HaloMods "Classic" Read-only Archive

Hey,

I have been gone for a quite a while, mainly because my old computer couldn't run Halo without getting at least 10 errors. However, (you guessed it) I now have a new PC, and it can actually run Halo... good!

So now I'm back here, looking to mod once more. I used to use HHT and HMT, but now I want to try something a bit more advanced.

I don't exactly know where to start asking this question, but I think it'll go something like this:

How do I put my programming skill into modding Halo?

That is a little broad, so I'll be a little more specific. I am fluent in programming a number of programs, including Java, some C++, DM, and even the prehistoric compiler, QBasic. I want to be able to put this knowledge to use to design scripts, programs, and cool mods for Halo. The only problem, I have no idea where to start. So, here goes a string of a few questions:

Where do I find the files to modify? If I write a script, where do I implement it? What programming language is used to write these scripts, and with what perameters?

Let me elaborate on the last question there: where do I find the variables and classes and such to put in my code? I'm almost positive I'll need some sort of Hex editor, and I have worked my way around a hex editor before, but only to a small extent.

I realize this is a lot to ask, but I'm wondering the answers to the questions in an attempt to hopefully contribute something here in the new feature.

I am also not necessarily looking for straight-foward answers to these questions. Maybe just some loose explanations or even links to tutorials. I am not new to modding in general, just this department (which is quite ironic, because this is where I had origianlly thought I would spend most of my time when I first joined, but this is actually my first post in this section )

Thanks for your consideration

Info on H1 map format:
Gren's Tut part 1
Gren's Tut part 2
Gren's Tut part 3
Example tag loader tutorial with pseudo-code
HMT 3.1 source
Eschaton 0.4 source (not 100% accurate for tag structure)
Tag reader source (same problems as above)

Feel free to PM me with any questions you might have. I know some about the H1 format.
For script info, I'd bug conure. He's been working on that sort of thing.

Mainy the languages used today are .Net.
C# Is IMO the best way to go...VB is also an option but if you don't know VB or C#, I'd Suggest learning C#.

And if you know C++ enough you can do something a bit more advanced...I think, But I don't know C++ too much so I couldn't tell you.

Thanks for the links and the tips.

I'm downloading C#.NET right now, as a matter of fact.

Yea if you want to go .Net C# is what you need.

Thanks a ton guys. I already created a program for Halo Trial (thats what I currently mod, until I go pickup a copy of Halo PC for CE) that will change the game modes. Pretty elementary program, but I built it from the ground up. I'll post it in this section or the Halo PC section soon.