While *Stardew Valley*'s recent update generated significant buzz, players have long leveraged the power of mods to enhance their experience. From enriching NPC storylines to adding unique cosmetic items, modding unlocks a world of creative possibilities. Here's how to get started.
How to Mod Stardew Valley on Windows
Step One: Back Up Your Save File
This is highly recommended, especially for established farms. Losing hours of progress is disheartening. If you're starting fresh, skip this step. Backing up is easy:
- Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type
%appdata%and press Enter. - Navigate to the
Stardew Valleyfolder, then theSavesfolder. - Copy the contents to a safe location on your PC.
Step Two: Install SMAPI
SMAPI is the essential mod loader, seamlessly integrating mods into your game. Download it directly from their website. Remember, SMAPI itself isn't a mod; it's the tool that enables modding. Don't extract it into your mods folder.
After downloading, extract the ZIP file (your desktop or downloads folder works well). Run SMAPI and select "Install on Windows," following the on-screen instructions.
Step Three: Configure Your Game Client (If Necessary)
If you play Stardew Valley through Steam, GOG Galaxy, or the Xbox app, you might need extra steps to maintain playtime tracking and achievements. Further details on client configuration can be found here.
Step Four: Installing Mods
Now for the fun part!
Nexus Mods is a popular source for Stardew Valley mods. Mods are usually ZIP files that need extracting. After extraction, move the contents into the Mods folder (automatically created after SMAPI installation). The Mods folder location varies depending on your game client:
- Steam:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Stardew Valley - GOG Galaxy:
C:\Program Files (x86)\GOG Galaxy\Games\Stardew Valley - XBox App:
C:\XboxGames\Stardew Valley
That's it! With thousands of mods available on Nexus alone, there's a wealth of content to explore for both veteran and new players.
Stardew Valley is available now.
