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{{AlphaModSmall|engine=Source|download=}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Black Mesa''|noerror}} <!-- DO NOT REMOVE THIS. This is being used so that the | name param in the software page template can be set to Black Mesa (Source) while still showing Black Mesa. -->
==Overview==
{{LanguageBar}}
Run. Think. Shoot. Live. Source.
{{Infobox game
|title = Black Mesa
|image = Software_Cover_-_BMS.jpg
|developer = Crowbar Collective
|publisher = Crowbar Collective
|releasedates = {{ExpandBox|title=March 6, 2020|'''Windows:'''<br>September 14, 2012 (Mod)<br>May 5, 2015 (Steam, early access)<br>March 6, 2020 (1.0)<br>'''Linux:'''<br>October 28, 2016 (Steam, early access)<br>March 6, 2020 (1.0)<!--expand template-->}}
|genre = {{w|icon=0|First-person shooter|First-person shooter}}
|mode =  {{w|icon=0|Single-player video game|Single-player}},  {{w|icon=0|Multiplayer video game|Multiplayer}}
|platform = {{win|1}}, {{linux|1}}
|engine = {{src|4}} ({{xengine|1}})
|appid = 362890
|codelang = [[WP:C++|C++]]
|modsupport = Yes ([[Steam Workshop]], {{code|custom}} folder)
|sdk = [[Source SDK]] (pre-installed)
|sysreq = <span></span>
* [[WP:Windows 10|Win 10]] or later
* Ubuntu 14.0+ or other Linux distros
* 2.6GHz Dual Core Processor or Greater
* 6 GB RAM
* 30 [[WP:Gigabyte|GB]] disk space<!-- according to SteamDB -->
* DirectX 9.0c capable<br>with 2GB [[WP:Video random-access memory|VRAM]]
* Linux only: NVIDIA - Does not support the Nouveau display driver
''For details, [[#System Requirements|see below]]''
|distribution = Website (Mod only), [[Steam]]
|website = [https://www.crowbarcollective.com/games/black-mesa Official Website]
|links = {{Steam store|app/362890|Steam page}}<br>{{Moddb|page=other|mods/black-mesa|ModDB}}
}}
{{bms|4}} (formerly known as '''Black Mesa: Source''', '''BM''' or '''BMS''' for short) is the {{hl2|1}} total conversion that attempts to remake the original {{hl|4}} game. Utilizing the {{source|1}} engine to completely update and enhance the experience, Black Mesa throws you into the world that started the Half-Life continuum and introduced [[Dr. Gordon Freeman]] to the world as a gun-toting, bullet-dodging PhD. in theoretical physics.


{{HL2}} '''Black Mesa''' (Formerly known as ''Black Mesa Source'') is the [[Half-Life 2]] total conversion of the original [[Half-Life]] game.  Utilizing the [[Source]] engine and its endless array of possibilities and powers, Black Mesa (Source) will throw you into the world that started the Half-Life continuum and introduced [[Dr. Gordon Freeman]] to the world as a gun-toting, bullet-dodging [[Wikipedia:Doctor of Philosophy|Ph.D.]] in {{wiki|theoretical physics}}.
Black Mesa was built and founded on the principle that {{hls|1}} did not do the original title enough credit, regardless of the true intentions laid out with the release of {{hls|1}}. Subsequently in November 2004, Black Mesa was founded and set out to reconstruct the original title, giving it the new environments, models, and abilities it deserved on the Source engine.  


