# Downloadable Content (DLC)

Add optional downloadable content to your games — expansion packs, cosmetic bundles, seasonal content, and more. Players can browse, install, and manage DLCs directly from the launcher.

{% hint style="info" %}
**What is a DLC?**\
A DLC works exactly like an [app build](/help/applications/upload-builds.md) but is **optional** to install. *E.g. Winter Extension Pack, Soundtrack, Art Book.*
{% endhint %}

***

## Overview

DLCs are managed from a dedicated **DLC** tab inside each App. Each DLC entry has its own builds, environments, and settings — independent from the main app build.

<div data-full-width="true"><figure><img src="/files/6Vnp0ginWhhEER9W32ao" alt=""><figcaption><p>App - Downloadable Content (DLC) Tab</p></figcaption></figure></div>

***

## Creating a DLC

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Navigate to Your App**

Log in to your [Game Launcher Cloud](https://app.gamelauncher.cloud/dashboard) account and select your app from the sidebar.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Open the DLC Tab**

Click on the **DLC** tab inside your application page.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Create a New DLC**

Click **+ Add DLC** and fill in the required information:

<table data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th width="170">Field</th><th width="116">Required</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>✅ Yes</td><td>The display name of the DLC (e.g. "Winter Extension Pack")</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Cover Image</strong></td><td>Optional</td><td>A cover image displayed in the launcher's DLC Manager</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Install Mode</strong></td><td>✅ Yes</td><td>How the DLC is installed on the player's machine (see <a href="#install-modes">Install Modes</a>)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Interaction URL</strong></td><td>Optional</td><td>A URL that opens when a player clicks the DLC cover or title in the launcher</td></tr></tbody></table>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

<figure><img src="/files/iPghnLeKPqSCTBe10xu7" alt=""><figcaption><p>Edit DLC View</p></figcaption></figure>

***

## Install Modes

Choose how the DLC files are installed on the player's machine:

| Mode            | Behavior                                                                    |
| --------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Subfolder**   | DLC is installed inside a subfolder within the app's installation directory |
| **Independent** | Players choose a custom folder for the DLC installation                     |

{% hint style="info" %}
**Subfolder** is recommended for most DLCs, as it keeps content organized within the game directory. Use **Independent** when the DLC content needs to live in a separate location.
{% endhint %}

***

## Uploading DLC Builds

DLC builds follow the same process as [app builds](/help/applications/upload-builds.md). You can upload builds via the **Dashboard** or the **CLI**.

### Dashboard Upload

1. Open your DLC entry from the **DLC** tab
2. Navigate to the **DLC Builds** section
3. Upload a `.zip` file with your DLC content
4. Wait for processing to complete
5. Set the build as **Active** for the desired environment

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Build structure:** Just like app builds, files must be in the root of the ZIP. Avoid wrapping them in a single folder.
{% endhint %}

### CLI Upload

Use the CLI tool for larger DLC builds:

| Command      | Description                                          |
| ------------ | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| `dlc-upload` | Upload DLC builds with interactive flow and progress |
| `dlc-status` | Check DLC build processing status (watch/json modes) |

[📖 CLI Documentation](/help/extensions/cli-releases/cli-builds.md)

***

## Merge Builds

DLC builds support **Merge Builds**, just like app builds. This allows you to upload only the changed files and have Game Launcher Cloud automatically merge them with the existing DLC baseline build.

This is useful for small DLC updates — such as fixing a texture or updating a configuration file — without re-uploading the entire DLC package.

***

## Key Capabilities

| Feature                 | Description                                                                      |
| ----------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Create & Edit DLCs**  | Add DLC entries with name, cover image, install mode, and interaction URL        |
| **DLC Builds**          | Upload DLC builds and assign them to environments, just like app builds          |
| **Merge Builds**        | Upload only changed files and merge them with the baseline DLC build             |
| **Install Mode**        | Subfolder (inside app directory) or Independent (custom folder chosen by player) |
| **Interaction URL**     | Optional URL that opens when a player clicks the DLC cover or title              |
| **Environment Support** | Assign DLC builds to different environments (Development, Staging, Production)   |

***

## Player Experience

Once DLCs are configured and active, players can manage them directly from the Desktop Launcher:

<figure><img src="/files/8sIXok8aTzg1gErskZTC" alt=""><figcaption><p>Downloadable Content Window in the Launcher</p></figcaption></figure>

* **Browse available DLCs** with cover images and descriptions
* **Install / Uninstall** individual DLCs with a toggle switch
* **Independent install mode** — Choose a custom folder for DLC installation
* **Auto-verification** — Installed DLCs are automatically verified in the background using checksum validation
* **Interaction URL** — Click on a DLC cover or title to open the configured URL
* **Open install folder** — Quickly open a DLC's install folder in the file explorer
* **Repair integration** — DLC verification is included as part of the **Repair Game** flow

***

## Next Steps

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>📦 Upload Builds</strong></td><td>Learn how to upload and manage app builds</td><td><a href="/pages/mGJHHW4GYRnaKtHG4nGm">/pages/mGJHHW4GYRnaKtHG4nGm</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>🌍 Environments</strong></td><td>Configure Development, Staging, Production</td><td><a href="/pages/Bzo5c15XEsyTL0bEaWsM">/pages/Bzo5c15XEsyTL0bEaWsM</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>⚙️ Application Settings</strong></td><td>Customize platform-specific settings</td><td><a href="/pages/R9GcUrYO2GcAmi9barJy">/pages/R9GcUrYO2GcAmi9barJy</a></td></tr></tbody></table>


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