How to set up KeeperFX (Full guide with pictures)

This is a guide for installing KeeperFX, a fanmade expansion containing a huge number of improvements, bugfixes and new content.

What is KeeperFX?

KeeperFX is a fanmade project that helps bring Dungeon Keeper to modern computers, along with a plethora of bugfixes, improvements, modernisations and custom content, all while preserving what made the original great. Unlike the Steam version, which requires DOSBox, this can be run natively on your PC (and also on Linux via Wine).


Some of the key improvements KeeperFX boasts include:

• Modern OS support, avoiding DOSBox
• Improved resolution and draw distances - full HD and 4k resolutions, further view distance and greater zoomout!
  
• Modernised controls! pan the camera and move possessed creatures with WASD, zoom with the mousewheel, and more!
  
• New features and controls! You can dig in bulk, drag-build rooms like in DK2, and possessing Imps lets you do SO MUCH MORE!
• So many bugfixes! Many classic issues and bugs were fixed, unless they were the cool ones that made things better! (and if you want to play it closer to the original, there are legacy setting where many classic bugs and glitches are reintroduced!)
  
• Improved and expanded graphics! Several new tilesets, including deserts, volcanoes, swamps and more! New objects to make levels feel more vibrant, such as statue, fauna and decorations!
  
• New stuff! New creatures, new traps, new abilities!
• Improved AI! Fight against devious opponents who better react to your every move! No more braindead weaklings!
  
• New levels and campaigns! From classic campaigns from back in the day, to new maps showing off the latest features!
  
• Functional multiplayer! Find a friend and prove who is the best online, using standard maps or custom ones!
  
• Script anything! So many new script commands, allowing you to do things you've only dreamt about! Larger map sizes!
• Constantly updating and improving! For the true gamers who want to keep on the cutting edge, this is one game where I really recommend the latest alpha over the stable! Newest features include new keeper spells, the ability to change keeper colours easily on a per-map basis, NEW KEEPER COLOURS (purple, orange and black), and lots of new script commands. My legal team have told me to remind you that alphas are a work-in-progress and may contain bugs worse than in the stable.
  
• Almost everything is customisable! You can make your own sprites, and your own creatures, abilities, traps and more!
  
• Easily add new user-generated content using KeeperFX's workshop
  
• Easy-to-use tools! There are a variety of useful tools on the KeeperFX workshop, including Unearth, an incredibly powerful mapmaker, a VSCode plugin for writing scripts and a tool for creating creature sprites from 3d models!

So what are you waiting for! Get out there and download it!

Setting up KeeperFX

So, now you know of KeeperFX, it's time to get it!

First, make sure you have the Steam version of Dungeon Keeper Gold installed (don't know why you wouldn't have it installed if you're here, but just in case!). Now, go to the KeeperFX website (I dunno if I'm allowed to link it here without getting into trouble but just Bing it bro).


On the site, go to Downloads and click Download Latest Release.



While that's downloading, find where your Steam files are located.



This should open up where the files are stored on your PC.

Go to your KeeperFX download. Extract the folder somewhere sensible (don't put it in your Program Files or anywhere that might need admin access, that can complicate things. Probably don't put it on your desktop either.)

Open launcher.exe, and click the Installation button at the bottom. Now, navigate to the folder where the Steam files are stored on your PC. (It asks for the "keeper" folder but on Steam it is called "Dungeon Keeper" and click Ok. The game should now work!
However, we're not done yet! There are a few things you can do to make it even better, which we'll cover in the next chapter!

Improvements, Optimisation, Updates, Troubleshooting

So, you should hopefully have it installed now! If not, there are some ways to get help:

Troubleshooting/Help

• Check out the installation instructions on the KeeperFX website
  
• Join the Keeper Klan Discord using the link on the KeeperFX website (Discord recently changed things, so it's possible the link will make you a temporary account instead of logging you in. It's best to copy the link and join it inside of Discord using the link.)

FAQ

• I'm running KeeperFX through Steam and I'm getting FPS issues! Try running it as administrator.
  
• There's no music! If you open the KeeperFX folder, you will see a folder called "music", which has instructions inside for what you need to do, but in short, go back to your Steam installation and copy the 6 keeper0X.ogg files into this music folder.
  
• The resolutions are weird! You can set the ingame and menu resolutions using the launcher. To change between them ingame, press Alt+R or use the Resolution button in the menu. For best experience consider setting all of your resolutions to the same value as your desktop resolution.
  
• I can't capture it using OBS! In the launcher, change your Screen control mode to Windowed or Mixed, it should then work.
  
