# Rimworld: old west meets sci-fi **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** video-games-e-games\ **Created:** [September 7, 2015, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rimworld-old-west-meets-sci-fi/730244 "2015-09-07T16:17:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2025, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rimworld-old-west-meets-sci-fi/730244/302 "2025-08-16T23:09:01Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > decided to stick with a single-person colony Does the game let you manually give orders to a colonist? I have not yet picked up Rimworld – still scared off by the graphics – but I quite enjoyed the stripped down / dumbed down rip-off Stranded: Alien Dawn. Many of the mechanics you guys are discussing here in the thread featured prominently in S:AD. When I ran a single colonist game in S:AD, I did set his priorities but most of the time I manually told him each action I wanted him to do when I wanted him to do it. He was my only colonist anyway, so it’s not like I was paying attention somewhere else. ---
**Author:** ![Palooka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/palooka/32/2902_2.png) [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2025, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rimworld-old-west-meets-sci-fi/730244/303 "2025-08-16T23:10:36Z")
You can micro them if you want. It’s pretty much needed for success during the hard solo colonist start. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2025, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rimworld-old-west-meets-sci-fi/730244/304 "2025-08-16T23:13:45Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > Does the game let you manually give orders to a colonist? Yeah, you can manually give them a sequence of things to do. And in “draft” (combat) mode you tell them exactly where to go. Mostly though I tweak the priorities to get them to focus on something. I wish I could give certain jobs a higher priority the way ONI does it. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2025, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rimworld-old-west-meets-sci-fi/730244/305 "2025-08-17T00:49:20Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > I started a new game with The Rich Explorer and decided to stick with a single-person colony. So far it’s going quite well, and I don’t plan on adding any other pawns. How do you feel about having [Roombas](https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=724602224) around? They don’t need anything other than periodically returning to their base for recharging; you’ll need [a different mod](https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2271338001) for assigning them work priorities. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2025, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rimworld-old-west-meets-sci-fi/730244/306 "2025-08-17T00:51:46Z")
Oh, I was definitely hoping for something like that. Might give it a try. Cleaning is one of the more annoying things about the game, especially since I haven’t yet found a way to limit cleaning to indoor areas (like my bedroom). I did finally train a bear to haul stuff, though. That’s been a real time-saver. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2025, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rimworld-old-west-meets-sci-fi/730244/307 "2025-08-17T01:08:38Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > Oh, I was definitely hoping for something like that. In that case, [here’s an add-on](https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2966777634) for other bot types; there are also [Drones](https://steamcommunity.com/workshop/filedetails/?id=2921075539) ( e.g.: [firefighter](https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2922941898) ) but those require [Androids](https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2889326293) and a bunch of batteries for power. In 1.4, Drones needed batteries until they could automatically recharge by tapping into various electronics; should still be the same in 1.6. One of my custom scenarios is a “Roomba Lord” – one of those Androids with several Roombas and Drones. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2025, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rimworld-old-west-meets-sci-fi/730244/308 "2025-08-17T01:43:10Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > especially since I haven’t yet found a way to limit cleaning to indoor areas (like my bedroom). Go to Zones and remove that area from being part of your home ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2025, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rimworld-old-west-meets-sci-fi/730244/309 "2025-08-17T01:48:53Z")
I believe you mean set “home” coverage to just indoors. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2025, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rimworld-old-west-meets-sci-fi/730244/310 "2025-08-17T01:49:10Z")
Yeah, that! ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2025, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rimworld-old-west-meets-sci-fi/730244/311 "2025-08-17T03:21:54Z")
Hm. I get modded trees in modded biomes and no trees, other than Anima, in vanilla biomes. I’ll try rolling back my mod list back to the earliest working version and re-enable mods in groups, seeing where the trees disappear. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2025, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rimworld-old-west-meets-sci-fi/730244/312 "2025-08-17T12:59:44Z")
