Create your own levels, textures, models, and animations using the Alyx Workshop tools suite.
Valve this week released a brand new update for Half-Life: Alyx which introduces Steam Workshop support to the AAA VR experience, allowing you to create and share your own custom levels, textures and materials, models, and animations with the HL:A community.
According to the official notes, creators will have the opportunity to customize nearly every aspect of the existing HL:A experience, from the robust physics engine, to particle effects, to the in-game multi-tool puzzle mechanic.
“Want to make your own VR physics sandbox or a giant Rube Goldberg machine? Design a new combat encounter featuring a dozen Combine soldiers at once? What about creating the world’s longest Multitool puzzle, or imagining a whole new district of City 17? Crack open the tools yourself and make it happen!” states Valve in the official update.
Today’s update introduces a variety of new features and tools as part of the Alyx Workshop Tools Suite, including:
- Hammer: the latest version of the Source 2 level editor.
- Material Editor: the tool for creating and tuning materials in Source 2.
- ModelDoc: a tool for viewing, editing, and compiling models with animation, collision, and other gameplay attributes.
- AnimGraph: our animation tool used to create complicated animation setups with blends and transitions.
- Particle Editor: for making new particle effects.
- Subrect Editor: for creating smart texture sheets known as “hotspots.”
- Source Filmmaker: the Source 2 cinematic renderer and animation tool.
Once you’ve finished, you can easily share your “masterpiece” with other players via the Steam Workshop. Once published on the Workshop, players can instantly download your mod directly through Steam, no external websites or 3rd party downloads required.
In addition to Steam Workshop support, today’s update also introduces several new sample maps designed to “showcase some new features of the Half-Life: Alyx level art pipeline.” Of course creators will have access to the full pre-existing Half-Life: Alyx set, including a healthy catalog of interactive objects.
Those familiar with Valve’s history understand just how important this update could be not only for Half-Life; Alyx, but the VR industry as a whole. After all, legendary multiplayer titles such as Counter-Strike and Team Fortress began as simple modifications for the original Half-Life game. Much like how the OG Half-Life broke new ground for the FPS genre, HL:A is sure to have a major impact on the future of VR gaming, especially with Steam Workshop now in play.
For a full breakdown of today’s updates, check out the official update here.
Image Credit: Valve Corp.
