Release v1.6.0 beta

Download: XCOM2_AlternativeModLauncher_1.6.0-beta.zip

Note that this is a beta-release and may contain bugs. Consider waiting for the final release to get a more polished experience.

Preface

Hi everyone!

v1.6 includes some extensive (under the hood) changes, mainly aiming to improve performance when initializing/updating mods. There are also some usability improvements and fixes.

Some of you already tested the v1.6-alpha. Judging from the positive feedback, I feel confident to make v1.6-beta, so we get a larger test audience. The beta only includes some minor fixes with respect to the alpha.

Attention: If you manually edited mod descriptions (to makes notes), be aware, that all changes will be overwritten. Until now, mod descriptions were actually never updated.

Thanks to @remcoros for contributing.

If you like this update, I am always grateful for a coffee donation ☕.

Infos

Refer to the installation instructions about how to install or update AML.

• Check out the Wiki for some useful tips.
• For questions or suggestions you are welcome to join our Discord channel or start a Discussion.
• If AML is crashing or otherwise not working as expected, you can report a bug here.

Changelog

1.6.0-beta

• Fixed crash when workshop information was requested for a large number of missing (not installed) dependencies at once. Resolves Fixes #400 .
• Fixed issue when importing a mod-list with only NOT subscribed items. Resolves #334.

1.6.0-alpha

New features

• Added new setting: Toggle if mods are automatically updated on startup (enabled by default). This is for you @Iridar :)
• Huge performance increase when updating mods. @remcoros figured out how to fetch the mod dependencies while requesting the mod details. Previously this required a whole bunch of additional requests.
• Increased performance when there are lots of dependencies which are currently not installed. @RevZero
• Added support to make notes for each mod. Notes can be edited from the new note tab in mod info panel or using the note column in the mod list view (column is hidden by default). The mod description can no longer be edited. @RevZero

Usability

• All dialogs can now be closed by pressing the escape key. Fixes #332. @RevZero
• Enter key can now be used to close/confirm dialogs. @remcoros
• The initial WelcomeDialog can now be properly "canceled", effectively closing AML. Until now, it was possible to skip the dialog by pressing ALT+F4 and AML continued with default values. @RevZero

Misc improvements

• Tweaks to mod list being non responsive and prevent unnecessarily refreshing/redrawing it. @remcoros
• Consider XComEngine.ini files from Config sub-folders when reading MCOs. #348 @remcoros
• Remove unused "Compare" button in ConfigDiff dialog.

Fixes

• Mod update process not finishing. #317 @remcoros
• AML crashing when starting the game. #289 #268. @remcoros
• Mod descriptions not updating. #280 @RevZero

Technical

• Query mod information for uninstalled mod dependencies in batches instead of executing a query for each mod. @RevZero
• Overall improvements to Steam API integration. #345 @remcoros
• Improved asynchronous processing to keep app responsive. @remcoros
• Load mod dependencies as part of the GetDetails batch requests. @remcoros
• Dispose all dialogs properly. @RevZero
• Only update dependencies for mods that were actually updated instead of all. @RevZero

Release v1.6.0 alpha

Download: XCOM2_AlternativeModLauncher_1.6.0-alpha.zip

Note that this is a alpha-release and may contain bugs. Consider waiting for the final release to get a more polished experience.

Preface

Hi everyone!

I finally found the time to properly test v1.6. This release includes some extensive changes, mainly aiming to improve performance when initializing/updating mods. There are also some usability improvements and fixes.

Attention: If you manually edited mod descriptions (to makes notes), be aware, that all changes will be overwritten. Until now, mod descriptions were actually never updated.

Thanks to @remcoros for contributing.

I am always grateful for a coffee donation ☕.

Infos

Refer to the installation instructions about how to install or update AML.

• Check out the Wiki for some useful tips.
• For questions or suggestions you are welcome to join our Discord channel or start a Discussion.
• If AML is crashing or otherwise not working as expected, you can report a bug here.

