Installing BAT mod on Steam?

[Henry.K]

Hey folks!

Recently I learned of the BAT mod and wanted to give it a shot on my steam copy of BtS.
I downloaded & installed it (version 4.1), then loaded it in the [ADVANCED] menu.
However, everything looks the same - both the UI and the graphics.

You're supposed to be able to press CTL + ALT + O to bring up the BUG menu.
I tried that and it does nothing, so I'm not sure it's working even though it "loaded".

Can anyone help?

 

[f1rpo]

The emperor's new clothes?
Sounds like the folder-within-a-folder gotcha. The path should be e.g.
BtS\Mods\BAT Mod 4.1\Assets\CvGameCoreDLL.dll
with the BtS dir on Steam being probably:
Steamapps\Common\Sid Meier's Civilization IV Beyond the Sword\Beyond the Sword
If there are two folders in the path in between Mods and Assets, BtS won't find the assets and will just assume that the mod does nothing.
Also: The BUG menu is only available in an ongoing game, not directly from the opening menu.

 

[Henry.K]

The emperor's new clothes?
Sounds like the folder-within-a-folder gotcha. The path should be e.g.
BtS\Mods\BAT Mod 4.1\Assets\CvGameCoreDLL.dll
with the BtS dir on Steam being probably:
Steamapps\Common\Sid Meier's Civilization IV Beyond the Sword\Beyond the Sword
If there are two folders in the path in between Mods and Assets, BtS won't find the assets and will just assume that the mod does nothing.
Also: The BUG menu is only available in an ongoing game, not directly from the opening menu.

Hahaha! EXACTLY like the emperor's new clothes!

I went into the "Betas" menu on STEAM and selected the beta version of Civ 4.
I installed BAT executable using sherbz' instructions in [this thread].

Should I have used the ZIP instead?
...because I'm not too sure what the extraneous folder between Mods and Assets would be in your example?
...or are you referring to the whole "Sid Meier's Civilization IV Beyond the Sword\Beyond the Sword" thing?

Oh - and yes - I'm trying to access the BUG menu in an ongoing game and it's still not working.

 

[Henry.K]

UPDATE

Tried it again with the ZIP and still no luck.
Unpacked the contents to Steamapps\Common\Sid Meier's Civilization IV Beyond the Sword\Beyond the Sword\Mods\
Checked, and there is only the [BAT Mod 4.1] directory between "Mods" and "Assets" just like you said.

Loaded the mod from the ADVANCED menu, started up a game, tried to access the BUG menu; Still nothing.
No idea what I'm doing wrong here!

 

[f1rpo]

Some DLL mods aren't (fully) compatible with the Steam version of Civ4BeyondSword.exe. But I'm not sure if that can result in a mod just not having any apparent effect once loaded. You could try installing the original ("beta") version of BtS instead: old 2k Support page about that. Does the plain BUG mod work? That should be Steam-compatible (no custom DLL). With BAT 4.1, I think there should also be extra game option checkboxes at the bottom of the Custom Game screen (Spies Return to Nearest City, Rising Seas) if it's correctly loaded. Not to mention a large splash screen depicting a bat in flight upon launching a new game.

 

[Henry.K]

Some DLL mods aren't (fully) compatible with the Steam version of Civ4BeyondSword.exe. But I'm not sure if that can result in a mod just not having any apparent effect once loaded. You could try installing the original ("beta") version of BtS instead: old 2k Support page about that. Does the plain BUG mod work? That should be Steam-compatible (no custom DLL). With BAT 4.1, I think there should also be extra game option checkboxes at the bottom of the Custom Game screen (Spies Return to Nearest City, Rising Seas) if it's correctly loaded. Not to mention a large splash screen depicting a bat in flight upon launching a new game.

When I said "I went into the "Betas" menu on STEAM and selected the beta version of Civ 4", that's what I already did.
Still didn't help getting BAT to work.

When I start a new game with the BAT mod "loaded", I don't see a BAT splash screen.
However, I do see a "Blue Marble" logo on the regular BTS title picture.

I tried installing BUG and that worked perfectly!
Did it the same way I installed BAT.

Is there any way to get BAT working on steam, or am I hooped?

 

[f1rpo]

When I said "I went into the "Betas" menu on STEAM and selected the beta version of Civ 4", that's what I already did.

