Subscribe to download
Black Mesa Optimization Scripts

This addon is designed to improve your performance at the cost of some graphical quality (how much or how little is up to you). It’s mainly intended for those with lower-end PCs, but can also be useful if you’re just not that obsessed with graphics.

Black Mesa Optimization Scripts is a set of CFG scripts that tweak your game using CVars (Console Variables), aiming to give you better performance during gameplay. The pack includes 5 useful script options for you to choose from:

• "mintweaks.cfg" - Minimal Tweaks
  Applies very light, almost unnoticeable changes to your game, prioritizing quality. The FPS boost is minimal, but it’s great if you want just a little more performance without compromising visuals too much.
  
  
• "basictweaks.cfg" - Basic Tweaks
  Applies moderate but noticeable changes to your game, aiming to balance quality with performance. A step up from minimal tweaks, it gives a slightly better FPS boost without significantly impacting graphics. Useful for medium-end PCs.
  
  
• "maxtweaks.cfg" - Maximal Tweaks
  Applies significant, noticeable changes to your game, prioritizing performance while still trying to keep an enjoyable experience. The FPS boost is effective, great for those struggling with performance even on Potato mode. For best results, combine this with the Potato overall quality setting.
  
  
• "extremetweaks.cfg" - Extreme Tweaks
  Applies extremely noticeable changes to your game, prioritizing performance above all else. The FPS boost is effective and may help if maximal tweaks isn't enough, though it can be very inconvenient. For best results, combine this with the Potato overall quality setting.
  
  
• "restore.cfg" - Restore
  Restores all tweaked CVars back to their default values. Use this if you want to undo changes and return everything to normal.

I’ve also included a little extra that disables the animated background in the main menu, making startup faster (bm_disableanimbg).

Additionally, if needed, you can add the following launch parameters (go to Black Mesa -> Properties -> General -> Launch Options):

• "-safe" - Launches the game with all graphics settings set to minimum.
  
• "-novid" - Skips the intro video when starting the game (faster launch).
  
• "-oldgameui" - Uses an older version of the game’s UI, which consumes less performance.

To install this addon, simply download the source files using a Steam Workshop downloader and place the VPK files into Black Mesa's "custom" folder. Check the Q&A in the Discussions tab for more details if you are unsure.