• The mouse sensitivity is too high! You can adjust this in the launcher too. If it's at 100, try it at 0.
  
• 4k resolution does not work properly! I think this was an issue in the 1.0 stable. Try updating to the latest alpha.
  
• I can't get to the special on level 4 of the campaign! You're playing New Game Plus, a version of the original campaign with added difficulty. Each map has a secret hidden bonus objective for getting the transfer special (such as not having too many creatures, or a time limit). If you want the transfer special, you'll have to be extra clever.
  
• I've seen something cool but I can't do it on mine! It might be a new feature! Try updating to the latest alpha.
  
• I've found a bug/issue! If you're using the 1.0 stable, try updating to the latest alpha. Otherwise, let people in the Discord know or submit a ticket on the KeeperFX github.
  
• How do I update to the latest alpha? On the KeeperFX website, click on "download latest alpha" in the Downloads page. Once this is downloaded, make a copy of your 1.0 files, then copy the alpha files over the top to patch it. Note: your saves will not be compatible and will stop working, so consider waiting until you've finished that map or campaign before you update! If you really need to, there are cheats that let you skip levels in a campaign, which can be used to help you get back to where you were, but you will not be able to get your unlocked bonus levels back.
  
• I want more content! Check out the KeeperFX workshop for more maps, campaigns, tools, creatures, objects and more!
  
• I want to make stuff! Great! There are tools on the KeeperFX workshop that help with mapmaking, scripting, model making and more!
  
• I've got some other issue I can't fix! Join the Keeper Klan Discord, we'll help!

Optimisation

So, you've got it working, but not how you like it. Here are some things you can adjust to make it even better!

• Resolution: As mentioned above, the launcher allows you to set custom resolutions, which you can switch between ingame with Alt+R. It's best to set ingame and menu resolutions to your monitor's resolution, but if you want the classic feel, select 640x400x32, and if you're a masochist who wants the really classic feel and want low-res, add 320x200x32 to the custom resolution (note some new/custom graphics may be missing or offset in this resolution).
  
• Windowed/monitors: If you want to play windowed, or just want to tab out easily, consider switching to Windowed or Mixed mode. This should also make streaming the game in OBS easier, as it can then find the game window. If you want the game to start on a new monitor, download the latest alpha and the option should be there.
  
• Language: The game supports all of the original languages it did, plus a few more. These should all work fine and come with Mentor dialogue to match (if you were a fan of the old Russian mentor speeches, they are available in the KeeperFX workshop). If your language is not supported or contains errors and you want to help contribute, reach out on the Keeper Klan Discord.

Some useful tools for KeeperFX also include:

• Updater: Check out ImpLauncher on the KeeperFX workshop.
  
• Map editor: Unearth by rainlizard (itch.io)
  
• Scripting tool: VSCode plugin
  
• Creature/sprite maker: CreatureMaker, on the FX workshop.

Hopefully that's everything! If there's other stuff, sorry!

[Prolific Spender]

Skull face i tried following your steps and failed. Can i get some help with a step by step on how to make steam run it off the rip like you described on Jul 18, 2024?

[aucat]

Once this addon is installed I shouldnt run the game from steam anymore right?

[Skullface]

I just tried it. Copied the extracted KeeperFX files into the DOSBOX Folder. Used the Launcher to install KeeperFX on the Dungeon Keeper Folder. Renamed the original Dungeon Keeper.exe. Renamed KeeperFX.exe to Dungeon Keeper.exe. Press Play on Steam, it launches KeeperFX, tracks played time, and shows on Status

[Skullface]

I'm aware of being able to add "non-Steam" Games to my Library. Is there a way to fool Steam into launching DK to track time, but it launches KeeperFX instead? Something like copying the KeeperFX Files into the local DK's DOSBOX Folder and renaming the launcher or keeperfx executable to Steam DKs executable?

[Hotless]

can you choose the AI difficulty like for example easy, medium (or normal) and hard ??

[snaze]

is there a special way to get this set up on steam deck?

[Spatulade]

You can add KeeperFX manually to your steam list.

[ShadowZaly]

will this make it so KeeperFX runs thru steam itself or do you still have to run KeeperFX out of Steam???

[Spatulade]

Yeah, there are a huuuuge number of updates in the alpha patches since the last stable.

[Khanway]

Make sure to also get some of the alpha patches https://keeperfx.net/downloads/alpha
KeeperFX is basically a new game, and there are some outstanding balance issues that the patches try and fix. Specifically the poison gas nerf, which makes the game still challenging, but less unfair