.VPK File Extension

Valve Pak

Developer Valve
Popularity
4.5  |  205 Votes
 

What is a VPK file?

A VPK file is a Valve Pak file used by some games developed with the Source Engine, which include Half-Life, Left 4 Dead, DOTA 2, and Portal 2. It may be a master directory file for a collection of VPK files or may be one of the raw VPK data files. VPK files are used for storing maps, models, materials, choreography scenes, and other original game content, but can can be used for making game mods as well.

More Information

VPK files are saved as part of a VPK package. Each VPK package has a master VPK directory file named archive_dir.vpk (where "archive" is the name of the VPK package) and VPK archive files named archive_0.vpk, archive_1.vpk, etc.

You can create VPK files using the vpk.exe command line tool located in the game directory. To ensure compatibility, you should use the vpk.exe tool located in the directory of the game you are creating the VPK file for. In Windows, the vpk.exe tool will most likely be located in the following directory:
C:\​Program Files (x86)\​SteamApps\​common\​[game title]\​bin

NOTE: The VPK format is the successor to the .GCF format.

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Programs that open VPK files

PlayStation Vita Application Package

Developer N/A
Popularity
3.6  |  16 Votes
 

A VPK file may also be an application package used to install third-party apps on a Sony PlayStation Vita gaming console. It contains multiple folders and files that make up a game, which may include .BIN, .XML, and .PNG files, that are compressed with Zip compression.

More Information

VPK files can be installed only on PlayStation Vita consoles that have been "jailbroken," or "hacked," with Henkaku. This Homebrew enabler allows users to better customize the content that can be used or played on the console. You can install apps packaged in a VPK file using VitaShell, which is a file manager that can be installed on the PlayStation Vita console.

How to open a VPK file

Since VPK files are compressed using Zip-compression, you can extract the contents of the files using a Zip decompression utility, such as WinZip or 7-Zip. You may want to rename the .vpk file extension to .zip first and then open it with the decompression utility.

Programs that open or reference VPK files

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