Summary
This section showcases my extensive work on the Half-Life 2 Beta Weapons Pack V2, a mod pack released for the popular game Garry's Mod in 2014. The project pays homage to the leaked 2003 version of Half-Life 2, offering a glimpse into the ideas that were ultimately omitted from the official release. Please watch the Youtube video above to see a short showcase of the weapons in the pack.
Project Background
The inspiration for this endeavor arose in 2011, during my freshman year of high school. Intrigued by the untapped potential of the Half-Life 2 Beta, I embarked on a journey to bring its unique weapons into Garry's Mod, recognizing an evident market demand.
Achievements and Impact
My original pack, released on the now-defunct www.garrysmod.org in 2012, garnered over 500,000 downloads. The subsequent version, launched on Steam Workshop in 2014, peaked at around 340,000 active subscribers. While exact download figures for the latter remain elusive due to Steam Workshop's subscriber-based model, a conservative estimate suggests a minimum of 500,000 downloads.
The pack comprises 27 meticulously crafted weapons, each developed by me.
Development Process
Coding
- Acquired proficiency in Lua scripting for modifying and creating in-game weapons and entities.
- Created weapons from scratch, reworking and fine-tuning each for a seamless integration.
- Implemented innovative features such as idle animations, progressive shooting intensity, iron-sights, grenade launchers, and toggle-able scopes.
- In total there were 125 separate Lua scripts included in the pack, ranging from 50-700 lines of code each.
The above photos show the number of different files that were coded, as well as the full 666 line code for one of the weapons*
Models, Textures, Animations
- Learned the process of de-compiling and recompiling models from old v37 files.
- Rigged models onto skeletons, reworked animations, and filled gaps in missing parts.
- Enhanced textures, creating normal and specular map textures where necessary.
- Maintained original charm by up-scaling textures without compromising authenticity.
- In total, there were 27 first-person models, 15 3rd-person models, and 7 ammunition models included in the addon.
- There were over 250+ unique textures that I either up-scaled, edited or created within the pack.
I overcame challenges, including recompiling issues and Lua coding conflicts, through extensive research and collaboration with knowledgeable individuals in the modding community.
The above photos show the Original diffuse, upscaled diffuse, normal, and specular textures for one of the 27 weapons that I made. The diffuse texture was up-scaled and remastered by me, and the normal and specular maps were made entirely by me.*
The second row shows HUD icons, reticles, and menu thumbnails made for the weapon pack.*
Success and Recognition
The Half-Life 2 Beta Weapons Pack V2 garnered widespread acclaim, evidenced by overwhelmingly positive reviews and numerous requests from fellow creators seeking to incorporate elements into their own addons. The pack's enduring popularity and recognition as the best Half-Life 2 Beta Weapons pack attest to its lasting impact on the modding community.
The Remaster
The journey continued with a remastered version, exploring creative liberties and modernizing the pack. I collaborated with a network of creators to enhance the scripting, textures, animations, and overall detailing. The remastered pack, with improved scope textures and particle effects, was privately released to friends and collaborators.
Conclusion
This project, spanning several years and requiring a diverse skill set, not only contributed a significant mod to the Garry's Mod community but also provided invaluable insights into game development processes. Collaborations with talented creators and the positive reception of the pack underscore the power of online connections and the enduring impact of dedicated modding endeavors.
