Storage Hunters: Open World features four distinct areas that serve as the game's progression backbone. Each area has its own auction board, container types, NPC quest givers, loot pools, and mutation probability rates. As you increase your net worth, you unlock progressively better areas with higher-tier containers and more valuable loot. This All Areas Guide covers everything you need to know about each area, from the starter Junkyard to the endgame Shipyard.
How Area Progression Works
Area progression in Storage Hunters: Open World is tied to your net worth. As you earn more cash through auctions, quests, and item sales, your net worth increases. When you reach certain thresholds, new areas become accessible.
The four areas are designed as a linear progression path:
| Area | Order | Unlock Requirement | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junk Yard | 1 | Free (starter area) | Beginner |
| Back Alley | 2 | 750 Net Worth | Intermediate |
| Farmyard | 3 | Higher Net Worth | Advanced |
| Shipyard | 4 | Maximum Net Worth | Endgame |
Each area offers better containers, improved mutation rates, and more valuable quest rewards than the previous one. The goal is to progress through areas as efficiently as possible to maximize your earning potential. For a detailed walkthrough on reaching each area quickly, see our Area Unlock Progression Guide.
The Junkyard (Starter Area)
The Junkyard is where every Storage Hunters: Open World player begins their journey. This free starter area features low-tier containers, beginner-friendly quests, and a gentle introduction to the auction system.
Key Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Unlock | Free (available from the start) |
| Container Tiers | C-Tier (Junkyard Container, Storage Locker) |
| Loot Quality | Common to Uncommon items |
| Mutation Rates | Very low (mostly Common and Uncommon mutations) |
| NPCs | Billy (quest giver), Auctioneer |
| Shop | Basic shop with starter items |
| Auction Board | Yes (Junkyard auction board) |
Junkyard Containers
The Junkyard features two container types:
- Junkyard Container - The standard C-Tier container with low-value household items. Cheap to bid on, decent for learning the auction system.
- Storage Locker - A lower-tier container found across multiple areas. Very cheap but offers minimal returns.
Both containers are C-Tier, meaning they produce mostly common items with low mutation probabilities. For a complete container breakdown, see our All Containers Guide.
Junkyard NPCs
- Billy - The primary quest giver in the Junkyard. He offers beginner-friendly quests that reward cash, experience, and accessories like the Goggles. See our Auctioneer NPC Guide and Quest NPCs Guide for details.
Junkyard Strategy
The Junkyard is your training ground. Focus on:
- Learning the auction timing and bidding mechanics
- Completing Billy's quests for starter cash and accessories
- Building your net worth to 750 to unlock the Back Alley
- Practicing weight management and hauling efficiency
Do not overinvest in Junkyard containers. The returns are limited, and your goal is to progress to better areas as quickly as possible. Read our Beginners Guide for a complete early-game walkthrough.
The Back Alley (Intermediate Area)
The Back Alley is the second area you unlock, requiring 750 net worth. This area features B-Tier containers, improved mutation rates, and more valuable loot compared to the Junk Yard.
Key Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Unlock | 750 Net Worth |
| Container Tiers | B-Tier (Back Alley Container) |
| Loot Quality | Uncommon to Rare items |
| Mutation Rates | Moderate (Uncommon and Rare mutations common) |
| NPCs | Sal (quest giver), Shop Keeper |
| Shop | Expanded shop with mid-tier items |
| Auction Board | Yes (Back Alley auction board) |
Back Alley Containers
- Back Alley Container - A B-Tier container with better loot and mutation rates than Junkyard containers. The moderate bid cost is justified by improved expected value.
NPCs in the Back Alley
- Sal - The quest giver in the Back Alley area. His quest chain rewards the Cowboy Hat accessory and provides solid mid-tier cash rewards. See our Quest NPCs Guide for the complete walkthrough.
Back Alley Strategy
The Back Alley represents a significant step up from the Junk Yard. Focus on:
- Completing Sal's quest chain for the Cowboy Hat and cash rewards
- Bidding on Back Alley Containers for better loot quality
- Accumulating net worth to unlock the Farmyard
- Building your shop shelves and vehicle capacity
The Back Alley is where the game starts to feel more rewarding. Mutation drops improve noticeably, and item values increase across the board. For selling strategies, see our Shop Upgrades and Management Guide.
The Farmyard (Advanced Area)
The Farmyard is the third area, requiring a higher net worth threshold. This area features A-Tier containers, strong mutation rates, and the most valuable loot outside the Shipyard.
Key Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Unlock | Higher Net Worth (above Back Alley, below Shipyard) |
| Container Tiers | A-Tier (Barn Garage, Farmyard Container) |
| Loot Quality | Rare to Epic items |
| Mutation Rates | High (Rare and Epic mutations common) |
| NPCs | Ted (quest giver), Guide NPC |
| Shop | Premium shop with high-value items |
| Auction Board | Yes (Farmyard auction board) |
Farmyard Containers
- Barn Garage - An A-Tier premium container with excellent loot quality and strong Epic/Legendary mutation rates. The best container type before the Shipyard.
- Farmyard Container - The standard A-Tier container in the Farmyard area with consistently high-value items.
Farmyard NPCs
- Ted - The advanced quest giver in the Farmyard. His quests are more challenging but offer significantly better rewards. Ted's quests unlock the Monocle accessory and other valuable items. See our Quest NPCs Guide.
