ContractVille Complete Guide: How to Invite Friends, Play on Steam Deck, and More

Have you ever felt the thrill of building your dream construction empire in ContractVille, only to wish you could share the experience with your friends? The good news is, ContractVille offers a multiplayer mode where you can team up with others. But like any multiplayer game, things can get complicated. If you’re wondering how to invite friends, play ContractVille on your Steam Deck, or even how many players the game supports, you’re in the right place.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about playing ContractVille multiplayer, selling cars, managing recycled materials, and even some insider tips on how to play the game on Steam Deck. Let’s dive in.

How to Invite Friends to ContractVille

First things first if you’re going to play ContractVille multiplayer, you need to know how to invite your friends. It might seem simple, but it’s a critical step that can make or break your gaming session.

When you’re starting a new game or loading a previous save, you’ll see various options on the main menu. Do not forget to check the multiplayer box located just below the “manual” and “auto saves” options. This is a step many players overlook, but it’s essential. If you don’t check that box, you’ll be dropped into a single-player game, which means no friends allowed!

Once you’re in the game, hit ‘ESC’ on your keyboard to pause the action. From there, select “Invite Friend.” This will open a detailed screen, showing information about your company, current players, and roles. To invite your friends, simply click the green box that says “Invite Friend,” which will bring up your Steam Friends List. Choose your buddies, send them an invite, and you’re good to go!

Managing Your Multiplayer Server

It’s fun to invite friends, but there’s a limit to how many players ContractVille can handle in one server. The game supports up to four players in co-op mode, including yourself. However, keep in mind that heavy missions especially demolition tasks that generate a lot of debris can strain lower-end systems.

If you think your system might struggle with four players, consider reducing the number to two or three. It’s better to have a smoother gameplay experience with fewer players than to deal with lag and slowdowns when too much debris clutters the screen.

How to Play ContractVille on Steam Deck

Is ContractVille compatible with Steam Deck? Well, yes and no. Officially, there isn’t support for the handheld device just yet. But don’t lose hope there’s a workaround. Here’s a step-by-step guide provided by the developers themselves, though it requires some tinkering.

1. Download the File: Start by downloading a specific file from Google Drive. You can find the link in the developer’s post.
2. Switch to Desktop Mode: Press and hold the power button on your Steam Deck to bring up the menu, and switch to Desktop Mode. Be careful not to hold the button too long, as the device will shut down.
3. Navigate to the File: Use the folder icon at the bottom of your screen to open the file explorer (Dolphin). You’ll need to go to the path /home/deck/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/2698780/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/AppData/Local/ContractVille/Saved/Config/WindowsNoEditor/
4. Replace Engine.ini: Drop the “Engine.ini” file into this folder and overwrite if prompted.
5. Configure Launch Options: Return to Gaming Mode and open the launch options for ContractVille in your Steam library. Add the following: -force -dx11 -xgeshadercompile -nothreadtimeout -useallavailablecores -sm4
6. Activate Proton Hotfix: In compatibility settings, check the box to force the use of a specific compatibility tool Proton Hotfix.

Following these steps should allow you to play ContractVille on Steam Deck. It’s not perfect, but it works until official support arrives.

Can You Sell Cars in ContractVille?

One of the first things you’ll notice in ContractVille is the junk vehicle your cousin gives you a three wheeler that’s more trouble than it’s worth. Luckily, you don’t have to be stuck with it forever. Here’s how to sell it and upgrade to something more useful.

There are two dealerships in ContractVille, located in the central city north of your starting town. The southern dealership sells smaller vehicles, while the northern one offers larger trucks and vans perfect for a growing construction business.

To sell your current vehicle, park it in one of the yellow-and-black parking spots at either dealership. Then, head to the nearby terminal and interact with it. The terminal will display your vehicle’s details, including its sell price, which is always lower than the original purchase price. Hit the “Sell Price” button to confirm, and just like that, you’re ready to upgrade.

How to Sell Recycled Materials in ContractVille

In ContractVille, nearly every task generates waste, from demolishing buildings to clearing out job sites. Instead of discarding everything, you can sell recycled materials for some extra cash.

Once you’ve collected recyclables, head to the Advanced Factory the game’s only recycling centre. Drive your loaded truck to the factory, park near the crusher machines, and drop off the corresponding boxes of recyclables. After interacting with the nearby terminal, you’ll receive a recycling ticket, which you can take to the booth to get paid.

Controller Support in ContractVille: Is It Coming?

If you’re someone who prefers playing games with a controller, you might be wondering if ContractVille offers controller support. Currently, the answer is no but the developers have stated that full controller support is on their roadmap, with a potential release in November.

However, this feature is still “under consideration,” which means there’s a chance it might not happen. For now, if you’re looking for a smoother, more relaxed gameplay experience, you’ll need to stick to the keyboard and mouse. But stay hopeful controller support could be just around the corner.

Is ContractVille Coming to Consoles?

As of now, there are no plans to bring ContractVille to PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S. However, with controller support on the horizon, a console release isn’t completely out of the question. Developers are increasingly porting simulation games to consoles, and ContractVille could follow suit.

While we wait for more updates, it’s clear the focus remains on the PC version. With its early access period nearing completion, the team is working hard to polish the game before its official 1.0 launch in December.

Conclusion: Build, Play, and Thrive in ContractVille

Whether you’re playing with friends, selling cars, or managing recyclables, ContractVille offers a unique and engaging experience. While it’s not perfect (yet), the game’s developers are continually improving it, and there’s plenty more to come. So invite your friends, start building, and who knows maybe one day you’ll even be playing it on your console or Steam Deck.

Stay tuned for more updates and happy building!