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RazeUWP Setup by MewLew

This guide explains how to set up Raze, a source port for Build engine games (like Duke Nukem 3D, Blood, Shadow Warrior), on an Xbox Series S/X in Developer Mode. It covers both external (USB drive) and internal (console storage) installation methods, including game file placement and modding.

At a glance

RazeUWP (Build engine)

Build-engine port, USB recommended for games/mods with prebuilt ini.

Last tested: 03/09/2025
Dev ModeRequired
StorageNTFS USB recommended, LocalState works with zip upload
User folderUSB:\Raze for external, LocalState for internal
DifficultyIntermediate - 20-30 minutes
BIOS/keysNone, needs original game data (GRP/RFF etc.)
ControllersXbox gamepad
Works
  • Premade USB folder with preconfigured raze_portable.ini
  • External method loads games directly from E:\Raze subfolders
  • Internal method supports zipped upload and auto-unzip via portal
Known issues
  • Missing required game files per-folder prevents launch
  • Wrong NTFS permissions block USB access
  • Forgetting to change save_dir for internal setup causes save errors

Use the premade folder and keep game files in the expected per-title subfolders, verify NTFS permissions.

Prerequisites​

info
  • Premade USB Folder: Download the premade USB folder from this Discord link: https://discord.com/channels/1024833470020722760/1223422209431834684. This folder contains a pre-structured Raze folder and a preconfigured raze_portable.ini file.
  • Game Files: You will need the original game files for the games you want to play (e.g., DUKE3D.GRP, BLOOD.RFF). These are not included in the premade folder.
  • Raze: Install raze_*_x64.msixbundle from Emulators - Raze on Emulation Revival Store or Raze-uwp releases via Device Portal (typically a single bundle).
  • (Optional) Mod Files: If you intend to use mods, you should have them downloaded and ready to go.

External Drive Setup​

This method uses a USB drive to store game files, mods, and the Raze configuration.

1. Prepare the External Drive​

  1. Extract the Premade Folder: Extract the downloaded premade USB folder. You should have a folder named Raze.

  2. Locate Game Folders: Open the Raze folder. Inside, you'll find subfolders for supported games (e.g., Blood, Duke3D, Redneck, SW for Shadow Warrior).

  3. Check Required Files: Inside each game folder, you'll find a .txt file that lists the required game files. For example, the Blood folder's .txt file would list files like:

    • blood.ini
    • All .rff files
    • All .art files
    • All .dat files
    • All .smk files
    • (Optional) Music files

  4. Copy Game Files: Copy the required game files from your game installations into the corresponding game folders within the Raze folder.

  5. Move Raze Folder to Root: Drag the entire Raze folder to the root directory of your USB drive (e.g., E:\Raze).

2. Initial Raze Setup​

  1. Install Raze: Install the Raze application via the Xbox Dev Portal.
  2. Launch Raze (Once): Launch Raze once on your Xbox. This initializes necessary folders. You can exit Raze after this initial launch.
  3. Upload preconfigured ini: Open the Dev Portal on your PC. Navigate to LocalAppData > Raze > Localstate and delete the existing raze_portable.ini file. Upload the raze_portable.ini file from the extracted Raze folder, to the LocalState folder.

3. Connect and Launch​

  1. Eject and Connect: Safely eject the USB drive from your PC and connect it to your Xbox.

  2. Launch Raze: Launch the Raze application on your Xbox.

    • Single Game: If only one game folder with the correct files is present, that game will load automatically.
    • Multiple Games: If multiple game folders are set up correctly, a basic menu will appear.
      • Use B to scroll (if more than six games).
      • Use A to select a game.

4. Modding (External Drive)​

  1. Create Mods Folder: Inside the Raze folder on your USB drive, create a new subfolder named Mods.

  2. Copy Mod Files: Copy your mod files (e.g., .grp or .zip files) into the Mods folder. Example: E:\Raze\Mods\MyMod.grp.

  3. Locate the INI File: Using the Dev Portal on your PC, navigate to LocalAppData > Raze > Localstate and download the raze_portable.ini file.

