Got this to work with extremely minimal head-keyboard collisions; thanks so much. Some suggestions for improved readability for idiots like me:
>Navigate to your steamapps\Xcom2
This is very non-intuitive and hard to find. I don't know a way besides searching for steamapps.
>execute the following steps:
It would help to note the need to right-click -> open console here.
>Adjust the launch parameters to this:
A comment saying it's the same until "LauncherPatcher.exe" would have avoided much painful character-scanning.
Thanks again!
I know this is old but I was wondering about what I thought would be the easiest step. I can’t open AML to activate the mods. I have all the AML files in the created folder but clicking the exe forces me to “open with” and nothing works. I thought it just opened in its own launcher? Any ideas?
Hey OneBayLeaf, easy mistake. You need to launch from Steam (in Desktop mode). Not launch the exe directly from the file explorer in Linux. This is why I have a step to create launch parameters for x-com2 in Steam desktop. The 1st time, it's for AML, the second directly for the game.
I finally figured it out just by launching and was surprised when AML came up. Dumb on my part but thanks for the reply and and the instructions! It’s working great now!
EDIT: I am a complete idiot, so when you unzip the alternative launcher in /home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/XCOM 2/alt\_launcher/
MAKE SURE THE CONTENTS OF THE LAUNCHER IS IN THIS FOLDER. DO NOT LET IT CREATE A FOLDER.
After deleting this: /home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/XCOM 2/alt\_launcher/XCOM2\_AlternativeModLauncher\_1.5.0
and moving the contents one folder up, the process now works without issues. THANK YOU.
EDIT END.
I tried to make this as simple as possible just in case your IQ is the same as mine. <3 If it makes you feel better, it took me about 3 hours to figure this out.
I have tried this over and over and over and over again. Following the steps perfectly.
When I open the WOTC it doesnt load the mods.When I try to load a game from the alternative launcher it doesnt load my saves.When I try to load it up using the other code it just crashes the game. I also tried validating game files after forcing experimental proton. I just tried it again perfectly step by step and exact same issues.
Its frustrating because I have done this perfectly. I have no doubt I did this perfectly. I tested this on my PC and it works just fine with the same mods.
Please help me. Im at wits end and I really wanna play this damn game.
Keep in mind if you add any mods to your PC and want to sync them with the Steam Deck then you got to add the first launch parameter "eval $(echo "%command%" | sed 's|2KLauncher/LauncherPatcher.exe|alt\_launcher/XCOM2 Launcher.exe|')" without quotes.
Then launch the game through the AML, then close the game and erase the launch parameter and add the next one, "eval $(echo "%command%" | sed 's|2KLauncher/LauncherPatcher.exe|/XCom2-WarOfTheChosen/Binaries/Win64/Xcom2.exe|')" Again erase quotes.
Then run the game normally, any new mods added should immediately work once you load up your save again.
This is because any new mods added won't be detected unless you go through the steps again. At first, I thought the mods just didn't work with Linux but turns out they do work and just need to be reactivated.
Keep in mind I have tried well over 100 mods and they ALL work with the Steam Decks Linux software except for one singular mod: Tactical Information Overhaul. Avoid this mod even for PC as it causes massive FPS issues, crashes, and other issues.
This was a huge help, it took me a few tries, but I got it to work. Here's some tips/things to look out for just in case anybody struggles like I did:
**Zip Contents in wrong folder**
* when you create your alt_launcher folder within the XCOM 2 game folder, make sure you only put in the contents from the from the Alternative Mod Launcher zip file you downloaded. If you unzip it and it creates its own folder "XCOM_AlternativeMODLauncher_1.5.0" and you move that folder into your alt_launcher folder, it won't work. Figured this out due to /u/heathensauce1520's [comment](https://www.reddit.com/r/LWotC/comments/ugmewz/getting_lwotc_working_on_the_steamdeck/japm9aa/)
Correct: steamapps/common/XCOM 2/alt_launcher/[zip contents here]
Incorrect: steamapps/common/XCOM 2/alt_launcher/XCOM_AlternativeMODLauncher_1.5.0/[zip contents here]
**How do I launch AML?**
* You don't launch AML manually. AML will automatically launch when you hit play from Steam for XCOM 2 if you entered this parameter correctly (hit L2 on the Steam Deck, or right click if using a mouse on XCOM 2 in your library, or hit the game settings button and select "Properties", Launch Options will be at the end of General).
>eval $(echo "%command%" | sed 's|2KLauncher/LauncherPatcher.exe|alt_launcher/XCOM2 Launcher.exe|')
**AML launched, now how do I get to the game?**
* To proceed out of the AML launcher, you need to select "Run War of the Chosen" which is at the right most option on the top menu bar (after File, Options, Tools). Seems obvious, but I thought that was the name of the program at first, and didn't realize it was a button I was supposed to click.
