- Sandustry Mods: Enhance your demo experience with custom content.
- Mod Loader: Essential tool required to run any custom modification.
- Custom Maps: Expand gameplay with community-created levels.
- New Game Plus: Unlock all items and upgrades immediately.
- Installation: Requires joining the official Discord for file access.
Understanding Sandustry Mods
The Sandustry demo supports a vibrant modding community that allows players to customize their gameplay experience significantly. Unlike many early access titles, the modding infrastructure for Sandustry is already accessible, enabling players to use custom maps and quality-of-life tweaks like New Game Plus.
Video Highlights:
- Accessing the Sandustry Discord for mod files.
- Installing the core Mod Loader executable.
- Loading Custom Maps via the in-game dropdown.
- Setting up New Game Plus for instant unlocks.
These steps specifically apply to the Sandustry Demo available on Steam. Ensure your game is up to date before attempting to mod to avoid version conflicts.
Essential Modding Tools
Before installing specific content, you must prepare your game directory with the necessary framework. The community uses a central Mod Loader to inject custom code into the game.
Mod Loader
- Core Requirement: Must be installed first.
- Function: Creates the 'mods' folder structure.
- Usage: Replaces the standard game executable shortcut.
Custom Map Loader
- Dependency: Requires Mod Loader to function.
- Function: Enables the map selection dropdown.
- File Type: .dll or configuration file.
Always create a desktop shortcut for the Mod Loader executable after pasting it into your game folder. This ensures you always launch the modded version of the game.
| Tool Name | File Type | Installation Location | Primary Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mod Loader | .exe | Game Root Folder | Initializes modding system |
| Custom Map Loader | .dll / .config | /Mods/ Folder | Enables map selection UI |
| New Game Plus | .dll / .config | /Mods/ Folder | Unlocks all game items |
Step-by-Step Installation Guide
Follow this precise workflow to ensure your mods load correctly. The process involves moving files from your downloads folder to your Steam directory.
Join the Community
Navigate to the official Sandustry website or click the in-game link to join the Sandustry Discord. This is the central hub for all mod downloads and support.
Download Mod Loader
In the Discord, scroll to the mods forum. Look for the "Mod Loader" thread. Click the GitHub link provided and download the mod_loader.exe file.
Install to Directory
Locate your Sandustry demo folder (typically C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\Sandustry Demo). Paste the mod_loader.exe into this root directory.
Initialize System
Launch the mod_loader.exe once. It will flash open and close immediately. This action generates a new mods folder and a configuration file in your directory.
Install Content
Download specific mods like "Custom Map Loader" or "New Game Plus" from Discord. Paste these files into the newly created /Mods/ subfolder.
If the Mod Loader creates a mods folder and a config file in your directory, the installation was successful. You are now ready to add specific mods.
Installing Custom Content
Once the Mod Loader is active, you can install specific modifications. The most popular include Custom Maps and the New Game Plus mod.
Custom Maps
To play a custom map, you need the map file and the Custom Map Loader mod.
- Download Map: Find a map in the Discord (e.g., a .zip file).
- Extract: Unzip the downloaded folder.
- Place: Move the extracted folder into
/Mods/Maps/. - Select: Launch the game via Mod Loader, find the map in the dropdown, and hit "New Game".
New Game Plus
This mod unlocks all items and upgrades at the start of a new save.
- Download: Get the latest "New Game Plus" file from Discord.
- Install: Place the file directly into the
/Mods/folder. - Play: Start a new save; all content will be available immediately.
| Mod Type | Source Location | Target Folder | Activation Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom Map | Discord / #maps | /Mods/Maps/ | Dropdown Menu in-game |
| New Game Plus | Discord / #mods | /Mods/ | Automatic on New Game |
| Visual Skins | Discord / #mods | /Mods/ | Automatic on Load |
Keep your mods organized. If a mod conflicts with another, try removing them one by one to identify the culprit. The Sandustry Discord is active for troubleshooting.
Troubleshooting and FAQ
Pre-Installation Checklist:
- Joined the official Sandustry Discord
- Located the Steam game directory (Sandustry Demo)
- Downloaded the Mod Loader .exe
- Created a backup of vanilla game files (Optional)
Q: Where is the Sandustry Demo game folder located?
By default, it is found at `C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\Sandustry Demo`. You can also right-click the game in Steam and select 'Manage > Browse Local Files'.
Q: Do I launch the game through Steam after installing mods?
No. You must launch the game using the **mod_loader.exe** shortcut you created on your desktop. Launching via Steam will run the vanilla, unmodded version.
Q: The Mod Loader closes immediately after opening. Is this normal?
Yes. The Mod Loader is designed to open, update the game files/create folders, and close quickly. As long as the 'mods' folder appears in your directory, it worked.
Q: Can I use multiple mods at the same time?
Yes. Simply place all mod files into the `/Mods/` folder. However, be aware that major gameplay overhauls might conflict with one another.