Overview
XCOM2 and WOTCHOW TO MAKE MODS WORK IN NEW and /OLD LAUNCHERS::As some people continue to return to playing XCOM2/WOTC and run into problem loading mods that they used to play with, I decided to post these instructions to aid them. These instructions were originally posed on July 3, 2020 in the discussion thread for XCOM2/WOTC.Background: Around June 1, 2020, 2K Games pushed an update to the XCOM2/WOTC Launcher to promote a new game “Chimera”. This update broke the XCOM2/WOTC launcher and mods would no longer install properly. Because of player feedback, on June 30, 2020, Firaxis directed 2K Games to push out another update to fix this problem. The patched updated launcher now works just fine for loading mods for the vanilla game XCOM2 or the expansion WOTC. However, unlike the old launcher, the new launcher, when you play WOTC will only load WOTC mods and no longer load vanilla mods (that worked in WOTC). This is not a problem of the new launcher, but a problem that those vanilla mods that previously worked in WOTC have not been updated to WOTC format, and may never be updated. So below I will describe the solution to get those mods working again.First of all, there is no reason to use the Alternative Mod Launcher (AML), using a third party executable is risky to your computer security. If you prefer to learn how to use it, only download it from a trusted source .BEGIN1. In Windows Explorer go to the following folder location–> C:Users…DocumentsMy GamesXCOM2 War of the ChosenXComGameConfig2. Deleted all files in this Config folder, as it removes all mod and setup info so you can start with a fresh mod load. Note, this also deletes any of your game setting such as graphics setting, binding, etc., so when you start a new game you will need to reset them in the Options menu. Anytime you have having issues with mods, deleting files in this folder may fix most mods issues unless certain mods conflict with each other. Every time you start the game, this folder is re-written with your selected mod informaton and setup info.3. If you think you could also have game install issues, run Steam, go to the Steam properties for XCOM2 and run the integrity check to verify installed files.=========================How to Use The Old Launcher (easiest method)1. Go to the following folder (where Steam installed it) –> I:STEAM GAMESSteamSteamAppscommonXCOM 2BinariesWin64LauncherNote: My HD drive is I:, yours may be different.Right Click on the following file –> ModLauncherWPF.exeThen select Send to Desktop (create shortcut)On the desktop, right click on the new shortcut icon and select Properties. Add the following text to the end of the “Target” string so it looks like below: Insure the you have quotes around the Target followed by -noRedScreens -review (exactly as shown)”I:STEAM GAMESSteamSteamAppscommonXCOM 2XCom2-WarOfTheChosenBinariesWin64LauncherModLauncherWPF.exe” -noRedscreens -review2. Steam must be running, so run Steam and now you can minimize it to the task bar. Double click on the new shortcut to run the old XCOM2/WOTC LAUNCHER.3. Select your mods, any WOTC mods and any Vanilla mods you have used that work in WOTC. Note: Most Vanilla mods will not work in WOTC.4. Start the game after selecting the mods.5. Any previous save game you have using these exact same mods can now be loaded or start a new game.6. You may just continue to use this old Launcher if you want and not bother with the new one. But based on what we’ve see coming out of 2K Games, it may be removed on any future update.How to Use the New Launcher to Play XCOM2/WOTC1. If all your mods are only WOTC mods you should have no problem.2. If you previously used Vanilla mods that worked in WOTC, this launcher “will not” load them.3. Solution: Get the mod creator to update the mod for use in WOTC, or adopt the mod and update it yourself.4. Alternate solution to use known good Vanilla mods that previously worked in WOTC. Use the following steps:a. Open the folder where the subscribed workshop mods are located, on my computer its –> I:STEAM GAMESSteamSteamAppsworkshopcontent268500This folder contains all the mods your have subscribed to and each have a unique folder number. Select and open the folder that has the Vanilla mod you wish to change for WOTC loading. You can find the number in the Workshop if you select the mod and look at the end of the address bar, which contains the number of the mod.In my case, I use 5 vanilla mods that worked in WOTC, this is one of them and its mod number is 616359783One of the mods I use is called Free Camera Rotation.The mod folder contains a file called “FreeCameraRotation.XComMod”The info inside this file needs to have an extra line added to be recognized as a WOTC mod.Below is the before and after I edited the mod, now it will be used by this patched launcher as a WOTC mod..BEFORE ==============================[mod]publishedFileId=616359783Title=Free Camera RotationDescription=A quick and simple rework of my similar mod for EU/EW.tags= facility, gameplay, wotcAFTER ============================[mod]publishedFileId=616359783Title=Free Camera RotationDescription=A quick and simple rework of my similar mod for EU/EW.RequiresXPACK=truetags= facility, gameplay, wotc=================================As you can see I’ve added: [RequiresXPACK=true] to the this mod’s text which tells the launcher its a WOTC mod. Save your change and do the same to any other vanilla mods you have been using for WOTC. In each mod folder there is a file name like above:: XXXXXXXXXXXX.XComModOnce completed, you should now be able to select those mods in the new WOTC launcher.If you are not sure how to perform the above, perhaps get a friend that is more computer savy to help you. Good Luck and continue to enjoy XCOM2/WOTC.enjoy !!!
INSTRUCTIONS
Using 2K launchers to run XCOM2/WOTC with mods