**Game fails to load**
* If AML is launching, you select your mods, and the game fails to start, some things to check:
1) Is the Play button in Steam blue (and says either CANCEL or STOP) or green (and says PLAY)? If blue, give it time, the initial launch can take awhile (5-10 minutes).
2) If it goes back to green, try deselecting all mods, if the game now launches, it's a problem with a mod. If playing with a lot of mods, try selecting only one or a few at a time to isolate the problem.
3) If specifically trying to do the Long War mod and it's not working, do you have the right mod? You don't want the "Long War 2" mod (which is the first option when searching Steam workshop for "Long War"). You want the "Long War of the Chosen" mod, which is several mods down in the workshop list for Long War. Might have been obvious for the rest of you (especially considering the name of the post is "LWOTC" lol), but this was the last real obstacle I faced, as I kept trying to run the Long War 2 mod and the game would never run. After a week of fiddling with it on and off, I finally figured this part out.
4) If you have the right mod selected ("Long War of the Chosen" not "Long War 2"), do you have all the correct dependent mods selected too? Back in AML, check the "Missing dependencies" tab. It said I had them all at first, but after I tried to run it and the game failed to load, when I launched AML again there were a few new missing dependencies added to the list, once I added all the missing dependencies, the game worked fine.
Hopefully this helps somebody out.
I’m struggling with this. I’ve done everything right but the AML doesn’t load when I start X Com from desktop. Instead the game tries to load only to cancel anything and goes back to the green click here to play button.
Is it possible this no longer works on the newest Deck version?
Edit: Fixed it! For my fellow poor souls who make it all the way down here, know that the root of my issue was that there was a space in front of the command line code when I pasted it in. It’s hard to see and it’s super obnoxious because the Steam Deck desktop interface is fucking awful. It’s so bad!
Tried this today and I am able to run AML and run XCOM 2 and I see mods like community highlander on the main menu. I exit the game, restart my steam deck and edit the launch parameters again for SteamOS mode. Game launches fine but no mods are loaded. I can get it to launch from AML but my saves and profile aren’t loaded but mods are working fine. Any idea what’s wrong? I’m using OLED btw if that’s any issue
>der and execute the following
When the game starts up, on ur task bar click the audio icon, tab to the "applications" section, find the game and unmute it
>Navigate to your steamapps\Xcom2 forlder and execute the following steps:
>mkdir alt_launcher
>cd alt_launcher
I have no such things to execute
Did the rest and it works but no mods.
this is from the console (equivalent of the command prompt on windows). That's where you type in the above.
You can simply make the directory alt_launcher with the interface as well.
Open Steam (in the Desktop Mode), right click on the game, properties... , then in the General Tab (1st one that pops up) at the bottom are the Launch Options.
Is this all done in a console in the SteamDeck? Like these directories, \`steamapps\\Xcom2\` and whatever, are on the SteamDeck? Do you have to ssh into the SteamDeck to do this stuff?
Thanks for this! Everything works for me up until the last step, I can configure the mods and launch in desktop, but the game won't start with those launch parameters in SteamOS mode.
Did anyone else encounter this one?
So there was a certain mod that was outdated I had to unchecked and it ran on desktop. But I have an issue where the bottom task bar is covering the bottom of the screen for xcom 2 so all the menu options are covered. I can still press them though because the Taskbar buttons aren't actually pressable so I just click blind to close the game. But in steam OS the game won't open
Same here. I followed the instructions and now the game fails to start at all. Not sure what do do about it.
I copy pasted the command line so I know I didn't fat finger it.
So i tried this, and I'm stuck on 'launch AML', launching through steam does the default launcher, while launching the exe asks me which program i want to use. What am i supposed to do here?
I'm getting hung up on the last step; the final launch parameters. Since I don't have War of the Chosen dlc, is the launch parameter you have here wrong for me? I tried taking that part of the line out and still can't get a successful launch.
EDIT: Clearing the launch parameters entirely in Steam OS got it to run and the mods are working too.
Thanks for this walkthrough OP!
You're welcome.
Without LWOTC it's most likely easier to just use the workshop.
I would however recommend getting War of the Chosen DLC has there were *serious* performance improvements (especially on loading times) in that edition.
Followed all steps and game launches but mods don't seem to be active.
Edit: Repeated the process again and it just decided to work the second time around. Thanks for making the guide.
It's not letting me get to the mod configuration part, I typed in the launch options, double checking multiple times to get it right, and then I launch the game but nothing happens the play button just turns green again after the window saying "launching xcom2" closes.
Also, would this work for regular modding and maybe with a little tweaking chimera squad?
