modders Archives

AppWizard

August 26, 2025

Portal Fans Recreate Valve’s Game in Vanilla Minecraft

A team of modders has completed a project that integrates Portal's gameplay into Minecraft: Java Edition, allowing players to experience its puzzle mechanics and create custom levels. This project is accessible with vanilla Minecraft, requiring no additional mods. Portal was originally released in 2007, two years before Minecraft's launch in 2009. While Portal has seen no significant new releases recently, Minecraft continues to receive updates and remains popular.

AppWizard

August 11, 2025

4 PC-exclusive classics that deserve a modern remake

Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines (2004) is a flawed masterpiece that struggled with bugs and unfinished elements at release but features sharp writing and memorable characters. A modern remake could refine its dialogue and enhance gameplay. The first Witcher game, while adhering to the source material and featuring strong character development, suffers from clunky mechanics and performance issues. Rumors suggest a remake is in the works to update controls and accessibility. Half-Life 2 (2004) set a new standard for first-person shooters but has aged, particularly in visual fidelity. A modern remake could enhance graphics and AI, and address unresolved plot points. Thief: The Dark Project (1998) introduced stealth mechanics focused on subtlety and patience. A modern remake could improve its mechanics with advanced AI and ray-traced lighting, redefining the stealth genre.

AppWizard

July 31, 2025

August 2025 is the month of remakes and remasters

August features several notable video game remakes and remasters, including: - Dawn of War: Definitive Edition, releasing on August 14, includes all expansions and multiplayer modes, enhanced textures with 4K support, improved lighting and reflections, camera adjustments, and a shift to 64-bit architecture. - Gears of War: Reloaded, set for release on August 26, offers upgraded assets and lighting, cross-play, cross-progression, DLSS, HDR, and an optional streamlined control scheme, with all post-launch content included for free. - Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar, a remake of the Harvest Moon DS classic, will be available on August 27, promising a refreshed take on farm life. - Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, releasing on August 28, is a full remake that introduces new features such as the Fox Hunt multiplayer mode and real-time wear and tear on characters.

AppWizard

July 27, 2025

First Version of BioShock RTX Remix Path Tracing Mod Released

A demo for the RTX Remix Mod for the original BioShock game has been released by modders ‘skurtyyskirts’ and ‘watbulb’. This mod introduces real-time Path Tracing to enhance the game's graphics, utilizing improved materials through physically-based rendering (PBR) assets. The mod includes a custom compatibility wrapper to facilitate communication between BioShock, which operates on Unreal Engine 2.5, and RTX Remix. The demo features hundreds of newly crafted textures and assets, with updated lighting effects. The demo is available for download, but users may encounter visual inconsistencies and bugs. Additionally, various RTX Remix Mods for other games are in development, including titles like Tomb Raider 2, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and Need for Speed: Most Wanted. Demos for Path Tracing Mods have also been released for games such as Deus Ex and Call of Duty 4.

AppWizard

July 10, 2025

“Why I Deleted My Steam Account After 20 Years”: Modder who spent “over a decade” fixing broken games with the “Swiss Army Knife of PC gaming” drops Valve, saying it has “fragmented PC gaming irreparably”

Kaldaien, known for his Special K utility mod, recently posted on GitHub about his decision to delete his Steam account after 20 years, criticizing Valve's Steam platform. He has spent over a decade improving PC game ports and argues that alternative platforms like the Epic Games Store and Microsoft Store offer better value without unnecessary features. He also praises GOG for promoting user control and version preservation, while acknowledging the challenges faced by all gaming platforms, including Steam. An expert noted that Valve has effectively managed issues that other services struggle with, comparing their approach to Netflix's user engagement strategies.

AppWizard

July 5, 2025

What happened to the creator of Gunman Chronicles, Valve’s forgotten FPS? ‘My relationship with Gabe didn’t really go that great’

Gunman Chronicles is a first-person shooter developed in 2000 by Valve and Rewolf Software. The game features programmable weapons and dinosaurs, which are a significant aspect of its appeal. Despite its unique qualities, Gunman Chronicles is not available for purchase on Steam or any other platform. The game's development was led by Herbert Flower, who began his journey in game development with an Atari ST and created a mod for Doom that evolved into Gunman Chronicles. The project received funding from Valve, but the development process was challenging, leading to strained relationships within the team. Upon its release on November 21, 2000, the game received mixed reviews and modest sales. Afterward, Flower transitioned to forming Mythyn Interactive and later shifted focus to running a photogrammetry business named Goatogrammetry.

AppWizard

July 5, 2025

Here’s a mod that puts Halo’s multiplayer into Half-Life, which to me feels like putting tea in your coffee

Modders have created a project called Halo Goldsource, which merges the Halo and Half-Life franchises by recreating Halo's multiplayer experience using the Half-Life engine. The mod includes familiar game modes like Slayer and Firefight, along with remade maps and original arenas. However, it struggles to capture Halo's unique movement mechanics and lacks vehicles, which are essential to the Halo experience. This results in gameplay that feels different from traditional Halo, potentially disappointing purists who prefer the original games.

Winsage

July 1, 2025

Jamming Windows 95 onto a PS2, goes about as well as you might expect, but the Sisyphean struggle is still compelling viewing

A hardware modder has transformed a PlayStation 2 into a functioning PC by installing the Windows 95 operating system. This project, showcased by the YouTube channel MetraByte, reflects a trend in the tech community of repurposing older hardware for new applications. The endeavor contrasts with the typical use of emulators to run classic games on modern PCs, instead aiming to revitalize an aging console as a basic computing device.

AppWizard

June 26, 2025

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remastered Review

The 25th Anniversary Remaster of System Shock 2, released by Nightdive Studios, features enhanced visuals with a new Dark engine upgrade, improved textures, and refined audio. The remaster includes a polished version of the original game, retains the classic PC gaming experience, and introduces a four-player co-op mode. Players navigate as a UNN space soldier aboard the Von Braun spaceship, encountering alien threats and exploring immersive environments. The remaster also includes extras like concept art and old trailers, and it runs smoothly on the Steam Deck at 60fps. Nightdive plans to support gameplay and balance mods from launch, enhancing the game's longevity.

AppWizard

June 19, 2025

Nexus Mods founder steps down after site “changed hands”

Robin "Dark0ne" Scott, the founder of Nexus Mods, is departing from the platform after it has changed ownership. He started Nexus Mods in 2001 to create a space for modders to share their work. Scott dedicated over two decades to the site, which he described as chaotic and demanding. The platform is now under new ownership by 'Foledinho', who will maintain the commitment to keeping mods free.