Changelog

New features

• Added new setting: Toggle if mods are automatically updated on startup (enabled by default). This is for you @Iridar :)
• Huge performance increase when updating mods. @remcoros figured out how to fetch the mod dependencies while requesting the mod details. Previously this required a whole bunch of additional requests.
• Increased performance when there are lots of dependencies which are currently not installed. @RevZero
• Added support to make notes for each mod. Notes can be edited from the new note tab in mod info panel or using the note column in the mod list view (column is hidden by default). The mod description can no longer be edited. @RevZero

Usability

• All dialogs can now be closed by pressing the escape key. Fixes #332. @RevZero
• Enter key can now be used to close/confirm dialogs. @remcoros
• The initial WelcomeDialog can now be properly "canceled", effectively closing AML. Until now, it was possible to skip the dialog by pressing ALT+F4 and AML continued with default values. @RevZero

Misc improvements

• Tweaks to mod list being non responsive and prevent unnecessarily refreshing/redrawing it. @remcoros
• Consider XComEngine.ini files from Config sub-folders when reading MCOs. #348 @remcoros
• Remove unused "Compare" button in ConfigDiff dialog.

Fixes

• Mod update process not finishing. #317 @remcoros
• AML crashing when starting the game. #289 #268. @remcoros
• Mod descriptions not updating. #280 @RevZero

Technical

• Query mod information for uninstalled mod dependencies in batches instead of executing a query for each mod. @RevZero
• Overall improvements to Steam API integration. #345 @remcoros
• Improved asynchronous processing to keep app responsive. @remcoros
• Load mod dependencies as part of the GetDetails batch requests. @remcoros
• Dispose all dialogs properly. @RevZero
• Only update dependencies for mods that were actually updated instead of all. @RevZero

Release v1.5.1

Download: XCOM2_AlternativeModLauncher_1.5.1.zip

Preface

Hi everyone,
this is a small maintenance release. Mod change-logs haven't been working for a while, because of some Steam changes.
See the change-log for details.

Thanks to @remcoros and @Alyssa4854 for contributing.

I am always grateful for a coffee donation ☕.

Infos

Refer to the installation instructions about how to install or update AML.

• Check out the Wiki for some useful tips.
• For questions or suggestions you are welcome to join our Discord channel or start a Discussion.
• If AML is crashing or otherwise not working as expected, you can report a bug here.

Changelog

• Fixed mod change-logs not working because of Steam site layout changes. Fixes #374. @Alyssa4854
• Improved speed calculating mod directory size. Fixes #346. @remcoros
• Fixed dialog extending off screen when reporting many missing mods. Limit display to the first 10 entries. Fixes #326. @RevZero
• Updated several packages and fixed some breaking changes. @RevZero

Release v1.5.1 (beta 2)

Download: XCOM2_AlternativeModLauncher_1.5.1-beta.2.zip

Note that this is a beta-release and may contain bugs. Consider waiting for the final release to get a more polished experience.

Preface

Minor fix for previous beta release for mod change-logs not working again, because of recent Steam changes.

Infos

Refer to the installation instructions about how to install or update AML.

• Check out the Wiki for some useful tips.
• For questions or suggestions you are welcome to join our Discord channel or start a Discussion.
• If AML is crashing or otherwise not working as expected, you can report a bug here.

Changelog

• Fixed mod change-logs not working because of Steam site layout changes. Fixes #374. @Alyssa4854

Release v1.5.1 (beta)

Download: XCOM2_AlternativeModLauncher_1.5.1-beta.zip

Note that this is a beta-release and may contain bugs. Consider waiting for the final release to get a more polished experience.

Preface

Hi everyone, this is a minor bug-fix and maintenance release.
You may have noticed mod change-logs not been working for a while.

Despite this version not introducing many changes, I decided to have a beta-release anyway, because of some major third party library updates. I did some related testing, but maybe something not so obvious broke.
See the change-log for details.

Thanks to @remcoros and @Alyssa4854 for contributing.

I am always grateful for a coffee donation ☕.

Infos

Refer to the installation instructions about how to install or update AML.

