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 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 2004 - (Alternatively, Source SDK 2004 can be also used to create BSP Version 19 maps. Requires SDK SteamPipe Fix).

Note:Downloading ZIP file for this archived SDK will give corrupt .exe/.dll files (due to GitHub-related issue). A workaround is to go to one of the folder (like bin) select one of the corrupted file (vrad.exe for example), and click "View raw" or "Download raw file" button which will download the correct file.

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

Contents