Two seperate CK2 installs, possible?

[Sjerrie]

Hi all! I have a question, as in the title.

I am having bucketloads of fun with CK2. I play both vanilla and the Game of Thrones mod. Now, I was mainly playing v2.4.5, as that happened to be the best working version for the version of the mod I had at the time, and somewhere along the way I also got invested in trying out for the achievements in vanilla. At the moment I'm trying for SPQR with the Byzantines, so I guess that's a long-term goal.

The mod got updated in the meantime, now compatible with v2.5.2, and I felt an itch that needs scratching. Problem is, I am still playing my SPQR game too, and I really don't want to mess up anything in that save accidentally by patching.

I would like to know if there is an easy way to have two seperate installs of CK2, one of v2.4.5, and one of the latest version. That way I don't have to rush my vanilla SPQR-game in v2.4.5, but I can still mess around with the latest version of the Game of Thrones mod.

I have tried making a copy of Steam's CK2 folders and starting the game directly from those folders, but with the "copy" (for GoT) I am unable to select any DLC.

I hope there's a solution to my problem. Apologies if this is in the wrong sub.

 

[balmung60]

Simply copy the entire Crusader Kings II directory to some other place when it's on the patch you want to have not update. It will still be fully playable except for not being able to get achievements when launched from the new directory. The original install will also still work and be able to get achievements so long as it's launched through Steam and meets the other requirements.

To my knowledge, DLC should still work when doing this, though I have not had cause to do so for a long time.

You could also just roll forward to 2.5.2 when you want to play GOT mod and back to 2.4.5 when you want to play your SQPR game.

 

[SchwarzKatze]

I have tried making a copy of Steam's CK2 folders and starting the game directly from those folders, but with the "copy" (for GoT) I am unable to select any DLC.

Could you elaborate? In what manner are you unable to select DLCs?

 

[Sjerrie]

That was my whole setup, copying the directory. It is sort-of playable, but none of the DLCs are active, as evidenced by those icons on the lower left, and the ruler designer button greyed out.

As for being unable to select those DLCs, in the launcher there are two tabs, one for DLCs and one for mods, the mod one is selected by default and the DLC one is greyed out.

 

[Azarias59]

Could you elaborate? In what manner are you unable to select DLCs?

Probably because they don't show up as purchased

 

[RhaegarTelcontarTargaryen]

I once experimented with this. It is indeed possible to do it. And yes, I had problem, when I played one, say main version through steam, then tried to play the other, start it through launcher in the directory it worked, although the DLCs did not show. For the sake of it, I can not remember how I solved the problem, I think I tinkered maybe with dlc_signature.. it was long time ago, I can't remember.

 

[Aardvark Bellay]

I'll just leave that here: http://steamcommunity.com/app/203770/discussions/0/405693392931774586/
As was mentioned, copying the dlc_signature file only instead of the whole folder also works.

 

[Sjerrie]

So the conclusion is that two seperate directories simply doesn't work?

 

[Aardvark Bellay]

So the conclusion is that two seperate directories simply doesn't work?

You posted directly after my post and link which you obviously didn't read.
You can have as many versions as you like. Only one at a time for running with Steam features though.

 

[Sjerrie]

You posted directly after my post and link which you obviously didn't read.
You can have as many versions as you like. Only one at a time for running with Steam features though.

Apologies, I must've missed your response. I tried the method described on the Steam page, but that has the same result, still no DLCs active or even selectable. The added files are in their place, but no dice...

 

[Aardvark Bellay]

Apologies, I must've missed your response. I tried the method described on the Steam page, but that has the same result, still no DLCs active or even selectable. The added files are in their place, but no dice...

I can't say what you do wrong at that point,. but keep in mind that you have to run the game once for it to register the DLCs correctly, so when you update or revert the game version, run it once through Steam so that the DLCs get recognised, then copy the game folder and the dlc_signature file or complete Ck2 folder in Documents accordingly.
For AGOT you obviously first have to update your regular Steam version to 2.5.2, run it, copy the stuff out to make the seperate game and Documents folder for the mod and then revert the Steam version again for you to continue on 2.4.5.

 

[iron0037]

Did you run the right executable in the directory you copied? One is the game exe and the other is the exe for the launcher. If you use the game exe, then you won't get the launcher window to select DLCs.

 

[Aardvark Bellay]

Did you run the right executable in the directory you copied? One is the game exe and the other is the exe for the launcher. If you use the game exe, then you won't get the launcher window to select DLCs.

There is only one executable since...many, many moons/patches.
edit: At least since 2.1.6, so probably with release of 2.1 Rajas of India.

 

[SchwarzKatze]

There's a strange workaround, although I'm not sure if it still works after the exe merger:

1. Get an incredibly old version of the game (not launcher), in my case, it's 1.5.
2. Put it in the folder of the copy that you wish to validate. Of course, rename the current exe first.
3. Run the old exe. It should crash during the loading screen, but don't worry.
4. Put the old exe somewhere else, restore the current exe.
5. Run the current exe, you should be able to select DLCs now.