How To Change Map Size in RimWorld Odyssey

By Ambar Jimenez | 2025-07-16 10:02:07
RimWorld Odyssey introduces the exciting ability to embark on a nomadic journey to the stars, discovering new planets and biomes where you can establish settlements. A crucial consideration for any playthrough, especially with the added complexity of gravships and interstellar travel, is the map size. The chosen map size significantly impacts both your gameplay experience and your system's performance.

Understanding Map Size in RimWorld Odyssey

In RimWorld Odyssey, the map size for a specific landing tile is determined at the time of world/map generation when your gravship lands. Once you've chosen a tile and settled, the size of that particular map is fixed and cannot be changed mid-colony. This means careful consideration during world generation is essential.Here's a quick overview of the common map size categories in RimWorld:
  • 200x200 (Small): Provides a confined space but generally offers the best performance.
  • 250x250 (Medium, Default): The standard map size, offering a good balance between space and performance.
  • 300x300 (Large): Provides ample building space and resources but can begin to impact performance, especially on less powerful systems.
  • Beyond 300x300 (Manual Config or Mods): These sizes are often considered "experimental" by the game developers. While they offer vast space, they can severely degrade performance and potentially affect game balance and AI behavior.
If you don't manually select a size during world generation, the game will default to a 250x250 map.

How To Change Map Size in RimWorld Odyssey

Since map size is determined at generation, you have a few options to change it for a new game:

  • During World Creation (Advanced Options):

    • When starting a new game, navigate to the Advanced Options section before you finalize your world and select your landing site.
    • Within these options, you'll find a setting to adjust the local map size.
  • Game Mods:

    • Many third-party mods, often found on the Steam Workshop, allow for greatercontrol over map generation, including custom map sizes. Mods like "Better Map Sizes" are popular choices.
    • Compatibility Check: Always ensure that any mod you install is compatible with your currentversion of RimWorld and the Odyssey expansion to avoid game crashes orunexpected behavior.
    • Mod Settings: Be aware that some map size mods might require you to change thedesired size within the mod settings themselves, rather than the in-game advanced options during world generation.
  • Edit Via XML (For Tech-Savvy Users):

    • For users comfortable with file editing, you can directly access the game's XML files.
    • Locate the ModSettings.xml file within the game's directory.
    • Find and modify the defaultMapSize section to your desired dimensions.
    • Warning: Setting this value too high can significantly impact game stability and performance, potentially leading to a "broken" game experience. Proceed with caution and back up your files before making changes.
  • Can You Change Map Size During Playthrough?

    No, you cannot change the map size in RimWorld Odyssey mid-playthrough. Once a map is generated and your colony is established on that specific tile, its dimensions are fixed. Any changes made through mods or XMLediting will only apply to new maps you generate in subsequent playthroughs or if you settle a new colony on a different tile.

    Best Map Size To Play

    Choosing the "best" map size largely depends on your hardware specifications,preferred playstyle, and tolerance for potential performance impacts.

    • For Best Performance (and weaker PCs): Opt for smaller maps like 200x200. While offering limited building space and potentially fewer salvageopportunities, these maps provide the smoothest gameplay experience,especially in the late game with many colonists and active processes.
    • For Balanced Play (Recommended for most): The 250x250 (Default) map size is the most advisable. It offers a good amount of space for baseexpansion and resource gathering without generally causing significantperformance issues on modern systems.
    • For More Space and Resources (Requires a beefy PC): If you have powerful hardware and desire ample room for sprawling bases, extensive farming, or larger-scale defenses, larger map sizes like 300x300 can be appealing. They provide more resources and space but will demand more from your PC, potentially leading to slowdowns in the late game,especially with large numbers of pawns, animals, and complex structures.

    It's also worth noting that larger maps can sometimes affect game balance by making raid pathfinding more spread out or making long-distance travelfor your pawns (e.g., for hauling or responding to distant events) moretime-consuming, potentially impacting efficiency. However, theperformance impact is generally the more significant factor to consider.

    Developer(s): Ludeon Studios
    Publisher(s): Ludeon Studios
    Mode: Single-player
    Video preview



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