Black Mesa (Source) was built and founded on the principle that [[Half-Life: Source]] did not do the original title enough credit, regardless of the true intentions laid out with the release of Half-Life: Source by Valve Software.  Subsequently in {{wiki|November 2004}}, Black Mesa (Source) was founded and set out to reconstruct the original title, giving it the new environments, models, and abilities it deserved on the Source engine. This total conversion will not require Half-Life: Source installed on your system to play, only a legitimate and working version of Half-Life 2. Valve Software has already been in contact with the project and we are pursuing legal clarifications at this time.
There are two distinct releases of this game:
;[[Black_Mesa_(Source)/2012_version_downloads|Black Mesa (Mod)]]
:Also referred as the Black Mesa 2012. This version of the game originally released on September 14, 2012, and it is available for free on ModDB, GameFront and many other websites, aswell through BitTorrent protocol via its official website Download Manager. It only contains the unpolished Earthbound levels with old graphics, sounds, music and textures, and lots more bugs. This version runs off of the {{src07|1}} engine branch, and requires the {{srcsdk07|1}} installed to run, and the game is only supported on {{win|1}}. As of today, the official website no longer host the original Download Manager containing those mirror links, but some of the mirror links (such as ModDB), remains active to this day.
{{note|When playing this version of Black Mesa, remember to save frequently. Memory leaks can happen often when playing on the highest texture setting. This version also have a bug that can cause the FPS (framerate) to drop, especially during the end of the Lambda Core chapter, which can be triggered by saving and reloading the map.}}
;[https://store.steampowered.com/app/362890 Black Mesa: Definitive Edition]
:This is the current version available for purchase on Steam, released in May 2015 as Early Access and completed in 6 March 2020. It contains both the '''Earthbound''' and '''Xen''' levels, as well as Multiplayer mode, [[Black Mesa (Source)/Surface Tension|Surface Tension]] Uncut and Steam Workshop support. This is a standalone product that runs on its own version of the {{src13mp|1}} engine branch, using {{tf2|1}} as a base, dubbed '{{xe|1}}'. Officially supported on {{win|1}} and {{linux|1}} + {{steamos|1}}.


==The Black Mesa (Source) Team==
==The Black Mesa Team (Crowbar Collective)==
Black Mesa (Source) has brought together some very talented, professional and dedicated developers.  From level design to modeling to conceptual art to programming: the skillset is very noticeable.  The development team, at present, brings together almost 75 years of development experience and releases. With 30 members, the team behind this total conversion is surely representive of a new age in third-party development. For a full up to date team roster, personal portfoilio's and job assignments; stop by the official Black Mesa (Source) website.
Black Mesa has brought together some very talented, professional, and dedicated developers.  The skillset is very noticeable, from level design to modeling to conceptual art to programming. With more than 30 members, the team behind Black Mesa is representative of a new age in third-party development. For a full-date team roster, personal portfolios, and job assignments, stop by the [https://www.crowbarcollective.com/games/black-mesa official Black Mesa website].
 
However, take the above with a grain of salt.  For the proof that is ever convincing, look to our media to judge for yourself the quality, professionalism and talent of the development team.


==Features==
==Features==
Here is a small list of planned features of Black Mesa (Source):
The game features a branch of Source known as {{xe|3.1}}. It is a custom hybrid of several current branches of Source and includes many features from each. The BM branch Authoring Tools have been released and are available directly from the game's <code>bin</code> folder.
*Redesign and overhaul of all 18 chapters, the hazard course and deathmatch levels of the original Half-Life.
*Redesign and overhaul all chapters of the original Half-Life, including the [[Xen]] portion.
*Models now take advantage of increased polycount limits and normal mapping technology making deadly opponents and friendly coworkers appear more real.
*Models now take advantage of increased polycount limits and normal mapping technology making deadly opponents and friendly coworkers appear more real.
*A completely original soundtrack and music library bringing Half-Life's themes and feelings to life in the new sounds engine built into the Source Engine.
*An all-new face creation system that allows each character to have a unique, artist-created face.
*Artifical Intelligence that will hunt you by sight and sound.
*A completely original soundtrack and music library bringing Half-Life's themes and feelings to life in the new sounds engine built into the Source Engine.
*Normal, bump and specular maps built into textures giving flat surfaces a new, more dynamic look.
*[[:Category:AI|AI]] that will hunt you by sight and sound.
*Co-operative mode, allowing you and your friends to play through Black Mesa: Source together.
*Normal, bump, and specular maps built into textures giving flat surfaces a new, more dynamic look.
*The entire cast and characters that the world fell in love back together again for another shot at the gold.
*A multiplayer mode allowing for deathmatch and team deathmatch experience with the complete Half-Life 1/Black Mesa arsenal at your disposal.
*A multiplayer mode allowing for deathmatch and team deathmatch experience with the complete Half-Life 1/Black Mesa Arsenal at your disposal.
*Steam Workshop implementation and full support for modders.
*A priority on gameplay and immersion factors such as sounds, functionality and interaction.
*Powerful Dynamic Lighting System.
*Built by developers who's passion is seen through the quality of work.
 
