HXDD: A Heretic & Hexen WAD Merger, Updated: 10/16/2023 [0.7.2-Beta]

[Lemon King]

 HXDD takes everything from Heretic, Hexen and other games. Then arranges and converts them into a new GZDOOM compatible format, allowing you play them as if they were a single game. There is a fair amount of code acting as glue to make everything functional - not to mention numerous (optional) added features.

 

This project is inspired by WADSMOOSH by JP LeBreton. Go check it out too.

 

 

Currently HXDD supports the base classes from Heretic and Hexen. If you have Hexen II PAK files, these classes will be playable via the menu but are still under development.

 

Features 

• Unified Game & Episode Structure
  Play Heretic, Hexen and Deathkings from one menu with any class from either game!
• Hexen II Leveling
  A highly expanded version of the leveling system found in Hexen II.
• Selectable Armor Modes
  Choose between Simple and AC, compatible with all characters from both games!
• Mod Support via PlayerSheets
  Allows for cross game pickups and actors and expanded PlayerClass definitions. PlayerSheets will allow your mod to support HXDD only features without needing to expand actors or make another version of your mod. Just create a new json under playersheets/.json and you're ready to start!
• Korax Localization
  Select between English, French, German, and Japanese for languages used by Hexen 64 Localizations.
• Title Screen Customization
  Change the Artwork and Music to any of the games in the series, also has support for using Steam's Hero Artwork as Titles.

 

Current Upcoming & Planned Features

• Hexen II Classes
  You can use many of the classes now in a WORK IN PROGRESS state. Focusing on finishing these classes are next for the major gameplay updates.
• PWAD Mode
  HXDD will build out to a slimmed DOOM compatible pwad, sometime during beta or post 1.0 release.
• Heretic II Corvus
  Currently in an prototyping phase, due to the amount of work required.

 

Spoiler

An example PlayerSheet using HereticPlayer & ClericPlayer.

{
    "class": "HereticPlayer",
    "armor_type": "simple",
    "progression_type": "none",
    "alignment": "good",
    "max_level": 20,
    "experience": [675,1600,3750,7250,15000,28500,52000,86000,110000,150000,150000],
    "health": [65,75,5,10,3,150],
    "mana": [80,90,5,10,3,200],
    "stats": {
        "strength": [6,10],
        "intelligence": [10,13],
        "wisdom": [12,15],
        "dexterity": [15,18]
    },
    "xgame": {
        "Chainsaw": "Gauntlets",

        "FWeapAxe": "Gauntlets",
        "CWeapStaff": "Crossbow",
        "MWeapFrost": "CrossbowHefty",

        "FWeapHammer": "Blaster",
        "CWeapFlame": "SkullRod",
        "MWeapLightning": "PhoenixRod",

        "FWeaponPiece1": "MaceSpawner, ArtiTomeOfPower",
        "FWeaponPiece2": "ArtiTomeOfPower, none",
        "FWeaponPiece3": "ArtiTomeOfPower, none",

        "CWeaponPiece1": "MaceSpawner, ArtiTomeOfPower",
        "CWeaponPiece2": "ArtiTomeOfPower, none",
        "CWeaponPiece3": "ArtiTomeOfPower, none",

        "MWeaponPiece1": "MaceSpawner, ArtiTomeOfPower",
        "MWeaponPiece2": "ArtiTomeOfPower, none",
        "MWeaponPiece3": "ArtiTomeOfPower, none",

        "ArtiBoostMana": "BagOfHolding",
        "ArtiBoostArmor": "ArtiTomeOfPower",
        "ArtiPoisonBag": "ArtiTimeBomb",
        "Mana1": "GoldWandAmmo,GoldWandHefty,CrossbowAmmo,CrossbowHefty",
        "Mana2": "BlasterAmmo,BlasterHefty,SkullRodAmmo,SkullRodHefty",
        "Mana3": "PhoenixRodAmmo,PhoenixRodHefty,MaceAmmo,MaceHefty",

        "ArtiBoostMana": "BagOfHolding",
        "ArtiDarkServant": "ArtiTomeOfPower",
        "ArtiPoisonBag": "ArtiTimeBomb",
        "ArtiInvulnerability2": "ArtiInvulnerability",
        "ArtiPork": "ArtiEgg"
    },
    "xp_bonus_stat": "wisdom",
    "use_max_health_scaler": false,
    "skill_modifier": [],
    "xp_modifier": 1.0,
    "halve_xp_before_level_4": true,
    "event_handler": false
}

 

