Linux: Paradox Launcher v2 Setup Wizard ended prematurely

[dannyman]

After some hours of frustration, I worked out my problems.

I suggest you skip this post and check out my summary here: https://steamcommunity.com/app/949230/discussions/0/3877095833477283369/

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When I try to run the game, it launches the launcher, which wants to install itself to c:\Program Files\Paradox Interactive\launcher and then it fails, saying the Setup Wizard ended prematurely.

Directory ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/949230/pfx/drive_c/Program Files/Paradox Interactive is empty.

I tried rm -rf ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/949230 and repair files but nada.

In ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/949230/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/Local Settings/Application Data/Paradox Interactive/launcher-v2/logs/launcher-installer.log I see:

WelcomeDlg
DEBUG: Error 2726:  Action not found: WelcomeDlg
The installer has encountered an unexpected error installing this package. This may indicate a problem with this package. The error code is 2726. 

In launcher-dowser.log:

2023-10-24 17:02:01 [main] [INFO] Dowser version: 2023.3
2023-10-24 17:02:01 [main] [INFO] Dowser TargetEnv: prod
2023-10-24 17:02:01 [main] [INFO] Launcher version from installer: 2023.11
2023-10-24 17:02:01 [main] [INFO] The `launcherpath` file does not exists:
C:\users\steamuser\Local Settings\Application Data\Paradox Interactive\launcherpath
2023-10-24 17:02:01 [main] [INFO] Trying to fix existing installation in "/passive" mode
2023-10-24 17:02:01 [main] [ERROR] Fixing existing installation failed:
exit status 1605
2023-10-24 17:02:01 [main] [INFO] Running regular installation in "/passive" mode
2023-10-24 17:02:03 [main] [ERROR] Encountered installation error: exit status 1603
2023-10-24 17:02:03 [main] [INFO] Retrying installation on non-passive mode
2023-10-24 17:02:11 [main] [INFO] Telemetry response:
{"result":"OK"}
2023-10-24 17:02:11 [main] [CRITICAL] Failed to install Paradox Launcher:
exit status 1603

Screenshot: https://sfba.social/@dannyman/111292642767248880

It took 2+ hours to download. If I need to download to reinstall / fix I'll just request a refund.

[dannyman]

I can successfully run the installer manually:

mkdir -p ~/.proton/
export STEAM_COMPAT_DATA_PATH=~/.proton/
export STEAM_COMPAT_CLIENT_INSTALL_PATH=$HOME/.steam/steam
cd '~/.steam/steam/steamapps/common/Cities Skylines II'
~/.steam/steam/steamapps/common/Proton\ -\ Experimental/proton run ./Launcher/launcher-installer-windows_2023.11.msi

... I explicitly set the compatibility for CS2 to "Proton Experimental" and now the launcher launches ... and complains that DirectX is broken. ugh

Failed to initialize graphics.
Make sure you have DirectX 11 installed, have up to date
drivers for your graphics card and have not disabled
3D acceleration in display settings.
InitializeEngineGraphics failed

I hope this helps someone. :)

[dannyman]

I launched the game under Proton Experimental, and set the launch option PROTON_USE_WINED3D=1 %command% to fix the DirectX issue.

[dannyman]

... but then the in-game graphics are an awful mess ...

This game may not be for me. :)

[/proc/self/nolimits]

I am running under linux limiting it to 60fps with the recommended graphic changes I found on one guide.
Working fine so far.

[/proc/self/nolimits]

alright, after I found out that I have stutter and my gpu needs to go to 90% of capacity in order to keep 60 fps I requested a refund.

[pppp56]

HIthanks for the intel, I managed to install the launcher with your command dannyman, but I am unable to launch the game even after that, it never opens the launcher when click on play on steam. And using the CIties2.exe exec directly give me a black screen and crash. Did you managed to make it work ?

[[GG] hkk]

I found something.

1. Make sure to use use 64 bit Wine prefix.
2. From /steamapps/common/Cities\ Skylines\ II/Launcher launch `wine dowser.exe`
3. Ignore the message, launch the game, it'll crash
4. Make sure to remove `/steamapps/compdata/949230` directory
5. Use Proton Experimental or GE-Proton8-22
6. Launch the game from Steam

It's not perfect but works for me most of the time.
But bear in mind, I use Intel Arc GPU ;)