Download and Use the Empty Template

This page creates a correctly structured GWO content pack. The template contains no weapon, model, animation, texture, sound, or legacy compatibility fields.

1. Download

Download the GWO empty content-pack template

You can also download the Blender 3.3 first-person arm template.

Extract the ZIP before editing it. Use a normal folder while developing so files can be changed and reloaded easily.

2. Install the folder

Copy the extracted gwo_empty_content_pack folder to:

.minecraft/gwo/

The final path must be:

.minecraft/gwo/gwo_empty_content_pack/pack.mcmeta

It must not contain another duplicated folder level. The empty template adds no items when the game starts; that is expected.

3. Choose a namespace

The template uses example. Choose a namespace containing lowercase English letters, digits, and underscores only, such as my_studio.

Rename:

assets/example/

to:

assets/my_studio/

Every resource ID must then use the same prefix:

"id": "my_studio:training_rifle"

Do not use spaces, uppercase letters, parentheses, or hyphens in resource paths.

4. Directory purpose

Directory	Contents
weapons/firearms/	firearm gameplay JSON
weapons/firearms/render/	firearm rendering and animation JSON
weapons/melee/	standalone melee gameplay JSON
weapons/melee/render/	standalone melee rendering JSON
bullets/	ammunition definitions
attachments/<type>/	attachment definitions
attachments/render/<type>/	attachment rendering files
assets/<namespace>/gltf/guns/	default gun models
assets/<namespace>/gltf/animations/	.anim.glb libraries
assets/<namespace>/gltf/arms/	first-person arms
assets/<namespace>/gltf/attachments/	shared attachments
assets/<namespace>/gltf/bullets/	cartridges, casings, and projectiles
assets/<namespace>/skins/	base color, normal, material, and emissive maps
assets/<namespace>/textures/item/	inventory icons
assets/<namespace>/textures/gui/hud/	HUD icons
assets/<namespace>/sounds/	OGG audio
assets/<namespace>/sounds.json	sound registry
assets/<namespace>/lang/	localization files

.gitkeep files only preserve empty directories in Git and ZIP archives. Delete them after adding real assets if desired.

5. Edit pack metadata

Open pack.mcmeta and change only the description to begin:

{
  "pack": {
    "pack_format": 48,
    "supported_formats": [34, 48],
    "description": "My Studio Weapon Pack"
  }
}

Do not remove the outer pack object or leave a trailing comma after the last JSON property.

6. Validate the empty pack

Start the game and inspect logs/latest.log:

1. GWO scans .minecraft/gwo/.
2. There is no Failed to read weapon definition message.
3. There is no Failed to read ammunition definitions message.
4. There are no JSON or resource-path errors.
5. No new item appears, because this template intentionally contains no content.

7. Package for release

During development, keep the pack as a folder. For release, archive the files inside the pack. Opening the ZIP must immediately show:

pack.mcmeta
weapons/
attachments/
bullets/
assets/

The template targets Minecraft 1.21.1 and the current GWO format. It does not use the removed guns/ directory or obsolete compatibility fields.

Next: Build Your First Firearm.