NVIDIA RTX Remix Mod Contest Showcases $50,000 Prize Pool and 23 Stunning User-Created Mods

The world of PC gaming is constantly evolving, driven by innovation and the boundless creativity of its community. At the forefront of this evolution is NVIDIA’s RTX Remix platform, a powerful tool that empowers modders to breathe new life into classic games by integrating modern graphical technologies. To celebrate and showcase the incredible potential of RTX Remix, NVIDIA has launched a prestigious mod contest, offering a substantial $50,000 prize pool to recognize the most impressive user-created enhancements. This competition features a diverse array of 23 user mods that span a wide spectrum of beloved titles, demonstrating the transformative power of raytracing and advanced rendering techniques on a variety of classic games.

The RTX Remix Mod Contest highlights the platform’s ability to bring fully path-traced lighting, enhanced textures, updated environmental details, and the benefits of DLSS 4 to games that originally lacked these sophisticated visual features. Since its release earlier this year, RTX Remix has already seen remarkable adoption, with over 350 active projects and more than 100 released mods demonstrating the vibrant and active modding scene it fosters. This contest serves as a testament to the dedication and skill of these modders, who are meticulously remastering titles that have captured the hearts of gamers for years.

The competition is structured across four distinct categories, each designed to recognize different facets of modding excellence: Community Choice RTX Mod, Most Complete RTX Mod, Best Use of RTX in a Mod, and Best Overall RTX Mod. The anticipation is high as winners are set to be announced at the highly anticipated gamescom on August 18th, where the industry and fans alike will learn which creations have earned the top honors.

Each category offers a significant financial reward, fostering a competitive yet collaborative environment. The Community Choice RTX Mod award, with a prize of $10,000, is decided by the collective voice of the fans. While fan voting has concluded, the announcement of the winner on August 18th is eagerly awaited. The Most Complete RTX Mod category also offers $10,000 to the mod that presents the most polished and fully playable remaster, characterized by high-quality enhancements throughout.

For those who have pushed the boundaries of visual fidelity, the Best Use of RTX in a Mod category, also awarding $10,000, recognizes the most impressive graphical improvements, particularly in the innovative application of effects such as atmospheric fog, smoke, shadows, and dynamic lighting. The pinnacle of the competition is the Best Overall RTX Mod, which boasts the largest prize of $20,000. This ultimate award celebrates the mod that most effectively blends stunning visuals with an excellent and engaging gameplay experience, creating the most compelling overall package. Importantly, the categories are not mutually exclusive, meaning a single mod could potentially secure multiple accolades, further underscoring the exceptional quality of some entries.

We will now delve into the details of each of the 23 remarkable mods vying for recognition in NVIDIA’s RTX Remix Mod Contest, providing a comprehensive overview of their contributions to the world of classic game remastering.

Exploring the Contenders: A Deep Dive into the 23 RTX Remix Mods

The breadth and depth of talent showcased in this contest are truly astounding. Modders have taken on a diverse range of genres and eras, demonstrating the versatility of RTX Remix. From intense first-person shooters to beloved racing simulators and atmospheric horror titles, the impact of raytracing and enhanced assets is palpable.

FPS Classics Reimagined with Raytracing

Call of Duty 2 RTX Remix of Carenten by tadpole3159: This mod is a complete remake of the iconic Carenten map from Call of Duty 2. The creator, tadpole3159, has meticulously redone virtually every asset and surface, going above and beyond by utilizing photogrammetry for real-world World War 2 combat clothing and kits. This process involves scanning physical objects to create highly accurate 3D models and textures. The mod also introduces dynamic lighting changes that shift as the sun traverses the in-game sky, along with six player-controlled weather conditions that can be adjusted on the fly during matches. This level of detail and immersion is a significant leap forward for the classic shooter.

