MelonLoader Mods
Install MelonLoader for The Boss Gangster: Criminal Empire and add Boss Menu safely with this step-by-step mod setup guide.
Why The Boss Gangster: Criminal Empire MelonLoader Matters
Modding The Boss Gangster: Criminal Empire starts with one dependency: MelonLoader. Without it, DLL-based mods have no loader to hook into the Unity game. Install MelonLoader first, add Boss Menu, then open the game and check that its menu appears. Getting The Boss Gangster: Criminal Empire MelonLoader right the first time saves you from a dead end: a mod file sitting in the wrong folder with no menu to show for it.
The Boss Gangster: Criminal Empire runs on Unity, so mods packaged as DLL files need an external loader. MelonLoader supplies that layer. Boss Menu, the all-in-one menu mod by ScriptedSoul, is built specifically for it. Install MelonLoader first, then copy the mod DLL into the Mods folder. This is why The Boss Gangster: Criminal Empire MelonLoader setup should come before any menu download.
A clean The Boss Gangster: Criminal Empire MelonLoader install keeps two locations separate. The loader lives in the game directory. Mod DLLs live inside the Mods folder within that directory. Boss Menu’s current 1.3 release lists 450 total downloads, 386 unique downloads, 2,228 views, and 7 endorsements. Those numbers do not guarantee compatibility, but they show the mod is actively used.
| Requirement | Why it matters | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| The Boss Gangster: Criminal Empire installed | The installer needs a real game folder | The game launches normally before modding |
| MelonLoader | Boss Menu is built for this loader | The latest recommended version is installed |
| MelonLoader installer | Adds loader files and folders to the game directory | You have melonloader.installer.exe |
| Boss Menu download | Contains the mod DLL | The archive includes bossmenu.dll |
| Game folder access | Needed for manual selection and file copying | You can open the folder through Steam or a shortcut |
| Mod permissions | Boss Menu does not allow reuploads or conversions | Modification and asset reuse require permission |
Before You Install: Requirements and Safety Checks
Before you begin The Boss Gangster: Criminal Empire MelonLoader setup, close the game and locate its installation folder. If you use a desktop shortcut, right-click it, open Properties, and choose Open file location. On Steam, open your Library, right-click the game, choose Manage, then Browse local files. Keep that folder path handy; you will need it if MelonLoader does not detect the game automatically.
Download the MelonLoader installer from the official Lava Gang GitHub releases page, or use the MelonLoader requirement link attached to the Boss Menu download. The installer file is named melonloader.installer.exe. Run it only after the game is installed. If you prefer a conservative setup, select version 0.7.3 and leave nightly builds unchecked. Nightly builds are optional test versions, not the default choice for a normal mod install.
Boss Menu’s permissions are strict. Do not upload the mod file to other sites, do not convert it for other games, and do not reuse its assets without permission. Modification also requires the author’s approval. Those rules apply even if you only plan to share a modified version with friends.
Keep these checks in mind before touching the files:
- Confirm the game folder contains the game’s
.exefile. - Download Boss Menu from its official mod listing, not a random mirror.
- Extract the mod archive before looking for
bossmenu.dll. - Do not place the DLL in the game root by mistake.
- Leave the MelonLoader installer open until it confirms success.
Step-by-Step: The Boss Gangster: Criminal Empire MelonLoader Installation
The installer does most of the work, but manual selection is common when a game is not detected. Follow the order below so the loader and the mod do not end up in the wrong places.
| Step | Action | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Download the installer | Get melonloader.installer.exe from official MelonLoader releases or the Boss Menu requirement link |
| 2 | Run the installer | Allow it to scan for supported installed games |
| 3 | Add the game manually if needed | Open the game folder through the shortcut or Steam, copy the path, paste it into the installer, then select the game’s .exe |
| 4 | Select the game | Click the game entry to continue |
| 5 | Choose a loader version | Version 0.7.3 is a conservative option; leave nightly builds unchecked |
| 6 | Install | Wait for the progress bar and confirmation message |
| 7 | Verify the folder | Confirm MelonLoader files and folders now sit in the game directory |
If the installer lists the game automatically, skip the manual path steps. If it does not, do not guess the folder. Use the shortcut or Steam’s Browse local files option to open the exact directory, then copy the address bar path. In the installer, choose Add game manually, paste the path, press Enter, select the game’s executable, and click Open. The game should then appear in the installer list.
Version selection is simple: use a standard release and avoid nightly builds unless you have a specific reason to test one. The setup shown for this game uses 0.7.3 with nightly builds off. After installation finishes, click OK, close the installer, and look inside the game directory. MelonLoader should have added the folders it needs, including the Mods folder used by DLL mods.
With The Boss Gangster: Criminal Empire MelonLoader installed, the rest is a file-copy job. Do not launch the game yet if you still need to add Boss Menu. Finish the mod installation first, then start the game once.
Installing Boss Menu After MelonLoader
Download Boss Menu from its official mod listing, open the Files tab, and choose manual download. Extract the archive after it finishes. Inside, locate bossmenu.dll. Copy that file, open the Mods folder inside the game installation directory, and paste it there. The DLL should sit directly in Mods, not inside an extra extracted folder.
| Stage | What to do | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| Download | Open the Boss Menu files section and use manual download | Your Downloads folder |
| Extract | Unzip the downloaded archive | Any temporary folder |
| Copy | Select bossmenu.dll | The game’s Mods folder |
| Launch | Start the game after the copy is complete | Game installation directory |
| Open | Press Insert during gameplay | In-game menu overlay |
Boss Menu version 1.3 is the current compatibility update. It targets the latest game version, fixes broken features, improves item spawning and shop category organization, repairs player skill upgrades and enemy freeze, and removes the custom Limousine feature. The earlier 1.1 update fixed Lockpick Never Breaks, added Unlimited Weapon Durability, added more vehicles to the Car Dealer spawn list, and expanded weapon and product item spawning.