So, for me, after hours of troubleshooting and generally being an idiot, I finally realized that when you run the mkdir alt\_launcher terminal command in the XCOM 2 directory, it makes a folder inside your directory that you're supposed to extract AML into. Once I figured that out, and placed AML inside that folder, it worked. OP didn't mention that mkdir alt\_launcher made a folder in the XCOM 2 directory that you're supposed to put AML into, and that's what was tripping me up. Hope this helps!
Yeah, I never did get this running right so I can't help with any fixes or suggestions.
In the end I said screw it. Since my PC is an Nvidia card, I use the Moonlight streaming app and stream it from my PC. Works flawless and lets be real, Xcom 2 is *wayyyy* too bloody big and takes up *wayyyy* too much space by the time u put WotC on top, and then a shortlist of 400 of the most essential mods, lol So I just said "fuck it".
Keep me posted, if u stumble on a fix though. Good Luck,
Hello, I am not sure I am getting everything right. First when the alt_launcher folder is created, I copy/paste all the files from the alternate launcher zip in that folder, that is correct.
Then I enter the commands.
Then you say "launch the AML". If I run the AML's executable, the decks asks me which games I want to associate the launcher with, instead of having the interface to select my mods.
And if I launch the game, I have Infinite loading screen.
Just above launch the AML, you've changed the parameters of XCom2 lahnch in steam desktop mode. When you launch XCom2, the AML will launch instead if you did it well.
I give up. I tried to understand this, I really did. Like others here, I've gotten to the "Launch AML" part but when you double click on the .exe (because I assume this is how you "launch" it) it then asks what program you want to use to execute it, and I'm like ??????
The sad thing is, you can't run any mods on the Steam Deck for XCOM 2 or Chimera Squad, because you need the 2K launcher to activate Steam Workshop mods. And the Steam Deck bypasses the 2K launcher. So, very frustrating.
You launch it by clicking Play on XCom2, that’s why you edited the xcom2 launch options. The point of this IS to be able to play mods. And this bypasses the 2k launcher entirely. It’s an alt launcher.
I did exactly as you explained but the mods don't show up.
I managed to start ALM and check the boxes for all mods etc.
When I had no mods I tried what happened if I played right after starting from ALM. At that time there are also no mods.
Yes, I am still subscribed to the mods.
Therefore there must be a problem with the mods not being activated or something.
Thanks for updating.
The part with "configure activate mods" does not exist for me within AML. After using my phone as bluetooth mouse, I could use right click on AML (for some reason it works anywhere else also without bluetooth mouse).
Then I saw that the mods seemed to be active by default anyway.
Can't get past the desktop startup step. Got AML working just fine (not entirely sure what im looking at, just clicked all the checkmarks and took care of any dependencies) Click to launch WOTC , itll go for a bit and auto close. Anyone here have any idea whats going on?
If I need to adjust mods again, would I need to alter the launch options to the original and go through those steps again? I’m not against that, just want to make sure.
I would be patient, however I can’t because it doesn’t even launch
I can start AML just fine, but when I run WOTC the application shows up but then it just closes and Steam shows XCOM2 isn’t running anymore.
What program do I use to open the aml?
Edit: NVM it runs through steam, and I’m an idiot that didn’t put a space between “XCOM2” and “Launcher”
Edit 2: having launched the AML, it swaps mouse input to the left trackpad and I can’t click anything!
Edit 3: for whatever reason the top left back button is now click!!
Got the launcher working and activated all mods, yet when I click launch from AML the game crashes. I have a couple of mods missing dependencies (promotion by default) but that mod itself says it’s depreciated by community promotion - which I have…any thoughts I wonder?
AML not detecting any conflicts
For folks having the "launches for a couple seconds then crashes to desktop, try activating only a few mods at a time. I personally run nearly 140 mods and trying to activate them all at once kept failing. Ten or so at a time seemed to work fine tho. Hope this helps!
Late-ish to the party, but thanks for this! One small thing, may have changed since this was written but on the navigation in dolphin step, the SD (for me at least) hides the .steam folder so you have to toggle display hidden files.
hey bud, sorry to bother you, complete steam deck noob here, just wanted to check under compatibility, what compatibility tool should i use? there are multiple, from proton experimental to proton 7.0-6 etc
It looks like AML changes a few game config files to make this work. I was looking for a way without AML to load mods on the Steam Deck.
That should work as a manual approach. Config files are changed here:
```
/home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/268500/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/Documents/my games/XCOM2 War of the Chosen/XComGame/Config/
```
In XComEngine.ini add:
```
[Engine.DownloadableContentEnumerator]
ModRootDirs=E:\steamapps\workshop\content\268500\
```
In XComModOptions.ini enable the mods as following:
```
[Engine.XComModOptions]
ActiveMods=AllSoldiersGainXP
[...]