{
    "class": "ClericPlayer",
    "armor_type": "armorclass",
    "progression_type": "none",
    "alignment": "good",
    "max_level": 20,
    "experience": [911,2160,5062,9787,20250,38475,70200,116100,148500,202500,202500],
    "health": [65,75,5,10,3,150],
    "mana": [88,98,7,10,2,300],
    "stats": {
        "strength": [12,15],
        "intelligence": [10,13],
        "wisdom": [15,18],
        "dexterity": [6,10]
    },
    "xgame": {
        "GoldWandAmmo": "none",
        "GoldWandHefty": "Mana1",

        "CrossbowAmmo": "Mana1",
        "CrossbowHefty": "Mana1",

        "BlasterAmmo": "Mana1",
        "BlasterHefty": "Mana1",

        "SkullRodAmmo": "Mana2",
        "SkullRodHefty": "Mana2",

        "PhoenixRodAmmo": "Mana2",
        "PhoenixRodHefty": "Mana3",

        "MaceAmmo": "Mana3",
        "MaceHefty": "Mana3",

        "Gauntlets": "CWeaponPiece3",
        "GoldWand": "Mana3",
        "Crossbow": "CWeapStaff",
        "Blaster": "Mana3",
        "SkullRod": "CWeapFlame",
        "PhoenixRod": "CWeaponPiece2",
        "Mace": "CWeaponPiece1",
        
        "BagOfHolding": "ArtiBoostMana",
        "ArtiTomeOfPower": "ArtiDarkServant",
        "ArtiTimeBomb": "ArtiPoisonBag",
        "ArtiInvulnerability": "ArtiInvulnerability2",
        "ArtiEgg": "ArtiPork"
    },
    "xp_bonus_stat": "wisdom",
    "use_max_health_scaler": false,
    "skill_modifier": [],
    "xp_modifier": 1.0,
    "halve_xp_before_level_4": true,
    "event_handler": false
}

 

 

Requirements
GZDOOM 4.11

 

Download & Source

  

https://github.com/Lemon-King/HXDD/releases/

 

Usage

HXDD will make use of data from GZDOOM, Heretic, Hexen, Hexen's expansion Deathkings, and optionally Hexen II plus its Expansions.

1. Launch HXDD.exe
2. Select your GZDOOM Folder
3. Select your Heretic wad File (heretic.wad)
4. Select your Hexen wad File (hexen.wad)
5. Select your Hexen DeathKings wad file (hexdd.wad)
6. Choose the options you want to utilize - if any.
7. Click on Build HXDD to start building hxdd.ipk3 - this may take more than a few minutes.
8. When complete, copy hxdd.ipk3 to where you keep your wads for GZDOOM.
9. Run GZDOOM and select HXDD.
10. Your selections will be stored for the next time you run it.

 

Hexen II Usage

When using Hexen II PAK files with HXDD you will need Noesis by Rich Whitehouse.

Download and place the Noesis zip file in the same folder as HXDD's exe.

Select the PAK files in the application and ensure Enable Hexen II is checked.

HXDD will use Noesis to open PAK files and export model data for use with GZDOOM.

 

Screenshots

Spoiler

 

 

Gameplay Videos

Spoiler

 

 

Edited October 16, 2023 by Lemon King
0.7.2-Beta Update

[Monocled]

On 6/1/2023 at 2:35 PM, Lemon King said:

gzdoom.pk3, game_support.pk3, brightmaps.pk3, game_widescreen_gfx.pk3, lights.pk3, hexdd.wad

Where do i get those? as far as i know there isn't any portable version of GZdoom for linux which i am assume you're using (Or MacOS or BSD) cause you are opening the jar from the command line, i've only ever seen them in mods which ship with GZdoom and a gzdoom_portable.ini. Also it says it requires a hexdd.wad??? there wasn't any hexdd.wad in the downloads or .zip

Other that really excited to try this and thanks for making it!

EDIT: Sorry i realized right after posting this that there is a Linux portable version in the latest release and it does include these files

EDIT 2: i tried running it with the files and it this is the output

XDD: A Heretic, Hexen, and DeathKings WAD Merger
v0.7.1-Beta 2023-06-01 17:30:36
By Lemon King

DoomStruct by MTrop: https://github.com/MTrop/DoomStruct
zt-zip by ZeroTurnaround: https://github.com/zeroturnaround/zt-zip
Settings: defaults loaded
Settings: hxdd.settings not found, skipping
Updates and source are available at: https://github.com/Lemon-King/HXDD

Cannot continue, missing the following files:
heretic.wad, hexen.wad, hexdd.wad, gzdoom.pk3, game_support.pk3"

But the only one its missing is hexdd.wad (Which i don't know where to get)

 

Edited August 23, 2023 by Monocled

[Andromeda]

On 8/23/2023 at 5:22 AM, Monocled said:

But the only one its missing is hexdd.wad (Which i don't know where to get)

You need to buy Hexen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel to acquire the hexdd.wad file.

