Modding: Difference between revisions

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'''Modding''' is the act of altering aspects of a game by manipulating its program code and other resources. A number of things qualify as mods, ranging from palette swaps to the creation of entirely new maps. Some mods involve the alteration of game resources, while others run independently of a game and edit its working memory. Because modding is often used for cheating, it is not allowed on [[Xbox Live]] and the use of a modded Xbox on Xbox Live will result in a terminated account. However, modding can be done without penalty in [[Halo Custom Edition]], an expansion of the ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' [[Halo: Combat Evolved (PC port)|PC port]].

Modding in the ''Halo'' series typically involves manipulation of a map's [[tags]].

==Planning to Mod Halo?==

 

The table below determines the ability to mod that Halo game!<ref>Se7enSinS, AltSierra117, OfficialKaden</ref>

! Game? !! Ability to Mod !! What Platform? !! Method  

| Halo CE and Custom Edition|| Yes || PC and Xbox || PC and Xbox: Various mod tools. Halo: Custom Edition is NOTORIOUS for the amount of modding tools available!

| Halo 2 || Yes || PC, Xbox Classic, AND Xbox 360! MCC Version: No || PC: [https://www.xboxchaos.com/topic/3263-assembly-blam-research-tool/ Assembly: The RTE Tool]. See tutorial [https://www.se7ensins.com/members/officialkaden.1377396/#profile-post-420583 HERE]. Xbox Classic: Modchip. XB360: RGH/JTAG

| Halo 3 ||  Yes  || Xbox 360 but not Xbox One or MCC || Through JTAG/RGH/XDK

| Halo 3: ODST || Yes || Xbox 360 but not MCC || Various tools

| Halo Reach || Yes || Xbox 360 but not Xbox One || JTAG/RGH/XDK

| Halo 4 || Yes || Xbox 360 but not Xbox One or MCC || Unpublished/rare tools besides credit editors found online '''THAT WILL GET YOU BANNED FAST'''.

| Halo 5 || Yes/No. Only on Halo 5: Forge for PC. '''''Not Linked here!'''''  || XBONE/PC || Unpublished/rare tools by big name Youtubers! Ex: GameCheat13

| Halo: The Master Chief Collection || Yes (Can't enter Matchmaking) || PC (Steam) || Assembly

 

[[File:AssemblyProgram.png|thumb|right|200px|Assembly's Home Screen.]]

A tool for Real Time Edit's on Halo 2, 3 and Reach! This program is easy to learn!

Assembly allows the users choice of Halo: 2, 3 or Reach to be open while editing in-game [[Tags]] Real Time.

[[File:Flying Warthog.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A flying Warthog in Halo Custom Edition.]]

Halo Custom Edition, an expansion to Halo PC, allows users to load and play user-made maps. Because all of the game's assets are stored as "tags" in map files, virtually everything that isn't part of the core game engine can be altered by a mapmaker. This, as one might expect, includes core map geometry, AI scripts, map scripts, textures, weather and skybox effects, sounds, [[weapons]], and [[vehicles]]. This system, combined with the availability of programs that extract tags from official [[campaign]] maps, makes it possible for mapmakers to create custom single-player campaigns, complete with [[cutscenes]].<ref>[http://www.modacity.net/forums/showthread.php?22692-Lumoria-Episode-1-Released '''Modacity:''' Lumoria Episode 1 Released]</ref>

It is possible to modify maps that are installed to the hard drive, such as [[Containment (Level)]] and [[Terminal (map)]]. Because the ''[[Halo 2]]'' engine still uses the "tag" system from ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', it is therefore possible to edit any resource or asset in the map. However, mods will not synchronize for all players unless the person using the modded map is host. (So if a client modded Containment to make [[SMG]]s fire [[Scorpion]] rounds, and then they joined a game hosted by a non-modder, only the client with the mod would see Scorpion rounds come out of their SMG.)

