Modding Tutorials

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This is the table of contents for the modding tutorial. Here, you'll learn step by step how to create mods of gradually increasing complexity.

In light of little official documentation, most of the knowledge here was gained by experience, trial-and-error, decompiling and learning from the source. Keep in mind that RimWorld is a big game that underwent substantial code changes during its alphas. Some information you find may be outdated.

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What's a mod?

A mod is a folder containing data the game reads/loads. Mods can add, remove or alter the content of other mods (including the Core mod) in the broadest sense of the word. For more info, see also Modding.

Introduction to modding

1. First Steps and Some Links
2. Essence of Modding
3. Exploring the Folder Structure
4. Mod Folder Structure
   • About folder
   • Defs folder
   • Assemblies folder
   • Languages folder
   • Textures folder
   • Sounds folder
   • Patches folder
5. Recommended Software

General modding

• Testing Mods
  • Development Mode
• Adding and Testing Sounds
• Decompiling Texture/Sound Assets
• Compatibility
• Distribution
  

• Modifying Defs

XML tutorials

1. XML File Structure
2. Introduction to XML Defs
   • XML Def Compatibility
3. In-depth XML Def tutorials
   • Weapons_Guns.xml Explained
4. PatchOperations, replace specific xml elements of core files while keeping the rest untampered. Uses xpath.

C# tutorials

1. Setting up
2. Hello World
3. Decompiling Source Code
4. Writing Custom Code
5. Linking XML and C#
6. Alter Code at Runtime with Harmony - this is a best practice for modifying game code, replacing C# code injection to reduce Mod Conflicts
7. The wonderful things you will want to do with C#
   • C# Injection
   • Adding fields and methods to classes
8. Useful things:
   • Mod settings - Add settings to your mod
   • Def mod extensions - Add (custom) fields to Defs
   • Custom Comp Classes - A quick overview of what types of Comps there are, and what they're suited for.
     • ThingComp - Learn all there is to know about ThingComps.
     • Components - GameComponents, WorldComponents, and MapComponents
   • Introduction to Def Classes
   • Using Harmony to optionally patch other mods for the sake of compatibility
   • TweakValues - Change values on the fly (handy for quick iteration!)
   • ExposeData - Save stuff
   • The big ass list of useful classes - A non-exhaustive list of classes you'll use most

Examples

• Assembly Modding
• https://ludeon.com/forums/index.php?topic=33219.0 By Jecrell (Slightly outdated)

Dangerously Outdated

• https://rimworldwiki.com/wiki/Modding_Tutorials/Smelter
• https://rimworldwiki.com/wiki/Modding_Tutorials/Items
• https://rimworldwiki.com/wiki/Modding_Tutorials/Weapons
• https://rimworldwiki.com/wiki/Modding_Tutorials/ThingDef

See also

• Roxxploxx's set of modding tutorials
• RimWorld Modding Resources - A hub for guides, modders, practical tips