Launcher.exe replacement

[v1c7r1x]

I've written a replacement Launcher.exe which should solve the problems people have with the original Launcher. It is a simple drop-in replacement with a more functional interface. The only requirement is installation of .NET 4.0.


Download
Download v1.2 (33 KiB). If there are problems with the current version you may try v1.0 (20 KiB).
A screenshot of the GUI is available here.

Features / Requirements

• Requires .NET 4.0 to be installed (installer download).
• Improved interface, last used mod can be launched with a single mouse click or key shortcut.
• Supports official mods (Kingdom campaigns) and unofficial mods. Tested with Kingdoms, Retrofit mod, Stainless Steel 6.4 and Third Age Total War 1.01. If some mods aren't shown or don't run properly, please let me know so I can look into the issue.
• Option to disable the games intro movies.

See the included 'Readme.txt' for further information.

Changes in version 1.2

• Fixed crash on startup (which happened when no unofficial mods were properly entered in the Registry).
• Option to disable intro movies.
• Settings are now properly stored in AppData directory.
• Some GUI changes.

Known bugs
No bugs currently known.


Please post comments, questions and bug-reports in this thread, write me a PM or email to v1c7r1x@hotCOLDmail.com (after removing the COLD).


Note to moderators: This program does not circumvent any DRM measure or hacks Steam, it is a very plain Windows/.NET program; this can be verified with the the included source code.

[DoubtfulGuest]

Thank you for this! I was looking all over for something that eliminates that horrible unending launcher music issue - this little fix does exactly what it advertises.

[Solaire]

I signed up for this forum just to thank you for making this launcher. I spent 6 hours looking for a fix until I finally managed to stumble upon this topic. Nothing worked and the Kingdoms campaigns were completely inaccessible to me. This fix is completely necessary for anyone who buys Medi2 Gold on Steam.

[v1c7r1x]

Solaire & DoubfulGuest, thank you for your positive feedback. It's nice to know that this program helps others.

A new version with support for unofficial mods is on the way, I hope to upload it no later than tomorrow.

[v1c7r1x]

Bump: Version 1.1 released, support for unofficial mods has been added. So far I've only tested the Retrofit Mod, I'd appreciate feedback if other mods work as well.

[mercn]

I use this, works great

[mercn]

It doesn't see Third Age Total War

[mercn]

1.01 crashes but 1.00 is stable for me

[mercn]

never mind TATW works for 1.0 but 1.01 just crashes no matter what

[v1c7r1x]

Originally Posted by mercn

never mind TATW works for 1.0 but 1.01 just crashes no matter what

How did you create the Registry entries for making TATW visible to the launchers? The TATW 1.0 installer is broken and doesn't create them. So neither the official Launcher nor my Launcher will see TATW without intervention, either manually creating the entries or using Kingdoms Launcher App. I installed TATW 1.0 and then updated to 1.01, creating proper Registry entries with KLA and both versions seem to work. I only tested startup of 1.0, but in 1.01 I started a campaign and experienced no problems.

Maybe you gave 'medieval2.exe' as executing program for TATW instead of 'kingdoms.exe'? I suppose that would crash Medieval 2, as it probably won't understand the data in a Kingdoms mod.

[mercn]

Originally Posted by v1c7r1x

How did you create the Registry entries for making TATW visible to the launchers? The TATW 1.0 installer is broken and doesn't create them. So neither the official Launcher nor my Launcher will see TATW without intervention, either manually creating the entries or using Kingdoms Launcher App. I installed TATW 1.0 and then updated to 1.01, creating proper Registry entries with KLA and both versions seem to work. I only tested startup of 1.0, but in 1.01 I started a campaign and experienced no problems.

Maybe you gave 'medieval2.exe' as executing program for TATW instead of 'kingdoms.exe'? I suppose that would crash Medieval 2, as it probably won't understand the data in a Kingdoms mod.

I just installed TATW to my medival total war 2 install directory and then in the folder mods. I followed the directions the devs gave on moddb which was to rename the americas mod folder to anything and then rename the tatw mod folder to americas. so when i use your launcher and select americas it loads TATW.

[v1c7r1x]

Originally Posted by mercn

I just installed TATW to my medival total war 2 install directory and then in the folder mods. I followed the directions the devs gave on moddb which was to rename the americas mod folder to anything and then rename the tatw mod folder to americas. so when i use your launcher and select americas it loads TATW.

Hm, that should work, even though it's better to use Kingdoms Launcher App. And it does work with the original Launcher but only crashes with my launcher? Then I really can't think of anything that would cause this, especially as TATW 1.0 and 1.01 work on my system with my launcher.

[NXMT]

Thank you so much for this. I'm using the GetGamesGo version and it was a pain to have to link a shortcut to every expansion.

[LoGr]

OMG ! Its working, working ! Thank you very much for it man ! It was such a headache with the old one launcher...

Here goes little bug report:
1.0 version works fine with my Win 7 x64 SP1 even with Stainless Steel 6.4 mod (added to list with 'Kingdoms Launcher App' from twcenter.net)

but 1.1 version is crushes at the same moment Ive launching it.
additional error info (yep its from russian windows):
Сигнатура проблемы:
Имя события проблемы: CLR20r3
Сигнатура проблемы 01: launcher.exe
Сигнатура проблемы 02: 1.0.0.0
Сигнатура проблемы 03: 4f2c6714
Сигнатура проблемы 04: Launcher
Сигнатура проблемы 05: 1.0.0.0
Сигнатура проблемы 06: 4f2c6714
Сигнатура проблемы 07: 10
Сигнатура проблемы 08: 3d
Сигнатура проблемы 09: N3CTRYE2KN3C34SGL4ZQYRBFTE4M13NB
Версия ОС: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.256.1
Код языка: 1049
Дополнительные сведения 1: 0a9e
Дополнительные сведения 2: 0a9e372d3b4ad19135b953a78882e789
Дополнительные сведения 3: 0a9e
Дополнительные сведения 4: 0a9e372d3b4ad19135b953a78882e789

[v1c7r1x]

Originally Posted by LoGr

Here goes little bug report:
1.0 version works fine with my Win 7 x64 SP1 even with Stainless Steel 6.4 mod (added to list with 'Kingdoms Launcher App' from twcenter.net)

but 1.1 version is crushes at the same moment Ive launching it.
additional error info (yep its from russian windows):

Thanks for the detailed bug report! I think I've located that bug; a fixed version is coming soon.