HTF Map Loader

A generic custom-island loader for How to Fish.

Requirements

• How to Fish 1.0.5
• BepInEx 5 / Mono x64
• Windows x64

For map creators:

• Unity 6000.4.4f1
• Project template: Universal 3D (URP)

What it does

HTF Map Loader allows custom maps to be distributed as independent Thunderstore packages instead of requiring every map to ship its own BepInEx plugin.

It supports:

• Unity AssetBundle scenes
• automatic or manual island placement
• conflict avoidance with existing island navigation positions
• native-style island navigation triggers
• radar markers and per-map radar colors
• IslandHolder
• PlayerSpawnPoint
• BoatSpawnPoint
• runtime repair of common island objects
• optional built-in Seagull and Clam spawners
• independent map packages installed anywhere below BepInEx/plugins

Installing

Use Install with Mod Manager.

BepInEx is declared as a dependency and will be installed automatically by a compatible Thunderstore mod manager.

Manual installation is also possible by placing HTFMapLoader.dll inside BepInEx/plugins.

Where maps are discovered

Version 0.2.8 scans installed plugin packages recursively for:

BepInEx/plugins/**/Maps/**/map.json

It also remains compatible with the old layout where a Maps directory sits beside HTFMapLoader.dll.

That means a third-party map can have its own Thunderstore package:

BepInEx/
└── plugins/
    └── SomeMapPackage/
        └── Maps/
            └── MyMap/
                ├── map.json
                └── my_assetbundle

Creating your first map

1. Install Unity 6000.4.4f1.
2. Create a Universal 3D (URP) project.
3. Create your island scene.
4. Add an IslandHolder root.
5. Add colliders to walkable geometry.
6. Add PlayerSpawnPoint and BoatSpawnPoint.
7. Build the scene as a Windows x64 AssetBundle using the included builder.
8. Put the bundle beside map.json.
9. Test navigation, radar, collisions and respawning in-game.

Full documentation is included in docs/.

Recommended Unity hierarchy

IslandHolder
├── Environment
│   ├── Terrain
│   ├── Rocks
│   ├── Buildings
│   └── Colliders
├── PlayerSpawnPoint
└── BoatSpawnPoint

Keep IslandHolder at:

Position: 0, 0, 0
Rotation: 0, 0, 0
Scale:    1, 1, 1

For most maps use:

"positionMode": "auto",
"moveScene": true

The loader will choose a free world/navigation position.

Included creator files

docs/
├── MAP_CREATION_GUIDE.md
├── MAP_JSON_REFERENCE.md
└── THUNDERSTORE_MAP_PACKAGE.md

examples/
├── beginner_map.json
└── advanced_map.json

Unity/
└── Assets/
    └── Editor/
        └── HTFMapBundleBuilder.cs

Test map

Rival Isles is the reference/test package for the loader and can be installed separately.

Changelog

0.2.8

• Added recursive discovery of independent Thunderstore/r2modman map packages.
• Scans BepInEx/plugins/**/Maps/**/map.json.
• Keeps compatibility with the legacy Maps folder beside the loader DLL.
• Keeps custom island registration append-only.
• Automatic conflict-free navigation placement.
• AssetBundle scene loading and unloading.
• Native-style radar integration.
• Player and boat spawn marker support.
• Optional Seagull and Clam map wildlife.

0.2.7

• Initial generic map-package loader implementation.