ValveSoftware/halflife/issues/38 A feature request about restoring EAX/A3D sound can be found at GitHub] (issue #38).{{workaround|Use MetaAudio; see the {{pcgw|Half-Life#Audio|Audio}} section on PCGamingWiki's Half-Life page for more information.{{Important|Please note that using MetaAudio in {{vac|4.1}}-protected multiplayer servers may result in a false positive ban. Use {{code|[[Command-Line Parameters|-insecure]]}} to disable VAC for local servers. This is not an issue for singleplayer, which is unaffected by VAC.}}}}}}
{{Bug|only=goldsrc|Running any GoldSrc game other than {{hl|4}} over around 100-120FPS or higher can cause issues with movable objects (and prior to [https://steamcommunity.com/games/70/announcements/detail/1586880891220596672 October 8, 2019 update], NPC turn rate), being slower or faster. Player movements in {{cs|4}}, {{cscz|4}} and {{czds|4}}, after jumping, will be much slower than normal for few seconds. {{Note|NPC turn rate bug will remains existed on most older, non-standalone mods (which was made on a older version of GoldSrc/HL SDK) when loaded on current version of HL1 (or other GoldSrc games) that have this bug fixed unless the dlls file ({{code|hl.dll}} and {{code|client.dll}}) on the mod folder itself was renamed. But keep in mind that this method may breaks some mods and cause it to crash, or made several new additions such as new weapons, new NPCs, etc... from the mod stops working.}}}}
{{modernImportant|<!--not a bug-->[[OpenGL]] mode is somewhat different from [[software mode]]. Furthermore, the wave effect on water does not work with software renderer. See [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v&#61;9jwDqjFaL4c patbytes's "Half-Life - A Look at Water" on YouTube]. Issue [https://github.com/ValveSoftware/halflife/issues/2165 2165].}}

== Trivia ==
* The term "GoldSrc" comes from development of the [[Source]] engine. A few months before the release of {{hl1|1}}, the Half-Life engine's source code was split into two branches: {{mono|Src}} and {{mono|GoldSrc}}. The {{mono|GoldSrc}} branch was the [[Wikipedia:Gold master|gold master]] version of the codebase, and would be used for the proper release of the game. The {{mono|Src}} branch, comparatively, would be continually iterated upon, adding and changing features for use in [[Half-Life 2|the sequel]], with the term "Source Engine" eventually being picked up by marketing.{{ref|1}}

== See also ==
* For information about converting GoldSrc content to the Source engine, see [[Porting GoldSrc content (maps, models, etc.) to Source]]
* [[w:GoldSrc|GoldSrc]] on Wikipedia
* [[Half-Life SDK|GoldSrc SDK (Half-Life SDK) Documentation]]
* [[GoldSrc SteamPipe Directories]]

== External links ==
* [https://github.com/ValveSoftware/halflife/ Source code + GitHub Issues] - bug reports and the GoldSrc source code can be found here.

== References ==
# [https://developer.valvesoftware.com/w/index.php?title=User_talk:Erik_Johnson&oldid=10088#GoldSource User talk:Erik Johnson] (Revision as of 12:53, 1 September 2005)
# [https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/70/view/6941797379568863069 Half-Life 25th Anniversary Update]
# [[Talk:Cry of Fear#PARANOIA -> Cry of Fear|Relation between Paranoia & COF]]{{Gs-branch-navbox}}
[[Category:Game engines]]

[[Category:Valve]]