Create Your Own Mutator

Today's post is all about creating your own mutator. Mutators are how Unreal Tournament 3 recognizes game mods. These mods range from simple weapon alterations to extreme gameplay changes. The infographic I have posted below highlights the steps for creating a mutator that will alter the damage of the Enforcer weapon as well as its outward appearance.

The software that works with this mod is outdated, as is Unreal Tournament 3, so you will have to install the pre-2011 version of Maya to access the necessary tools. You must also have a fully rigged, textured, and animated 3D weapon model before following these instructions. If you need help with the weapon, there are plenty of tutorials on Digital Tutors and 3D Buzz to guide you along the right path. The instructions follow the glowing white line.

 

One problem with modding Unreal  Tournament 3 is just how far out of date it is. UT3 was released Nov 19, 2007, making it almost 5 years old. It uses the old .psk and .psa format for its skeletal models and animations. These file types can only be generated through Unreal's ActorX. ActorX had to be run through Autodesk XSI, 3DS Max, and Maya so the models could be exported out of the modeling software and into the Unreal Engine 3. This system has been a few years out of date, thanks to the new FBX file format.

FBX took all of the file types generated by ActorX and essentially jammed them into one convenient file format. When you bring an .fbx file into a post-2011 UDK, a pop-up menu activates. From this menu, you can select whether you are importing a static model, skeletal model, or animation set, and UDK will retrieve the appropriate data based on your selection. Think of it as a folder/file hybrid for 3D models. All Autodesk and UDK variations after 2011 use this new system, phasing out ActorX to the point where you can no longer use it with either.

Unreal Tournament 3 is not the only game this is happening too. Many games that were favorites in the modding community are almost not moddable at all now due to outdated software. It is a big problem when you cannot find the software you need to mod the game you want. However this is not the case with all games. Many of Valve's games (Half-Life 2, Alien Swarm, Left 4 Dead, etc.) are fully compatible with today's software. It is important to be cautious about choosing outdated games to mod, as the software may no longer be available. It is just as important to mod your favorite games while they are still current. Make your mark before your flexible game turns to stone.

Sources

My 1st Mutator, ambershee, Moddb. Last Edited: Nov 20, 2007. Retrieved from: http://www.moddb.com/games/unreal-tournament-3/tutorials/unreal-learning-1-my-first-unreal-tournament-3-mutator/2

Digital Tutors. Found: Aug 27, 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.digitaltutors.com/11/index.php

3D Buzz. Found: Sept 15, 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.3dbuzz.com/

ActorX, UDN. Found: Nov 11, 2013. Retrieved from: http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/ActorX.html