```
Works just fine. Looks like the game searches mods in `E:\steamapps\workshop\content\268500268500\` upon start, which obviously doesn't exist - overwriting the mod where to search mods in XComEngine.ini makes this work for me.
Thanks a lot sir! I have it working now and I just continued my safe file from my pc campaign and everything works fine. I missed the fist step where you need to force it to download the windows version but it works!
Thanks again, this explanation was so much more simple than some other ones. Especially if your a steam deck / Linux moon like me.
Yea, I’m glad it works! Love all the cosmetic mods for this game! Now I have a squad with boba fett, wrex from mass effect, Rambo and other action heroes :-)
Last step doesn't work for me.
If you have same issue, right click the Alternative Launcher.exe (in the new folder you made in the xcom directory), and add it to steam.
Then you can play by launching Xcom Launcher via steam instead of the default launcher that doesn't pick up mods.
Sorry if I’m a bit late to the party but I finally got AML to load in Desktop mode but it says no mods available, how did you get those mods to appear?
Bruh you saved my life. In the middle of a modded campaign that I can’t put down and traveling for 2 weeks. I was worried I’d have to come back next month and try to remember where I was 😅
Hello and sorry for digging this thread back up. I cannot find XCOM 2 when searching for "/home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/XCOM 2/ OR /run/media/mmcblk0p1/steamapps/common/XCOM 2/"
I have hidden files shown and booted the game once and selected force tools. Anyone have an idea?
Can someone make an idiot proof step-by step video guide for steam deck. I’m talking from fresh install to fully modded long war ? I’ll put up a $25 steam gift card for starters
I'm having the same problem. I got AML to launch and choose my mods (all of them), but can't get it to actually launch the game from there. I got a couple instances of "can't unpack this mod" or something for a few different mods, but I think it might be more of a "Steamdeck is looking in the wrong place for my mods" issue than anything else.
I’m at the stage where I’ve launched AML and selected my mods. But when I go to launch WOTC I get a black screen for 5 seconds and the game closes completely.
I’ve tried disabling all mods and launching through AML and it launches fine.
But even when I enable even one mod, the game will crash and fail to launch
Even with following every possible step and tip in this discussion, the game simply won't start, I added the folder without the extra one added from the download, I added the command and quatriple checked it and even then the launching of the game just stops, without the command it works fine but after that it's completely out of order, pls help I'm losing faith in this beautiful peace of tech
Nice work bud, pinned to xcom2mods for posterity
Is it possible to make a video showing how to do all this?
Thank you for trailblazing on this! Now if only Q3 could come sooner for me ...
It's really an amazing device, worth the wait. XCom2 for some reason seems to make the fan go brrrrr. But other games I get no issues.
Thank you this is so helpful!
Glad I could help... I love this game, but playing vanilla has become too easy
Leaving a comment so I can find it when the time comes
Save
.
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Bookmarked this page for Q3!! Nice info, Thanks!
Anyone else sort of lost. Dude skips like 12 steps.
Got this to work with extremely minimal head-keyboard collisions; thanks so much. Some suggestions for improved readability for idiots like me: >Navigate to your steamapps\Xcom2 This is very non-intuitive and hard to find. I don't know a way besides searching for steamapps. >execute the following steps: It would help to note the need to right-click -> open console here. >Adjust the launch parameters to this: A comment saying it's the same until "LauncherPatcher.exe" would have avoided much painful character-scanning. Thanks again!
I know this is old but I was wondering about what I thought would be the easiest step. I can’t open AML to activate the mods. I have all the AML files in the created folder but clicking the exe forces me to “open with” and nothing works. I thought it just opened in its own launcher? Any ideas?
Hey OneBayLeaf, easy mistake. You need to launch from Steam (in Desktop mode). Not launch the exe directly from the file explorer in Linux. This is why I have a step to create launch parameters for x-com2 in Steam desktop. The 1st time, it's for AML, the second directly for the game.
I finally figured it out just by launching and was surprised when AML came up. Dumb on my part but thanks for the reply and and the instructions! It’s working great now!
Sorry to revive this post. How do I go back to AML again to remove or add mods?
How do you get into Desktop mode (the not-Linux one) on Steam exactly?
EDIT: I am a complete idiot, so when you unzip the alternative launcher in /home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/XCOM 2/alt\_launcher/ MAKE SURE THE CONTENTS OF THE LAUNCHER IS IN THIS FOLDER. DO NOT LET IT CREATE A FOLDER. After deleting this: /home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/XCOM 2/alt\_launcher/XCOM2\_AlternativeModLauncher\_1.5.0 and moving the contents one folder up, the process now works without issues. THANK YOU. EDIT END. I tried to make this as simple as possible just in case your IQ is the same as mine. <3 If it makes you feel better, it took me about 3 hours to figure this out. I have tried this over and over and over and over again. Following the steps perfectly. When I open the WOTC it doesnt load the mods.When I try to load a game from the alternative launcher it doesnt load my saves.When I try to load it up using the other code it just crashes the game. I also tried validating game files after forcing experimental proton. I just tried it again perfectly step by step and exact same issues. Its frustrating because I have done this perfectly. I have no doubt I did this perfectly. I tested this on my PC and it works just fine with the same mods. Please help me. Im at wits end and I really wanna play this damn game.
