PAK files exist as 6 different types. Please find information about each of them below.
Type 1: Video Game Package
A PAK file is package file created by video games to archive game data. This can include graphics, textures, sounds, objects, and other game data. The archive is mostly saved as ZIP file. PAK files ar...
General Information
| Title | PAK File Extension |
| Extension | .pak |
| Full Form | Packed File Archive |
| File Type | Archive File |
| Developer | Various Video Game Developers |
| MIME Type | application/octet-stream |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store data |
| Additional Functions | Data archiving, Compression |
| Features | Binary format, May contain various file types |
File Characteristics
| Quality | Varies |
| Supports Layers | N/A |
| Supports Transparency | N/A |
| Editable | With tools |
Use Cases
| Game Assets | Yes |
| Modding | Yes |
| Game Development | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Tampering, Malware injection |
| Best Practices | Validate integrity, Use trusted tools |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | Varies by game |
| Latest Version | Depends on software |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .zip, .rar, .tar |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
 Unreal Engine |
Free, Royalty after threshold | Windows, Mac, Linux |
 Dragon UnPACKer |
Free | Windows |
| 7-Zip |
Free | Windows, Linux |
Type 2: PAK Compressed Archive
General Information
| Title | PAK File Extension |
| Extension | .pak |
| Full Form | PAK Compressed Archive |
| File Type | Compressed File Archive |
| Developer | Various |
| MIME Type | application/x-pak |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store data |
| Additional Functions | Compress, archive |
| Features | Reduce size, bundle files |
File Characteristics
| Quality | Lossless compression |
| Supports Layers | N/A |
| Supports Transparency | N/A |
| Editable | Yes, with tools |
Use Cases
| Game Assets | Yes |
| Software Distribution | Yes |
| Data Archiving | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Executable embedding |
| Best Practices | Scan for viruses, integrity check |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | Varies |
| Latest Version | Depends on software |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .zip, .rar, .tar, .7z |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| WinRAR |
Free trial | Windows |
| 7-Zip |
Free | Windows, Linux |
| Pak Explorer |
Free | Windows |
Type 3: Simutrans Object File
General Information
| Title | PAK File Extension |
| Extension | .pak |
| Full Form | Simutrans Object File |
| File Type | Game Data File |
| Developer | Simutrans Team |
| MIME Type | application/octet-stream |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store game objects |
| Additional Functions | Contain graphics, sound |
| Features | Compressed, Binary format |
File Characteristics
| Quality | Game-specific |
| Supports Layers | N/A |
| Supports Transparency | Yes |
| Editable | With tools |
Use Cases
| Game Modding | Yes |
| Custom Content | Yes |
| Game Development | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Low risk |
| Best Practices | Verify source |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | 1999 |
| Significant Update | Pak128, Pak64 |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .dat, .tab, .b3d |
Type 4: Skype Language Settings Package
PAK files referenced by Skype not meant to be manually opened. PAK files found in Windows directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Skype for Desktop\locales. Language settings stored in .LPROJ file...
General Information
| Title | PAK File Extension |
| Extension | .pak |
| Full Form | Skype Language Settings Package |
| File Type | Settings Package |
| Developer | Skype Technologies |
| MIME Type | application/octet-stream |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store language settings |
| Additional Functions | Localize interface |
| Features | Compressed, Encapsulated |
File Characteristics
| Quality | Binary format |
| Supports Layers | N/A |
| Supports Transparency | N/A |
| Editable | No, Encrypted |
Use Cases
| Skype Localization | Yes |
| Language Pack Installation | Yes |
| User Interface Customization | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Tampering risk |
| Best Practices | Verify source, Regular updates |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | Associated with Skype release |
| Latest Version | Varies with Skype version |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .lang, .mo, .po |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
 Skype |
Free | Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android |
Type 5: Gogii Games Package
PAK files archive game data. They include graphics, textures, sounds, objects and other data. Different games have different formats. The archive uses ZIP format usually. Popular software like WinZip ...
General Information
| Title | PAK File Extension - Gogii Games |
| Extension | .pak |
| Full Form | Gogii Games Package File |
| File Type | Game Data Archive |
| Developer | Gogii Games |
| MIME Type | application/octet-stream |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store game data |
| Additional Functions | Package resources |
| Features | Compressed, Encapsulated |
File Characteristics
| Quality | High compression |
| Supports Layers | N/A |
| Supports Transparency | N/A |
| Editable | With tools |
Use Cases
| Video Games | Yes |
| Resource Modding | Yes |
| Game Development | Limited |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Piracy, Malware |
| Best Practices | Verify sources, Scanning |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | Varies |
| Latest Version | Depends on game |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .zip, .rar, .tar |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| Gogii Games |
Game purchase | Windows, Mac |
| File Extractors |
Free, Paid | Windows, Mac, Linux |
Type 6: Starbound Resource Package
Most gamers do not see PAK files. These files store a game's resources. However, some gamers may try to open PAK files to change the game. PAK filenames often contain "data". The data PAK file stores ...
General Information
| Title | PAK File Extension |
| Extension | .pak |
| Full Form | Starbound Resource Package |
| File Type | Game Resource File |
| Developer | Chucklefish |
| MIME Type | application/octet-stream |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store game assets |
| Additional Functions | Package mods, Override default assets |
| Features | Compressed, Binary format |
File Characteristics
| Quality | High compression |
| Supports Layers | N/A |
| Supports Transparency | Game-dependent |
| Editable | With tools |
Use Cases
| Game Development | Yes |
| Modding | Yes |
| Asset Management | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Mod tampering |
| Best Practices | Verify source, Use official mods |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | 2013 |
| Latest Version | Depends on game updates |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .modpak, .asset, .assets |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| Starbound |
Purchase required | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Asset_unpacker |
Free with game | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Modding Tools |
Free | Varies |