I decided it would be fun to have a second save with very different ideoligion going, so I started a tribal cannibal run. One of my first events was a space battle. Dozens of corpses and four injured people I can take captive landed in my territory. This is a VERY good event for cannibals! It would suck on my Kibbutz run, where people get a mood debuff for seeing a dead body. One captive joined us; another decided to leave as soon as they could walk. Yeah, bud, not sure that’s gonna happen… ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2025, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rimworld-old-west-meets-sci-fi/730244/313 "2025-08-17T16:32:43Z")
> [@Raza](#): > > I’m really missing the LWM expanded storage mod. > [@Raza](#): > > Thanks for the tip. It looks great, though it has a couple of dependencies I am not currently using, but I’ll check it out. Someone called SP4RTAN, with help from someone else called Garret, [have put out a continued version for 1.6.](https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3532608331) ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2025, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rimworld-old-west-meets-sci-fi/730244/314 "2025-08-17T16:53:53Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > Dozens of corpses and four injured people I can take captive landed in my territory. This is a VERY good event for cannibals! It’s actually not all that great because _tribal_ cannibals can’t store all that food. I needed that event to happen _after_ I got refrigeration! ---
**Author:** ![Raza](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raza/32/213_2.png) [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2025, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rimworld-old-west-meets-sci-fi/730244/315 "2025-08-17T16:58:25Z")
Thank you, Mr. Watcher. Functionally it works well, but graphically: corn, for some reason, overflows display-wise. Not a big deal though. I’m playing a 1.6 coastal map, and tamed a seal which is advanced trainable. Unfortunately, their Filth rating is about 6x that of a dog, and they are leaving seal slime everywhere indoors. So, sadly, I’ve resorted to excluding them from indoors, which limits their hauling utility, but I’ve just subscribed to one of the **door mat** mods, and I’m hoping that will solve the problem. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2025, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rimworld-old-west-meets-sci-fi/730244/316 "2025-08-17T18:54:44Z")
Oompa loompa doompety doo, I’ve got another bullet for you. I doubt I’ll use them but I was just perusing [a list of race mods](https://steamcommunity.com/workshop/filedetails/?id=3136953898) and [found the 1971 originals.](https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3142846855) Speaking of door mats, I just subscribed to one; maybe I’ll stop using [Cleaning Station.](https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1541893512) It’s not marked as 1.6 but it is buildable so probably needs to be added to [No Version Warning.](https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2599504692) ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2025, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rimworld-old-west-meets-sci-fi/730244/317 "2025-08-17T19:24:17Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Oompa loompa doompety doo, I’ve got another bullet for you. > > I doubt I’ll use them but I was just perusing [a list of race mods](https://steamcommunity.com/workshop/filedetails/?id=3136953898) and [found the 1971 originals.](https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3142846855) I’m playing with Alpha Genes, Mammalia, and the various Vanilla Races Expanded offerings. It gives me plenty of variety - a little _too much_ in some factions to where I downloaded a Faction Customizer mod that will let me tweak each faction’s makeup. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2025, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rimworld-old-west-meets-sci-fi/730244/318 "2025-08-17T19:31:46Z")
Tried that, and it helps, but it’s super annoying that every time I repair a trap it adds it back into the home area. I guess maybe there’s a mod for that, too… ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2025, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rimworld-old-west-meets-sci-fi/730244/319 "2025-08-17T19:54:37Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > I guess maybe there’s a mod for that, too… There’s a base game setting to turn off auto expansion on construction, but then you do have to remember to add it in when you DO expand your base. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2025, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rimworld-old-west-meets-sci-fi/730244/320 "2025-08-17T22:12:03Z")
Just don’t forget that your home area is also your firefighting area. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2025, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rimworld-old-west-meets-sci-fi/730244/321 "2025-08-17T22:14:11Z")
Hmm, yeah, that’s problematic. I don’t want to be constantly cleaning my ranch, but I also don’t want the fence to burn down. Maybe I can select _just_ the fence? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rimworld-old-west-meets-sci-fi/730244.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rimworld-old-west-meets-sci-fi/730244.md?page=17)