== Chapters ==
Like the original {{hl|1}}, Black Mesa contains the same chapters, the difference is that most levels are completely rebuilt, such as majority of On a Rail chapters were cut and all Xen chapters looks different, easier and much longer than the original. Originally, Black Mesa was released in 2012, as a mod without the Xen chapter included, the same still applies to the Steam version released in 2015, lasted until 2019 when a beta version on Steam containing these chapters are now available, and fully released alongside the 1.0 Update in 2020, leaving Early Access. Some part of Surface Tension was also cut until 2016, these part was added back under the name "Surface Tension Uncut".
{{Chapters|game=bms}}
 
==Releases and updates==
{{inline note|name=September 14, 2012|Black Mesa was released as a {{src07|1}} mod, and requires {{srcsdk07|1}} installed in order to play. It can be downloaded from the (formerly) many mirrors available on the official website for free. This version has received no further updates. The original version can be download here: [[Black_Mesa_(Source)/2012_version_downloads|2012 version downloads]]}}
{{inline note|name=May 5th 2015|The mod was released as a standalone game on [[Steam]] as an early access game, upgraded to a modified {{src13mp|2}} with {{tf2|1}}, {{l4d|1}} and {{p2|1}} code and additions. It does not require installation of any versions of Source SDK Base in order to play the game.}}
{{inline note|name=[https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/362890/view/4041374038285693722 May 15, 2016]|Surface Tension Uncut was released, which expanded the Surface Tension chapters that were previously cut in the original release. One new music track ({{yt|page=videos|FFkVsvW7dRA|Surface Tension Uncut|icon=hide}}) was also added specifically for that chapter.}}
{{inline note|name=[https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/362890/view/4041374038285691138 June 26, 2019]|Most Xen chapters are available in the Beta branch of the game, with some chapters slowly rolling out with an update. Around this time the MSAA [[anti-aliasing]] was removed in favor of FXAA, due to a minor issue{{cite|1}} caused by the new deferred lighting.}}
{{inline note|name=March 6, 2020|The Steam version left early access with the 1.0 Update, which comes with all Xen chapters. The game menu and UI now defaults to [[Qt]]-based interface, instead of [[VGUI]].<br>VGUI remains available as of today, which can be reactivated by launching the game with {{code|-oldgameui}}, in-case if the Qt interface isn't working properly or having performance issues/bugs, but please note that some new features are missing with the old VGUI interface.}}
{{inline note|name=November 28, 2020|Version 1.5 was released, making Black Mesa the ''Definitive Edition''.}}
{{inline note|name=April 16, 2024|A new update named ''[https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/362890/view/4174347361777844150 Necro Patch]'' was released, which adds [[Vulkan]] renderer using DXVK, alongside improved controller support, bug fixes and more. This release also drops support for older versions of Windows (7, 8, 8.1).}}
{{inline note|name=May 13, 2025|A new update named ''[https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/362890/view/539979243764844460 Resonance Decade]'' was released, celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Black Mesa release on Steam, featuring fixes to startup related crashes, physics engine related crashes, Steam Deck and Linux improvements.}}