Halo 2 Vista has software that allows RTE (''Real Time Edits'') to the campaign levels. This tool is [http://github.com/XboxChaos/assembly Assembly] ''"Not Related to the Level [[Assembly (level)|Assembly]]"''

[[Bungie]] does not allow the uploading of modded map or game variants to one's File Share, nor do they allow the uploading of modded [[Film]]s, Film Clips, or screenshots. However, they do allow the uploading of un-modded Screenshots and Films showcasing modded map and game variants. After viewing a Film or Film Clip, the map and game variants from that Film are stored in a player's Recent Maps and Recent Gametypes; this allows players to share modded maps and gametypes by simply sharing un-modded Films of those gametypes on those maps.

*Altering weapons and grenades to fire different projectiles, or to spawn various objects (like vehicles, active [[Power Drain]]s, or Spartan bipeds) when fired.<ref name="yt-mind-powers"/><ref name="yt-valhalla-devkit-1">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIiQ5Xf4JK8 '''YouTube:''' Halo 3 - Valhalla DEV KIT Mods PART 1 of 2]</ref><ref name="yt-valhalla-devkit-2">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJFZoLns4es '''YouTube:''' Halo 3 - Valhalla DEV KIT Mods PART 2 of 2]</ref>

*Editing Warthogs so that their tires kick up sniper shots instead of dirt.<ref name="yt-valhalla-devkit-2"/>

*Disabling all kill barriers and invisible walls in a map.<ref name="yt-valhalla-devkit-2"/>

*Biped swaps (such as playing as a [[Brute]] in Campaign, or turning [[Marine]]s into Spartans).<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzpKvDAm9Vw '''YouTube:''' Halo 3 Dev Kit Mods On Retail Console- Campaign Biped Swaps]</ref>

*Altering the movement speeds of map scenery, such as the wheel on [[Last Resort (Level)|Last Resort]].<ref name="yt-get-a-jtag"/>

*Altering bullet physics; for example, making a Sniper Rifle score headshots through walls, even when missing a target by several feet.<ref name="yt-get-a-jtag"/>

*Attaching a Warthog Turret to another Warthog Turret, attaching ''that'' turret to a detached Machine Gun Turret, and then having a player man each turret, such that one player is carrying another player who is carrying another player.<ref name="yt-get-a-jtag"/>

[[Maps|Map variants]], for example, can be created in [[Forge]] and then modded. Forgeable objects can be replaced with any non-terrain objects in a map. Through this method, a variety of development leftovers can be added to maps. These include partially-Forgeable objects from the [[Halo 3 Epsilon]] build ([[Deployable Lookout Tower]]s<ref name="yt-50-chiefs"/> and [[Shade]]s), unused game objects (like [[Rocket Launcher]] ammo cases and [[Needler]] ammo pickups on [[Blackout (Level)|Blackout]]), and unused map-specific objects (like a hologram of the [[Ark]] on [[Guardian (level)|Guardian]]). Some vehicles cannot be Forged onto a map, but can be modded onto the map; examples include [[Hornets]] and [[Banshees]]<ref name="yt-70-banshees"/> on [[Narrows (level)|Narrows]], and [[Warthogs]] on [[The Pit (level)|The Pit]]. Warthog turrets can be placed independently of a Warthog. Map-specific objects (like [[Sandtrap (level)|Sandtrap]]'s [[Elephant]]s and [[Guardian (level)|Guardian]]'s birds) can be created and moved using modding. Objective objects, such as [[Type 14 Magnetic/Anti-Tank Mine|bombs]], [[Halo 3 Skulls|skulls]] and [[flag]]s, can be modded onto a map, in which case they are available for use in all gametypes. Inactive bipeds ([[Spartan]]s, [[Elite]]s, and [[Monitor]]s<ref name="yt-guardian-mod"/>) can also be placed on maps.<ref name="yt-50-chiefs"/><ref name="yt-snowbound-mod"/> Even large pieces of map scenery, such as the [[UNSC Aegis Fate]] on Sandtrap,<ref name="yt-h3-frigates"/> can be modded, though such mods are only visible to the host.

 

 

 

Programs allow the armor worn by players in Films to be changed. Any armor permutation may be substituted, including [[Recon]] and [[Bungie Armor]]. Screenshots can be replaced with any image.

