BSP (file format)

.BSP is a map file extension used in games such as the Doom, Quake, and Half-Life series and other games, such as the highly popular Soldier of Fortune II (which uses the Quake 3 engine. .BSP files use binary space partitioning to generate levels that can be rendered quickly while minimizing the amount of polygons that need to be redrawn every time the screen refreshes. One of the biggest problems with the .BSP file format is that large open areas do not work well due to the nature of the partitioning algorithm used.

BSP stands for Binary space partition.

Unlike the maps used in Unreal Tournament, .BSP files work by defining the edges of the map objects, as opposed to defining the hollow areas. .BSP files can be produced using such modelling tools as 3D Max. A .BSP file includes everything in the map, except the textures, sounds, and a script (which lists the map name, and supported game types (i.e. Deathmatch, Infiltration, etc.))