Category:Modding

What is modding?
"Modding" is just jargon for "modifying" – altering – video games. Savvy fans dive into the back-end of their favorite games to fix bugs, update graphics, or introduce new elements.

How to get mods working for latest version (IL2CPP Backend)
With the help of some brilliant modders (mod creators) a new modding platform was created called MelonLoader. It basically lets modders create mods for IL2CPP in the same way they would make them for the Mono backend with mostly minimal alterations. The only drawback as of right now is that it doesn't work on Mac or Linux, MelonLoader is strictly for 64bit Windows, for now.

Windows (64-Bit):

 * To get things started you'll want to download MelonLoader, the link will take you directly to the GitHub download link.
 * Once you get that file run it and click the SELECT button.
 * Look for the tld.exe in your The Long Dark installation folder.
 * Click Install and you're done.

As for installing mods it has to be done manually due to the mod installer available for previous versions being outdated and only supporting 1.56 (I'm serious. All mods there will be downloaded for 1.56 and can potentially crash your game), so head to http://xpazeman.com/tld-mod-list/ for the latest versions of mods and visit the discord (link below) for mods posted by other users! To install mods simply go to your The Long Dark installation folder, open the mods folder and drop any dll's and folders associated with them inside.

If you have any issues visit the The Long Dark Modding server! (link below). Also while you're in game disable any telemetry options so the modded game doesn't send data to Hinterland.

How to get mods working for 1.56 (Mono Backend)
While modding is now back on track with latest versions of the game, some of the more popular mods are still stuck in the old 1.56 version of the game. If you wish to play them and have a 1.56 version of the game installed (either from a old gog release or Steam time capsule "beta" branch for TLD) you can follow these steps to get mods working there.

Join the Oficcial modding discord for TLD https://discord.gg/crmcbgH (The link will never expire).In the discord you can talk with moders and get help with mods

Windows (64-bit):

 * Download  from the downloads page
 * Extract the entire ZIP archive
 * Run  by double-clicking the file.
 * Select TLD's executable file (e.g. at )
 * Check that the "file status" label now says  or
 * Press the "Patch" or "Update" button
 * If the text in the lower left corner says "Done!", the mod loader has been installed correctly. If it doesn't, please create an issue on the issues page!

MacOS:

 * Download  from the downloads page
 * Extract the entire ZIP archive
 * Run  by double-clicking the file.
 * Select TLD's executable file (usually at )
 * Check that the "file status" label now says  or
 * Press the "Patch" or "Update" button
 * If the text in the lower left corner says "Done!", the mod loader has been installed correctly. If it doesn't, please create an issue on the issues page!

Linux (64-bit):

 * Download  from the downloads page
 * Open a terminal in your downloads folder and run the following command:


 * Select TLD's executable file (usually at )
 * Check that the "file status" label now says  or
 * Press the "Patch" or "Update" button
 * If the text in the lower left corner says "Done!", the mod loader has been installed correctly. If it doesn't, please create an issue on the issues page!

32-bit operating systems / other

 * Download  from the downloads page
 * Make sure a Java 8 runtime that includes JavaFX is installed (e.g. Amazon Corretto 8)
 * Run
 * Select TLD's executable file
 * Check that the "file status" label now says  or
 * Press the "Patch" or "Update" button
 * If the text in the lower left corner says "Done!", the mod loader has been installed correctly. If it doesn't, please create an issue on the issues page!

Installing mods:

 * It is recommended that you use WulfMarius's Mod-Installer to automatically install and manage your mods, but since the application wasn't updated in a long time there are some mods that will require you to install their latest versions of them manually, and overall it would be recommended to do so. All latest versions of mods can be found here, simplifying the download process. http://xpazeman.com/tld-mod-list/1.56/
 * To install them simply drag and drop dll's and their associated folders into the mods folder inside your The Long Dark installation directory.

DISCLAIMER
'''Any crashes and issues you have with your game after installing mods should be directed to the The Long Dark Modding Discord!!!! The games devs are not there to help you if you break the game as they do NOT officially support modding as of yet. It will only serve to annoy them and make them even more resentful to modders!!!'''