Players in ''Halo: Reach'' have been able to use offline mods to unlock armor pieces prematurely,<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/FileDetails.aspx?fid=10555626 '''Bungie.net: Halo Reach Files:''' Haunted Helmet Mod] (''film'')</ref> "fly" [[UNSC Frigate]]s in [[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]]<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/FileDetails.aspx?fid=9655390&player=JumboDragonfly '''Bungie.net: Halo Reach Files:''' Flying The Frigate] (''film clip'')</ref> (by "attaching" the Frigates to [[Sabre]]s), "fly" the [[Pillar of Autumn]] on its titular level (using the same method, but with a Banshee),<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/FileDetails.aspx?fid=7971331 '''Bungie.net: Halo Reach Files:''' Flying The Pillar of Autumn] (''film clip'')</ref><ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/FileDetails.aspx?fid=8145865 '''Bungie.net: Halo Reach Files:''' [Hack<nowiki>]</nowiki> 戦艦オータム - 操縦 ☆] (''film clip'')</ref> pilot [[Seraph]]s and other normally-unusable vehicles,<ref name="reach-secret-vehicles">[http://halo.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/FileDetails.aspx?fid=9905110 '''Bungie.net: Halo Reach Files:''' Secret Vehicles] (''film clip'')</ref><ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/FileDetails.aspx?fid=8407846&player=JumboDragonfly '''Bungie.net: Halo Reach Files:''' Flying The Transport Jet] (''film clip'')</ref><ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/FileDetails.aspx?fid=8123935&player=JumboDragonfly '''Bungie.net: Halo Reach Files:''' Flying The Longsword] (''film clip'')</ref> use [[Kig-yar|Jackal]] shields<ref name="reach-secret-vehicles"/> and other normally-unusable items, and use a [[Bungie]]-exclusive font glyph (the Bungie logo) as a Service Tag.

Devkit mods also revealed hidden functionality in the Beta. One could join and host Local and [[System Link]] games, and break into the [[Custom Game]] lobby via the [[Theater]] lobby. (Gametype settings were entirely non-functional, though whether this is due to the Beta or due to the devkit mods is unclear.) As in ''Halo 3'', weapons could be altered to fire different projectiles or spawn new objects, like vehicles.<ref name="yt-get-a-jtag"/>

[[File:Suspended.jpg|right|350px|thumb|The consequence of using mods online]]

== Halo 5: Forge ==

The Exuberant mod by YouTuber GameCheat13 allows players to:

* Customize armor/weapons without the need for REQs or a console to make changes

* Change the player HUD to a HUD from the [[Campaign]] (ex. [[Frederic-104]]'s [[:File:H5G-GEN2 Centurion BIOS.png|HUD]], etc.)

* Change player FoV

* Change player Spartan ID fields (assasinations, announcer, and emblem)

* Enable a local [[Forge/Halo 5: Guardians]] server for testing AI ('''''This can get you banned in online play!''''')

You cannot be banned for using Exuberant unless you are using options from the "Local Only" tab.

Because ''Halo 5: Forge'' does not have Arena or [[Warzone]], your progress on Xbox One will not be harmed.

==Halo: The Master Chief Collection==

Although Forge is to come at a later date, you can edit the hex value in a certain file to enable and play Forge early and make maps early.

'''Note:''' By modifying the game files, it is recommended that you make a backup of the unmodified file BEFORE you modify it, and you MUST play with the anti-cheat OFF by launching through the Steam library and not through the shortcut. Also note that this will prevent you from entering matchmaking. '''This will not get you banned'''.

''Note'': There is no "true source" for modding as it is done at a player's demand. However, it may be witnessed in the following games. Though there are various other builds of the following games users have found and modded on also.

*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''

**''[[Halo: Combat Evolved (PC port)|''Halo: Combat Evolved'' for PC]]''

**''[[Halo: Custom Edition]]''

*''[[Halo 2]]''

**''[[Halo 2 (Windows Vista)|''Halo 2'' for Windows Vista]]''

*''[[Halo 3 Beta]]- please note that this was the beta version and not the final product''

*''[[Halo 3]]''

*''[[Halo Wars]]''

*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''

*''[[Halo: Reach Multiplayer Pre-Beta]]- please note that this was the pre-beta version and not the final product''

*''[[Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta]]- please note that this was the beta version and not the final product''

*''[[Halo: Reach]]''

*''[[Halo 4]]''

*''[[Halo Online]]''

==References==

[[Category:Real world terms and phrases]]