How to get Civ4:BTS working on El Capitan and Sierra

[Mistoltin]

Does anyone know if this method also works for Mojave?

 

[Xyth]

Does anyone know if this method also works for Mojave?

It does.

 

[bay23]

It does.

Can confirm, just did it again. I was getting panic attacks about losing Civ IV forever.

 

[Xyth]

Can confirm, just did it again. I was getting panic attacks about losing Civ IV forever.

May become reality in whatever comes after Mojave, as it's meant tol be dropping support for 32 bit apps.

 

[eligs]

Thanks for the hints and the Patch.
Since I did not want to jeopardize my system integrity (by disabling SIP to alter the contents of the /System/Library directory) just to play an old game, I decided to install the missing framework files into /Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/ and to patch the hardcoded path in the Civilization IV executable.
I used a hex-editor ("0xED") to locate the string and change it (there are 2 occurences, overwrite the old string and zero-terminate it, leave the remaining part of the old string in place, do not shorten the file!). It works like a charm.

 

[Xyth]

Thanks for the hints and the Patch.
Since I did not want to jeopardize my system integrity (by disabling SIP to alter the contents of the /System/Library directory) just to play an old game, I decided to install the missing framework files into /Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/ and to patch the hardcoded path in the Civilization IV executable.
I used a hex-editor ("0xED") to locate the string and change it (there are 2 occurences, overwrite the old string and zero-terminate it, leave the remaining part of the old string in place, do not shorten the file!). It works like a charm.

SIP is only disabled for the duration of installing the missing Python files, so this feels a bit excessive, but if it works it works!

EDIT: This method could have the advantage of not needing to reinstall this fix every major update. Not sure if the /Library/ location gets wiped of changes like /System/Library does.

 

[eligs]

Yep, I got that. Temporarily disabled to put some files - which were provided by "some dude on the internet" - to /System/Libraries ... (what could possibly go wrong?)
I just wanted to keep that directory "vanilla" by patching the executable and placing the files in a less privileged directory.
So at least this demonstrates that a less invasive (regarding SIP) possibility exists - even if one needs to poke around with a hex editor. (Another bonus: No reboot required).
It also works for Warlords and BTS btw.

Edit: Good point regarding persistence. I just performed a major update a week ago and there is still some stuff in /Library/Frameworks (e.g. OSXFUSE) which was installed before the update. So it seems, it could survive there...

 

[Guyric]

Step 1:

Download the necessary files from here. Unpack them. You should have a folder called 'BTS El Capitan Python Fix'.



The link goes to no page, do you still have the necessary files available?

 

[Xyth]

The link goes to no page, do you still have the necessary files available?

I've uploaded and attached them to the first post of this thread. Likewise for the Yosemite+ version in that thread.

 

[Guyric]

You

I've uploaded and attached them to the first post of this thread. Likewise for the Yosemite+ version in that thread.

You
are awesome, thank you