Oh, sorry. I hadn't noticed your 2nd/middle post at all. Well, at least that means I didn't cause you to install the beta to no avail. Maybe Blue Marble was installed under CustomAssets and gets loaded from there. BAT not working at all when BUG is fine seems pretty strange. The BAT waiting cursor also not showing up, the spinning globe? It should be sharper-looking than the pixel-y BtS/BUG cursor and appear already (briefly) on the opening menu, e.g. when accessing the Hall of Fame. Should also be easily portable from BAT to BUG by copying the Assets\Res\Cursors folder. Maybe that makes it somehow useful for narrowing down why files from one mod don't get loaded at all. But I feel I'm grasping at straws here. Maybe I'd best wait for someone else to have a good/ obvious idea.

 

[Henry.K]

Oh, sorry. I hadn't noticed your 2nd/middle post at all. Well, at least that means I didn't cause you to install the beta to no avail. Maybe Blue Marble was installed under CustomAssets and gets loaded from there. BAT not working at all when BUG is fine seems pretty strange. The BAT waiting cursor also not showing up, the spinning globe? It should be sharper-looking than the pixel-y BtS/BUG cursor and appear already (briefly) on the opening menu, e.g. when accessing the Hall of Fame. Should also be easily portable from BAT to BUG by copying the Assets\Res\Cursors folder. Maybe that makes it somehow useful for narrowing down why files from one mod don't get loaded at all. But I feel I'm grasping at straws here. Maybe I'd best wait for someone else to have a good/ obvious idea.

I appreciate your help, regardless

 

[lymond]

I appreciate your help, regardless

Sorry, just seeing this. For BTS, Steam has two BTS folders. The higher level one contains the "vanilla" assests as back those days each expansion was an add-on, requiring the base game, but Steam sells each one standalone. You must use steam...blah blah..BTS/BTS/Mods folder. The lower level is the actual BTS folder and assets.

Yes, you must use the Beta version of BTS in Steam to work with most mods as most were/are mod without the "Steam" version which is essentially a version they created to allow for their on multiplayer system after Gamespy shutdown. Their version really only as a few altered assets but that is a problem for most "Stand-alone" mods which are mods that you have to load rather than those install in Custom Assets that just are "there". Like Blue Marble (though blue marble does actually alter some non-custom assets).

Also, with Steam BTS always run from the executable in the BTS folder (THE folder) and not from the game library. Edit the properties of the exe and set to run as admin and compatibility to Win 7.

You can also create a shortcut of the exe and then append to the end of all the text in the TARGET field *space*+"mod=BAT 4.1" where after the = is the same as the mod foldeer name. Like this:

I have an extra B at the beginning because for some reason I have to..you might have to too. The game can't read it correctly without that extra B (or any extra character)

Then you can load BAT directly with the shortcut.

(I use BAT A LOOOT)

 

[Henry.K]

Sorry, just seeing this. For BTS, Steam has two BTS folders. The higher level one contains the "vanilla" assests as back those days each expansion was an add-on, requiring the base game, but Steam sells each one standalone. You must use steam...blah blah..BTS/BTS/Mods folder. The lower level is the actual BTS folder and assets.

Yes, you must use the Beta version of BTS in Steam to work with most mods as most were/are mod without the "Steam" version which is essentially a version they created to allow for their on multiplayer system after Gamespy shutdown. Their version really only as a few altered assets but that is a problem for most "Stand-alone" mods which are mods that you have to load rather than those install in Custom Assets that just are "there". Like Blue Marble (though blue marble does actually alter some non-custom assets).

Also, with Steam BTS always run from the executable in the BTS folder (THE folder) and not from the game library. Edit the properties of the exe and set to run as admin and compatibility to Win 7.

You can also create a shortcut of the exe and then append to the end of all the text in the TARGET field *space*+"mod=BAT 4.1" where after the = is the same as the mod foldeer name. Like this:

View attachment 728074

I have an extra B at the beginning because for some reason I have to..you might have to too. The game can't read it correctly without that extra B (or any extra character)

Then you can load BAT directly with the shortcut.

(I use BAT A LOOOT)

Yep, I always installed mods to the BTS/BTS/Mods folder. It was confusing at first, but then it made sense!

I also use the "beta" version in steam as you suggested.

I tried running the .exe in Win7 compatibility mode, but it would get only part-way loaded then stop and exit.
Is that the issue perhaps?

I also tried creating that shortcut as you suggested, although I didn't add the extra "B".
However, even when I try loading it as a mod in the game it does nothing.

Although, like I say, when I load the mod the title screen changes to one with a "Blue Marble" logo.
So clearly SOMETHING is working hehe!

 

[lymond]

Yep, I always installed mods to the BTS/BTS/Mods folder. It was confusing at first, but then it made sense!