Farmyard Strategy
The Farmyard is where the real money starts flowing. Focus on:
- Completing Ted's quest chain for the Monocle and high-value rewards
- Targeting Barn Garages at auction for the best loot quality
- Farming for Rare and Epic mutation items
- Saving aggressively for the Shipyard unlock
The Farmyard is also where you should consider investing in gamepasses if you have not already. The Car Weight gamepass and Selling Space gamepass become increasingly valuable as item values and weights increase.
The Shipyard (Endgame)
The Shipyard is the final and most prestigious area in Storage Hunters: Open World. It requires the maximum net worth to unlock and features the best containers, highest mutation rates, and most valuable loot in the entire game.
Key Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Unlock | Maximum Net Worth |
| Container Tiers | S-Tier (Diamond Safe), A-Tier |
| Loot Quality | Epic to Legendary items |
| Mutation Rates | Best in the game (Legendary mutations possible) |
| NPCs | None area-specific (use Gas Station NPC for cross-area quests) |
| Shop | Endgame shop with exclusive items |
| Auction Board | Yes (Shipyard auction board) |
Shipyard Containers
- Diamond Safe - The S-Tier container, the best in the game. Diamond Safes offer the highest probability of Legendary mutations including Secret, Diamond, Chrome, Hologram, and Corrupted. They are extremely rare and expensive but the expected value is enormous. See our Diamond Container Guide.
- Standard Shipyard containers - A-Tier containers with exceptional loot quality and strong Legendary mutation rates.
Shipyard Strategy
The Shipyard is the endgame. Focus on:
- Bidding aggressively on Diamond Safes when they appear
- Farming for Legendary mutation items, including the Secret mutation
- Reaching the Shipyard endgame progression milestone for the Neon Glasses accessory
- Collecting remaining accessories to unlock the Aura Effect
- Trading Secret mutation items for the Diamond Necklace if you choose
The Shipyard is where the biggest profits and rarest items are found. Every auction carries significant risk and reward. For advanced money-making strategies, see our How to Get Rich Fast Guide.
Area Comparison Table
| Feature | Junk Yard | Back Alley | Farmyard | Shipyard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlock | Free | 750 NW | Higher NW | Max NW |
| Container Tier | C | B | A | S-A |
| Loot Quality | Low | Moderate | High | Very High |
| Mutation Rates | Very Low | Moderate | High | Best |
| Best Container | Junkyard Container | Back Alley Container | Barn Garage | Diamond Safe |
| Primary NPC | Billy | Sal | Ted | Gas Station NPC |
| Quest Rewards | Basic | Mid-tier | Advanced | Best |
| Recommended Bid Budget | 100-500 | 500-2000 | 2000-5000 | 5000+ |
| Risk Level | Low | Moderate | High | Very High |
Area Progression Tips
Quick Progression from Junk Yard to Back Alley
- Complete all of Billy's quests first (guaranteed cash)
- Bid conservatively on Junkyard Containers (100-300 cash max)
- Prioritize items with the best value-to-weight ratio
- Sell items promptly to keep cash flowing
- Check for lost items around the Junkyard for bonus rewards
Efficient Back Alley to Farmyard Progression
- Focus on Back Alley Containers with moderate bids (500-1500)
- Complete Sal's quests for bonus cash
- Look for Silver and Pure mutation items for consistent 1.5-2x profits
- Upgrade your shop shelves to handle more simultaneous sales
- Reinvest all profits into better containers and area progression
Farmyard to Shipyard Grind
- Target Barn Garages aggressively at auction
- Save all Gold mutation items (4x multiplier) for maximum sell value
- Complete Ted's quests for additional cash and accessories
- Consider gamepasses to accelerate your earning rate
- Avoid spending on non-essential items until the Shipyard is unlocked
Frequently Asked Questions
How many areas are in Storage Hunters: Open World? There are four areas: Junk Yard, Back Alley, Farmyard, and Shipyard. Each area progressively offers better containers, loot, and mutation rates.
What is the best area for making money? The Shipyard is the most profitable, but it requires maximum net worth to unlock. The Farmyard is the best area accessible before the endgame, offering A-Tier containers with strong returns.
Can I go back to earlier areas after unlocking new ones? Yes, you can freely travel between all unlocked areas. Some players return to earlier areas for cheaper container volume or to complete missed quests.
Do containers from earlier areas improve after I progress? No, container quality is tied to the area, not your personal progression. Junkyard Containers remain C-Tier regardless of your net worth.
Which area has the best mutation rates? The Shipyard has the best mutation rates in the game, including the highest probability of Legendary mutations like Secret and Diamond.
Is it worth buying gamepasses to unlock areas faster? Gamepasses do not directly unlock areas, but they accelerate your earning rate, which helps you reach area unlock thresholds faster. See our Best Gamepasses Ranked Guide.
Related Guides
- Junkyard Area Guide - Deep dive on the starter area
- Back Alley Area Guide - Deep dive on the intermediate area
- Farmyard Area Guide - Deep dive on the advanced area
- Shipyard Endgame Guide - Deep dive on the endgame area
- Area Unlock Progression Guide - How to unlock areas efficiently
- All Containers Guide - Container types by area
- All NPCs Guide - NPC quest givers by area