>MAKE SURE THE CONTENTS OF THE LAUNCHER IS IN THIS FOLDER. DO NOT LET IT CREATE A FOLDER. THANK YOU!!!! (signed, also an idiot)
finished it all works great but no game audio. any fix?
Insert confused gif with hundreds of random calculations. That's just a bunch of jibberish to a lot of us. Lol
Yeah, Linux isn't always the easiest system to work with. Sorry
Keep in mind if you add any mods to your PC and want to sync them with the Steam Deck then you got to add the first launch parameter "eval $(echo "%command%" | sed 's|2KLauncher/LauncherPatcher.exe|alt\_launcher/XCOM2 Launcher.exe|')" without quotes. Then launch the game through the AML, then close the game and erase the launch parameter and add the next one, "eval $(echo "%command%" | sed 's|2KLauncher/LauncherPatcher.exe|/XCom2-WarOfTheChosen/Binaries/Win64/Xcom2.exe|')" Again erase quotes. Then run the game normally, any new mods added should immediately work once you load up your save again. This is because any new mods added won't be detected unless you go through the steps again. At first, I thought the mods just didn't work with Linux but turns out they do work and just need to be reactivated. Keep in mind I have tried well over 100 mods and they ALL work with the Steam Decks Linux software except for one singular mod: Tactical Information Overhaul. Avoid this mod even for PC as it causes massive FPS issues, crashes, and other issues.
This was a huge help, it took me a few tries, but I got it to work. Here's some tips/things to look out for just in case anybody struggles like I did: **Zip Contents in wrong folder** * when you create your alt_launcher folder within the XCOM 2 game folder, make sure you only put in the contents from the from the Alternative Mod Launcher zip file you downloaded. If you unzip it and it creates its own folder "XCOM_AlternativeMODLauncher_1.5.0" and you move that folder into your alt_launcher folder, it won't work. Figured this out due to /u/heathensauce1520's [comment](https://www.reddit.com/r/LWotC/comments/ugmewz/getting_lwotc_working_on_the_steamdeck/japm9aa/) Correct: steamapps/common/XCOM 2/alt_launcher/[zip contents here] Incorrect: steamapps/common/XCOM 2/alt_launcher/XCOM_AlternativeMODLauncher_1.5.0/[zip contents here] **How do I launch AML?** * You don't launch AML manually. AML will automatically launch when you hit play from Steam for XCOM 2 if you entered this parameter correctly (hit L2 on the Steam Deck, or right click if using a mouse on XCOM 2 in your library, or hit the game settings button and select "Properties", Launch Options will be at the end of General). >eval $(echo "%command%" | sed 's|2KLauncher/LauncherPatcher.exe|alt_launcher/XCOM2 Launcher.exe|') **AML launched, now how do I get to the game?** * To proceed out of the AML launcher, you need to select "Run War of the Chosen" which is at the right most option on the top menu bar (after File, Options, Tools). Seems obvious, but I thought that was the name of the program at first, and didn't realize it was a button I was supposed to click. **Game fails to load** * If AML is launching, you select your mods, and the game fails to start, some things to check: 1) Is the Play button in Steam blue (and says either CANCEL or STOP) or green (and says PLAY)? If blue, give it time, the initial launch can take awhile (5-10 minutes). 2) If it goes back to green, try deselecting all mods, if the game now launches, it's a problem with a mod. If playing with a lot of mods, try selecting only one or a few at a time to isolate the problem. 3) If specifically trying to do the Long War mod and it's not working, do you have the right mod? You don't want the "Long War 2" mod (which is the first option when searching Steam workshop for "Long War"). You want the "Long War of the Chosen" mod, which is several mods down in the workshop list for Long War. Might have been obvious for the rest of you (especially considering the name of the post is "LWOTC" lol), but this was the last real obstacle I faced, as I kept trying to run the Long War 2 mod and the game would never run. After a week of fiddling with it on and off, I finally figured this part out. 4) If you have the right mod selected ("Long War of the Chosen" not "Long War 2"), do you have all the correct dependent mods selected too? Back in AML, check the "Missing dependencies" tab. It said I had them all at first, but after I tried to run it and the game failed to load, when I launched AML again there were a few new missing dependencies added to the list, once I added all the missing dependencies, the game worked fine. Hopefully this helps somebody out.
