Here are 100 chapter titles for Source Engine game development, progressing from beginner to advanced:
I. Foundations (20 Chapters)
- Introduction to the Source Engine
- Setting Up Your Source Engine Development Environment
- Understanding the Source Engine File Structure
- Introduction to Hammer World Editor
- Basic Hammer Operations: Creating and Manipulating Brushes
- Working with Entities: Placing and Configuring Game Objects
- Understanding Material Basics: Textures and Shaders
- Creating Simple Maps: Rooms and Corridors
- Compiling Your First Map
- Running Your Map in the Game
- Introduction to the Source Engine Console
- Basic Console Commands for Debugging
- Understanding Game Modes and Gameplay Mechanics
- Introduction to Source Engine Modding
- Setting Up a Mod Directory
- Introduction to VScript: Basic Scripting for Gameplay
- Introduction to Source Engine's Physics System
- Understanding Collision Models
- Introduction to Sound Design in Source Engine
- Adding Sounds and Music to Your Map
II. Intermediate Mapping & Content Creation (25 Chapters)
- Advanced Brushwork Techniques: Curves, Displacements, and Optimization
- Working with Textures and Materials: Creating Custom Surfaces
- Introduction to Vertex Manipulation and Displacement Mapping
- Creating Detailed Environments: Buildings, Landscapes, and Interiors
- Working with Lighting: Static and Dynamic Light Sources
- Optimizing Maps for Performance: Reducing Draw Calls and Compile Times
- Understanding and Using Prefabs
- Creating Custom Entities with FGD Files
- Introduction to Model Creation and Implementation
- Compiling and Implementing Custom Models
- Animating Models with Source Engine's Animation System
- Creating Custom Animations
- Introduction to Particle Systems: Creating Visual Effects
- Working with Particle System Editors
- Creating Custom Particle Effects
- Introduction to AI in Source Engine
- Placing and Configuring AI NPCs
- Scripting AI Behavior with VScript
- Creating Custom AI Behaviors
- Introduction to HUD Design and Implementation
- Creating Custom HUD Elements
- Working with Source Engine's UI System
- Introduction to Localization in Source Engine
- Implementing Multilingual Support
- Packaging and Distributing Your Mod
III. Advanced Scripting & Gameplay (25 Chapters)
- Advanced VScripting Techniques: Object-Oriented Programming
- Creating Custom Game Logic with VScript
- Working with Events and Listeners in VScript
- Integrating VScript with Hammer Entities
- Creating Custom Game Modes
- Implementing New Gameplay Mechanics
- Working with Source Engine's Physics System: Advanced Techniques
- Creating Custom Physics Interactions
- Introduction to Source Engine's Networking System
- Creating Multiplayer Game Modes
- Implementing Networked Gameplay Mechanics
- Working with Source Engine's Client-Server Architecture
- Optimizing Network Performance
- Introduction to Source Engine's Input System
- Customizing Player Controls
- Creating Custom Input Bindings
- Working with Source Engine's Sound System: Advanced Techniques
- Creating Custom Soundscapes and Ambient Effects
- Implementing Dynamic Sound Effects
- Introduction to Source Engine's Demo Recording System
- Recording and Playing Back Demos
- Analyzing Demo Data
- Introduction to Source Engine's Filmmaking Tools (Source Filmmaker)
- Creating Machinima with Source Filmmaker
- Integrating Source Engine with External Tools
IV. Professional Development & Optimization (30 Chapters)
- Source Engine Optimization: Advanced Techniques
- Profiling and Debugging Performance Issues
- Memory Management in Source Engine
- Advanced Material Techniques: Shaders and Effects
- Creating Custom Shaders
- Working with Source Engine's Rendering System
- Advanced AI Programming: Behavior Trees and Goal-Oriented Action Planning
- Creating Complex AI Behaviors
- Advanced Networking Techniques: Reliable and Unreliable Communication
- Optimizing Network Traffic
- Source Engine Security: Preventing Cheating and Exploits
- Implementing Anti-Cheat Measures
- Source Engine Modding Best Practices
- Collaborative Mod Development
- Managing a Mod Team
- Source Engine Licensing and Distribution
- Monetizing Your Source Engine Game
- Marketing and Promoting Your Mod
- Building a Source Engine Community
- Source Engine Development Tools and Resources
- Working with Source Engine's SDK
- Contributing to Source Engine Development
- The Future of Source Engine Development
- Emerging Trends in Source Engine Modding
- Source Engine Alternatives and Comparisons
- Advanced Source Engine Debugging Techniques
- Source Engine API Reference Deep Dive
- Integrating Source Engine with External APIs
- Building a Source Engine Portfolio
- Mastering Source Engine for Professional Game Development