BaNaNaS

BaNaNaS is a free content service for OpenTTD, with downloadable material available on its website and through the game client. Its catalog covers base graphics, sounds and music, NewGRFs, AIs and AI libraries, game scripts and their libraries, scenarios, and heightmaps. Listings can show an item’s name, latest version, upload date, license, and project site when provided. The service tracks dependencies and provides access to the latest content files. The site directs users to download through OpenTTD’s built-in content downloader. BaNaNaS is described as a volunteer project. Anyone uploading content must sign in through GitHub, be an author of that content, and use a license compatible with its source material. Uploaders authorize the OpenTTD team to distribute the material centrally and on the website, and to retain earlier versions for save games that need them. OpenTTD says session cookies are used only for authenticated service areas, with no functional or third-party cookies.

BaNaNaS brings a broad range of OpenTTD content into one catalog, with dependency tracking and older versions retained for save-game support. Downloads go through the game’s built-in downloader, while uploads come with authorship, licensing, and distribution conditions.

It suits OpenTTD players looking for game content such as graphics, scripts, AIs, or scenarios. Content authors who want to upload must meet the authorship and licensing requirements and sign in through GitHub.

Overview

BaNaNaS is OpenTTD’s catalog for community-made game content, from graphics and music to AIs and scenarios. It is best for players who want additions suited to OpenTTD and are comfortable downloading through the game client. Its narrow focus is an advantage for OpenTTD, but a limitation for players seeking mods across multiple games.

Key features

The catalog covers base graphics, base sounds and music, NewGRFs, AIs and AI libraries, game scripts and their libraries, scenarios, and heightmaps. Bringing these categories together gives OpenTTD players a single destination for different kinds of game additions. Listings show package names, latest versions, upload dates, licenses, and project sites when provided, giving players useful context for judging currency and provenance.

Dependency tracking helps players account for related packages, while version history can matter when a save relies on an older release. BaNaNaS provides access to the latest content versions, and its terms permit older versions to be retained to support loading save games that use them. The website and OpenTTD client both provide access to content, but downloads are directed through the game’s built-in downloader. That makes the client the intended route for installation; players who specifically want a direct-download workflow may prefer another repository.

The service is a volunteer project and relies on external authentication. Browsing the catalog does not require an account, but uploading requires a GitHub login and acceptance of the terms. OpenTTD says session cookies are used for authenticated service areas such as BaNaNaS, with no functional or third-party cookies. Its privacy statement says registration may collect a GitHub username and user identifier.

Pricing

BaNaNaS is free. Its Free plan costs nothing and provides access to content downloads through the website and OpenTTD game client. There is no free trial because there is no paid plan to trial. The free offer is a good fit for players who want OpenTTD content without a subscription; it is a focused catalog rather than a paid service with tiers or broader game coverage.

Platforms

BaNaNaS is available on the web, with content also accessible through the OpenTTD game client. The service covers one game. Players can browse through the website, but the downloader in OpenTTD is the route the service asks them to use for obtaining content.

Who it's for

BaNaNaS suits OpenTTD players looking for graphics, audio, NewGRFs, AI, scripts, scenarios, or heightmaps, especially those who value package dependencies and retained versions. It is also relevant to creators who want to contribute OpenTTD content, provided they meet the upload rules. Uploaders must be an author of the content and use a license compatible with its source material. They grant the OpenTTD team rights to distribute the latest content centrally and through the website, and to retain older versions for save-game support. Creators unwilling to grant those distribution rights should not upload.

Pros and cons

• Pros: A broad range of OpenTTD content is gathered in one catalog, rather than split across separate category-specific services.
• Pros: Dependency tracking and version history help with package relationships and saves that depend on older releases.
• Pros: Free access through the website and game client makes the catalog available without a paid plan.
• Cons: The catalog covers one game, so it is not suited to players looking for a general mod repository.
• Cons: Downloads are directed through OpenTTD’s built-in downloader, which is less suitable for users who want a direct-download-first workflow.
• Cons: Uploading involves GitHub authentication, authorship and licensing requirements, and distribution rights granted to the OpenTTD team.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison of mod libraries, see Game Mod Repositories.

• RDR2Mods.com is a free alternative with Android, iOS, and web platforms.
• mod.io is a paid alternative spanning Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, Windows, and API access; its custom service tiers have custom pricing, and console support requires an advanced tier and platform approval.
• CurseForge is a freemium web catalog. Its free plan provides Minecraft mods and modpacks with web catalog access; its Premium Monthly plan has custom pricing.
• Factorio Mods is an alternative for Factorio players, with Linux, macOS, web, and Windows access. Portal functionality requires a verified purchase, and uploading requires a licensed Factorio copy and Factorio.com account.
• Farming Simulator ModHub is a free option for Farming Simulator content, with macOS, web, and Windows platforms and creator-owned content.
• ModWorkshop is a free web and API option for mod sharing and downloads; downloading does not require an account, and it has no artificial download throttling.
• OverTake Mods offers a free, ad-driven account with limited access, or a Premium yearly plan at €100 a year for an ad-free experience and unlimited downloads.
• Thunderstore is a freemium web and Windows option with API access; its free catalog covers over 110,000 mods across 300+ games.

Verdict

Choose BaNaNaS if you play OpenTTD and want a free, game-focused source for varied content, with dependency tracking and older versions available to support saves. Look elsewhere if you need a multi-game catalog, or if you want a download workflow outside OpenTTD’s built-in client.