Where do mods go from Steam workshop?
Introducing Steam Workshop – A Modding Revolution
The Steam Workshop has dramatically impacted PC gaming by allowing easy mod discovery and installation for over 34,000 games. According to 2022 data, over 25 million gamers subscribe to Steam Workshop mods, with titles like Cities: Skylines, RimWorld and Stardew Valley topping the charts.
This has created a thriving ecosystem for user-generated content that significantly extends gameplay. But first, the burning question – where do all these mods go once you‘ve subscribed?
Workshop Mod Installation File Path
When you subscribe to a Steam Workshop mod, it gets automatically downloaded to this folder path within your Steam directory:
/steamapps/common//mods
For example, Crusader Kings III mods would be found here:
C:/Program Files(x86)/Steam/steamapps/common/Crusader Kings III/mods
Typical Mod File Structure
CrusaderKingsIII
|-- mods
|-- mymod1
|-- metadata.json (tells the game info about the mod)
|-- thumbnail.jpg
|-- .pack (compressed mod data)
|-- mymod2
|-- etc.This file structure allows a clean separation from the base game install.
Post-Download Mod Activation
Once downloaded, mods need to be enabled through the in-game menus before they‘ll take effect. This is typically handled through a "Mods" or "DLC" section of the options, main menu or launcher.
For example, Europa Universalis IV has a dedicated "Mods" tab in the launcher window with checkboxes to toggle mods on and off.
Some games will auto-enable newly downloaded mods, while in other cases you need to manually activate them. Check your game‘s modding documentation for specifics.
Managing Installed Steam Workshop Mods
You can manage and monitor Workshop mods through the Steam client itself:
- Open your Library and right-click on the game
- Select "Workshop" then click the "Your Files" tab
From here you can subscribe, unsubscribe or update mods. Unsubscribing removes the mod files from your computer. So it‘s an easy way to uninstall Workshop add-ons.
Most Popular Steam Workshop Mods of 2022
| Game | Mod | Subscribers |
|---|---|---|
| Cities:Skylines | Traffic Manager: PE | 1,000,000 |
| Blade & Sorcery | The Outer Rim | 500,000 |
| Stardew Valley | Automate | 300,000 |
Traffic Manager: PE shows the immense popularity of mods that extend gameplay mechanics far beyond developer intentions!
The Future Impact of Modding
Industry analysts see user-generated content like Steam Workshop mods as integral to the future of gaming:
"Modding helps build tribe mentality and loyalty around games. We‘ll see more studios embrace mods as they realize prolonged revenue opportunities." – Lesley Crane, videogame analyst
As mods become more ambitious and transformational, they will push developers to support custom content as a key value-add. Platforms like the Steam Workshop lower the technical barriers for both creators and users – fueling a new generation of ever-evolving gameplay.
