Overview
The building system in Outbound uses modular parts that players craft and attach to their camper van. Construction happens both inside and on top of the vehicle, turning a basic van into a personalized mobile home. Co-founder Marc Volger has said: "Crafting isn't just about survival, it's about expression."
Interior building
Inside the van, players can place workstations, furniture, decorations, stoves, storage containers, curtains, candles, and garden beds. The interior layout affects both functionality and comfort. A well-organized interior keeps essential tools within reach while leaving room for personal touches.
Exterior building
With certain vehicle upgrades, players can build foundations and walls on top of the van. This enables multi-level designs where a garden greenhouse might sit on the roof above a workshop interior. The van building guide covers layout strategies for balancing rooftop features with vehicle weight and height.
Building tools
Two tools are central to the building process. A power drill is used to assemble and secure modular parts, speeding up construction and ensuring precision. A paint sprayer applies colors and coatings to both interior and exterior vehicle surfaces.
Materials
Building components are crafted from resources gathered in the world: wood, panels, paint, scrap metal, fibre, and other materials. A Recycler device converts collected litter into "Download Tickets," which serve as currency at computer stations to unlock new blueprints.
Blueprint progression
New building components are unlocked through the technology tree. Signal towers scattered throughout the world offer downloadable blueprints. Most signal towers present multiple options to choose from, and the available options vary between players for replayability. Signal towers can refresh their offerings over time, rewarding revisits. The game also features a small skill tree for upgrading driving performance, energy capacity, and navigation abilities.
Kickstarter additions
Two Kickstarter stretch goals expanded the building system: Modular Sofas (mix-and-match seating components) and Building Plus (additional construction features). These additions give players more options for customizing their van's layout and appearance.