OpenCAGE, the community mod tools for Alien: Isolation, has reached version 1.0, and it is free to download on Steam. Its creator, Matt Filer, says the toolkit can now handle full custom maps, missions, modes, characters, weapons, animations, sounds, models and textures, which means total conversion mods are finally possible.
PC Gamer reported the milestone, noting that Filer began official work on the tools nine years ago, after two and a half years spent on prototype versions. Because the tools have been public throughout that time, Creative Assembly’s horror game already has a healthy modding scene.
What is OpenCAGE?
OpenCAGE is a modding toolkit built by the community, not by the game’s studio. Its Steam listing describes it as a way to script, configure and change content through graphical interfaces and a 3D viewport, with import and export for models, materials, textures, sounds, animations, scripts, configurations, UI and behaviour trees.
The project’s own website calls it hobby work by Matt Filer and says it is not affiliated with Creative Assembly, SEGA or Feral Interactive. It is also open source, with its code on GitHub.
What can modders do with version 1.0?
The official site lists a long set of features. In plain terms, modders can:
- Fly through any level in a 3D viewport and click objects to find them in the level scripts
- Edit the game’s existing scripts as flowgraphs, or build new ones from the game’s entity types
- Use a feature called Live Link, which connects to the running game so changes appear without a reload
- Preview, import and export animations and models, and edit materials, shaders and textures
- Start a new level from scratch and let the tool generate its lighting, navmesh, collision, cover and sound
- Edit behaviour trees that drive the alien, androids and humans
- Pack changes into a mod and let players install it through a built in Mod Manager
To show what is possible, Filer is building a Halo themed custom map with custom cinematics, enemies, weapons and a custom HUD, according to PC Gamer. He told the outlet that reaching total conversion mods “has always been my end goal.”
Prices
OpenCAGE costs nothing. Steam lists it as free, and the project site says to download it for free from Steam, with no price difference between Canada and the United States. Both pages also point to optional donations through GitHub Sponsors.
You do need Alien: Isolation itself. The project site states that the game must be purchased and installed to use the tools. The sources we read do not give a price for the game, so check the Steam store or a Canadian or US retailer for the current figure. The Steam listing shows Windows as the supported platform.
Who it suits
Aspiring modders. If you have wanted to build a mission or a new map for Alien: Isolation, this is now the most complete route, and the official site links to documentation and a Discord community for questions.
Players who just want mods. You do not need the tools to play other people’s work. The Mod Manager is aimed at players, and it combines, updates and removes mods. Check each mod’s own page for how it installs.
Script and level designers. The flowgraph editor, runtime debugging and level building tools resemble the kind of workflow used in professional game editors, so people with that background should find familiar ideas.
Horror fans waiting for more. PC Gamer points to custom content as a way to revisit the game while waiting for Alien: Isolation 2, which it says is likely to arrive some time in 2027.
What is still unknown?
None of the sources say how many mods have been built with version 1.0 or when the Halo themed map will be released. They also do not say whether Mac or Linux versions are planned, and the Steam page lists Windows only. Mod compatibility between future updates is not described either.
What should you do next?
Read the Steam listing and the OpenCAGE documentation before you start, and make sure you own and have installed Alien: Isolation. If you only want to play community mods, watch the project’s Discord and the Steam page for new releases.