 

GOG.com: https://www.gog.com/game/hexen_deathkings_of_the_dark_citadel

Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2370/Hexen_Deathkings_of_the_Dark_Citadel/

Edited August 30, 2023 by Andromeda

[Monocled]

9 hours ago, Andromeda said:

You need to buy Hexen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel to acquire the hexdd.wad file.

 

GOG.com: https://www.gog.com/game/hexen_deathkings_of_the_dark_citadel

Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2370/Hexen_Deathkings_of_the_Dark_Citadel/

K, i added it but i still get the same error despite me having all the files it says i'm missing in the right place

Edited August 31, 2023 by Monocled

[Lemon King]

On 8/23/2023 at 12:22 AM, Monocled said:

Where do i get those? as far as i know there isn't any portable version of GZdoom for linux which i am assume you're using (Or MacOS or BSD) cause you are opening the jar from the command line, i've only ever seen them in mods which ship with GZdoom and a gzdoom_portable.ini. Also it says it requires a hexdd.wad??? there wasn't any hexdd.wad in the downloads or .zip

Other that really excited to try this and thanks for making it!

EDIT: Sorry i realized right after posting this that there is a Linux portable version in the latest release and it does include these files

EDIT 2: i tried running it with the files and it this is the output

XDD: A Heretic, Hexen, and DeathKings WAD Merger
v0.7.1-Beta 2023-06-01 17:30:36
By Lemon King

DoomStruct by MTrop: https://github.com/MTrop/DoomStruct
zt-zip by ZeroTurnaround: https://github.com/zeroturnaround/zt-zip
Settings: defaults loaded
Settings: hxdd.settings not found, skipping
Updates and source are available at: https://github.com/Lemon-King/HXDD

Cannot continue, missing the following files:
heretic.wad, hexen.wad, hexdd.wad, gzdoom.pk3, game_support.pk3"

But the only one its missing is hexdd.wad (Which i don't know where to get)

 

hexdd can be obtained from either of those links posted above. Hexen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel comes with Hexen as its a single launcher. However if you look in the the hexen folder itself you'll see hexen.wad and hexdd.wad. Copy over hexdd.wad to wads and run hxdd. It should work correctly.

 

Things have been busy the past few months and I'm finally getting back to this project.

 

I'm currently working on a UI to streamline this process:

 

And tossed in some localization support.

 

Edited September 5, 2023 by Lemon King

[Monocled]

13 hours ago, Lemon King said:

I'm currently working on a UI to streamline this process:

I'm excited for the UI and curious what platforms it'll support
 

 

On 8/30/2023 at 5:40 PM, Monocled said:

K, i added it but i still get the same error despite me having all the files it says i'm missing in the right place

But i did say i added hexdd.wad and am having the same error message, do you know what i'm doing wrong?

I have brightmaps.pk3, game_support.pk3, game_widescreen_gfx.pk3, gzdoom.pk3, licenses.zip, lights.pk3, zd_extra.pk3, hexdd.wad, hexen.wad, and heretic.wad All in the wads folder inside the hxdd folder. I used to have neosis.zip in the main directory (i figured it was only needed for Hexen II which i don't have but i tried adding it just incase it was causing the error) but it didn't do anything so i removed it cause it was a big file

[Lemon King]

2 hours ago, Monocled said:

I'm excited for the UI and curious what platforms it'll support
 

 

But i did say i added hexdd.wad and am having the same error message, do you know what i'm doing wrong?

I have brightmaps.pk3, game_support.pk3, game_widescreen_gfx.pk3, gzdoom.pk3, licenses.zip, lights.pk3, zd_extra.pk3, hexdd.wad, hexen.wad, and heretic.wad All in the wads folder inside the hxdd folder. I used to have neosis.zip in the main directory (i figured it was only needed for Hexen II which i don't have but i tried adding it just incase it was causing the error) but it didn't do anything so i removed it cause it was a big file

hxdd.jar should be in the main folder, the wads folder should contain all of the following files with or without the hexen 2 paks.

 

Edited September 5, 2023 by Lemon King

[Monocled]

1 hour ago, Lemon King said:

hxdd.jar should be in the main folder, the wads folder should contain all of the following files with or without the hexen 2 paks.

