NVIDIA has announced a competition featuring 23 user-created mods developed using the NVIDIA RTX Remix platform, designed to revitalize classic video games with advanced graphics capabilities.
This initiative highlights the capabilities of RTX Remix, a modding platform for RTX AI PCs that enables modders to remaster older titles by integrating full raytracing, enhancing textures, adjusting lighting, repositioning environmental objects, and incorporating DLSS 4 for improved image quality and performance. Since its release in March of this year, RTX Remix has seen the establishment of over 350 active projects and the release of more than 100 mods.
The competition features a diverse selection of classic games, including titles from popular franchises such as BioShock, Portal 2, Need for Speed, Star Wars, and Call of Duty. A total prize pool of $50,000 is available, distributed across four distinct categories. The winners are slated to be announced at gamescom on August 18. The categories for the competition are: Community Choice RTX Mod, Most Complete RTX Mod, Best Use of RTX in a Mod, and Best Overall RTX Mod.
The Community Choice RTX Mod category, with a prize of $10,000, was determined by public fan voting, which has already concluded. The winner for this category will be revealed on August 18. The Most Complete RTX Mod category also offers a $10,000 prize and recognizes the most fully playable remaster that maintains high quality throughout its entirety. The Best Use of RTX category, also with a $10,000 prize, is dedicated to mods that demonstrate the most impressive visual improvements through the effective use of RTX effects such as atmospheric fog, smoke, shadows, and dynamic lighting. The most prestigious category, Best Overall RTX Mod, carries a $20,000 prize and is awarded to the mod that best combines impressive visuals with an excellent playable experience, representing the most comprehensive and high-quality package. It is worth noting that the categories are not mutually exclusive, meaning a single mod has the potential to secure wins in multiple categories.
A detailed overview of the 23 competing entries provides insight into the breadth and depth of the enhancements achieved through RTX Remix. These mods include a range of classic games with significant graphical overhauls. For example, the “Call of Duty 2 RTX Remix of Carenten” by tadpole3159 undertakes a complete remake of the Carenten map from Call of Duty 2, with meticulous redoing of virtually every asset and surface, employing photogrammetry to incorporate photo-scanned real World War 2 combat clothing and kits into the game. The mod also introduces dynamic lighting changes that respond to the sun’s movement and allows players to control six different weather conditions mid-match with a simple button press.
Other notable entries include “Star Wars Republic Commando RTX” by automata, a hybrid mod that leverages RTX Remix for its path-traced renderer while simultaneously modding the underlying game to expand RTX Remix’s utility. “Skurtyy’s Portal 2 RTX PBR Pack” by skurtyyskirts focuses on dramatic lighting improvements, utilizing RTX Remix’s volumetric system. “Fallout: New Vegas RTX” by skurtyyskirts is a comprehensive graphical overhaul that integrates full raytracing, PBR materials, and enhanced assets while carefully preserving the game’s original aesthetic.
Additional mods showcased include “Need for Speed: Underground RTX” by alessandro893, which offers a transformative reimagining of the original game with significant work including a complete rework of China Town and the Lock Up sprint race track, the addition of 500 new textures, 30 new high-poly 3D models, 26 original meshes, new vegetation, and terrain smoothing. “Manhunt Remixed” by gabdeg remasters all 20 levels of 2003’s Manhunt, incorporating fully path-traced lighting and high-resolution environmental and character textures.
Other entries include “Need for Speed: Underground 2 Remix” by UncleBurrito and team, a substantial overhaul featuring entirely handmade assets; “Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines – RTX Remaster” by Safemilk, representing Part 1 of an ambitious plan for a full, asset-by-asset remodel; and “Painkiller RTX Remix” by Binq_Adams and team, which retextures, relights, and rebuilds significant portions of 2004’s Painkiller.
Further mods include “Black Mesa Remixed – POC – Inbound” by xoxor4d and team, featuring dramatic improvements to lighting and textures; “Codename Atlantis RTX” by xoxor4d, introducing a new minigame to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare; “Max Payne: Remix” by Noodle, currently remodelling Roscoe Street Station with hand-crafted PBR materials and hand-placed RTX lighting; and “SCP Containment Breach RTX Remaster” by Inward 3D and team, adding raytraced lighting, shadows, and PBR materials to the 2012 indie horror game.
Other notable mods are “BioShock RTX” by skurtyyskirts and team, a ground-up restoration introducing full real-time path tracing and a complete PBR asset revamp; “Morro RTX” by 3DNomad, updating 2002’s Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind with improved light sources and PBR materials; “DuoPrincess Remixed” by Etokapa and team, remixing textures, lighting, and meshes of every level; and “Return to Castle Wolfenstein QHD” by LuciansDiner, enhancing weapon models, lighting, and textures.
The list also includes “UnrealRTX” by mstewart401, modernizing the 1998 classic Unreal with improved lighting, PBR materials, and environmental models; “Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast RTX REMIX” by ArjaanAuinger, featuring one playable level with relit environments and upscaled textures; “I-Ninja Remixed” by g.i.george333, providing a visual update with 2,000 new textures and volumetric fog; “Sonic Adventure RTX Legacy Version” by Ver11, introducing brand-new lighting and remastered PBR materials; and “Colin McRae Rally 3 RTX Remix Mod” by budgiegamesindie, focusing on UK Special Stage 1 and the Ford Focus car with retopology and AI-upscaled textures.
Lastly, “Star Wars: Republic Commando RTX” by Chaos007 is an early demo build encompassing the intro cinematic, prologue, and the first level of the Geonosis campaign with full raytraced lighting and enhanced textures. These mods demonstrate the versatility and potential of RTX Remix in enhancing classic games with cutting-edge graphics technology.
