In Unreal Tournament 99 (UT99), a mutator's *.int file serves two primary functions: localization (internationalization) of in-game text and public registration of the mutator's classes so the game engine can recognize and list them in the game menus.
Key Functions of a *.int file for UT99 Mutators
Localization: The file extension ".int" is short for "international". It contains all the human-readable strings (like names, descriptions, and menu captions) for the mutator, allowing them to be easily translated into different languages without modifying the underlying code. The game loads the appropriate language file based on the user's settings, defaulting to English if a specific translation is missing.
Registration and Discovery: When UT99 launches, it scans the System folder for *.int files. The *.int file acts as a manifest, providing a list of public classes within the corresponding mod package (*.u file) that the game can use. Specifically for mutators, the file contains an [Public] section with an Object entry that allows the mutator to appear in the in-game "Mutators" selection menu.
A typical mutator entry in an *.int file looks like this:
Code: Select all
[Public]
Object=(Name=MyPackage.MyMutatorClass,Class=Class,MetaClass=Engine.Mutator,Description="My Mutator Name,A brief description of what this mutator does")
Name points to the specific class within the package file (MyPackage.u).
MetaClass specifies that it should be treated as a mutator.
Description provides the name that appears in the game's menu and an optional description.
Resource Reference: The engine uses these files as a quick reference to find resources (classes, objects, etc.) rather than searching through all the available packages every time, improving loading efficiency.
In essence, the *.int file is crucial for a mutator's usability, making it visible, descriptive, and accessible within the game's interface and menus.