Welcome to Groundwork Simulator
An untouched hillside, a fleet of heavy machinery and gold waiting beneath the surface: this is where your operation begins. Groundwork Simulator is an open-world heavy machinery simulator from XYZ STUDIO, built around digging, hauling and washing for gold.
Take the controls of excavators, wheel loaders and bulldozers. Choose where to work, reshape the land and build a washing setup that connects your first bucket of dirt to your next gold recovery. Work at your own pace or share the job with friends.
Every bucket changes the landscape
Cut into hillsides, dig trenches and pile up excavated material. Every scoop changes the ground, leaving new routes, slopes and challenges for the machines that follow.
Planning matters beyond the next bucket. The access route you cut and the material you leave behind become part of your worksite, shaping how you tackle the next job.
Work with realistic excavation physics
A realistic excavation engine and simulated hydraulic feedback bring resistance to every scoop. As your bucket meets the ground and fills with material, the machine responds to the load.
Adjust your angle and work with the available hydraulic power to cut, fill and lift. Operating the machine is part of the challenge, from positioning your first cut to moving a full bucket.
From dirt to gold
Start by exploring the land and testing for gold-rich deposits. Use a drill rig to investigate the ground, choose a promising location and prepare your digging operation.
Excavate material and bring it to your wash plant. Water carries it through the sluice boxes, and the concentrate is processed on the shaking table. Drilling, digging, hauling and washing all contribute to your gold recovery.
Work solo or share the site
Run the operation yourself or divide the jobs in online co-op. Take the excavator while a friend handles transport, or coordinate deliveries to keep the wash plant supplied.
The shared worksite gives every machine a role. Together, you can keep material moving from the digging area to processing as the operation grows.
Keep the water flowing
Pumps and hoses supply water to your washing operation. Position your equipment and route connections across the site to get water where it is needed.
As the worksite changes, adapt the setup. A growing operation needs a water supply that keeps up with the equipment and the material being processed.
Move your machinery to the next job
Load heavy equipment onto a trailer and haul it by truck to your next worksite. Line up carefully, plan the route and account for the load behind you.
Tight turns, slopes and rough ground make transport a job of its own. Unload where the machinery is needed, then get back to work.
Fight the terrain
Mud, slopes and uneven ground make every route a decision. Watch your traction and choose an approach that suits both the machine and its load.
Sometimes the way forward starts with improving the ground beneath your wheels. The terrain is part of the work, from reaching a deposit to carrying material away.
Help shape the game in Early Access
Early Access is planned for October 2026. The initial version is described on Steam as including one playable map, a range of vehicles and heavy machinery, and a story mode that introduces the core mechanics through a guided tutorial.
Early Access is expected to last approximately 3–6 months, though development progress and community feedback may change that estimate. Plans include another map, more vehicles, weather features and modding support, alongside improvements to usability and performance.
Feedback, bug reports and suggestions will help guide priorities. Follow development updates and join the Steam Community discussions to share your experience.