  4. Edit the INI File:

    • Open raze_portable.ini in a text editor (like Notepad).
    • Find the section for the specific game you want to mod (e.g., [Duke.Autoload] for Duke Nukem 3D).
    • Add a Path= line for each mod, specifying the full path to the mod file on your USB drive. Examples:
    [Duke.Autoload]
    Path=E:\Raze\Mods\Metro.grp

    [Blood.Autoload]
    Path=E:\Raze\Mods\Blood_Graphics_AIO.zip

  5. Save and Reupload: Save your modified raze_portable.ini to your PC, then using the Dev Portal, upload and replace the raze_portable.ini back into the LocalState folder on your Xbox.

  6. Launch and Play: Launch Raze, your mods should be loaded for the specified game.

Internal Setup​

This method uses the Xbox's internal storage for all files.

1. Prepare the Game Files​

  1. Extract Premade Folder: Extract the downloaded premade USB folder. You should have a folder named Raze.

  2. Locate Game Folders: Open the Raze folder and find the game-specific subfolders (e.g., Blood, Duke3D).

  3. Check Required Files: As with the external method, check the .txt file inside each game folder to see the list of required files.

  4. Copy Game Files: Copy the necessary game files from your game installations into their corresponding folders within the Raze folder.

  5. Create zip file of game folders: Once all files are correctly in place, select all of the game folders and compress them into a single .zip file.

2. Configure Saves Directory​

  1. Open INI File: Open the raze_portable.ini file (from the extracted Raze folder) in a text editor.
  2. Modify save_dir: Find the line that says save_dir=E:\Raze\Saves. Change this line to: save_dir=Saves
  3. Save: Save the changes to the raze_portable.ini file.

3. Initial Raze Setup​

  1. Install Raze: Install the Raze application via the Xbox Dev Portal.
  2. Launch Raze (Once): Launch Raze once to initialize folders, then exit.

4. Upload Files​

  1. Upload INI File:

    • Open the Dev Portal on your PC.
    • Navigate to: LocalAppData > Raze > LocalState.
    • Delete the existing raze_portable.ini file in this location.
    • Click "Choose File", select the modified raze_portable.ini file (from step 2), and click "Upload".

  2. Upload Game ZIP:

    • In the Dev Portal, stay in the LocalAppData > Raze > LocalState directory.
    • Click "Choose File", select the .zip file containing your game folders, and click "Upload".
    • When prompted, choose Yes to automatically unzip the file.

  3. Create Saves Folder:

    • In the Dev Portal, stay in the LocalAppData > Raze > LocalState directory. Click Create new folder and name it Saves.

5. Launch and Play (Internal)​

  1. Launch Raze: Launch the Raze application.

    • Single Game: If only one game is present, it will load automatically.
    • Multiple Games: If multiple games are present, a menu will appear. Use B to scroll and A to select.

6. Modding (Internal)​

  1. Create Mods Folder: Inside the LocalState folder, create a new folder named Mods.

  2. Copy Mod Files: Copy your mod files (.grp or .zip) into the Mods folder.

  3. Locate the INI File: Using the Dev Portal on your PC, navigate to LocalAppData > Raze > Localstate and download the raze_portable.ini file.

  4. Edit the INI File:

    • Open raze_portable.ini in a text editor.
    • Find the section for the game you want to mod (e.g., [Duke.Autoload]).
    • Add a Path= line for each mod, specifying the relative path from the LocalState folder. Examples:
    [Duke.Autoload]
    Path=Mods\Metro.grp

    [Blood.Autoload]
    Path=Mods\Blood_Graphics_AIO.zip

  5. Save and Reupload: Save your modified raze_portable.ini to your PC, then using the Dev Portal, upload and replace the raze_portable.ini back into the LocalState folder on your Xbox.

  6. Launch and Play: Launch Raze, and your mods should be loaded.

Video Tutorial​

Prefer a visual guide? Check out this tutorial by Revive: https://youtu.be/odxBpuR9Yog?si=jEhClUgETnuSLTqR

This guide should help you get Raze running with your favorite Build engine games and mods on your Xbox in Developer Mode!