==Media==
==Media==
<gallery>
<gallery class="center" mode=nolines widths=512px heights=256px>
Image:Mr7 am1.jpg|Anomalous Materials - click to enlarge
1920px-Black_Mesa_c1a0a_3k_DF.jpg|Black Mesa's lobby shows exactly how much detail the mod team puts into their environments
Image:Mr6 hud releasedheadcrabs.jpg|Black Mesa, Alpha 5 In-Game- click to enlarge
1920px-Black_Mesa_c1a2a_3k_DF.jpg|Black Mesa introduces all new particle effects to further enhance the visual fidelity of the mod
Image:Mr4_st1_rmdam.jpg|Surface Tension - click to enlarge
1920px-Black_Mesa_c1a2b_3k_DF.jpg|The Face Creation System gives the impression of many faces that aren't expensive to render
Image:Mr2 gargantua.jpg|Xenain Gargantua Render - click to enlarge
</gallery>
 
=== Official screenshots ===
<gallery class="center" mode=nolines widths=256px heights=128px>
BMS - Screenshot 1.jpg|Black Mesa features a complete overhaul of the Xen chapters.
BMS - Screenshot 2.jpg
BMS - Screenshot 3.jpg
BMS - Screenshot 4.jpg|The [[item_suit_(Black_Mesa)|Mark IV Hazardous Environment suit]].
BMS - Screenshot 5.jpg|The redesigned [[Black Mesa (Source)/Gonarch's Lair|Gonarch's Lair]] chapter.
BMS - Screenshot 6.jpg
BMS - Screenshot 7.jpg|New godrays effect in [[Black Mesa (Source)/Xen|Xen]].
</gallery>
</gallery>


==Updates==
== Known Issues ==
''Special thanks goes out to HLFallout.net for allowing us to link to their news posts.''
=== Original 2012 release ===
* [http://www.blackmesasource.com/ "ModDB: Best Upcoming" -- News Update]
{{Bug|hidetested=1|Chapters title in the menu are shown as "{{code|{{hashtag}}blackmesa_ChapterX_Title}}" instead of actual chapter name. To fix this, rename the {{path|blackmesa}} folder to {{path|bms}} on {{code|sourcemods}} directory.}}
* [http://www.hlfallout.net/viewnews.php/8437/ "Unforeseen Consequences" -- Media Update]
=== Steam release ===
* [http://www.hlfallout.net/comments.php?id=8382 "...looks like you're running late." Again -- Media Update]
{{Bug|hidetested=1|The HUD glow effect seen in the screenshots on this page does not render for some users with AMD cards. This can be fixed by running the game in [[Vulkan|DXVK]] mode (currently unavailable due to antivirus false positives}}
* [http://www.hlfallout.net/comments.php?id=8376 "The Media... isn't here yet." -- News Update]
 
* [http://www.hlfallout.net/comments.php?id=8354 "First December Media!" -- Media Update]
== System Requirements<span id="Sysreq"><!--Used by Sysreq template, clicking on "See system requirements" will send you to this section.--></span> ==
* [http://www.blackmesasource.com/ "A Prelude to December" -- News Update]
=== 2012 Mod release ===
* [http://www.blackmesasource.com/ "Updates, and an alpha!" -- News Update]
{{Sysreq
* [http://www.hlfallout.net/comments.php?id=8067/ "The Media Supply Lines Are Open" -- Media Update]
|OSfamily = Windows
* [http://www.blackmesasource.com/ "...looks like you're running late." -- News Update]
 