Star Wars Republic Commando RTX by automata.: This entry presents a hybrid approach to modding Star Wars: Republic Commando, leveraging RTX Remix for its path-traced renderer while also modifying the underlying game engine to expand the capabilities of RTX Remix. Blaster bolts have been transformed into shadow-casting lights, illuminating the environment dynamically. The commandos and their weaponry have been rebuilt with 4K physically based rendering (PBR) textures, providing a much higher level of surface detail and realistic material responses. The lighting has been completely redone to better align with the visual aesthetic of the broader Star Wars universe, creating a more cohesive and immersive experience.

Codename Atlantis RTX by xoxor4d: This mod for Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare offers a unique proposition by essentially adding a new minigame alongside custom-made weapons and interactable objects. The standout new weapon features a built-in eye that realistically tracks movement. The minigame tasks players with finding 20 “Suzannes” before time runs out, all while water levels gradually rise, impacting gameplay by slowing movement and altering gravity. This innovative addition brings a fresh gameplay loop to the classic shooter, enhanced by the visual upgrades.

Max Payne: Remix by Noodle: Representing the initial phase of a larger project to fully modernize the 2001 classic Max Payne, this mod focuses on transforming key environments. Currently, Roscoe Street Station has been completely remodeled with hand-crafted PBR materials, and manual RTX lighting has been implemented across most of the game. Future plans include expanding PBR material coverage, improving existing models and assets, and addressing any bugs, aiming for a comprehensive visual overhaul.

SCP Containment Breach RTX Remaster by Inward 3D and team: This mod provides a significant visual remaster for the 2012 indie horror game SCP – Containment Breach. It introduces raytraced lighting, shadows, and PBR materials to the eerie environments. Rooms have been meticulously relit, textures have been upscaled and remastered using AI, and character models have undergone substantial improvements. The result is a much more atmospheric and terrifying experience that respects the original’s unsettling nature.

BioShock RTX by skurtyyskirts and team: A ground-up restoration of the 2007 masterpiece BioShock, this mod is a two-person endeavor that delivers full real-time path tracing and a complete PBR asset revamp. Beyond the stunning visual upgrades, this mod also addresses and solves some of the engine issues that affected the original game, leading to smoother performance alongside the enhanced visuals. It’s a testament to dedicated craftsmanship, improving both the look and feel of Rapture.

Return to Castle Wolfenstein QHD by LuciansDiner: This mod lovingly updates Return to Castle Wolfenstein from 2001, focusing on improving weapon models, lighting, and textures. High-resolution texture replacements utilize the displacement capabilities of parallax occlusion mapping, adding a significant layer of surface detail. Emissive lighting has been thoughtfully applied to elements like torches, light bulbs, and stage lights, enhancing the atmosphere and visual fidelity.

UnrealRTX by mstewart401: Modernizing the 1998 seminal title Unreal, this mod brings improved lighting, PBR materials, and enhanced environmental models. It features full raytraced global illumination, dynamic shadows, volumetric lighting, and emissive effects. Vegetation has been replaced, and new grass has been added to outdoor areas to boost fidelity, with surfaces now reacting realistically to light. This comprehensive update brings a classic shooter into the modern graphical era.

Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast RTX REMIX by ArjaanAuinger: This entry serves as a tech demo for Jedi Knight II, featuring one playable level that has been extensively reworked. The level has been relit, textures have been upscaled, and a blend of generated and hand-crafted PBR materials have been implemented. A notable improvement is the lightsaber, which now emits light realistically, enhancing combat and visual immersion.

Racing Legends Revitalized

Need for Speed: Underground RTX by alessandro893: This mod offers a transformative reimagining of the original Need for Speed: Underground. It features a comprehensive rework of key areas like China Town and the Lock Up sprint race track. The mod boasts 500 new textures, 30 new high-poly 3D models, 26 original meshes, newly added vegetation, and terrain smoothing. These extensive changes breathe remarkable new life into the classic street racing experience.

