Rolling Back a game version

[Ghadaro]

Due to the issues surrounding launchpad here are 3 methods to bypass launchpad:

To bypass Launchpad with Steam launch options

1. Go to the install location (If you don't know where right click the game, choose properties -> local files-> browse local files)
   
2. Right click CivilizationV_Dx11 and Create Shortcut
   
3. Right click the shortcut and select properties
   
   
4. Go to the end of the target box and add %command% after a space.
   For example mine reads: "E:\Games\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Sid Meier's Civilization V\CivilizationV_DX11.exe" %command%
   
5. Press ctrl+a to select the entire target path then ctrl+c to copy the path
   
   
6. In steam right click Civilization V and select properties
   
7. Under General click Set Launch options
   
8. paste the path you copied.
   
9. Click okay

Steam will now bypass launchpad. This also allows GMR to load direct to game when grabbing your turn same as it does with the legacy version.

Alternatively they have a legacy version as a private beta:

1. Open up Steam and navigate to your LIBRARY.
   
2. Right click on the game in your library and choose "Properties."
   
3. Select the "BETAS" tab.
   
4. In the text box to "Enter beta access for to unlock private beta:" enter the password:
   ineedlegacyaccess
   
5. Click on the "CHECK CODE" button.
   
6. You should see a confirmation message that access has been granted.
   
7. If not already selected in the drop down, select "legacy" and click close.
   
8. Steam may require you to download and update for the game. Wait for this to happen or force it using "LIBRARY -> DOWNLOADS".
   
9. Once the game has been updated, click "PLAY" as usual and you will be running the legacy branch.

You will need to run the Legacy launcher from steam and run the game so game settings can update, after this shortcuts will work as usual including the use of launch commands like \dx11 to load direct to game.


Using a shortcut without loading the legacy launcher first will direct to the launchpad version.

The legacy access password was in the 2k FAQ article SamBC provided a link to and highlighted to the forums by [TBR] Flaming

Thanks to Mr.Monday for pointing out the issue with shortcuts.

Added method to bypass launchpad using steam launch options after a post by Milkshaker reminded me about this thread.
Note that the %command% method should work for many other games with launchers


Lastly here is a guide by Wooden Spirit on downgrading game versions as an alternative method but the above methods are easier and quicker to set up.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2353930763

[Mr. Monday]

This doesn't seem like it will work for me. Clicking on Properties says that the target application is a web document and not an app. All the tabs are different.

[Ghadaro]

What step are you having issues with?

[Mr. Monday]

Step 1. What's shown in the screenshot is different from what I see.

[Ghadaro]

Try creating a new shortcut manually.

Right click your desktop, highlight new and select shortcut
Click browse, go to the steam folder and select the Steam exe (will have the steam icon)
Click okay, click next then click ok

Now right click the shortcut you just created and select properties.

[Ron Paul [ICON_TEAM_USA]]

I strongly believe one of the depots is causing my problem, but it only has one manifest, and is brand new. Do I need to uninstall the depot altogether? And how do I do this if so?

[Ghadaro]

Originally posted by A Pleb Among Noobs:

I strongly believe one of the depots is causing my problem, but it only has one manifest, and is brand new. Do I need to uninstall the depot altogether? And how do I do this if so?

I haven't downgraded Civ 5 myself yet as I'm still looking at the new launcher and seeing what bugs I can find and whether I can further speed it up so I haven't actually checked through the depots. I have used the downgrade in other games though like Fallout 4

I would suggest as you are having problems with downgrading using the Legacy version instead:

The password to the legacy version has been mentioned in the forums (quoted in top post)
Right click Civilization 5 in your game library
Select properties
Go to Betas
In the private beta password box enter:

ineedlegacyaccess


Select Civilization 5 - Legacy
Close the menu

You can then run Civilation 5 legacy launcher (the old one).

[Alucard †]

Originally posted by Ghadaro:

Originally posted by A Pleb Among Noobs:

I strongly believe one of the depots is causing my problem, but it only has one manifest, and is brand new. Do I need to uninstall the depot altogether? And how do I do this if so?

I haven't downgraded Civ 5 myself yet as I'm still looking at the new launcher and seeing what bugs I can find and whether I can further speed it up so I haven't actually checked through the depots. I have used the downgrade in other games though like Fallout 4

I would suggest as you are having problems with downgrading using the Legacy version instead:

The password to the legacy version has been mentioned in the forums (quoted in top post)
Right click Civilization 5 in your game library
Select properties
Go to Betas
In the private beta password box enter:

ineedlegacyaccess


Select Civilization 5 - Legacy
Close the menu

You can then run Civilation 5 legacy launcher (the old one).

Does this only change the launcher and not anything in the game itself?
Just asking to be sure

[Ghadaro]

Originally posted by ⎛ Alucard ⎞ ✟:

Does this only change the launcher and not anything in the game itself?
Just asking to be sure

A quick skim of the depots on steamdb it says they are all cloned from the main install apart from a couple of mac files so not sure why there are some differences in the mac version between installs but it should only change the launcher on Windows

[Alucard †]

Originally posted by Ghadaro:

Originally posted by ⎛ Alucard ⎞ ✟:

Does this only change the launcher and not anything in the game itself?
Just asking to be sure

A quick skim of the depots on steamdb it says they are all cloned from the main install apart from a couple of mac files so not sure why there are some differences in the mac version between installs but it should only change the launcher on Windows

Ah cool

[Mr. Monday]

Your instructions on using the legacy version as a private beta is missing important info. You have to start it from Steam, not from a shortcut. Otherwise it goes back to the new launcher.

[SamBC]

Originally posted by Mr. Monday:

Your instructions on using the legacy version as a private beta is missing important info. You have to start it from Steam, not from a shortcut. Otherwise it goes back to the new launcher.

That's surprising... I'll add that to the the notes in the pinned thread.

[Ghadaro]

Originally posted by Mr. Monday:

Your instructions on using the legacy version as a private beta is missing important info. You have to start it from Steam, not from a shortcut. Otherwise it goes back to the new launcher.

After loading the game once through the legacy launcher in steam your shortcuts will work as they should.
Adding \dx11 to the target path of a shortcut will also load direct to game skipping the launcher entirely as it did before

Thanks for the spot, I've ammended the first post.

[Mr. Monday]

Originally posted by Ghadaro:

Originally posted by Mr. Monday:

Your instructions on using the legacy version as a private beta is missing important info. You have to start it from Steam, not from a shortcut. Otherwise it goes back to the new launcher.

After loading the game once through the legacy launcher in steam your shortcuts will work as they should.
Adding \dx11 to the target path of a shortcut will also load direct to game skipping the launcher entirely as it did before

Thanks for the spot, I've ammended the first post.

That's weird. Last night when I started the game it was only loading the legacy launcher from Steam. Everytime I tried the shortcut it would get the new launcher. I just checked the shortcut again and it's working like you said it would.

[Milkshaker]

Thx for the "how to bypass" update!

The community mercifully adheres to your wise advice.

[CrotteDeNez]

it worked for me, the game finaly launched ! thanks!