* [http://www.blackmesasource.com/ "More Press & an Interview" -- News Update]
|minOS    = {{winxp|1|nt=XP}}, {{vista|1|nt=Vista}} or {{win7|1|nt=7}}
* [http://www.hlfallout.net/comments.php?id=7947/ "Media Release Number Three!" -- Media Update]
|minCPU  = Pentium 4 - 3.0 GHz, or AMD processor
* [http://www.hlfallout.net/comments.php?id=7904 "STEAMPowered Spotlight & Happy Mother's Day" -- Media Update]
|minRAM  = 1 GB (XP)<br>2 GB (Vista+)
* [http://www.blackmesasource.com/ "E-Mail Issues" -- NewsUpdate]
|minHD    = 12 GB <!-- Source SDK 2007 + Game -->
* [http://www.hlfallout.net/comments.php?id=7849 "Media Release!" -- Media Update]
|minGPU  = NVIDIA GeForce 6600 or ATI Radeon 9600 or better<br>DirectX 9.0c capable<br>with 128MB VRAM
* [http://www.blackmesasource.com/ "Black Mesa: Source Continues On!" -- News Update]
|minother = Source SDK 2007 must be installed. <br>Source SDK 2007 now requires Windows 7 and later to work due to Steam dropped support for previous version of Windows, and Steam is required to mount Source 2007's depot VPK files. If there are any issues with Source SDK failing to mount depot VPK files, [[Fixing_VPK_mounting_for_older_Source_SDK_Bases|see this page]].
* [http://www.blackmesasource.com/ "Website Javascript Bugs & Media" -- News Update]
 
* [http://www.hlfallout.net/comments.php?id=7787 "First Media Release" -- Media Update]
|recOS    = {{blank}}
|recCPU  = Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz or AMD equivalent
|recRAM  = 2 GB
|recHD    = {{blank}}
|recGPU  = NVIDIA GeForce 7600 or ATI Radeon X1600 or better<br>DirectX 9.0c capable<br>with 256MB VRAM or higher
}}
 
=== Steam release ===
{{Sysreq
|OSfamily = Windows
 
|minOS    = {{win10|1|nt=10}}
|minCPU  = 2.6GHz Dual Core Processor or Greater
|minRAM  = 6 GB RAM
|minHD    = 30 GB
|minGPU  = DirectX 9.0c capable<br>2 GB VRAM
|minother = [[HDR]] is always enabled (and required), so the game can be more demanding to run on lower end hardware.<br>While the latest version (since Necro Patch) still runs on Windows 7, 8 and 8.1, it is no longer officially supported by the developers. Support for Windows XP / Vista has been also dropped.
 
|recOS    = {{blank}}
|recCPU  = 3.2GHz Quad Core Processor or Greater
|recRAM  = 8 GB
|recHD    = {{blank}}
|recGPU  = DirectX 9.0c capable<br>4 GB VRAM or greater
}}
 
{{Sysreq
|OSfamily = Linux
 
|minOS    = Ubuntu 14.0+ or other Linux distros
|minCPU  = 2.6GHz Dual Core Processor or Greater
|minRAM  = 4 GB RAM
|minHD    = 30 GB
|minGPU  = Vulkan 1.3 capable<br>2 GB VRAM
|minother = NVIDIA - Does not support the {{w|nouveau (software)|Nouveau display driver}}
 
|recOS    = {{blank}}
|recCPU  = 3.2GHz Quad Core Processor or Greater
|recRAM  = 6 GB
|recHD    = {{blank}}
|recGPU  = Vulkan 1.3 capable<br>3 GB VRAM or greater
|recother = NVIDIA - Does not support the {{w|nouveau (software)|Nouveau display driver}}
}}
 
==External links==
* [https://www.crowbarcollective.com/games/black-mesa Official Website]
* {{Steam store|app/362890|Store page}}
* [https://steamcommunity.com/app/362890 Community page]
* [https://steamcommunity.com/app/362890/discussions/ Official Steam Discussion]
* [http://forums.blackmesasource.com/ Official Forum Community (No longer available)] [https://www.leakfree.org/ Archived]
* {{Discord|KpBDTqm|Official Discord}}
* {{Gamebanana|12|Black Mesa on Gamebanana}}
* {{Moddb|page=other|mods/black-mesa|Black Mesa on ModDB}}


