Modification

A modification, often abbreviated to mod, is an alteration or creation of files for a game engine, which allow it to modify the gameplay style, graphics, environments, models, etc.

Mods in a broad sense can be a game like Portal Stories: Mel Portal Stories: Mel . Mods in the narrow sense add something to the game like Synergy Synergy . Some games like Half-Life 2: Update Half-Life 2: Update or The Stanley Parable The Stanley Parable are difficult to define as just one.

Types of Mods

• Third-party modifications are mods that has not been developed by the original game designer. Mods are typically third-party, as first-party mods are often called expansions (or DLC, short for Downloadable Content). Third-party mods usually runs on Source SDK Base, but some mods might run on top of Half-Life 2 or other games.
  • Content-only mods (which includes Steam Workshop addons) are mods that simply replace the original game assets (such as replacing models, textures, sound, etc.), without changing any game code.
• Total conversions (sometimes abbreviated TC) are mods that have altered their original games to such extents (through new models, new animations, new code, among other things) that their original games can no longer be recognized. The amount of work and expertize required for total conversions, makes these types of mods very rare.
• Dead modifications are mods that (often due to loss of interest or internal problems) have ceased development and been abandoned without producing a release.

Installing Source Engine mods

To install a modification manually, follow these instructions:

Method 1:

1. Copy the mod folder (with the gameinfo.txt file directly inside) into your sourcemods folder. (usually ...\Steam\SteamApps\sourcemods), for example:

Windows Windows : C:\Program Files\Steam\SteamApps\sourcemods [for 32-bit Windows] C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\sourcemods [for 64-bit Windows].

macOS macOS : ~/Library/Application Support/Steam/SteamApps/sourcemods^[confirm]

Linux Linux : ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/sourcemods [for normal installation] ~/.var/app/com.valvesoftware.Steam/steamapps/sourcemods [for Flatpak installation]

2. Start/Restart Steam. If the mod is available for play, Steam should list it in your Games library.

Method 2:

1. Copy the mod folder (again, with the gameinfo.txt file directly inside) into \Steam\SteamApps\common\Source SDK Base 2013 Singleplayer or Source SDK Base 2013 Multiplayer folder.

2. Launch hl2.exe with -steam -game "(mod folder name)" command-line parameters. Or you can add the same launch options to Source SDK Base 2013 on Steam games library, then click Play.

Installing GoldSrc mods

To install a modification for GoldSrc GoldSrc -based games (such as Half-Life Half-Life ), follow these instructions:

1. Do the same Method 2 as the Source engine, but instead copy mod folder to \Steam\SteamApps\common\Half-Life (for Half-Life Half-Life ) folder.

2. Start/Restart Steam. If the mod is available for play, Steam should list it in your Games library (except in Quake).
OR
Launch hl.exe with -game "(mod folder name)" command-line parameters. Or you can add the same launch options to Half-Life on Steam games library, then click Play.

Install content mods

Source

To install content-based mods, such as custom models, texture, audio, etc. for Source games, follow these instructions:

Steam Workshop

Simply click "Subscribe". Some games may require restart to download addons.

VPKs - Source 2013

Drop to game-name\custom

VPKs - Left 4 Dead engine branch (and above), aswell Garry's Mod legacy addons/folder-based addons.

Drop to game-name\addons folder

Note.pngNote:Left 4 Dead method may not work on some Source engine branch or some Source mods.

Folders (containing materials, models, sound, etc. inside it) - Source 2013

Drop to game-name\custom

Note.pngNote:Example: game-name\custom\My mod name\.

Overwrite game files - Source 2004 to Source 2009

Old method for games that simply doesn't support above methods. Simply overwrite files in game-name with one from the zip. Note that this method is no longer recommended for Source 2013 -based games.

GoldSrc

To install content-based mods, such as custom models, texture, audio, etc. for GoldSrc games, follow these instructions:

game-name_addon folder - Simply create the folder, with the game name on it, and ends with _addon (example: valve_addon for Half-Life ), then put your custom texture (WADs), models and/or sound there.

This is only available on GoldSrc games post-SteamPipe.

Overwrite files - Simply overwrite files in game-name with one from the zip. Note that this method is no longer recommended for updated GoldSrc games.

See also

• A list of GoldSource (Half-Life) mods and Source mods.
• Help:Mod Profiles - Rules and guidelines for writing new mod articles here.
• Map pack - A pack of maps, which is different from a mod.

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