RimWorld update 1.7 moves the game from Unity to Waylith, an in-house engine built by Ludeon Studios. The developer says the game looks and plays the same, ran faster in its tests, and remains compatible with the vast majority of mods without changes from their authors. Those are Ludeon’s claims—not independently verified results—and they do not guarantee that every mod or PC will work perfectly.
What the engine switch means
In an announcement published October 12, 2026, Ludeon Studios said update 1.7 moves RimWorld from Unity to Waylith, its own in-house engine. The studio says the change does not alter how the game looks or plays. It has not publicly detailed Waylith’s architecture or explained exactly how the transition preserves compatibility with existing mods and saves.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
This is an engine change bundled into a game update, not a new game or a visual overhaul. Ludeon describes the transition and its claims in its October 12 announcement.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →How much faster is RimWorld on Waylith?
Ludeon summarizes its tests as showing a 2–4x performance improvement. It also reports 2.2x better performance in a late-game colony and a decrease in load time for a 1,500-mod pack from 14 minutes to 6 minutes. These are studio-reported test results; the announcement excerpt does not specify the test hardware or full workloads, and Ludeon says results vary by PC and mods. They should not be treated as a promise that every player will see the same gains.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
The figures indicate that Ludeon tested both gameplay performance and a heavily modded load, but they do not establish how a particular computer or mod setup will perform. No independent benchmark validating the reported numbers is established here.
Will existing mods still work?
Ludeon says the vast majority of mods work on 1.7 without changes from their authors. That is encouraging, but it is not a guarantee for every mod: the announcement does not identify which specific mods were tested or certify universal compatibility.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
A yellow warning on a mod may reflect its listed game-version label rather than a demonstrated incompatibility, according to Ludeon. Treat the warning as a reason to check the mod’s page and test your setup, not as proof that the mod is broken—or proof that it is safe.
What the change offers mod authors
Ludeon says Waylith lets modders use newer C# language features, makes it easier to write complex mods without harming performance, and makes larger visual changes and custom effects more accessible. More than two dozen modders helped test the update and provide feedback, the studio said. Those statements describe the engine’s intended modding benefits; they do not mean every existing mod has been updated or verified.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Can you move saves between 1.6 and 1.7?
Ludeon says saves can move in both directions: 1.6 saves load in 1.7, and 1.7 saves work when returning to 1.6. The announcement does not establish that every save and mod combination has been tested. Before trying an unstable build, keep a separate copy of any save you care about and avoid overwriting your only copy while checking whether your particular setup works.
How to try update 1.7, and what to check first
At the time of the October 12, 2026 announcement, 1.7 was available as an unstable beta on Steam, while the main branch remained on 1.6. These are announcement-time details and may have changed. Check Ludeon’s official Steam announcements for current branch status and instructions.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
- Check the current status. Read the latest official announcement before switching branches; the unstable beta is not the same as the main release.
- Preserve your current game. Keep a separate copy of important saves and note which mods your colony depends on before testing a new branch.
- Switch only if you want to test. Follow the current Steam branch instructions from Ludeon. The announcement establishes Steam’s unstable beta, but does not provide enough detail here to reproduce the exact menu path reliably.
- Test your own setup. Load a copy of a save, check essential mods in play, and watch for errors. A version-label warning alone does not establish a failure, but a successful load does not guarantee every feature works.
- Return to the main branch if needed. Use Steam’s current branch instructions and your preserved save copy; do not assume a save or mod combination will behave identically across branches.
Will older PCs run update 1.7?
Ludeon cautioned that 1.7 may not run on PCs more than 10 years old. This is a warning, not a formal minimum specification: the announcement does not provide a precise hardware cutoff or a component-by-component requirement. The performance claims also do not show that players need to buy a new PC, RAM, or storage device.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesWhat Ludeon has not revealed
The announcement does not explain Waylith’s technical design, publish detailed benchmark hardware and workloads, or provide a complete list of tested mods. It also hints that another game is being made with Waylith, saying RimWorld is not the only game on the engine, but gives no title, genre, or release date. Anything more specific would be speculation.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