When you launch the game, give it a minute or two. The first load with MelonLoader can take longer than a vanilla start. Once you are in-game, press Insert to open or close the Boss Menu. If the menu appears, the loader and DLL are both in the right place.
Boss Menu Features at a Glance
Boss Menu is designed as an all-in-one control panel rather than a single cheat. Its feature list covers combat, money, movement, progression, inventory, and employee management. The table below groups the main options so you can decide which ones to use first.
| Feature group | Examples | Good use case |
|---|---|---|
| Combat | God Mode, One-Hit Kill, No Reload, Freeze All Enemies, Unlimited Weapon Durability | Surviving difficult fights or testing combat setups |
| Economy | Add Cash, Free Shopping, Cash Income Multiplier | Reducing money grind |
| Movement | Teleport Anywhere, Quick Destination Teleports, Walk/Run Speed Multiplier | Traveling across the map quickly |
| Progression | Max Player Skills, Unlock All Upgrades, Complete Active Quests, Max Employees Ability, Keep Employees Motivated | Testing late-game options |
| Inventory and utility | Spawn Vehicles, Spawn Items, Inventory Size Multiplier, Max Stack Size, Freeze Time, Heal Player, Never Wanted | Building a sandbox-style session |
The menu also includes Lockpick Never Breaks, Easy Pickpocketing, and a clean in-game interface. More features are planned for later updates. Because Boss Menu is a menu mod, its options are toggles and actions rather than separate game modes. Use them deliberately, especially in a save you intend to keep.
Outside the mod menu, a few vanilla mechanics are worth knowing. Lockpicks lose durability when you make a mistake, and a higher Lockpicking skill widens the sweet spot when stealing a car. Stolen car prices depend on damage and how many cars you have already sold that day; an undamaged first sale earns half the dealership price, and a second sale on the same day is reduced by half again. For custom radio music, place MP3 files in the Mods > Radio folder, then scroll stations with mouse button 3; the third station plays your custom tracks.
Troubleshooting The Boss Gangster: Criminal Empire MelonLoader and Boss Menu
Most setup problems come down to a wrong path, a missed installer step, or an outdated mod version. Work through the checks below before reinstalling everything.
| Symptom | What to check | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| The game is missing from the installer list | Automatic detection did not find it | Use Add game manually and select the game’s .exe |
| The installer cannot find the folder | The wrong directory was pasted | Open the folder through Steam or the shortcut, then copy the path again |
| Boss Menu does not appear | The DLL may be in the wrong place | Place bossmenu.dll directly inside the Mods folder |
| The menu still does not open | The hotkey may not have been pressed | Press Insert during gameplay |
| The game takes a long time to load | First launch with MelonLoader can be slow | Wait a minute or two before assuming it failed |
| Features break after a game update | The mod may need a compatibility update | Install the latest Boss Menu version; 1.3 is a compatibility release |
| MelonLoader itself is missing | The installer may not have completed | Run the installer again and confirm the success message |
If the menu appears but some options do not behave as expected, check the mod version first. Boss Menu 1.3 specifically addresses player skill upgrades, enemy freeze, item spawning, and shop category organization. An older DLL can miss those fixes. If you chose a nightly MelonLoader build, switch back to a standard release and leave nightly builds unchecked.
Keep the downloaded installer and mod archive until you confirm everything works. That way, you can repeat the same steps without hunting for files again. Do not move the MelonLoader folders out of the game directory, and do not rename bossmenu.dll; the loader expects the DLL in the Mods folder.
Smart Modding Habits for a Stable Setup
A little order goes a long way with The Boss Gangster: Criminal Empire MelonLoader mods. Keep the game folder, the Mods folder, and your downloaded archives separate. Extract mods in a temporary folder, copy only the DLL you need, and launch the game after each major change. If something stops working, you can remove the DLL and retrace your last step.
Use one clear version of each mod. Do not keep duplicate DLLs with slightly different names in the Mods folder. When Boss Menu releases a compatibility update, replace the old DLL rather than stacking files. The 1.3 changelog shows why this matters: it repairs several features and updates the mod for the latest game version.
Respect the mod author’s terms. Boss Menu does not permit reuploads or conversions, and modification or asset reuse requires permission. Those restrictions are part of using the mod responsibly. They also prevent version confusion for other players.
Finally, treat menu features as testing tools and sandbox options. Spawn a vehicle, try a teleport, or add cash in a session where you are comfortable with the changes. If a feature seems broken, confirm the game and mod versions, then check whether a newer Boss Menu release is available. Stable files and clean folder structure solve more problems than repeated reinstalls.
FAQ
Do I need The Boss Gangster: Criminal Empire MelonLoader for Boss Menu?
Yes. Boss Menu is built for MelonLoader and requires it before the DLL can load. Install MelonLoader first, then place bossmenu.dll in the Mods folder.
Where does bossmenu.dll go?
Put it directly inside the Mods folder in the game installation directory. Do not place it in the game root or leave it inside an extra extracted folder.
How do I open the Boss Menu in-game?
Press Insert during gameplay. The same key closes the menu. If nothing appears, confirm the DLL location and wait for the game’s first load to finish.
What should I do if MelonLoader does not detect my game?
Use Add game manually in the installer. Open the game folder through its desktop shortcut or Steam’s Browse local files option, copy the folder path, paste it into the installer, and select the game’s .exe.