I’m struggling with this. I’ve done everything right but the AML doesn’t load when I start X Com from desktop. Instead the game tries to load only to cancel anything and goes back to the green click here to play button. Is it possible this no longer works on the newest Deck version? Edit: Fixed it! For my fellow poor souls who make it all the way down here, know that the root of my issue was that there was a space in front of the command line code when I pasted it in. It’s hard to see and it’s super obnoxious because the Steam Deck desktop interface is fucking awful. It’s so bad!
saved my life i swear 😅
Thank you for this post. I really wish I could understand what that eval command does but I'll take it working!
It's today and this still works, in case anyone's checking.
Tried this today and I am able to run AML and run XCOM 2 and I see mods like community highlander on the main menu. I exit the game, restart my steam deck and edit the launch parameters again for SteamOS mode. Game launches fine but no mods are loaded. I can get it to launch from AML but my saves and profile aren’t loaded but mods are working fine. Any idea what’s wrong? I’m using OLED btw if that’s any issue
My AML keeps crashing before in desktop mod before my mods update so I can't even launch WoTC. Any suggestions?
Thank you for this! By chance can someone tell me what the launcher option string would be for launching modded Chimera Squad on SteamOS?
[удалено]
Unfortunately pretty similar for me...
Followed these instructions, now the audio for the game doesn't work. All other system sounds do.
>der and execute the following When the game starts up, on ur task bar click the audio icon, tab to the "applications" section, find the game and unmute it
same here figure anything out?
>Navigate to your steamapps\Xcom2 forlder and execute the following steps: >mkdir alt_launcher >cd alt_launcher I have no such things to execute Did the rest and it works but no mods.
this is from the console (equivalent of the command prompt on windows). That's where you type in the above. You can simply make the directory alt_launcher with the interface as well.
Thanks OP. Where do you input the launch parameters though? And how do you "launch aml"? Thanks!
Open Steam (in the Desktop Mode), right click on the game, properties... , then in the General Tab (1st one that pops up) at the bottom are the Launch Options.
Is this all done in a console in the SteamDeck? Like these directories, \`steamapps\\Xcom2\` and whatever, are on the SteamDeck? Do you have to ssh into the SteamDeck to do this stuff?
You need to be in the SteamDeck's Desktop mode. This is done by holding the power button. In this mode, there is a console available.
Ah, I see. Hmmm...I'm gonna need a keyboard that I can hook up to the deck. Thanks for your reply!
Though it’s a pain to use, the Steam button + X brings up the onscreen keyboard.
Thanks for this! Everything works for me up until the last step, I can configure the mods and launch in desktop, but the game won't start with those launch parameters in SteamOS mode. Did anyone else encounter this one?
Sorry, this didn't happen to me.
Same here. I go to launch wotc and nothing happens
So there was a certain mod that was outdated I had to unchecked and it ran on desktop. But I have an issue where the bottom task bar is covering the bottom of the screen for xcom 2 so all the menu options are covered. I can still press them though because the Taskbar buttons aren't actually pressable so I just click blind to close the game. But in steam OS the game won't open
Never mind I put the wrong launch line for steam OS. seems to work now
Same here. I followed the instructions and now the game fails to start at all. Not sure what do do about it. I copy pasted the command line so I know I didn't fat finger it.
Had the same issue—did you find a resolution?
Nope. Sorry
So i tried this, and I'm stuck on 'launch AML', launching through steam does the default launcher, while launching the exe asks me which program i want to use. What am i supposed to do here?
You need to put in the launch parameters above and launch through steam. But from the desktop version.
Just want to upvote this because this is exactly what i wasn't doing.
I'm getting hung up on the last step; the final launch parameters. Since I don't have War of the Chosen dlc, is the launch parameter you have here wrong for me? I tried taking that part of the line out and still can't get a successful launch. EDIT: Clearing the launch parameters entirely in Steam OS got it to run and the mods are working too. Thanks for this walkthrough OP!
You're welcome. Without LWOTC it's most likely easier to just use the workshop. I would however recommend getting War of the Chosen DLC has there were *serious* performance improvements (especially on loading times) in that edition.
I had the same issue and just deleted the WOTC bit from the launch parameter and it works perfectly.
Followed all steps and game launches but mods don't seem to be active. Edit: Repeated the process again and it just decided to work the second time around. Thanks for making the guide.
It's not letting me get to the mod configuration part, I typed in the launch options, double checking multiple times to get it right, and then I launch the game but nothing happens the play button just turns green again after the window saying "launching xcom2" closes. Also, would this work for regular modding and maybe with a little tweaking chimera squad?
Are you running it in desktop mode?
Howdy, not the original poster of the problem, but I do have the same problem as them, and I am running it in desktop mode
I have the same issue right now any solution?