==External Links==
{{references|1=
More information about Black Mesa (Source) can be seen at the following links:
{{ref2|cite id=1|access-date=May 10, 2024|[https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/362890/view/4041374038285692283 Xen Technical Beta] and [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id{{=}}1960023856 Screenshot by [TC<nowiki>]</nowiki>Ciaиєz ITA]:<br>
* [http://www.blackmesasource.com/ Official Website]
'''Known Issues - Haloing Around Props/Object'''<br>
* [http://forums.gamernode.com/forumdisplay.php?f=4692 Official Forum Community]
'''MSAA''' is causing outlines around certain objects. MSSA{{sic}} is a performance killer and we hope to have a better solution for anti-aliasing with the Xen release. To remove the haloing/outline, simply turn off MSAA. }}
* {{fpsbanana|12}}
}}
* {{moddb|4384}}


[[Category:HL2 Third Party Mods]]
{{Half life games}}
<!-- BM:S features both sp and mp. -->
{{Bms topicon}}
[[Category:Single Player Mods]]
[[Category:Remasters and Remakes]][[Category:Half-Life series mods and fangames]]
[[Category:Multiplayer Mods]]
{{SourceBranchCategory|xengine}}

Latest revision as of 23:27, 11 July 2025

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Black Mesa
Software Cover - BMS.jpg
Developer(s)
Crowbar Collective
Publisher(s)
Crowbar Collective
Release date(s)
March 6, 2020 
Windows:
September 14, 2012 (Mod)
May 5, 2015 (Steam, early access)
March 6, 2020 (1.0)
Linux:
October 28, 2016 (Steam, early access)
March 6, 2020 (1.0)
Platform(s)
Engine
Steam AppID
Written in
Mod support
Yes (Steam Workshop, custom folder)
SDK
Source SDK (pre-installed)
System requirements
  • Win 10 or later
  • Ubuntu 14.0+ or other Linux distros
  • 2.6GHz Dual Core Processor or Greater
  • 6 GB RAM
  • 30 GB disk space
  • DirectX 9.0c capable
    with 2GB VRAM
  • Linux only: NVIDIA - Does not support the Nouveau display driver
For details, see below
Distribution
Website (Mod only), Steam
Official website

Black Mesa Black Mesa (formerly known as Black Mesa: Source, BM or BMS for short) is the Half-Life 2 total conversion that attempts to remake the original Half-Life Half-Life game. Utilizing the Source engine to completely update and enhance the experience, Black Mesa throws you into the world that started the Half-Life continuum and introduced Dr. Gordon Freeman to the world as a gun-toting, bullet-dodging PhD. in theoretical physics.

Black Mesa was built and founded on the principle that Half-Life: Source did not do the original title enough credit, regardless of the true intentions laid out with the release of Half-Life: Source. Subsequently in November 2004, Black Mesa was founded and set out to reconstruct the original title, giving it the new environments, models, and abilities it deserved on the Source engine.

There are two distinct releases of this game:

Black Mesa (Mod)
Also referred as the Black Mesa 2012. This version of the game originally released on September 14, 2012, and it is available for free on ModDB, GameFront and many other websites, aswell through BitTorrent protocol via its official website Download Manager. It only contains the unpolished Earthbound levels with old graphics, sounds, music and textures, and lots more bugs. This version runs off of the Source 2007 engine branch, and requires the Source SDK Base 2007 installed to run, and the game is only supported on Windows. As of today, the official website no longer host the original Download Manager containing those mirror links, but some of the mirror links (such as ModDB), remains active to this day.
Note.pngNote:When playing this version of Black Mesa, remember to save frequently. Memory leaks can happen often when playing on the highest texture setting. This version also have a bug that can cause the FPS (framerate) to drop, especially during the end of the Lambda Core chapter, which can be triggered by saving and reloading the map.
Black Mesa: Definitive Edition
This is the current version available for purchase on Steam, released in May 2015 as Early Access and completed in 6 March 2020. It contains both the Earthbound and Xen levels, as well as Multiplayer mode, Surface Tension Uncut and Steam Workshop support. This is a standalone product that runs on its own version of the Source 2013 Multiplayer engine branch, using Team Fortress 2 as a base, dubbed 'Xengine'. Officially supported on Windows and Linux + SteamOS.