Need for Speed: Underground 2 Remix by UncleBurrito and team: This represents a massive overhaul of Need for Speed: Underground 2, with the creator and their team meticulously crafting every element. This includes new vehicle models, extensive texture replacements, remade traffic signals and street signs, numerous lighting modifications, and a completely redone skybox. The latest updates showcase the impressive progress made in bringing this beloved title into the modern visual landscape.

Colin McRae Rally 3 RTX Remix Mod by budgiegamesindie: This mod focuses its attention on the UK Special Stage 1 and the Ford Focus car from Colin McRae Rally 3. Retopology has been applied to the car’s windows, wheels, and hood, and its textures have been AI-upscaled. The stage itself benefits from new lighting, a fresh skybox, volumetric fog, and higher-quality trees, delivering a significantly enhanced rally racing experience.

Horror and Atmospheric Classics Enhanced

Manhunt Remixed by gabdeg: This mod diligently remasters all 20 levels of Manhunt, introducing fully path-traced lighting and high-resolution environmental and character textures. Given the original game’s lighting system limitations with path-tracing, all existing lights were removed and manually replaced. Emissive graphic effects and reflections have also been added to elements like windows, monitors, and signs, significantly amplifying the game’s oppressive atmosphere.

Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines - RTX Remaster by Safemilk: This is the first part of what is planned to be a full, asset-by-asset remodel of Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines. This ambitious project involves recreating everything from carpets to the labels on store shelves, alongside sweeping changes to the lighting and reflective surfaces. It’s a monumental undertaking that promises to elevate the game’s gothic ambiance to new heights.

Painkiller RTX Remix by Binq_Adams and team: This mod retextures, relights, and rebuilds significant portions of Painkiller from the ground up, all while preserving its original gothic horror aesthetic. Lighting effects have seen dramatic improvements, surface textures boast much greater detail, and 2D environmental objects have been replaced with intricate 3D models. The updates demonstrate a profound transformation of the game’s visual presentation.

RPG and Adventure Worlds Reimagined

Fallout: New Vegas RTX by skurtyyskirts: This mod delivers a full graphical overhaul for Fallout: New Vegas, incorporating full raytracing, PBR materials, and enhanced assets without compromising the game’s original artistic vision. From the harsh desert sun to the vibrant New Vegas Strip and the interiors of abandoned Vaults, every environment has been redone to feature accurate shadows, reflections, and global illumination. Weapons, armor, and terminals have been remastered, with the addition of new high-fidelity details like irradiated water puddles.

Morro RTX by 3DNomad: This mod brings significant updates to The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, enhancing light sources within key areas like the Imperial prison ship, Seyda Neen, and Balmora. It also introduces PBR materials that are based on the original textures and updates the geometry of over 300 models. The result is a more visually rich and detailed world for players to explore.

Sonic Adventure RTX Legacy Version by Ver11: This mod updates Sonic Adventure DX: Director’s Cut, the enhanced port of the original Dreamcast title. It introduces brand-new lighting, remastered PBR materials, new water effects, and grass across almost all levels. These additions significantly enhance the visual appeal of Sonic’s classic adventures.

Unique and Niche Titles Get a Modern Glow-Up

Duo Princess Remixed by Etokapa and team: This mod, perhaps the most niche on the list, meticulously remixes the textures, lighting, and meshes of every level in Duo Princess. Every 3D texture has been upscaled and retouched, and the lighting has been completely redone with the replacement of original lights and the addition of new ones, along with new emission maps and dust particles. This creates a far more visually engaging experience for a lesser-known title.

I-Ninja Remixed by g.i.george333: The platformer I-Ninja receives a significant facelift with this mod designed to enhance visuals while retaining the original stylized look. It includes a total of 2,000 new textures, a combination of newly created assets and upscaled originals. Volumetric fog and dust particles have been added, and surfaces have been updated with increased geometric detail, making for a sharper and more immersive gameplay experience.

