File Formats
This page lists all file formats and extensions used by the ZenGin engine (Gothic I & Gothic II) that are relevant to modding.
Daedalus Scripts
| Extension | Description |
|---|---|
.d | Daedalus source file. The main scripting language of Gothic. C-like syntax with custom constructs (instance, prototype, class). Used to define NPCs, items, dialogs, quests, AI, effects, menus, sounds, music, and more. |
.src | Compilation list. A plain-text file listing .d files (one per line) in the order they should be compiled. Supports wildcards (*.d). Key files: Gothic.src, Fight.src, Camera.src, Menu.src, Music.src, ParticleFX.src, SFX.src, VisualFX.src. |
.dat | Compiled Daedalus binary. The output of script compilation, read by the engine at runtime. Generated files: Gothic.dat, Menu.dat, SFX.dat, PFX.dat, VFX.dat, Camera.dat, Music.dat, Fight.dat. |
info
The .src file determines the compilation order - symbols must be declared before they are used. Gothic.src is the main entry point for game logic scripts.
3D Models & Meshes
| Extension | Description |
|---|---|
.3DS | 3D Studio Max mesh. Used for item visuals and world objects. Can be imported/exported via KrxImpExp. Referenced in the visual field of C_Item instances. |
.ASC | ASCII model format. Text-based format for meshes - the editable intermediate format in model pipelines. Can be imported/exported via KrxImpExp. |
.MRM | Multi-Resolution Mesh. Compiled (binary) mesh format, optimized for rendering. Import-only in KrxImpExp. |
.MSH | ZenGin mesh. Engine-native mesh format. Import-only in KrxImpExp. |
.MDL | Model file. Complete compiled model containing mesh and skeleton data. |
.MDM | Model Mesh. Mesh component of a model (separated from hierarchy). |
.MDH | Model Hierarchy. Skeleton/bone hierarchy component of a model. |
.MMB | Morph Mesh Binary. Facial morph meshes used for NPC lip-sync and expressions. |
Animations
| Extension | Description |
|---|---|
.ASC | ASCII model format. Also used for animations - exported skeletal animations are stored in .ASC files. Can be imported/exported via KrxImpExp. |
.MDS | Model Script. Animation definition file that describes animation overlays, transitions, and states. Applied via Mdl_ApplyOverlayMds() / Mdl_SetVisual(). Examples: HUMANS.MDS, Humans_Relaxed.mds, HUMANS_FLEE.MDS. |
.MSB | Model Script Binary. Compiled version of .MDS files. |
.MAN | Model Animation. Binary animation data file for a single animation. |
Worlds
| Extension | Description |
|---|---|
.ZEN | ZenGin world file. Contains the entire game world: geometry, Vobs (virtual objects), waypoints, freepoints, triggers, lights, sounds, and more. Created and edited with the Gothic Spacer editor. Can be imported in KrxImpExp. |
Textures & Graphics
| Extension | Description |
|---|---|
.TGA | Targa texture. The primary source texture format for Gothic. Used for everything: world textures, particle effects, UI elements, fonts, lightmaps. |
.TEX | Compiled texture. Engine-optimized compiled texture created from .TGA files. Stored in _compiled/ subfolders inside VDF archives. |
.FNT | Font file. Bitmap font definition mapping characters to positions in a .TGA font atlas. Standard fonts: FONT_OLD_10_WHITE.FNT, FONT_OLD_20_WHITE.FNT. |
Audio
| Extension | Description |
|---|---|
.WAV | Audio file. Used for voice acting, sound effects, and some music. Speech files are stored in Data/Sound/Speech/ with names matching AI_Output identifiers (e.g., DIA_Konrad_Hallo_08_01.WAV). |
.SFX | Sound effect definition (in script context - defined via C_SFX class in SFX.src). |
Music (DirectMusic)
Gothic uses the Microsoft DirectMusic system for dynamic, interactive music. Music files are stored in Data/Music/.
| Extension | Description |
|---|---|
.SGT | DirectMusic Segment. The main music file format referenced by C_MUSICTHEME.file in music scripts. Contains references to styles, bands, and chord progressions that together form a playable music piece. Examples: OWD_DayStd.sgt, nw_dayfgt.sgt. |
.STY | DirectMusic Style. Defines musical patterns, motifs, and variations. Styles are referenced by .SGT segments and provide the actual note/rhythm data that DirectMusic plays back dynamically. |
.DLS | Downloadable Sounds (DLS). Instrument/sample bank files used by DirectMusic for sound synthesis. Contains the actual instrument samples (wavetable data) used to play back music defined in .SGT and .STY files. |
Dialog Data
| Extension | Description |
|---|---|
.BIN | Output Units binary (ou.bin). Compiled dialog/cutscene data containing voice file mappings and subtitle text. Generated from AI_Output calls in scripts. |
.CSL | Cutscene library. Contains cutscene definitions used by the oCsManager (cutscene manager). |
Archives & Mod Distribution
| Extension | Description |
|---|---|
.VDF | Virtual Disk File. Gothic's archive format for packing game assets (meshes, textures, worlds, sounds, compiled scripts). Standard files: Meshes.vdf, Textures.vdf, Worlds.vdf, Anims.vdf, Sound.vdf, Speech.vdf. Created with GothicVDFS. |
.MOD | Mod archive. Functionally identical to .VDF, used for distributing mods. Placed in Data/modvdf/ and loaded by the engine via the .ini file's VDF= line. |
info
Both .VDF and .MOD use the same internal format. The engine loads them based on archive date stamp - newer archives override older ones. That's why EGMT increases the date by 1 day when creating translation patches.
Configuration
| Extension | Description |
|---|---|
.INI | Configuration file. Gothic.ini stores engine settings (resolution, keybindings, paths). Mod-specific .ini files (e.g., MyMod.ini) define the mod's VDF load order via the VDF= line. Can be read/written from Daedalus using the Ikarus library. |
Savegames
| Extension | Description |
|---|---|
.SAV | Savegame file. Contains the serialized game state: world, NPCs, items, quest progress. Stored in Saves/savegame[0-20]/. |
Union Plugins
| Extension | Description |
|---|---|
.DLL | Dynamic Link Library. Union C++ plugins compiled as DLLs. Installed in System/Autorun/ and loaded by the Union runtime. Allows hooking and extending engine functions. |
Summary Table
| Category | Extensions |
|---|---|
| Daedalus scripting | .d, .src, .dat |
| 3D models & meshes | .3DS, .ASC, .MRM, .MSH, .MDL, .MDM, .MDH, .MMB |
| Animations | .MDS, .MSB, .MAN |
| Worlds | .ZEN |
| Textures & graphics | .TGA, .TEX, .FNT |
| Audio | .WAV |
| Music (DirectMusic) | .SGT, .STY, .DLS |
| Dialog data | .BIN (ou.bin), .CSL |
| Archives | .VDF, .MOD |
| Configuration | .INI |
| Savegames | .SAV |
| Union plugins | .DLL |