The Black Mesa Team (Crowbar Collective)

Black Mesa has brought together some very talented, professional, and dedicated developers. The skillset is very noticeable, from level design to modeling to conceptual art to programming. With more than 30 members, the team behind Black Mesa is representative of a new age in third-party development. For a full-date team roster, personal portfolios, and job assignments, stop by the official Black Mesa website.

Features

The game features a branch of Source known as Xengine. It is a custom hybrid of several current branches of Source and includes many features from each. The BM branch Authoring Tools have been released and are available directly from the game's bin folder.

  • Redesign and overhaul all chapters of the original Half-Life, including the Xen portion.
  • Models now take advantage of increased polycount limits and normal mapping technology making deadly opponents and friendly coworkers appear more real.
  • An all-new face creation system that allows each character to have a unique, artist-created face.
  • A completely original soundtrack and music library bringing Half-Life's themes and feelings to life in the new sounds engine built into the Source Engine.
  • AI that will hunt you by sight and sound.
  • Normal, bump, and specular maps built into textures giving flat surfaces a new, more dynamic look.
  • A multiplayer mode allowing for deathmatch and team deathmatch experience with the complete Half-Life 1/Black Mesa arsenal at your disposal.
  • Steam Workshop implementation and full support for modders.
  • Powerful Dynamic Lighting System.

Chapters

Like the original Half-Life, Black Mesa contains the same chapters, the difference is that most levels are completely rebuilt, such as majority of On a Rail chapters were cut and all Xen chapters looks different, easier and much longer than the original. Originally, Black Mesa was released in 2012, as a mod without the Xen chapter included, the same still applies to the Steam version released in 2015, lasted until 2019 when a beta version on Steam containing these chapters are now available, and fully released alongside the 1.0 Update in 2020, leaving Early Access. Some part of Surface Tension was also cut until 2016, these part was added back under the name "Surface Tension Uncut".


Releases and updates

September 14, 2012: Black Mesa was released as a Source 2007 mod, and requires Source SDK Base 2007 installed in order to play. It can be downloaded from the (formerly) many mirrors available on the official website for free. This version has received no further updates. The original version can be download here: 2012 version downloads
May 5th 2015: The mod was released as a standalone game on Steam as an early access game, upgraded to a modified Source 2013 Multiplayer Source 2013 Multiplayer with Team Fortress 2, Left 4 Dead and Portal 2 code and additions. It does not require installation of any versions of Source SDK Base in order to play the game.
May 15, 2016: Surface Tension Uncut was released, which expanded the Surface Tension chapters that were previously cut in the original release. One new music track (Surface Tension Uncut) was also added specifically for that chapter.
June 26, 2019: Most Xen chapters are available in the Beta branch of the game, with some chapters slowly rolling out with an update. Around this time the MSAA anti-aliasing was removed in favor of FXAA, due to a minor issue[1] caused by the new deferred lighting.
March 6, 2020: The Steam version left early access with the 1.0 Update, which comes with all Xen chapters. The game menu and UI now defaults to Qt-based interface, instead of VGUI.
VGUI remains available as of today, which can be reactivated by launching the game with -oldgameui, in-case if the Qt interface isn't working properly or having performance issues/bugs, but please note that some new features are missing with the old VGUI interface.
November 28, 2020: Version 1.5 was released, making Black Mesa the Definitive Edition.
April 16, 2024: A new update named Necro Patch was released, which adds Vulkan renderer using DXVK, alongside improved controller support, bug fixes and more. This release also drops support for older versions of Windows (7, 8, 8.1).
May 13, 2025: A new update named Resonance Decade was released, celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Black Mesa release on Steam, featuring fixes to startup related crashes, physics engine related crashes, Steam Deck and Linux improvements.

