Missing content
When distributing a map or mod, care must be taken to ensure that any custom content (sounds, materials, textures, models, etc.) is also distributed, or else players will have an unintended experience.
Missing materials/textures show up as a black-and-magenta checkerboard.
Missing models show up as red 3D text saying "Error" (in Portal 2 the 3D Error text is a light blue)
Missing sounds are absent (in Portal 2, a missing sound is indicated by Dr. Kleiner saying "Oh, fiddlesticks. What now?")
Missing particles (at least in Portal 2 and Team Fortress 2) appear as a spray of red X's.
If the missing contents shipped with the Source SDK, and are not custom creations, it is likely a problem with your game configuration. See Incorrect Hammer configuration for more information.
Common problems
One very common problem is when users see a black-and-magenta checkerboard "sheen" or reflection on surfaces. This is caused by a missing texture, generally due to missing cubemaps, which must be "built" in-game prior to distributing the map.
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