Tool Development

Tool development is often a highly technical task involving knowing how to read and write wows binary file formats in some way. It is often something that advanced modders learn to do after spending a lot of time around the game and becoming familiar with how it works and what common issues modders run into.

The languages used to write WoW tools vary greatly, and is often down to the individual developers personal preferences, but the three most common languages are C#, C++ and Python. A few examples:

• WoW Blender Studio
  • Edits various 3D model formats in the game.
  • Written mostly in Python and C++
  • Complex project, requires good understanding of M2/WMO file formats to develop (but not to use!).
• Noggit
  • Map editor for the game
  • Written in C++
  • Complex project, requires good understanding of .adt file format to develop (but not to use!).
• WDBX
  • Edits the clients database tables (.dbc files)
  • Written in C#
  • Not too complex project, but requires basic understanding of how .dbc files work to develop (but not to use!).