Overview
This guide will help you understand how to mod your game with the new Steam Workshop. More importantly: it’ll teach you what NOT to do, in order to avoid crashes and game-breaking bugs. Also included is an FAQ concerning KotOR II and its mods.
Introduction
By now you’ve probably noticed that the Steam Workshop support for KotOR II isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Subscribing to, and installing, multiple mods causes crashes and game-breaking bugs which is a problem considering one particular mod is needed to enjoy the game to its fullest, namely the “The Sith Lords Restored Content Mod” (or TSLRCM). Do not worry anymore! I’m here to teach you step-by-step how mods operate and how to easily make them cooperate in a stable game installation with tons of mods.
Ready? Then it’s time to dive in the game files.
The Files
Game files
Navigate to the game’s install folder (/SteamSteamAppscommon) and take a look at the subfolders contained within.One of these folders is called override and is arguably the most important folder for any aspiring modder. Any modified game asset placed in this folder will take precedence over the original and will be able to appear in the game. A simple reskin or a modified model, for example, can easily be placed in this folder and viewed in the game. But what if you don’t want to edit a head but want to add an entirely new one? What if you want new weapons, new events and new content (i.e. RESTORED CONTENT)?
There are several files that track things like the dialog used in the game, the head selection or placeables. The thing about these files (.2da, .dlg, .jrl etc.) is that they’re unique. If you want multiple mods to be compatible with each other they’re going to have to use the same files. You can imagine that this causes a problem because you can’t just drop the contents of some mods in the override folders, let some of the files overwrite each other, and hope for the best. This is what causes crashes. That is why most mods that are more complicated than a simple reskin use the TSLpatcher. Simply said, a mod using the TSLpatcher has an install .exe and a source folder containing the files that have to be added to the override. This installer is then able to export the mod files and, if needed, can modify the files already present in the game folders.
In the early years of modding, i.e. up to a week ago as of the writing of this guide, these game folders were the domain of the KotOR modder. With the new Steam Workshop integration, however, this is now different. What has changed and why is it that Steam Workshop makes things so difficult and causes so many crashes?
The Workshop
When you subscibe to a mod that’s publicized on the Steam Workshop it creates a new entry in your Steam install folder. In this folder the files the mod uses are contained in a structure that mirrors the game folder. When you start up the game Steam lets the contents of the mod folder take precedence over identical files in the vanilla game, this way, you don’t have to mess with your game folders and it stays neat and clean. So far so good, right? However, each different mod gets a different workshop folder and that’s where the trouble begins. If you subscribe to two mods that both use the same .2da file for example, one of those files won’t be used by Steam if you start up your game which makes it a given that your game will crash.
Because of this, the likelihood of your game crashing is proportional with the amount of mods that you are subscribed to on Steam, especially when you’re already subscribed to TSLRCM, which uses a lot of those “unique” files
Now, you might be wondering if this means that all mods on the Workshop pose a risk to your game. Don’t worry, there are still some mods that can be subscribed to without a risk if you’re already subscribed to TSLRCM.
Mods that are okay:
Simple reskins (using .tga or .dds)
Simple remodels (using .mdl and .mdx)
Everything else will most likely crash your game. Some of the mods posted on the Steam Workshop are simple repacks of the contents of the TSLpatcher of other mods. This is almost a guarantee that your game will crash.
Recently there has been a rumour on this community saying that if you’re subscribed to more then 5 mods on Steam your game will crash. This might be correct in some cases but it has nothing to do with the Workshop in itself and everything to do with the reasons stated above.
Kind of a bummer right? Don’t worry, in the next section I’ll teach you how to install every mod you might want without crashing your game. Lets-a-go!
The Installation
For this guide we’re only going to subscribe to The Sith Lords Restored Content Mod through the Steam Workshop. This has several benefits. First of all subscribing to only one mod will make sure that you only have one workshop folder to work with. As said, parallel folders will only give you trouble. Secondly, if a certain combination of mods screws your game up, or if you want to deinstall your mods to make your game vanilla again, you can just delete the the workshop folder and desubscribe from the Steam Workshop. This makes it very easy to start over. In the early days we’d need to keep a copy of the vanilla game somewhere or completely reinstall the game, which was a hassle.
- Subscribe to the TSLRCM and let Steam download and install it.
- If you want to Install M4-78: Download it from DeadlyStream[deadlystream.com]. Once it’s downloaded install it and direct the wizard to the Steam Workshop folder where TSLRCM is located (/SteamSteamAppsWorkshopcontent208580485537937).
- Download the mods you want to use. There are a couple locations on which modders have uploaded their mods: DeadlyStream[deadlystream.com], Nexusmods[www.nexusmods.com] and Gamefront[www.gamefront.com].
