TLOCDB

Mechanic · Building

Build Mode

Place prefab buildings or build piece by piece on your ranch; costs and stockpiles show while building.

Facts

Each fact links to where it comes from.

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Patch history

5 versions

Every fact about Build Mode by game version, newest first.

VersionWhat we know
Planned
  • Plans call for more creative choice and better blending of buildings into terrain.
  • Building and customization are a major focus for the next milestone.
  • Ranch building is aimed at utility, progression and customisation, not defence; Rust-like rules may come on some servers later. Unconfirmed
  • Moving existing buildings around the ranch is being explored.
  • Buildings will change appearance as you level materials, from rustic log cabin to lumber houses with more comfort.
  • Plan: more build mode features next milestone so ranches look less alike.
  • Build mode is getting a huge overhaul by a designer for the next alpha.
  • Developers say building is unfinished and want it much better for early access.
  • Build mode needs another milestone after Alpha 5 for its final UI; Alpha 5 keeps the temporary one.
  • The developers see the building system as early and intend to improve it a lot for Early Access.
  • Planned: save building designs to rebuild a ranch after a reset or share them with friends.
Dev build
  • Undo and redo were added.
  • Several improvements to build mode.
  • Placing the house is finicky because trees block placement; known bug with tree placement circles.
  • Placement shows an indicator of what invalidates a spot, but it was bugged on trees in this build.
  • House prefab needs a very large cleared footprint, roughly 8 to 12 meters from obstacles; considered not shippable as is.
  • Once one building is placed, footprints can be placed to clear other trees quickly.
  • Custom build mode lets players place buildings piece by piece instead of using prefabs.
  • Furnishings and processing stations placed on a ranch use the placeable system with previews and fit checks.
  • Described as the alpha version of the building system, with more to come. Unconfirmed
Alpha 5
  • Players can start from a prefab or build piece by piece with many finishes; the build UI shown is temporary.
  • Furnish and select modes let players customize a ranch mine and add props such as barrels, crates and lanterns.
  • Prefab houses, the lumber mill workshop, trading post and storage shed can all be customized and furnished.
Alpha 4
  • A material choice menu now sits at the top of the build menu.
  • Shows building costs before and while placing, plus stockpile status for unfinished buildings.
  • New placement and Build Mode keybinds were added; the UI is temporary.
  • More build options and variations are being added, with UI redone to make adding variations easier.
  • The default ranch house is yellow; custom houses are possible but few people use them.
  • Build Mode received work for Alpha 4.
March alpha
  • Alpha 1 building had many bugs and exploits, and placing buildings on uneven terrain was hard.

Sources

13

Official posts, videos and game data this page is built from.

SourceDateUsed
The Legend of California Dev Livestream (October) (opens in a new tab) VideoOct 17, 20264
Alpha Weekend Livestream - Jeff & Tim Play on Dread Rock (PvP server) (opens in a new tab) VideoSep 20, 20262
Alpha 4 Patch Notes (opens in a new tab) Steam postSep 16, 20263
Alpha 4 Dev Update - The Legend of California (opens in a new tab) VideoSep 16, 20261
The Legend of California Dev Livestream (August) (opens in a new tab) VideoAug 15, 20264
The Legend of California Dev Livestream (July) (opens in a new tab) VideoJul 18, 20261
Dev Update: Peak California (opens in a new tab) Steam postJun 18, 20261
The Legend of California Dev Livestream (June) (opens in a new tab) VideoJun 6, 20266
Jeff Kaplan talks about the future of the Building System (opens in a new tab) VideoMay 11, 20261
The Legend of California Dev Livestream (May) (opens in a new tab) VideoMay 2, 20263
Dev Update: Alpha Recap (opens in a new tab) Steam postApr 10, 20262
California's dynamic world is the star of the show. (opens in a new tab) VideoMar 29, 20261
Jeff Kaplan + Tim Ford Play 10 MORE HOURS of The Legend of California (opens in a new tab) VideoMar 22, 20261

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