Fix Long Loading Times (+DirectX 11), Cursor Lock, UX/UI and Gamepad

This guide is a collection of tools and mods to fix many issues that plague the game and make the experience less tolerable, mostly for Windows systems.

Fix Loading Times (and Mod Conflicts)

It seems that the issue is exactly like mentioned on the Dev Diary #181[forum.paradoxplaza.com]: Stellaris just loads one mod at a time, finishes, then moves to the next. That would explain the 30+ minutes load times some users seem to get.

As reported by several users, Linux build don't have this loading issue since their filesystem is much more solid, so this guide is mostly useless for a Linux player.

To fix this, we need to use a Clausewitz engine feature that allows the game to load zipped mods in one file. In my tests I went from 6:30 minutes to 1:30 minutes. With the experimental DirectX 11 support, it goes down even further to 30 seconds!

Merging Mods

For this we'll use Irony Mod Manager[bcssov.github.io]. Here's a complete tutorial that will give you the needed info to use it effectively. And yes, you'll still be able to use the Paradox Launcher and Steam Overlay without issues since Irony Mod Manager isn't a launcher.

Solving Mod Conflicts

Not much to add here, just check the previous video to learn how to fix mod conflicts with Irony Mod Manager.

DirectX 11

Add the parameter '-dx11' to game's properties. Here's how:

Add Cursor Lock

For this you can use either Dual Monitor Tools or Borderless Gaming. Both are Open Source.

Dual Monitor Tools

I recommend using Dual Monitor Tools[dualmonitortool.sourceforge.net] since all you need to do is open the software, launch the game, then close it after playing.

In the screenshot to the right it's the setting you need to change to make it work this way.

In case you can't get the proper link since SourceForge is hell to navigate, here it is[sourceforge.net]. Select the latest version, then I recommend the Portable version.

Borderless Gaming

This the Borderless Gaming release section github[github.com].

It works, but it takes a few seconds more to set up each time, Dual Monitor Tools is just faster and less constraining.

Choose what you prefer.

UI/Gamepad

UI/UX Improvements

Some simple mods I made to fix/improve the UI:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2241985482
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2105563930

Gamepad

And my personal Stellaris config for the Steam Controller (should be usable with other controllers too since all you'll lose is access to Shift and Ctrl).

Config is WORK IN PROGRESS: steam://controllerconfig/281990/2246838907

You can use it by copypasting the URL in your browser, then importing it to Stellaris.

[notNSANE]

I'll add a comment about Linux

[tuk0z]

Thanx. I wouldn't know by reading the guide description.

[MiniMaster22]

@notNSANE thanks, so much time i have put into trying to get this to work

[notNSANE]

@tukoz: Mostly everything on this guide is for Windows, Linux doesn't have loading issues AFAIK.

@brainiac @minimaster22: A fix for the 30% loading issue is coming in 2.8.1, and you can access it right now by enabling the "stellaris_test" build on the game's properties.

[MiniMaster22]

same as brainiac for me

[「Brainiac」]

Trying to launch Stellaris thru the Irony Mod Manager, still stuck on 30%.

[tuk0z]

Looks interesting. Would be nice to pin point which tricks are Microsoft Windows© only. E.g. I'd be glad to test on Linux if you want?