I also use the "beta" version in steam as you suggested.

I tried running the .exe in Win7 compatibility mode, but it would get only part-way loaded then stop and exit.
Is that the issue perhaps?

I also tried creating that shortcut as you suggested, although I didn't add the extra "B".
However, even when I try loading it as a mod in the game it does nothing.

Although, like I say, when I load the mod the title screen changes to one with a "Blue Marble" logo.
So clearly SOMETHING is working hehe!

Sounds like you are doing everything correctly. What I might suggest is uninstalling the game and reinstalling (uninstall BAT first). It should reinstall always as Beta version if you have that set in properties. You may need a clean install based on what you may have done prior to switching to the Beta version. Also, delete your Custom Asset folder in Doc...blah blah..My games..BTS before reinstalling.

WIn 7 compatibility is for other reason too, so keep that setting and run as admin checked. The fact that it won'tload the game though may indicate another issue we've not detected yet, cause it def should run fine in that mode - it really must run in that mode.

If it does not work after that, we prolly need some snaps of your folders and files.

(oh..regarding the new version of BAT you will have a green "bug" button to access options ..you don't hafta use the hotkey) Also, you will know it if BAT loads up....

(edit: Oh..just to be sure...make sure you are installing BAT with the "stand-alone" (SP) option, not the custom asset option (MP). Something with your setup does not seem to be clicking right here. If the mod is in the correct location, it should load up either from in in-game menu, or if you create that shortcut. So it is a matter of finding the disconnect.

 

[Henry.K]

Sounds like you are doing everything correctly. What I might suggest is uninstalling the game and reinstalling (uninstall BAT first). It should reinstall always as Beta version if you have that set in properties. You may need a clean install based on what you may have done prior to switching to the Beta version. Also, delete your Custom Asset folder in Doc...blah blah..My games..BTS before reinstalling.

WIn 7 compatibility is for other reason too, so keep that setting and run as admin checked. The fact that it won'tload the game though may indicate another issue we've not detected yet, cause it def should run fine in that mode - it really must run in that mode.

If it does not work after that, we prolly need some snaps of your folders and files.

(oh..regarding the new version of BAT you will have a green "bug" button to access options ..you don't hafta use the hotkey) Also, you will know it if BAT loads up....

(edit: Oh..just to be sure...make sure you are installing BAT with the "stand-alone" (SP) option, not the custom asset option (MP). Something with your setup does not seem to be clicking right here. If the mod is in the correct location, it should load up either from in in-game menu, or if you create that shortcut. So it is a matter of finding the disconnect.

So if the .exe isn't run in Win7 compatibility mode, BAT for sure won't work?

 

[lymond]

So if the .exe isn't run in Win7 compatibility mode, BAT for sure won't work?

Not necessarily, it can create other issues, though, such as the load screen (or square really) not going away. I don't think it is the main issue with BAT right now.

 

[Henry.K]

(edit: Oh..just to be sure...make sure you are installing BAT with the "stand-alone" (SP) option, not the custom asset option (MP). Something with your setup does not seem to be clicking right here. If the mod is in the correct location, it should load up either from in in-game menu, or if you create that shortcut. So it is a matter of finding the disconnect.

I initially tried using the BAT installer, but then I resorted to just using the .zip file.
All I did was unpack the .zip contents to the bts/bts/mods folder, and the mod is recognized in the "Load a mod" menu.

When you say "SP vs MP" option, are you referring to the install options in the .exe?
Because lately I haven't been using the installer just to make things more easy to troubleshoot.
Is using the installer a must? Does the .zip method not work?

 

[lymond]

I initially tried using the BAT installer, but then I resorted to just using the .zip file.
All I did was unpack the .zip contents to the bts/bts/mods folder, and the mod is recognized in the "Load a mod" menu.

When you say "SP vs MP" option, are you referring to the install options in the .exe?
Because lately I haven't been using the installer just to make things more easy to troubleshoot.
Is using the installer a must? Does the .zip method not work?

Yeah, that'd refer to the installer ..it'll give you some options on install.

If it is not working for you, you might try using the installer. If "Load A Mod" is recognizing BAT then that is good. If it is not running, then something is conflicting with it or it is not installed properly (but in the latter case, that should like give you an error)

I'd then have to ask if you have anything else installed, and did you deleted your Custom Assets folder.

 

[Henry.K]

Yeah, that'd refer to the installer ..it'll give you some options on install.

