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Sandbox modding setup

This guide assumes you've already read, understood and did the relevant parts of the basic guide. If not, start here and circle back at the end of "Getting your map in-game".

Setting up the sandbox​

If you want to do client previews of your maps locally you can use the sandbox for that. Note that the sandbox/launcher used in this article is specifically made to only work with a 9.2.7.45745 client.

  • Make a folder somewhere that can host the sandbox and the client.
  • Download the latest release of the Sandbox and extract it to a subfolder called Sandbox.

(Option 1) Setting up a new client​

  • Download the required client files from here. Note that this client is a streaming client and it'll stream data.
  • Extract it to a subfolder called Client.

(Option 2) Setting up an existing client​

If you have an existing unmodified 9.2.7.45745 client you can also use that with some modifications.

Note: Unmodified means unmodified, so do not try this with e.g. an Epsilon client.

  • In WTF/Config.wtf change the SET portal line to SET portal "127.0.0.1:8000".
  • In WTF/Config.wtf change the SET synchronizeSettings "0" line to SET synchronizeSettings "0".
    Add it if it does not exist.
  • Optionally, create a new file called login.txt next to WoW.exe that has the following contents so it logs you in automatically:
arctium@arctium
arctium

Setting up the launcher​

Note: Windows Defender might flag the download as a virus, this is a false positive and an exception might need to be added before redownloading.

  • Download the latest release of the Launcher and extract it next to WoW.exe (should be in Client/_retail_).

Configuring the upconverter​

  • In the MapUpconverter set the export target to "Arctium" and set the folder to the folder "Arctium WoW Launcher.exe" is in (again, should be Client/_retail_).
  • If this is the first time converting the map, make sure Convert-on-save is disabled.

Running the sandbox​

  • Double click "Arctium WoW Sandbox.exe".
  • If prompted for a firewall exception (first time only) allow it. This sandbox does not connect to the internet but still has to bind itself on local ports.
  • Let it start.

Running the client​

  • Double click "Arctium WoW Launcher.exe" (not Wow.exe!). For the first launch it might take a minute to show anything as it is downloading required files.
  • If it doesn't automatically log you in with the included login.txt, you can login manually with the account arctium@arctium and password arctium.
  • Select the realm, create a character and log into the world as usual.

(Optional) Enabling hot-reloading​

You can optionally install the hot-reloading extension to almost immediately see any changes you make in-game, check out this on how to set that up.