HWD File

What are HWD files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a HWD file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your HWD files.

What is a HWD file?

A .HWD file is a Hedgewars Demo Data file.

Hedgewars Demo Data (.HWD) files store replay recordings of games played in Hedgewars. These files let you watch past matches in a replay ("demo") mode. They are created by Hedgewars when you choose to save a demo after a game, or automatically saved as "LastRound" if that option is enabled in settings.

Each .HWD file holds enough information for Hedgewars to precisely reproduce the actions on map during the match: player moves, shots, map changes, timing, and other game events. These files do not contain full video data - they contain game-state changes so Hedgewars can simulate the match again. Demos usually are quite small.

Hedgewars can only play back demos created by compatible game versions. A demo recorded in version 0.9.23 works only in the same version; version mismatches hide the demo in the interface.

The system stores .HWD files in the user's "Demos" directory inside the Hedgewars user data directory. On Linux that is ~/.hedgewars/Demos/, on macOS ~/Library/Application Support/Hedgewars/Demos/, and on Windows %USERPROFILE%\Hedgewars\Demos\.

Byte-signature or internal header details are not published. The files do not begin with any publicly documented fixed ASCII signature or magic number.

How to open HWD files

We have identified one HWD opener that is compatible with this specific type of HWD file.

Programs that open Hedgewars Demo Data files

Last updated: August 7, 2026

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