modding tools Archives

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

15 years on, Portal 2 Community Edition just breathed new life into Valve’s classic

Portal 2: Community Edition is a fan-driven initiative developed by a team of 29 developers to enhance the experience of creating and playing custom content within Portal 2. It introduces technical upgrades including physically based rendering, more detailed textures, improved lighting, clustered shading, dynamic shadows, specular highlights, and volumetric fog. The edition focuses on providing robust tools for custom content creation, currently offering single-player gameplay with plans for multiplayer support. It utilizes the Strata Source engine, a modified version of the CS:GO engine, which enhances performance and expands creative possibilities for modders. New modding tools include adhesive gel, a paint gun, Schrödinger cubes, and colored lasers, along with the 'AngelScript' scripting framework for unique game modes. Full Steam Workshop support is integrated, allowing players to share their creations. Portal 2: Community Edition is now available on Steam as a free download, requiring ownership of the original Portal 2.

AppWizard

March 25, 2026

From F-Droid to emulators, here’s who’s hit hardest by Android’s new verification rules

Android has implemented new sideloading rules that affect app installations outside the Play Store, complicating access for developers and users. F-Droid, a third-party app store, is particularly critical of the new verification requirements, which may force alternative stores to comply with Google's standards, potentially confusing users. Retro gaming emulators, often hosted on platforms like GitHub, may face barriers due to these rules, impacting user access to innovative tools. Smaller, privacy-focused encrypted messaging apps could struggle with the new verification process, complicating installation for users in high-risk environments. The modding community may see a decline in available tools as hobbyist developers resist compliance. Practical applications like Termux and Bromite may also face barriers, affecting user experience. While the changes may not be overly restrictive for average users, they introduce complexity that could deter power users and slow the adoption of non-Play Store applications.

AppWizard

March 14, 2026

Throwback XCOM successor Xenonauts 2 leaves early access in April, though the developer says the milestone ‘doesn’t mean our work is done’

Xenonauts 2 is approaching its official launch on April 2, following a three-year early access period during which it received seven major updates. These updates introduced four new alien species, five distinct UFO types, innovative geoscape systems, expanded storylines and mission types, and over 180 battlefields. The developers, Goldhawk Interactive, plan to continue patching and improving the game after the 1.0 release, with confirmed post-launch features including modding tools. The first installment of the Xenonauts series debuted in 2014 and is a homage to the original X-COM: UFO Defense.

AppWizard

January 6, 2026

Hytale’s Vampire Survivors Mod Shows Why Fans Are So Hyped

Hypixel Studios has revealed a 40-second gameplay clip showcasing the modding potential of Hytale, a Minecraft-inspired survival game, ahead of its Early Access launch on January 13. The clip features a character battling voxel-based enemies in a top-down arena and was created by a team member as a proof-of-concept for the game's diverse modding capabilities. While this specific mod will not be included in the official release, Hypixel hinted at the possibility of publishing it for community inspiration. The studio recently reacquired the rights to Hytale from Riot Games, which had previously halted the project. Hytale will not be available on Steam at launch due to concerns about first impressions and modding feature limitations, with plans to engage Valve to address these issues.

AppWizard

January 6, 2026

“This new approach to world generation will redefine the block-game genre”: Hytale lead declares “fundamental shift” in how artists and game designers tackle Minecraft-style worlds

Hytale will enter early access next week, featuring a new "V1" world generation system developed from 2016 to 2020, with a "V2" system in progress since 2021. The V2 system aims to provide modders with intuitive tools for custom world generation without programming knowledge, using a node-based editor for real-time adjustments. The Hytale team is hiring over 15 world designers to enhance the game's handcrafted feel while maintaining procedural generation. The lead developer noted the project's remarkable turnaround from cancellation to a playable state in a short time.