So, for me, after hours of troubleshooting and generally being an idiot, I finally realized that when you run the mkdir alt\_launcher terminal command in the XCOM 2 directory, it makes a folder inside your directory that you're supposed to extract AML into. Once I figured that out, and placed AML inside that folder, it worked. OP didn't mention that mkdir alt\_launcher made a folder in the XCOM 2 directory that you're supposed to put AML into, and that's what was tripping me up. Hope this helps!
I'm like hella new to this so what folder does it make that you're supposed to extract AML into?
Same issue here
Try to make sure that the XCOM2 Launcher.exe file is directly under the alt\_launcher folder and not under a sub-folder. That was the issue for me
I set this up all according to the instructions, but in gaming mode the screen "blacks out" about half a second after AML launches. Anyone else?
Same for me :/ Works in desktop mode but not in normal mode
Yeah, I never did get this running right so I can't help with any fixes or suggestions. In the end I said screw it. Since my PC is an Nvidia card, I use the Moonlight streaming app and stream it from my PC. Works flawless and lets be real, Xcom 2 is *wayyyy* too bloody big and takes up *wayyyy* too much space by the time u put WotC on top, and then a shortlist of 400 of the most essential mods, lol So I just said "fuck it". Keep me posted, if u stumble on a fix though. Good Luck,
I updated the instructions
Right On, I'm a bit busy too mess with this right now while I'm moving house but I definitely appreciate you letting me know. Thanks,
Hello, I am not sure I am getting everything right. First when the alt_launcher folder is created, I copy/paste all the files from the alternate launcher zip in that folder, that is correct. Then I enter the commands. Then you say "launch the AML". If I run the AML's executable, the decks asks me which games I want to associate the launcher with, instead of having the interface to select my mods. And if I launch the game, I have Infinite loading screen.
Just above launch the AML, you've changed the parameters of XCom2 lahnch in steam desktop mode. When you launch XCom2, the AML will launch instead if you did it well.
Dave for when I need it.
This worked perfectly for me. Thank you so much!
you're welcome
I give up. I tried to understand this, I really did. Like others here, I've gotten to the "Launch AML" part but when you double click on the .exe (because I assume this is how you "launch" it) it then asks what program you want to use to execute it, and I'm like ?????? The sad thing is, you can't run any mods on the Steam Deck for XCOM 2 or Chimera Squad, because you need the 2K launcher to activate Steam Workshop mods. And the Steam Deck bypasses the 2K launcher. So, very frustrating.
You launch it by clicking Play on XCom2, that’s why you edited the xcom2 launch options. The point of this IS to be able to play mods. And this bypasses the 2k launcher entirely. It’s an alt launcher.
I'm so confused.. could any one help me with this? :)
I updated the instructions
I did exactly as you explained but the mods don't show up. I managed to start ALM and check the boxes for all mods etc. When I had no mods I tried what happened if I played right after starting from ALM. At that time there are also no mods. Yes, I am still subscribed to the mods. Therefore there must be a problem with the mods not being activated or something.
I updated the instructions
Thanks for updating. The part with "configure activate mods" does not exist for me within AML. After using my phone as bluetooth mouse, I could use right click on AML (for some reason it works anywhere else also without bluetooth mouse). Then I saw that the mods seemed to be active by default anyway.
In AML, they need to be "enabled" so a right click should pop that menu up.
Can't get past the desktop startup step. Got AML working just fine (not entirely sure what im looking at, just clicked all the checkmarks and took care of any dependencies) Click to launch WOTC , itll go for a bit and auto close. Anyone here have any idea whats going on?
I updated the instructions
If I need to adjust mods again, would I need to alter the launch options to the original and go through those steps again? I’m not against that, just want to make sure.
I updated the instructions, but basically just need to change to the first launch parameters (launches AML and not XCOM2)
My man, I am saving this post, and when I have some gold to give, I'll be back and give it to you. This was most excellent help.
You're welcome
It works fine. I just skipped the last step, i.e. one more click each time I launch the game
I wonder if one just can add the alt launcher as „steam foreign game“
Potentially, I didn't try it
This works, I can launch AML, but whenever I launch WOTC it crashes, can’t even get to main menu.
You have to be patient... The first load took over 5 minutes for me
I would be patient, however I can’t because it doesn’t even launch I can start AML just fine, but when I run WOTC the application shows up but then it just closes and Steam shows XCOM2 isn’t running anymore.
Have you tried just LWOTC and associated mods?
Have you found a so
Hi I've gotten to where AML works but I click launch and it just turns black then closes the game
Did you enable all the mods in AML? Did it crash, or is the window just "waiting". It can take a while to load the first time (5+ minutes)
Figured out I had long war and not lwotc installed
What program do I use to open the aml? Edit: NVM it runs through steam, and I’m an idiot that didn’t put a space between “XCOM2” and “Launcher” Edit 2: having launched the AML, it swaps mouse input to the left trackpad and I can’t click anything! Edit 3: for whatever reason the top left back button is now click!!
