Half-Life 2 Modding Guide for the Original Xbox

This page is for the Original Xbox Version of Half-Life 2 (Xbox).

Note:THIS WILL REQUIRE A SOFTMODDED OR HARDMODDED ORIGINAL XBOX*

File Structure

Retail disc layout

D:\

default.xbe - (Runs HL2 with file checking.)

hl2_xbox.xbe - (Runs HL2 without file checking.)

GameMedia

zip0_xbox.xz_ - (Extracts zip0_xbox.xzp to Y: or X:.)

zip0_xbox_(language).xz_ - (Extracts zip0_xbox_(language).xzp to Y: or X:.)

Maps

All the standard HL2 SP BSP files. - (Extracts loaded and cached maps to Y: or X:.)

Sound

Music

HL2 music files in WAV format from source sounds.gcf

Stingers

More music from source sounds.gcf

LoaderMedia

Demo_Attract.xmv - (Gameplay demo video.)

install.txt - (Dictates what copies over to Y: or X: partition.)

loader.xpr - (Xbox Packed Resource a structure and file-format used by the Microsoft XDK.)

Title_load.xmv - (Half-Life 2 intro video.)

Valve_leader.xmv - (Valve intro video.)

Save layout

E:\TDATA\45410091\

hl2

hl2x

cfg

continue.cfg - (holds game continue status in binary.)

xboxuser.cfg - (Xbox version of config.cfg.)

maps

SAVE

_transition - (Save file at transition point.)

autosave - (Save file at autosave.)

<map name>.hl# - (Game Saves.)

Cache layout

Y:\ or X:\

hl2

hl2x

maps

loaded and cached maps - (Extracted from D: partition.)

save

zip0_xbox.xzp - (Extracted from zip0_xbox.xz_ in D: partition.)

zip0_xbox_english.xzp - (Extracted from zip0_xbox_english.xz_ in D: partition.)

LoaderMedia

Title_Load.xmv - (Extracted from D: partition.)

version_235.txt - (copy of install.txt from D: partition.)

File Types

Executable Format

.xbe - (Xbox Executable)

Archive Format

.xz_ - (compressed archive(JCALG1 compression))

.xzp - (uncompressed archive similar to a VPK.)

Texture Format

.xtf - (Xbox Texture File is the Xbox Equivalent to the VTF. Includes Preload Image as holdover till full res image is loaded from HDD)

Physics Format

.phx - (Xbox Physics File is the Xbox Equivalent to the PHY. Removing Text section for data values)

Video Format

.xmv - (Xbox Media Video is the Xbox version of the .wmv / Windows Media Video.)

Audio Format

.wav - (Xbox Wav Format is the Xbox version of the .wav / Shedding the RIFF spec for a preload friendly spec. Check out public\xwvfile.h in Source SDK 2006)

Save Game Format

.hl# - (Unique Game Save format that is used instead of SAV E.g. .hl1, .hl2, .hl3 Ect.)

Script Format

.xcd - (Xbox Script File is the Xbox version of a VCD file.)

Compiling Maps

Installation

The unofficial Source SDK 2005 tools provide a drop in replacement of VBSP, VVIS, VRAD for Source SDK 2006. Located in the directory <Install Location>/steamapps/common/SourceSDK/bin/ep1/bin/

VBSP

Requires the -xbox flag. Also note due to limitations -luxelscale may need to be changed in order to fit lightmaps

VVIS

Does not have a -xbox flag, if added will fail to build vis data.

VRAD

Requires -xbox and -exportLightmaps. If it fails to pack lightmaps follow by changing the Luxel Size

Necessary Programs

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) Software

FileZilla - (FileZilla is a free cross-platform FTP application.)

File Editing Software

Notepad++ - (Notepad++ is a text and source code editor.)

Lynx - (Lynx is an exporting and injecting tool used for modifying the .xzp archives.)

Crowbar - (Crowbar is a model compiler/decompiler for GoldSrc and Source.)

Texturing Software

Paint.net - (Paint.net is a free raster graphics editor program.)

Adobe Photoshop - (Adobe Photoshop is a raster graphics editor developed and published by Adobe Inc.)

GIMP - (GIMP is a free and open-source raster graphics editor used for image retouching and editing.)

Noesis - (Noesis is a multitool program that just about anything from viewing .xtf textures to mocap "Motion capture" animations.)

VTFEdit - (VTFEdit is a GUI frontend for the functions contained within VTFLib.)

Modeling Software

Blender - (Blender is a free and open-source 3D computer graphics software toolset used for creating visual effects, 3D printed models, motion graphics, and computer games.)

GMax - (GMax is based on Autodesk's 3ds Max application used by professional computer graphics artists.)

Softimage - (Autodesk Softimage, or simply Softimage is a discontinued 3D computer graphics application, for producing 3D computer graphics, 3D modeling, and computer animation.)

kHED - (kHED is a simple freeware 3D modeling editor designed for low-poly modeling.)

Maya - (Autodesk Maya, commonly shortened to just Maya, is a 3D computer graphics application that runs on Windows, macOS and Linux.)

3DS Max - (Autodesk 3ds Max is a professional 3D computer graphics program for making 3D animations, models, games and images.)

Modo - (Modo is a polygon and subdivision surface modeling, sculpting, 3D painting, animation and rendering package.)

Lightwave - (LightWave 3D is a 3D computer graphics program developed by NewTek.)

Cinema 4D - (Cinema 4D is a 3D software suite developed by the German company Maxon.)

Fragmotion - (FragMOTION is a powerful 3D modeler used for the creation and animation of characters.)

MilkShape 3D - (MilkShape 3D is a small modeling and animation software package.)

Source SDK - (Legacy Source SDK still includes "-xbox" for compiling models. Does not create create correct v47 MDL)

Mapping Software

Valve Hammer Editor - (Valve Hammer Editor is the official mapping tool for the GoldSrc and Source.)

Sin Episodes SDK - (Sin Episodes SDK is Required for creating BSP Version 19 maps.)

Source SDK '2005' - (In progress fork of Source 2006 aiming to restore XBOX tools. VBSP and accessories are currently available here.)

Half-Life 2 Modding Guide for the Original Xbox

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