Resolving the problem associated with the Paradox Launcher for Age of Wonders 4 on the Steam Deck.
Using Steam Mods on Steam Deck
Are you feeling resigned to playing Age of Wonders 4 on the Steam Deck without the ability to use mods? Is the absence of the Paradox Launcher causing this frustration?
Here’s what you can do to address the issue:
1. Obtain the Paradox Launcher.exe file from this source.
Alternatively, if you also play Age of Wonders 4 on your PC, you can simply copy and paste the file from your PC. The provided link caters specifically to Steam Deck users who don’t have access to a PC for file transfer. You can also acquire the file from a trusted friend or another reliable source. The file should be identical for everyone.
2. Replace the existing file in the launcher-se folder within the local game files on your Steam Deck.
3. Once you’ve completed the replacement, you should be able to utilize the launcher without any complications.
Why does this solution work?
It appears that, at a certain point, the Paradox Launcher.exe fails to download correctly onto the Steam Deck along with the game. Consequently, the existing Paradox Launcher.exe file on the Steam Deck becomes ineffective, despite all the necessary files being present.
By downloading the file from the PC version of the game, you obtain an identical version that matches the one intended for the Steam Deck. Replacing the inadequate “dummy” version on the Steam Deck with a functional desktop PC version of Paradox Launcher.exe resolves the problem and allows it to function properly.
Bonus: Mods from other Sources
To incorporate mods from external sources besides Steam, simply copy the mod folder to…
~/.local/share/Paradox Interactive/Age of Wonders 4/Mods
If the Mods subfolder doesn’t already exist, you may need to create it. Afterward, you can utilize the launcher to include any mods you’ve placed within that folder.