JA2:WF LINUX not running FIX + CD-KEY FIX

[K.O.]

Hey.

Just managed to get it working somehow under Linux - maybe it could be useful to you.

Below you can find a workaround to run it with SteamPlay, not in linux native mode which does not work for me. After installation under Linux native mode the game did not start at all and nothing happened.


STEPS TO GET IT RUNNING:

1. STEAM -> SETTINGS -> STEAM PLAY -> ENABLE STEAM PLAY FOR SUPPORTED TITLES

2. Library -> right click JA2:WF -> check "force (...) Steam Play" and choose the newest Proton from the list

3. Run JA2: WF and let it download files and install things

4. The result should be a CD-KEY pop-up after running the game.



FIXING THE CD-KEY PROBLEM

1. Go to your desktop and create a new text file with the following text

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\iDeal-Games\JA2 Wildfire]
"Registration"=hex:3c,2f,6f,22,a3,a0,50,22,58,8f,60,22,1e,2d,ad,20

2. Save the new file with .reg extension

3. Install wine (if you do not have one installed)
Manjaro: sudo pacman -S wine
Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install wine

4. Run terminal and the following command

WINEPREFIX="​<Steam Library>/steamapps/compatdata/215930/pfx" regedit

where ​
<Steam Library> is the first part of the link to your Steam folder

If wine wants to install something, then let it do it.

5. Registry window opens. Click Registry -> Import registry file

6. Choose the new .reg file and confirm. Close the file.

7. Run the game from steam library and enjoy!

[Broken Condom]

thanks a lot, it works
just a question, how do you got the registry key?
anyway it sucks that a game passed off as linux native needs all this work to works

[jm]

thank you very much, it works.
Nice to play the game again after a long time ...

[Mat.BC]

thank you so much, what a weird black magic you did there, and I agree with the Broken Condom fella here that the game advertised as linux native is wierdly complicated to run

[rusty_dragon]

Well Linux "support" is not a support at all. It's just a windows version with custom WINE setup.

Which is a shame, since we even have game's source code available publicly.

So OP's solution is the most correct. Since Proton is a custom build of WINE, that is waay fresher than what you get with the game.

[OldManLuNg]

Works like a charm on Manjaro Linux!
Huge thanks!

[merthurian]

This worked ONCE for me. After restarting my laptop I can't run the game. I try starting in the steam library but it just says "running". Game won't start.

[M33X7]

It works! Thank you very much!

[MasterionX]

Originally posted by rusty_dragon:

Well Linux "support" is not a support at all. It's just a windows version with custom WINE setup.

Which is a shame, since we even have game's source code available publicly.

So OP's solution is the most correct. Since Proton is a custom build of WINE, that is waay fresher than what you get with the game.

Wish the devs at least made a proper Proton update for the game (seeing that native build is unlikely)

[TUMM|gottesfuss]

Awesome, thank you very much, works a treat

[aeris]

Find this instruction in the internet

FIXING THE CD-KEY PROBLEM
Had this problem with Linux (Ubuntu+Steam)

1. Click right button on the JA2 in the game list

2. Select "Properties->LocalFiles->Browse Local Files"

3. Сreate a new empty file "JA-key.reg" in game directory

4. Add this text to this file and save file:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\iDeal-Games\JA2 Wildfire]
"Registration"=hex:3c,2f,6f,22,a3,a0,50,22,58,8f,60,22,1e,2d,ad,20

5. Edit the file: RunGame.bat, you need change the last line to:

start /WAIT "" regedit
start /WAIT "" WF6.exe

6. Run the game from the Steam Library, this action will run the windows regedit

7. Registry window opens. Click Registry -> Import registry file

8. Choose the new .reg file and confirm. Close the file.

9. Delete the line "start /WAIT "" regedit" from the file "RunGame.bat"

10. Run the game from Steam Library and enjoy.. :)


====
At step 4/
You need simple txt editor for this action to avoid problem with steps 7 and 8.
I used gedit tool: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/gedit.

[run]

Thanks alot!

[iCanBarelyWait]

This thread is by far the most comprehensive and the most accurate. Can we pin it ?

[sam]

4. Run terminal and the following command
doesnt work on steam deck

[LilaLauneBär]

this works!

[SHOT(by)GUN]

Thank you o7