At this point, most of us have more than likely heard of the word “cyberpunk”. 

Whether it’s the subgenre of science fiction that’s keen on exploring dystopian narratives, the general cyborg aesthetic, or the incredibly popular game named Cyberpunk 2077, we’re seemingly growing more accepting to the doom and gloom that defines these made-up worlds – perhaps because they frighteningly mirror our own.

Enter Solarpunk. A survival-based game developed by a two-man crew, it promises players a tech-enabled future that’s optimistic and community-driven as opposed to grim and hopeless. A love letter to the social movement of the same name, Solarpunk invites you to take a deep breath, slow down, and completely lose yourself as you explore the picturesque floating islands that populate the game’s charming hand-crafted world.

But as fun as waking alone on a floating island may seem at first, by your 10th hour you’ve likely seen at least half of what the game has to offer. Luckily, the Solarpunk game is easily moddable so you can quickly add more reasons to play while taking in the Unreal Engine 5-powered scenery.

In this guide, we’ll share everything you need – from where to get mods to how to safely enable them in Solarpunk – without using any third-party apps. All you need is a copy of the game, a bit of patience, and a cup of whatever you fancy to keep the good vibes flowing.

What You Should Know Before Modding Solarpunk

Before you start modding the game, you first need to own an official license from verified places like Steam or Epic Games Store. While Solarpunk can also be bought on consoles, these versions are unfortunately not moddable, so make sure to grab a Windows-compatible license.

Next, you’ll need to download mod files for the game – usually .pak or .zip files – from a reputable game modding website like CurseForge to ensure you’re getting the latest mod versions without worrying about infecting your machine with sneaky malicious software.

Finally, you’ll need to know where your "~mods" folder is located as this is where the game will look for all the extra content that you wish to include, whether it’s things like enhanced textures, gameplay improvements, or new game modes.

With that out of the way, let’s walk you through the exact steps of how you can quickly boot up any Solarpunk mod using the manual (a.k.a. copy and paste) installation method.

Pro Tip: Always make sure to back up your save files BEFORE using mods. This way, if a mod causes issues or corrupts your save, you can simply uninstall it and restore your old save file so you can continue your playthrough like nothing ever happened.

How to Quickly Install Any Solarpunk Mod

Solarpunk is currently officially supported on Windows, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5, with support for Nintendo Switch 2 coming as well. However, for the purposes of this guide, we will focus on the Windows platform specifically as it’s the only version that can work with mods.

Here is what you’ll need to do:

1. Download your chosen mods from CurseForge or another vetted website.
2. Open your game folder and navigate to "Solarpunk" → "Content" → "Paks".
3. If you don’t see a "~mods" folder in there, make sure to create one yourself.
4. Extract your mod files (if .zip) or copy and paste them (if .pak) into your "~mods" folder. 
5. Launch the game and verify that the mod is working.

Tip: CurseForge handles all of these steps for you – all you need to do is choose a mod, click "Install", and dive straight into modded Solarpunk gameplay.

Important: Not all mods may use the .pak format. If a mod contains different file types, it likely involves a unique installation process, so always make sure to check the individual project page for any specific instructions.

Ready. Set. Start Modding!

That’s all there is to it – with just a bit of folder diving, you now know how to confidently set up any Solarpunk mod with your eyes closed (although we highly recommend keeping them open the first few tries just in case).

Before you set off into the sunset with your modded copy of the game, we’ll leave you with some final words of wisdom to ensure a flawless modding experience:

1. Always get mods from trustworthy websites like CurseForge.
2. Carefully read the description of each mod to proactively spot potential mod conflicts.
3. Backup your game saves frequently as installing a new mod or updating Solarpunk to the latest version may lead to an unexpected crash or a corrupted save file.

Now, set forth to explore new lands, customize your home base, update your UI, and don’t forget to share a picture of the jaw-dropping view beneath your freshly modded airship!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a third-party app to install Solarpunk mods?

Not necessarily as you can get any mod up and running by simply following the steps in this guide. However, if you want a more simplified setup (especially if installing multiple mods), platforms like CurseForge provide a streamlined installation process while ensuring that all your mods are compatible, up to date, placed in the appropriate folder, and malware-free.

Can I install mods through Steam?

No, as the game does not have an official Steam Workshop page. However, you can still place your mod files manually by heading to your game installation folder. By default, on Windows this would be "C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\Solarpunk\Content\Paks\~mods".

Why are my mods not working?

There are several common reasons why a mod may not function correctly:

• The mod is designed for a different game version. Some games – especially new releases – can push out updates more frequently, which could break older mods. Before installing a mod, always check that it supports the current live version of the game. For already installed mods, make sure to visit each project page to see if there are any new updates available.
• Required dependencies are missing or outdated. Many mods rely on additional files, frameworks, or libraries to work properly. Double-check the mod’s official page and make sure all listed dependencies are installed and up to date.
• A mod is conflicting with another mod. Some mods are not compatible with each other. Review the mod's documentation or official page for known incompatibilities. If that’s the case, you may need to remove or disable one of them to solve the issue.

My game crashes or freezes after the latest update

This may not necessarily be due to a mod, although there’s a chance that a new game update may have broken an older mod that used to work just fine before that. We recommend removing all mod files from the folder and trying a clean version of the game to eliminate the mod factor.

If the game’s performance is still inconsistent or outright crashes to desktop, Solarpunk players recommend to:

• Verify your game files through your game launcher to check for missing files.
• Install the latest DirectX updates and Windows system fixes.
• Install the newest available graphics drivers.
• Add your game folder to the exception list of your antivirus program.

We also recommend keeping up with this Steam post where the developer has listed the officially confirmed issues they’re working on resolving.