HAM File – What is .ham file and how to open it?
HAM File Extension
Descent 2 Behavior and Resource File – file format by Interplay Productions
HAM (Descent 2 Behavior and Resource File) is a file extension developed by Interplay Productions. It contains behavioral and resource information for the game Descent 2. It holds data such as 3D models, textures, sounds, and scripts.
Descent 2 Behavior and Resource File (HAM)
A HAM file is a Descent 2 Behavior and Resource file. It is a data file used by the Descent 2 video game developed by Interplay Productions. It contains information about the behavior of objects in the game, such as their movement patterns and how they interact with other objects. It also contains other game resources, such as textures, models, and sounds. HAM files are essential for the game to run properly and are typically packaged with the game’s installation.
HAM files use a proprietary format specific to Descent 2 and are not compatible with other games or applications. They are stored in a binary format and can be opened and edited using specialized tools such as the Descent 2 HAM Editor. Modifying HAM files can change the behavior of objects in the game or add new resources, allowing players to customize their gameplay experience or create their own mods.
Opening .HAM Files on Windows
To open .HAM files on Windows, you can use Interplay’s Descent 2 game or a third-party program like HAM Explorer. Descent 2 is a classic first-person shooter game that uses .HAM files for storing game data such as level layouts, object behaviors, and textures. You can launch Descent 2 and open .HAM files directly from within the game’s file browser.
HAM Explorer is a specialized tool for opening and viewing .HAM files. It provides a graphical user interface that allows you to explore the contents of .HAM files, extract individual resources, and view detailed information about each resource. To use HAM Explorer, install the program and launch it. Then, click on the “File” menu and select “Open” to locate and open a .HAM file.
Opening .HAM Files on Other Platforms
On platforms other than Windows, you may need to use a different program to open .HAM files. For example, on macOS, you can use HAMView or HAMLib. HAMView is a graphical user interface tool that allows you to view and extract resources from .HAM files. HAMLib is a command-line tool that provides programmatic access to .HAM files.
To use HAMView, install the program and launch it. Then, click on the “File” menu and select “Open” to locate and open a .HAM file. To use HAMLib, open a terminal window and type the following command:
hamlib -x <path_to_HAM_file> <destination_directory>
This will extract all the resources from the .HAM file into the specified destination directory.
Description of HAM Files
HAM (Descent 2 Behavior and Resource File) files are a type of game resource file used by the first-person shooter game Descent 2. These files store various game data, including level maps, object properties, enemy AI behavior, and mission objectives. HAM files are essential for the development and modification of Descent 2 maps and missions.
Structure and Content of HAM Files
HAM files are structured into several sections, each containing specific types of data. One section may contain map geometry, with information on room dimensions, object placement, and lighting effects. Another section could store enemy AI behavior, defining how different types of enemies react to the player and navigate the environment. Additionally, HAM files may include graphical assets such as textures and sprites, as well as mission objectives and cutscene scripts. The specific content and structure of a HAM file can vary depending on the needs of the particular map or mission.