Among 7 Days to Die mods, there are not only “mods you play on their own,” but also mods that exist as “components for running other mods.” This (2.2) IDC Core is very much the latter. It appears to be a core library that bundles together, into a single package, the DLLs (program components) commonly used by the several mods released by the author, I Dont Care.
What Kind of Mod Is It?
According to the description, this mod itself does not add any new items, enemies, or features to the game. Its role is to provide “a common foundation so that the same DLL doesn’t have to be bundled redundantly across multiple mods.” In other words, it’s a base that you need to have installed as a prerequisite in order to run compatible mods.
When each mod carries the same DLL individually, version differences tend to cause conflicts or waste storage space. The design philosophy seems to be to avoid that by splitting the shared portion out into a single place. It’s a concept close to what game development calls a “library.”
The author also states that other mod creators can make use of this core, and that documentation is available. It can apparently serve as a foundation for creators who want to use the same mechanism in their own mods.
Main Features
- It adds nothing on its own: Installing it won’t change anything about the game itself. It’s purely a prerequisite for running compatible mods.
- Avoids duplicate DLLs: Multiple mods end up referencing a single shared component, which seems to be a design that helps avoid waste and conflicts.
- Usable by mod creators too: Documentation is provided, and it can reportedly be leveraged as a foundation for your own mods.
Installation Tips
Just like a typical mod, it’s said that you can install it simply by placing it in the Mods folder. However, note that there are a few prerequisites to be aware of.
- It appears that you need to turn off EAC (Easy Anti-Cheat). This is a common requirement for mods that include DLLs.
- Installation is required on both the client side and the server side. If you’re playing multiplayer, don’t forget to install it on the server as well.
- There’s little point in installing this mod on its own; the basic idea is to install it together with the “compatible mods that depend on it.” Before installing, it’s reassuring to check the description of the mod you want to play to see whether this core is required.
Because it carries a version number (2.2), we recommend also checking, when you update, that it doesn’t conflict with the version required by the compatible mods.
Who It’s Recommended For
- People who want to install other mods by I Dont Care (it may be required as a prerequisite)
- People who don’t mind using mods that include DLLs and play in an EAC-off environment
- Mod creators who want to leverage a shared-library mechanism in their own mods
Conversely, it’s not suited for those expecting “this mod on its own to add some new way to play.” It’s best understood as a behind-the-scenes support layer for compatible mods.