What PC game is the best for modding/reprogramming?

[MartinHughes]

Hi guys,

I am looking for a game that is heavily "moddable" in both graphics and programming. Can anyone recommend one?

I was looking at HL2 - what is the Source engine like?

Many thanks,

Martin

[Deto]

HL or Unreal engines, pref 2004. If you want a shooter that is... Else NWN probably, or Morrowind. Oblivion is 'decent' too, just that tools are incomplate :P

[Gavin]

I'd say Unreal. I'm currently looking at Unreal, have messed around with Doom and have worked a lot with Source. Personally, I hate source...everything seems a lot more complicated than it needs to be. Just my opinion though :)

[ThatDon]

UE3 is a joy to work with....most of the time.

[MartinHughes]

Thanks for the replies! :-)

2 continuing questions:

1) Does Unreal have a Maya connection? Most game engines seem to have a Max connection, but I prefer to use Maya (I am currently on 8.5/2008, but I gather that my 2008 license will license any previous version too...)


2) What version of Unreal should I get to learn how the game works (I have never played it, and would like to get to know how the game works before diving in)?

I'm sure I will have further questions, but I'll look around the web more first :)

Thanks,

Martin

[TryForce]

i like modding the HL1 engine, its kind of easy when you get the idea of how HL works. Its abit complicated in the beginning.

Source engine is way more complicated, wouldnt start on this one.

HL1 engine isnt capable of much, though it's decent for a small group game.
Dont know about UE engine anything.

[Deto]

Unreal Engine is capable to pretty much anything you wish... :D I mean I've seen people do RTS games from the UT2004 :D The editor kills my brains, but there's loads of documentation available which should help newbies and experienceds alike :)

I mean, if you look at the games, alot of them are done by UE... and only few of them are FPS ;)

[YdoUwant2know]

If you are looking at getting into Unreal what you want is:

Unreal Tournament 2004 Editor's choice edition.

Make sure it is the editors choice edition. It comes with an extra DVD that has a bunch of "how to" tutorials that cover just about everything you need to know to get a good foundation in the editor. It even has a specific tutorial for importing objects form Maya, (though you can use Max as well, I do)

There is also a large online community for the editor and you can find tons of tutorials online.

You can generally find it cheap if you look.

*edit*

Forgot to add... If you can also download the Unreal Runtime engine if you just what to try out the editor. The Runtime engine is a very watered down version of the editor that comes with Unreal 2004. It has no weapons, no A. I., no characters, and minimal pre-generated content. It is however, FREE for education and personal use.

http://udn.epicgames.com/Two/UnrealEngine2Runtime.html

You can download it right from epic for free.

[Deto]

http://wiki.beyondunreal.com/wiki/ <-- And to add to YdoUwant2know's links and hints :) Pretty much has everything you might ever think of needing with UEngine ;)

[Masakari]

Yeah, i'd say the Unreal engine is the best one. You might want to wait for UT3 to come out in a couple of weeks and start directly on UE3, although in theory it would be more "complex" than UE2 from UT2k4, stuff like the new material shader system and kismet make your life much easier now.

[MartinHughes]

Fabulous! Thank you so much for the replies!

Will look into it.

Martin