 

Yup, everything is in the right place, Still gives me that error message though saying i'm missing all of those files i'm not missing, i've tried running the jar as a super user and it didn't change anything, so i came to you after none of my troubleshooting worked

[Lemon King]

4 hours ago, Monocled said:

Yup, everything is in the right place, Still gives me that error message though saying i'm missing all of those files i'm not missing, i've tried running the jar as a super user and it didn't change anything, so i came to you after none of my troubleshooting worked

Can you try renaming the files to see if they follow case correctly? ex: Hexen.wad = hexen.wad?

[Lemon King]

Tech test for feature I'm hoping to add to the project in a future update. :D

 

Edited September 8, 2023 by Lemon King

[Lemon King]

Just a bump for 0.7.2-Beta release!

https://github.com/Lemon-King/HXDD/releases

[WARDUST]

i'm really used to Heretic "missile" weapons, and that's my main reason to not play Hexen... That looks like a nice beginning for me with the game. Thanks a lot!

[Lemon King]

Toying around with what will be a default feature in the menu for a smarter system to display what wads are loaded with custom episodes.

 

 

Using Hexen: Veil of Darkness for this test.

 

Edited October 21, 2023 by Lemon King

[Retro Gamer]

Hello,

Let me first thank you for taking on this project and sharing with the community. I use a XBox One control to play majority of PC games. I used your HXDD tool to make the HXDD.ipk3 file. After launching the game, I've noticed that in the "Class Selection" screen the gamepad support is disabled not sure if that's normal (keyboard & mouse are fine). Above it's mentioned of a new version 0.7.2-Beta on GitHub. But when i download it and run the program it displays version 0.7.1-Beta on top right?

 

These are the WAD & GZDoom version I'm using.

 

Heretic - Shadow of the Serpent Riders (v1.3)

Hexen - Beyond Heretic (v1.1)

Hexen - Deathkings of the Dark Citadel (v1.1)

gzdoom-x64-g4.12pre-381-g56803317f

Edited February 2, 2024 by Retro Gamer

[Lemon King]

On 1/29/2024 at 11:53 PM, Retro Gamer said:

Hello,

Let me first thank you for taking on this project and sharing with the community. I use a XBox One control to play majority of PC games. I used your HXDD tool to make the HXDD.ipk3 file. After launching the game, I've noticed that in the "Class Selection" screen the gamepad support is disabled not sure if that's normal (keyboard & mouse are fine). Above it's mentioned of a new version 0.7.2-Beta on GitHub. But when i download it and run the program it displays version 0.7.1-Beta on top right?

 

These are the WAD & GZDoom version I'm using.

 

Heretic - Shadow of the Serpent Riders (v1.3)

Hexen - Beyond Heretic (v1.1)

Hexen - Deathkings of the Dark Citadel (v1.1)

gzdoom-x64-g4.12pre-381-g56803317f

Gamepad support is currently not in the new UI components, as its currently using z-forms 1.x which does not support controllers in the menu. I'll see what I can do to make it work.

Nice catch on version in the UI, not sure why that string wasn't updated correctly.

[Lemon King]

Early commits for PWAD Mode as the next feature in the coming update.

 

Edited June 2, 2024 by Lemon King

[Notsee]

I can't seem to find the build HXDD button

[Lemon King]

2 hours ago, Notsee said:

I can't seem to find the build HXDD button

Is your screen at 720? If so, It may be hidden below your screen resolution. The next update has a fix for this.

Edited June 3, 2024 by Lemon King

[Notsee]

Yeah that is my resolution 

[Notsee]

When can I expect this new update 

[Lemon King]

I can finally say Soon™ for the next update, aiming for sometime this week as a release.

Hexen II Paladin Player Class and DOOM PWAD Mode support are up next.

Edited June 9, 2024 by Lemon King

[Notsee]

Sorry for being impatient just really want to play this

[Lemon King]

I was a bit off on my estimate. Ended up needing to do some heavy reworks on the underlying supporting code to make it work, cleanly. Currently starting on audio splitting. Once that is done it should be ready this weekend.

 

If you're feeling adventurous you can always check the latest builds under Actions.

Edited June 20, 2024 by Lemon King

[Notsee]

Always want to make sure it's up to date

[Notsee]

Wait action builds what's that 

[Notsee]

Oh I see well how do I download it

[Lemon King]

HXDD is now passing as fully playable with DOOM mods, wads and megawads now.
Depending on your settings - some will make runs harder than others.

If no other major issues are found, an update should be out sometime this weekend.

Edited June 21, 2024 by Lemon King