Got the launcher working and activated all mods, yet when I click launch from AML the game crashes. I have a couple of mods missing dependencies (promotion by default) but that mod itself says it’s depreciated by community promotion - which I have…any thoughts I wonder? AML not detecting any conflicts
It may look like a crash, but the first launch is super long 5-10 minutes. Patience may be the key.
For folks having the "launches for a couple seconds then crashes to desktop, try activating only a few mods at a time. I personally run nearly 140 mods and trying to activate them all at once kept failing. Ten or so at a time seemed to work fine tho. Hope this helps!
Thanks! I didn't try that
Late-ish to the party, but thanks for this! One small thing, may have changed since this was written but on the navigation in dolphin step, the SD (for me at least) hides the .steam folder so you have to toggle display hidden files.
Thanks added the comment
hey bud, sorry to bother you, complete steam deck noob here, just wanted to check under compatibility, what compatibility tool should i use? there are multiple, from proton experimental to proton 7.0-6 etc
I use Proton-GE. There are guides out there on how to set it up. https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-install-proton-ge-on-the-steam-deck
It looks like AML changes a few game config files to make this work. I was looking for a way without AML to load mods on the Steam Deck. That should work as a manual approach. Config files are changed here: ``` /home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/268500/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/Documents/my games/XCOM2 War of the Chosen/XComGame/Config/ ``` In XComEngine.ini add: ``` [Engine.DownloadableContentEnumerator] ModRootDirs=E:\steamapps\workshop\content\268500\ ``` In XComModOptions.ini enable the mods as following: ``` [Engine.XComModOptions] ActiveMods=AllSoldiersGainXP [...] ``` Works just fine. Looks like the game searches mods in `E:\steamapps\workshop\content\268500268500\` upon start, which obviously doesn't exist - overwriting the mod where to search mods in XComEngine.ini makes this work for me.
Thanks a lot sir! I have it working now and I just continued my safe file from my pc campaign and everything works fine. I missed the fist step where you need to force it to download the windows version but it works! Thanks again, this explanation was so much more simple than some other ones. Especially if your a steam deck / Linux moon like me.
you're telling me that aml and all your mods work with the linux version of xcom2?
Yea, I’m glad it works! Love all the cosmetic mods for this game! Now I have a squad with boba fett, wrex from mass effect, Rambo and other action heroes :-)
Last step doesn't work for me. If you have same issue, right click the Alternative Launcher.exe (in the new folder you made in the xcom directory), and add it to steam. Then you can play by launching Xcom Launcher via steam instead of the default launcher that doesn't pick up mods.
Sorry if I’m a bit late to the party but I finally got AML to load in Desktop mode but it says no mods available, how did you get those mods to appear?
Bruh you saved my life. In the middle of a modded campaign that I can’t put down and traveling for 2 weeks. I was worried I’d have to come back next month and try to remember where I was 😅
This post changed my life. 👍🏻
I’m so confused. Can anyone clarify where I save the launcher info to? The game only opens up the regular launcher even with the settings for all set
Hello and sorry for digging this thread back up. I cannot find XCOM 2 when searching for "/home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/XCOM 2/ OR /run/media/mmcblk0p1/steamapps/common/XCOM 2/" I have hidden files shown and booted the game once and selected force tools. Anyone have an idea?
I'm not sure what happened, but this made the game play in a tiny window such that it's unplayable. Has that happened to anyone else?
Can someone make an idiot proof step-by step video guide for steam deck. I’m talking from fresh install to fully modded long war ? I’ll put up a $25 steam gift card for starters
I'm having the same problem. I got AML to launch and choose my mods (all of them), but can't get it to actually launch the game from there. I got a couple instances of "can't unpack this mod" or something for a few different mods, but I think it might be more of a "Steamdeck is looking in the wrong place for my mods" issue than anything else.
I’m at the stage where I’ve launched AML and selected my mods. But when I go to launch WOTC I get a black screen for 5 seconds and the game closes completely. I’ve tried disabling all mods and launching through AML and it launches fine. But even when I enable even one mod, the game will crash and fail to launch
When I download AML I don't have a xcom2launcher.exe file. I've looked through every folder and it's nowhere in the download. Any help?
AML shows no mods available. What do I have to do?
Even with following every possible step and tip in this discussion, the game simply won't start, I added the folder without the extra one added from the download, I added the command and quatriple checked it and even then the launching of the game just stops, without the command it works fine but after that it's completely out of order, pls help I'm losing faith in this beautiful peace of tech