Feature Request - Launcher / Pre-load mod manager

[Krausladen]

So this game is complete once you're playing. I like what has been done and I don't really see much room for improvement after considering the mods that can be added, however, there is one key feature missing: A launcher with a mod manager in the launcher.

Wouldn't it be nice to not have to launch the game twice when you subscribe to a new mod? Granted, the in game mod manager will need to stay for the fact that errors probably won't get reported in the launcher, but I think it would be nice to manage our mods in the launcher, and if we get error detection in the launcher that is a huge bonus - but I suspect the game has to be loaded into the ram for that to happen. If I'm just adding a small mod that doesn't have conflicts, it makes zero sense to launch the game, load 150 mods and the base game twice, to experience the small added feature. This scenario would be completely removed with a launcher.

The mod titled "Mod Manager" could be used as a template to the launchers mod manager window. It is a fantastic UI mod, everyone playing with mods needs to have this mod, and I think everyone should have the benefit of a launcher for a mod intensive experience.

What say you?

[BlackSmokeDMax]

Probably wouldn't be super hard to add something like that. I mean you CAN do it now just by editing the text file containing the mod list. It just wouldn't be wrapped in a nice UI.

I don't think the dev will be adding something like that, pretty sure he is done with the game unless some major bug appears, and also the maintenance of adding the DLC purchased customized content.

Your best bet would be a modder making their own out-of-game mod interface, and in that case probably heading to where the modders hang out to request such a tool would be advisable. You could try the ludeon modding forum or even better probably is going to the modders section of the official Rimworld discord.

[Krausladen]

I definitely think this is the developers job, honestly. I get they're done with the game. But they shouldn't write it off, especially considering they still refuse to put it on sale - that tells me they're still up to maintaining the game in some shape or form.

How would a modder get the software into the proper folder without compromising the security of the average steam user? Cause they couldn't workshop a launcher... It would have to be done professionally.

[BlackSmokeDMax]

Originally posted by Krausladen:

I definitely think this is the developers job, honestly. I get they're done with the game. But they shouldn't write it off, especially considering they still refuse to put it on sale - that tells me they're still up to maintaining the game in some shape or form.

How would a modder get the software into the proper folder without compromising the security of the average steam user? Cause they couldn't workshop a launcher... It would have to be done professionally.

Honestly I didn't really consider the workshop, I don't use it for Rimworld. I download all my mods manually, Frankly, the Steam workshop, while useful, has been completely disregarded and ignored by Steam for YEARS. It is a flaky pile in far too many games.

As far as the dev doing it, he already built in a mod interface. And like you mentioned in your original post, the game would indeed need to be fully loaded to do any testing of the mods working together, which really defeats the purpose of a pre-game launcher for the most part. I do get there would be the time savings of the initial load of mods before you can edit them, but that is the only plus. I wonder if any dev would feel that is enough to include an out of game interface for that one reason.

I'm not the dev, and maybe he'd think this is a great idea, I just wouldn't get my hopes up!

Btw, if you really want him to see this, your best bet is tweeting him: https://twitter.com/TynanSylvester

[Paladin]

There are already bunch of them. I will recommend mine:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1847679158

[Morkonan]

Originally posted by Krausladen:

I definitely think this is the developers job, honestly. I get they're done with the game. But they shouldn't write it off, especially considering they still refuse to put it on sale - that tells me they're still up to maintaining the game in some shape or form.

IMO, the work necessary isn't worth the presumed value for the cost. I understand why you'd want a typical launcher setup, but if the developer did it there has to be some worthy value associated with it that increases the overall product's value. And, it's not really something a potential customer would know the value of. ie: "Will this convenience addition increase sales? Probably not."

How would a modder get the software into the proper folder without compromising the security of the average steam user? Cause they couldn't workshop a launcher... It would have to be done professionally.

Maybe a simple .ini file writer/manager with appropriate permissions. (And, uncompiled codebase for examination...) That's how some "old school" stuff managed switches for some games back in the day, rewriting ini/config files, etc. Some still do that. For instance, there's an ini file manager java app for SimCity 4 (Works fine with Steam's version) that reads/writes config file/ini switches. It's TSR as well. (There's two that I can recall for SC4. TSR is necessary, IIRC, because of how regions are generated. Not quite certain on that, but I know it's TSR for a critical reason.)

[BlackSmokeDMax]

OP, was just watching a recent stream of Fluffy and he just mentioned that he has been thinking about making possibly just what you are looking for. This is probably the same modder you were thinking of who made "Mod Manager"

This should be a link to when he mentions it:

https://youtu.be/JFp8iwy41HE?t=2892

Haven't listened much further than that yet, as I decided to come link this here while I was thinking of it, so I'm not sure if this is something he has started, is only considering or what yet. But take a look for yourself.

[Morkonan]

If Fluffy's going to do one, I'd use it. I wouldn't have many mods at all and would probably never really fully avail myself of its settings... But, it's Fluffy. It's gotta be good. :)

[Krausladen]

Very intriguing. Thank you!