Media

  • Black Mesa's lobby shows exactly how much detail the mod team puts into their environments

    Black Mesa's lobby shows exactly how much detail the mod team puts into their environments

  • Black Mesa introduces all new particle effects to further enhance the visual fidelity of the mod

    Black Mesa introduces all new particle effects to further enhance the visual fidelity of the mod

  • The Face Creation System gives the impression of many faces that aren't expensive to render

    The Face Creation System gives the impression of many faces that aren't expensive to render

Official screenshots

Known Issues

Original 2012 release

Icon-Bug.pngBug:Chapters title in the menu are shown as "#blackmesa_ChapterX_Title" instead of actual chapter name. To fix this, rename the 🖿blackmesa folder to 🖿bms on sourcemods directory.

Steam release

Icon-Bug.pngBug:The HUD glow effect seen in the screenshots on this page does not render for some users with AMD cards. This can be fixed by running the game in DXVK mode (currently unavailable due to antivirus false positives

System Requirements

2012 Mod release

Windows Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) XP, Vista or 7
Processor (CPU) Pentium 4 - 3.0 GHz, or AMD processor Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz or AMD equivalent
System memory (RAM) 1 GB (XP)
2 GB (Vista+)		 2 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD/SSD) 12 GB
Video card (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce 6600 or ATI Radeon 9600 or better
DirectX 9.0c capable
with 128MB VRAM 		NVIDIA GeForce 7600 or ATI Radeon X1600 or better
DirectX 9.0c capable
with 256MB VRAM or higher
Other Source SDK 2007 must be installed.
Source SDK 2007 now requires Windows 7 and later to work due to Steam dropped support for previous version of Windows, and Steam is required to mount Source 2007's depot VPK files. If there are any issues with Source SDK failing to mount depot VPK files, see this page.

Steam release

Windows Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 10
Processor (CPU) 2.6GHz Dual Core Processor or Greater 3.2GHz Quad Core Processor or Greater
System memory (RAM) 6 GB RAM 8 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD/SSD) 30 GB
Video card (GPU) DirectX 9.0c capable
2 GB VRAM 		DirectX 9.0c capable
4 GB VRAM or greater
Other HDR is always enabled (and required), so the game can be more demanding to run on lower end hardware.
While the latest version (since Necro Patch) still runs on Windows 7, 8 and 8.1, it is no longer officially supported by the developers. Support for Windows XP / Vista has been also dropped.
Linux Linux
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) Ubuntu 14.0+ or other Linux distros
Processor (CPU) 2.6GHz Dual Core Processor or Greater 3.2GHz Quad Core Processor or Greater
System memory (RAM) 4 GB RAM 6 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD/SSD) 30 GB
Video card (GPU) Vulkan 1.3 capable
2 GB VRAM 		Vulkan 1.3 capable
3 GB VRAM or greater
Other NVIDIA - Does not support the Wikipedia icon Nouveau display driver NVIDIA - Does not support the Wikipedia icon Nouveau display driver

External links

References

References
1. Xen Technical Beta and Screenshot by [TC]Ciaиєz ITA:

Known Issues - Haloing Around Props/Object
MSAA is causing outlines around certain objects. MSSA[sic] is a performance killer and we hope to have a better solution for anti-aliasing with the Xen release. To remove the haloing/outline, simply turn off MSAA.. Retrieved on May 10, 2024.

GoldSrc GoldSrc
Source Source
Source 2 Source 2
Half-Life: Alyx Half-Life: Alyx
Cancelled: Half-Life 2: Episode Three Half-Life 3  • More
Other Engines
Third-party: Codename: Gordon Codename: Gordon (Adobe Flash) • FreeHL (FTE)
Related

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