- After you’ve downloaded the mods that you want to use it’s time to install them. There are two kinds of mods: those which use the TSLpatcher, and those which don’t. When a mod uses the TSLpatcher, just select the .exe and be sure to point the installer to the TSLRCM workshop folder, not the game install folder. If the mod doesn’t use the TSLpatcher, move the contents of the mod’s folder to the override folder located in the TSLRCM workshop folder.
- Think about your install order. Mods using TSLpatcher should be installed later than mods that don’t as the patcher is able to update files that are already there. This isn’t a definitive rule, there is some leeway in this, but it’s a good rule of thumb.
- If you’re uncertain about what to do with a certain mod, READ THE README. Most, if not all, problems can be solved with a minute of reading and a minute of common sense!
If you somehow screw something up or if you want to start over, just remove the workshop folder and reïnstall TSLRCM through the Steam Workshop.
FAQ
I found a bug, I’ll just post an angry thread in the discussion page, okay?
Whoa there, champ. No one will be able to help if you don’t at least give a bit more information! What are the specifications of your computer? What is your operating system? What other mods do you use? What exactly were you doing in the game when you noticed the bug?
Where can I find mods?
DeadlyStream[deadlystream.com], nexusmods[www.nexusmods.com] and gamefront[www.gamefront.com].
I just found a mod that hasn’t been uploaded to the Steam Workshop yet, is it okay if I upload it? Uploading a mod without the original author’s permission is a big nono in the KotOR modding community. A wrongly uploaded and installed mod can cause a user’s game to crash, just copying the contents of the TSLpatcher of a mod will not automatically make it work. Also, the original author is unable to provide an update of the mod to fix a bug. This also makes it very hard for an original author of a mod to provide any kind of support.
If you want to upload a mod always ask the author for permission
If you don’t you’re breaking the Steam Subscriber Agreement:
D. Representations and Warranties
You represent and warrant to us that you have sufficient rights in all User Generated Content to grant Valve and other affected parties the licenses described under A. and B. above or in any license terms specific to the applicable Workshop-Enabled App or Workshop page. This includes, without limitation, any kind of intellectual property rights or other proprietary or personal rights affected by or included in the User Generated Content. In particular, with respect to Workshop Contributions, you represent and warrant that the Workshop Contribution was originally created by you (or, with respect to a Workshop Contribution to which others contributed besides you, by you and the other contributors, and in such case that you have the right to submit such Workshop Contribution on behalf of those other contributors).
What is your current modding setup?
I just finished a playthrough of the game using the following mods in this install order:
TSLRCM
HK Droids SWTOR-Style[www.nexusmods.com]
TOR HK Skin Pack[deadlystream.com]
Movie-style Jedi Master robes[deadlystream.com]
Prequel Robe Replacement[deadlystream.com]
Visually Distinctive WeaponTypes[deadlystream.com]
Realistic Improved Effect Retexture Mod[deadlystream.com]
VP’s Hi Poly Tin Cans[deadlystream.com]
Weapon Model Overhaul[www.lucasforums.com] (be sure to select the TSL beta).
Blaster Pistol Enhancement[deadlystream.com] (Will overwrite some of the files of the Weapon Model Overhaul mentioned above).
Player & Party Underwear[deadlystream.com]
Aliens Redetailed Mod[deadlystream.com]
Telos Citadel Station Skybox by Quanon[deadlystream.com]
TSL Head Model Fixes[deadlystream.com]
Luxa’s Hair Fix[deadlystream.com]
Maintenance Officer Realistic Reskin[deadlystream.com]
Darth Sapiens (and Deadman) present HD 2K Darth Sion[deadlystream.com]
Darth Sapiens presents: HD 2K Visas Marr [deadlystream.com]
Darth Sapien’s Presents T3M4 HD 2k[deadlystream.com]
Darth Sapiens Presents: HD Darth Nihilus [deadlystream.com]
Darth Sapien’s Mandalore (HD Reskin)[deadlystream.com]
Hi Resolution Skin for Ebon Hawk[deadlystream.com]
Malachor Exterior Reskin By Quanon[deadlystream.com]
K2 Exterior Textures, Part 1[deadlystream.com]
K2 Exterior Textures, Part 2[deadlystream.com]
I’m on a Mac/on Linux and can’t open .exe files, what do I do?
You’re going to have to run the .exe file using WINE[www.winehq.org] and/or Wineskin[wineskin.urgesoftware.com], which is something you can learn after 5 minutes of google. I won’t help you with that though.
If you have any questions, you can ask them here and I’ll try to answer them.
Don’t just downvote please, comment what you didn’t understand/like!