An ongoing reverse-engineering effort focused on Nihilistic Software's NOD engine, the technology that powered StarCraft: Ghost during its development between 2001–2004. Based on an early Xbox prototype build.
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| Component | Description |
|---|---|
src/parsers/ |
C++17 static library — parsers for all major NOD asset formats |
src/viewer/ |
OpenGL asset browser with ImGui UI |
plugin/bpy-nodsdk-scghost/ |
Blender 4.x import plugin (NOD, NMB, NIL, NAD) |
| Extension | Content |
|---|---|
.nod |
Rigid / skinned mesh model |
.nmb |
Multi-body compound mesh bundle |
.nil |
Indoor level geometry (sectors + props) |
.nad |
Skeletal animation clip |
.nak |
Camera keyframe animation |
.nsd |
Scene description (entity placement) |
.nce / .ncs |
Cutscene data |
.nco |
Conversation / subtitle data |
.nls / .nlt |
Localised string tables |
.nfx / .nlfx |
Particle / effect descriptors |
.nui |
UI layout |
.not |
Object template definitions |
.npd |
Patrol / path data |
.noc |
Occlusion / collision mesh |
.nms |
Material / surface definition |
.nsa |
Sound archive manifest |
.nnb |
NavMesh baked data |
.xwb / .xsb |
Xbox wave bank / sound bank (ADPCM) |
.xpr |
Xbox packed resource (textures) |
.dds |
DirectDraw Surface texture |
.tga |
Targa texture |
| Package | Purpose |
|---|---|
| CMake ≥ 3.16 | build system |
| GCC / Clang (C++17) | compiler |
| OpenGL | rendering |
| GLFW 3.3+ | window + input |
| GLEW | GL extension loader |
| GLM | math library |
Install on Ubuntu / Debian:
sudo apt install cmake g++ libglfw3-dev libglew-dev libglm-devInstall on Arch:
sudo pacman -S cmake glfw glew glmBlender 4.0 or later. No additional Python packages required.
cmake -B build/cmake
cmake --build build/cmake --target nodsdk-viewer -j$(nproc)The binary and libraries are written to cmake/.
cd cmake
./nodsdk-viewer <assets-directory><assets-directory> should be the root of the extracted game asset tree (the directory that contains subdirectories like models/, textures/, etc.).
The browser panel on the left lets you browse by asset type. Click any entry to preview it. Supported previews:
- NOD / NMB — 3-D mesh with orbital camera, skinning, optional animation playback
- NIL — full level geometry with entity instances
- DDS / TGA / XPR — texture preview
- NSD — entity list with type classification
- NAD — animation clip details
- NCE / NCS — cutscene actor + event list
- XWB / XSB — wave bank audio playback (via
aplay)
cd plugin
zip -rq bpy-nodsdk-scghost.zip bpy-nodsdk-scghost/ -x '*/__pycache__/*'In Blender: Edit → Preferences → Add-ons → Install → select the zip → enable OpenNod SDK-scghost.
| Menu entry | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| File → Import → NOD Model (.nod) | .nod |
rigid or skinned mesh; creates armature if bones present |
| File → Import → NMB Bundle (.nmb) | .nmb |
multi-body compound mesh |
| File → Import → NIL Level (.nil) | .nil |
full indoor level; props baked to world space |
| File → Import → NAD Animation (.nad) | .nad |
animation clip; requires an active armature in the scene |
- Open, educational reference on early-2000s console engine design
- Document the NOD engine asset formats completely
- Respect for original authors (Nihilistic Software, Blizzard Entertainment, Activision)
StarCraft: Ghost is one of the most iconic cancelled games in Blizzard history. The NOD engine also powered Vampire: The Masquerade — Redemption. Studying this prototype gives rare insight into Blizzard's early console strategy and Nihilistic's proprietary technology.
Licensed under GNU GPL v3. See individual source files for full copyright notices.