This guide explains how to set up GZDoom, a source port of the Doom engine, on an Xbox Series S/X in Developer Mode, including how to install games and mods. It covers both external (USB drive) and internal (console storage) installation methods.
This method uses a USB drive for storing game files and mods.
Create a GZDoom Folder: On your external drive (e.g., E:\), create a main folder for GZDoom. You can name it GZDoom or something similar.
Create Subfolders: Inside the GZDoom folder, create the following two subfolders:
Mods: This folder will hold your mod files (usually .pk3 or .zip files).Games: This folder will store your game .wad files (e.g., doom.wad, doom2.wad).Copy Game Files: Copy your game .wad files into the Games folder. Example: E:\GZDoom\Games\doom.wad.
Install GZDoom: Install the GZDoom application through the Xbox Dev Portal (instructions for accessing the Dev Portal are assumed to be known).
Launch GZDoom: Launch GZDoom on your Xbox.
Navigate and select your Games folder: You'll be prompted to select a folder. Navigate to your external drive and select the Games folder you created (e.g., E:\GZDoom\Games).
.wad file in the Games folder, GZDoom will load that game automatically..wad files, a basic menu will appear.
Copy Mod Files: Copy your mod files (.pk3 or .zip files) into the Mods folder (e.g., E:\GZDoom\Mods).
Launch GZDoom Once: Follow steps 1-3 from section 2. (Initial GZDoom Launch and Game Selection) to generate an ini file, if this hasn't been done already.
Locate the INI File: Find the gzdoom_portable.ini file within your Games folder. Example: E:\GZDoom\Games\gzdoom_portable.ini.
Edit the INI File:
gzdoom_portable.ini using a text editor (like Notepad on Windows).[Global.Autoload] section. This section applies mods to all games.Path= line for each mod you want to load globally, specifying the full path to the mod file. Example:[Global.Autoload]
Path=E:\GZDoom\Mods\Universal_Enhanced_AI.pk3
[doom.id.Autoload] for the original Doom). Add the Path= lines for the mods under that specific section. Example:[doom.id.Autoload]
Path=E:\GZDoom\Mods\brutalv21.pk3
Save the INI File: Save the changes you made to gzdoom_portable.ini. Ensure it's saved back into your Games folder.
Launch and Play: Launch GZDoom. Your selected mods should now be active.
This method uses the Xbox's internal storage.
LocalAppData > GZDoom > LocalState..wad files directly into the LocalState folder (not into a subfolder).Launch GZDoom: Launch GZDoom on your Xbox.
.wad file, GZDoom will load it automatically..wad files are present, a menu will appear.
Create Mods Folder: Inside the LocalState folder, create a new folder named Mods (if it doesn't already exist).
Copy Mod Files: Copy your mod files (.pk3 or .zip) into the Mods folder.
Locate the INI File: Find the gzdoom_portable.ini file within the LocalState folder and save it to your PC.
Edit the INI File:
gzdoom_portable.ini in a text editor.[Global.Autoload] section.Path= line for each mod, specifying the relative path from the LocalState folder. Example:[Global.Autoload]
Path=Mods\Universal_Enhanced_AI.pk3
Path= lines under the appropriate section (e.g., [doom.id.Autoload]). Example:[doom.id.Autoload]
Path=Mods\brutalv21.pk3
Save and Reupload: Save your modified gzdoom_portable.ini to your PC, then using the Dev Portal, upload and replace the gzdoom_portable.ini back into the LocalState folder on your Xbox.
Launch and Play: Launch GZDoom; your mods should be loaded.
[Global.Autoload] will be loaded for all games. To load mods only for specific games, add them under the relevant game-specific section (e.g., [doom.doom2.Autoload] for Doom II)..ini file can also be used to customize various settings:
This guide should provide a clear and well-structured method for setting up and modding GZDoom on your Xbox in Developer Mode. Enjoy!