Fan Favorites and Community Pillars

Portal 2 RTX PBR Pack by skurtyyskirts: This mod is primarily focused on dramatic lighting improvements for Portal 2. It updates the 2011 classic by leveraging RTX Remix’s volumetric system. The dilapidated test chambers are enhanced with customizable fog effects, floating dust bunnies, and precisely controlled lighting. Sunbeams now elegantly shine through broken ceilings without negatively impacting other light sources, significantly boosting the atmosphere.

Black Mesa Remixed - POC - Inbound by xoxor4d and team: Building upon Black Mesa, the fan-made remake of Half Life that originally released in 2020, this mod provides dramatic improvements to lighting and textures, particularly on the inbound tram ride. It features over 40 materials built from the ground up and 100 materials created from the original colormaps, showcasing an impressive level of detail and dedication to enhancing the already acclaimed remake.

Star Wars: Republic Commando RTX by Chaos007: This mod is distinct from the other Star Wars: Republic Commando entry and serves as an early demo build covering the intro cinematic, prologue, and the first level of the Geonosis campaign. It introduces full raytraced lighting, enhanced textures, upgraded models, new structures, particle improvements, and UI enhancements. The extent of the visual upgrades presented in its accompanying video is substantial.

The Impact of RTX Remix on Gaming Preservation and Innovation

NVIDIA’s RTX Remix platform is more than just a tool for graphical enhancement; it represents a significant step forward in game preservation and the democratization of high-fidelity modding. By providing modders with robust tools and access to cutting-edge rendering technologies like path tracing and DLSS, NVIDIA is empowering a new generation of enthusiasts to revisit and reimagine the games that have shaped our digital lives.

The ability to inject full raytracing into older titles fundamentally alters their visual presentation. Raytracing, which simulates the physical behavior of light, creates incredibly realistic reflections, refractions, and global illumination. This means that surfaces in older games now possess accurate specular highlights, cast lifelike shadows, and contribute to a more immersive sense of depth and realism. The painstaking work of modders like those featured in this contest transforms familiar environments into breathtaking new experiences, often revealing details and nuances that were previously impossible to render.

Furthermore, the integration of Physically Based Rendering (PBR) materials is crucial. PBR workflows ensure that surfaces react to light in a physically accurate manner, taking into account properties like metallicness, roughness, and specular reflectivity. This allows for a more consistent and believable visual style across different lighting conditions, making the remastered games look more modern and cohesive. The AI upscaling and remastering of textures also plays a vital role, breathing new life into often pixelated or low-resolution assets from older games, bringing them up to par with contemporary visual standards.

The inclusion of DLSS 4 (Deep Learning Super Sampling), while perhaps more impactful on future titles, hints at the potential for these RTX Remix projects to also benefit from advanced performance-enhancing technologies. DLSS allows games to render at a lower resolution and then intelligently upscale the image using AI, delivering higher frame rates with minimal perceptible loss in image quality. This is particularly beneficial for computationally intensive techniques like raytracing, making these visually spectacular mods more accessible to a wider audience.

The NVIDIA RTX Remix Mod Contest serves as a powerful showcase for the modding community’s ingenuity and technical prowess. The dedication required to not only understand the intricacies of these older game engines but also to apply complex modern rendering techniques is immense. Modders are often working against the clock, reverse-engineering game data, developing new tools, and meticulously crafting assets and lighting setups. The $50,000 prize pool is a well-deserved recognition of this significant effort and the value that these fan-made enhancements bring to the gaming landscape.

The announcement of the winners at gamescom will undoubtedly spark further interest in RTX Remix and inspire even more modders to explore its capabilities. As the platform continues to evolve and attract more creators, we can expect to see even more spectacular remasters of our favorite classic titles, ensuring that these gaming milestones remain vibrant and visually stunning for generations to come. The competition not only highlights individual achievements but also underscores the collaborative spirit that drives PC gaming modding forward, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and enriching the gaming experience for everyone.