If it is not working for you, you might try using the installer. If "Load A Mod" is recognizing BAT then that is good. If it is not running, then something is conflicting with it or it is not installed properly (but in the latter case, that should like give you an error)

I'd then have to ask if you have anything else installed, and did you deleted your Custom Assets folder.

That's what confuses me. The mod seems to load just fine - no errors - but in game there is no difference in UI or graphics.

I don't have anything else installed, cause I did a fresh install of Civ 4 every time I tried to get BAT working.
I deleted all Civ 4 stuff in the documents/MyGames/etc. if that's what you mean by "Custom Assets" folder.
Does the BAT installer also put files into that directory? Because when I use the .zip I just unpack it to bts/bts/mods...

 

[lymond]

I deleted all Civ 4 stuff in the documents/MyGames/etc. if that's what you mean by "Custom Assets" folder.
Does the BAT installer also put files into that directory? Because when I use the .zip I just unpack it to bts/bts/mods...

Custom Assets is in that folder so if you deleted the my games/beyond the sword folder then you should be fine. It is more about having something in the CA folder that is conflicting.

Please post an in-game screenshot. I'd like to see what you are seeing. Just a screenshot of the map after settling your sity.

The next step would be to delete the cache, which is in something like c...users/name/local blah blah. I am trying to look for it but just got a new win11 desktop and having a terrible time finding it. Likely as my permissions are all jacked up.


okay..found it...something like this:

C:\Users\your name\AppData\Local\My Games\beyond the sword\cache

^^^ don't do this yet until I see a screenshot

also, a screenshot of Windows Explorer when you are in the mods folder, showing the file path as well.

 

[Henry.K]

Custom Assets is in that folder so if you deleted the my games/beyond the sword folder then you should be fine. It is more about having something in the CA folder that is conflicting.

Please post an in-game screenshot. I'd like to see what you are seeing. Just a screenshot of the map after settling your sity.

The next step would be to delete the cache, which is in something like c...users/name/local blah blah. I am trying to look for it but just got a new win11 desktop and having a terrible time finding it. Likely as my permissions are all jacked up.


okay..found it...something like this:

C:\Users\your name\AppData\Local\My Games\beyond the sword\cache

^^^ don't do this yet until I see a screenshot

also, a screenshot of Windows Explorer when you are in the mods folder, showing the file path as well.

Okay, attached is the in-game screenshot and the steam/steamapps/common/... folder.
Before I took the in-game screenshot I loaded up Civ 4, then loaded the BAT Mod 4.1 from the "Load a mod" menu.
Oh! And I was able to run the BTS executable as an administrator in Win 7 compatibility mode!

I can try installing BAT using the .exe but could you clarify something?
In the options there is "Install in user folders" [MyGames/BTS] and "Install as mod" [BTS/Mods].
You want me to choose "Install in user folders" right?

After that, it asks me to "locate the BAT Mod folder".
It points me to MyGames/BTS/MODS... but aren't I supposed to choose the steam install folder?

 

[lymond]

Yeah. The mod is not running.

It is the Single Player option. The one not in Custom Assets. I think that would be the “as a mod” option. And yes, you have to manually point it to the correct directory

There is something about the manual install that is missing. Possibly the DLL is not in the right place. Did you find a txt in there with instructions? I have not used the zip version in many years.

edit: I got myself up and turned on the computer real quick to download the zip. No, there does not appear to be anything extra you have to do with the manual install. But I do know the exe does something extra.

Try the exe. Note that you should delete the BAT folder first. I would delete the bts as mentioned above before installing.

 

[Henry.K]

Yeah. The mod is not running.

It is the Single Player option. The one not in Custom Assets. I think that would be the “as a mod” option. And yes, you have to manually point it to the correct directory

There is something about the manual install that is missing. Possibly the DLL is not in the right place. Did you find a txt in there with instructions? I have not used the zip version in many years.

edit: I got myself up and turned on the computer real quick to download the zip. No, there does not appear to be anything extra you have to do with the manual install. But I do know the exe does something extra.

Try the exe. Note that you should delete the BAT folder first. I would delete the bts as mentioned above before installing.

I don't mind giving the .exe a shot, but you keep mentioning the "Single Player" option.
When I use the installer it only gives me "Install in user folders" and "Install as a mod".
Which would you like me to choose?

After that, it asks me to locate the BAT mod folder.
Since I'm using steam, would this be the bts/bts/mods folder which I just gave you a screenshot of?

PS: If you don't mind, could you send me a screenshot of what your BAT game looks like after you found your first city?
That way I'll have a better idea of what to look for.