XBLAH's Modding Tool

When it comes to game development, using the initial tools employed in the original creators’ workflows usually yields the best results. However, with certain tech-savvy individuals going above and beyond in their quests to craft equally ambitious spin-offs, a more powerful set of functions may be required.

As such, adapting the tool sets to the needs of the community has become a priority for plenty of modders, with XBLAH’s Modding Tool being one of the most feature-rich.

While Valve’s initial desire was to set a trend in terms of pushing the limits of the available technology to showcase what a solid foundation to build games with should look like, the company also developed a lore enticing enough to spawn thousands of projects that the community thrives on.

Some of them turned into the flagship titles that we enjoy to this day, ranging from Counter-Strike to Team Fortress 2, thanks to the Bellevue-based industry giant’s willingness to support the fans’ passion for expanding on the storyline.

Those who wish to create a three-part series that stays true to the original aesthetics have the opportunity of unifying the development workflow through a single program, compared to switching between the old Hammer editor and the Source SDKs.

Through the app at hand, existing campaign maps can be loaded and explored for crafting alternate timelines that branch off from the protagonist’s initial journey by introducing new pathways and interactive doors that were previously shut.

Apart from the ability to test the entirety of the mod you are working on straight from the program, three-dimensional models, soundscapes and skyboxes can also be previewed and edited in real-time.

If you happen to be on the lookout for a way to develop GoldSource and Source mods in a unified manner, the sleek and intuitive interface behind XBLAH’s Modding Tool should suit your needs well.