What is a CFG file?

CFG file in the context of Valve’s Source Engine, as seen in games like Half-Life 2, serves as a configuration file. These files are used to alter various in-game settings through a list of plain text commands. These commands are typically arranged with one per line and are responsible for customizing aspects of the game.

Players and server administrators have a couple of options for applying the changes specified in a .cfg file:

  1. Manual Execution: Users can manually execute the commands within the CFG file. This means that they enter each command one by one in the game’s Developer Console. This method allows for precise control over which settings are changed and when.

  2. Automatic Execution: Alternatively, players can opt for automatic execution. This involves placing the .cfg file in the appropriate game directory. Certain .cfg files, like autoexec.cfg, are executed automatically when the game starts. This ensures that the specified settings are applied without requiring manual input every time the game launches.

The Valve Source Engine

The Valve Source Engine, often simply referred to as the Source Engine, is a highly versatile and widely used game engine developed by Valve Corporation. It has been the foundation for many popular video games and has powered numerous successful titles. Here are some key points about the Valve Source Engine:

  1. History: The Source Engine was first introduced with the release of Valve’s game “Counter-Strike 1.6” in 2004. Since then, it has undergone several updates and revisions, with the most recent version known as Source 2.0.

  2. Notable Games: The Source Engine has been utilized in a variety of critically acclaimed games, including but not limited to:

    • “Half-Life 2” and its episodes
    • “Portal” and “Portal 2”
    • “Team Fortress 2”
    • “Left 4 Dead” and “Left 4 Dead 2”
    • “Counter-Strike: Source” and “Counter-Strike: Global Offensive”
    • “Dota 2”

  3. Features:

    • Flexibility: Source Engine is known for its flexibility, allowing developers to create a wide range of game genres, from first-person shooters to puzzle games and more.
    • Physics: It includes a robust physics engine that enables realistic object interactions and environmental effects.
    • Modding Support: The engine has strong modding support, which has led to the creation of numerous user-generated content and game mods.
    • Multiplayer Capabilities: Source Engine has been used to develop both single-player and multiplayer games, and it offers extensive networking capabilities for online gameplay.

  4. Graphics: Over the years, Source Engine has received graphical updates to keep up with evolving hardware capabilities. It supports advanced rendering techniques like HDR (High Dynamic Range) lighting and dynamic shadows.

How to open CFG file?

You have the option to open and modify a .cfg file using text editors like Microsoft Visual Studio Code or any other text editor of your choice. These text editors provide a user-friendly interface for viewing and editing the plain text commands within the .cfg file, allowing you to customize settings as needed.

Programs that open or reference CFG files include

  • Microsoft Visual Studio Code
  • Notepad
  • TextEdit
  • Any text editor

Other CFG files

Here are other file types that use the .cfg file extension.

Settings

Game

System & Misc

References

See Also