How to change "Paradox Interactive" data folder location?

[jprc]

Once a game is installed in Steam, I do not want to have data folders polluting the main root under my "(user)\Document" folder with unwanted added folders: all main folders there are manually created according to my archives and grouped by themes. Wild additions are unwelcome, and no, virtual links are not a solution.

I want to have my games using the default Windows folder "Documents\MY GAMES\".


It was possible to do it years ago: I was used with HOI2, HOI3, CK 2 and EU3 to organize my data/game folder by adding a "UserDir.txt" in the game installation folder, with my required data folder, with a line like "(drive):\Users\(me)\Documents\My Games\Paradox Interactive\Europa Universalis IV"

I am about to install and play the latest 3 games: CK3, EU4 and HOI4. It is about time I play them !!!

Unfortunately, after installing the games, they created an absolutely unwelcome "(me)\Documents\Paradox Interactive" with the 3 sub-folders for each game.

I tried my old solution by adding a "UserDir.txt" with my correct data path, in each main installation folders.
No. It still uses or re-creates the "Paradox Interactive" directory under the document's root, not under "/My Games" which would be fine.

Then, I saw that the folder "\STEAM\STEAMAPPS\COMMON\Crusader Kings III\launcher" has a file, "launcher-settings.json" with the key : "gameDataPath": "%USER_DOCUMENTS%/Paradox Interactive/Crusader Kings III".
Great! I changed it to "gameDataPath": "%USER_DOCUMENTS%/My Games/Paradox Interactive/Crusader Kings III", and deleted the old folders, hoping for the software to recreate all files into the required folder...
No. It still re-creates the same "\Documents\Paradox Interactive\". Right under the main root.

I am lost. Something in the Registry ? (Windows 10)

I guess, if a solution exists, it will be good for the 3 games, CK3, EU4 and HOI4.

Any one knows how to do this, i.e. force the games to use the created Paradox Interactive folders under the right path ?

 

[x4077]

Then, I saw that the folder "\STEAM\STEAMAPPS\COMMON\Crusader Kings III\launcher" has a file, "launcher-settings.json" with the key : "gameDataPath": "%USER_DOCUMENTS%/Paradox Interactive/Crusader Kings III".
Great! I changed it to "gameDataPath": "%USER_DOCUMENTS%/My Games/Paradox Interactive/Crusader Kings III", and deleted the old folders, hoping for the software to recreate all files into the required folder...

Pretty sure the gameDataPath in the launcher-settings.json file is only used for the launcher binary so that it updates the proper files for the game executable to operate.

It was possible to do it years ago: I was used with HOI2, HOI3, CK 2 and EU3 to organize my data/game folder by adding a "UserDir.txt" in the game installation folder, with my required data folder, with a line like "(drive):\Users\(me)\Documents\My Games\Paradox Interactive\Europa Universalis IV"

I am lost. Something in the Registry ? (Windows 10)

I guess, if a solution exists, it will be good for the 3 games, CK3, EU4 and HOI4.

The game engine for CK3 has been changed considerably from the one being used for the older games you mentioned, it is quite possible that this 'UserDir.txt' redirection feature you mention is no longer supported by the current code.

Any one knows how to do this, i.e. force the games to use the created Paradox Interactive folders under the right path ?

The paths that the game uses are the 'right' path. If you want to use a different path, I would strongly suggest using a symbolic link ( either mklink.exe or junction.exe from SysInternals ) to link the path you want to use to the ones that the game uses. Otherwise I fear you will constantly be revisiting this issue as future patches are released and things about the game change.