• Check out the Wiki for some useful tips.
• For questions or suggestions you are welcome to join our Discord channel or start a Discussion.
• If AML is crashing or otherwise not working as expected, you can report a bug here.

Changelog

• Improved speed calculating mod directory size. Fixes #346. @remcoros
• Fixed mod change-logs not working because of Steam site layout changes. Fixes #374. @Alyssa4854
• Fixed dialog extending off screen when reporting many missing mods. Limit display to the first 10 entries. Fixes #326. @RevZero
• Updated several packages and fixed some breaking changes. @RevZero

Release v1.5.0

Download: XCOM2_AlternativeModLauncher_1.5.0.zip

Preface

Hi everyone!
I finally managed to wrap up a new release. The 1.5.0 beta has been out for quite a while now and seems to be stable. I wanted to get some additional small fixes and improvements done, but real life kept me busy, so I decided to get this out without further delay.

As mentioned before, I have been pretty much the only contributor to AML during the last 2 years, so I will consider rolling out smaller but more frequent updates in the future.

AML v1.5.0 introduces some new features and changes that mainly aim to improve usability. There are also a bunch of bug fixes. See the changelog for details.

If you like this update, feel free to buy me a cup of coffee :) ☕. I certainly drank a lot of it while coding.

Infos

Refer to the installation instructions about how to install or update AML.

• Check out the Wiki for some useful tips.
• For questions or suggestions you are welcome to join our Discord channel or start a Discussion.
• If AML is crashing or otherwise not working as expected, you can report a bug here.

Changelog

This is the complete change log and contains the information from the 1.5.0 pre-release versions.

New features

• Added context menu option "Unsubscribe" to unsubscribe from Workshop mods without deleting them from the mod-list. Resolves #209.
• Added context menu option "Resubscribe" to re-subscribe to Workshop mods. State will be shown as "Downloading" until the Workshop download finished. Resolves #208.
• Automatic mod update when AML is starting can now be limited to "enabled" and "new" mods.
  • If you have many mods that you are not actively using, this can greatly reduce the time until AML is ready to launch the game.
  • Can be enabled/disabled in settings dialog. Disabled by default.
  • Mods will be automatically updated when they get enabled because mod data could be severely outdated.
• Added "Copy to clipboard" option to mod context menu. Resolves #233.
  • Mod name, installation path, steam URL and workshop URL can be copied.
  • If multiple mods are selected, all entries will be listed separated by line breaks.
• File menu now provides options to easily access some game related folders and log files.
  • Options to open installation and data folders from AML/X2/WotC/Chimera.
  • Options to open log files from AML/X2/WotC/Chimera.

Usability

• When WotC is available, the "Run XCOM 2" and the "Run Challenge Mode" buttons are now hidden from the menu by default. Can be changed from the settings if desired.
• Mods are no longer automatically hidden when detected as "Not Installed" on application start. The user is now prompted to choose if those mods should be hidden instead.
• Context menu option "Show in Explorer" will now be hidden if selected mod is not installed.
• Use proper Markdown text formatting when displaying release information in the update dialog. Resolves #222.
• Use modern folder selection dialog when selecting mod directories. Resolves #225.
• Mod folder selection dialog now uses most recently used documents folder.
• Replaced the mod list "ContextMenu" with modern variant ContextMenuStrip, which also supports tool-tips.

Misc improvements

• Added support for md file extension for readme files.
• "Not installed" now has precedence before "Not loaded" with respect to the state shown in the state column.
• Config and log Files are now always stored in the AML executable folder, even if the application was started from a different working directory. Resolves #223.

Fixes

• Fixed not getting the correct ini file path, when the mod folder name contained the word "Config". Resolves #241.
• Fixed AML using wrong base path ("...\XCOM 2\XCom2-WarOfTheChosen" instead of "...\XCOM 2") when user selected the XCOM executable from the WotC sub-folder.
• Fixed wrong character encoding in mod title and description to properly support other languages. Resolves #215.
• Updated Steamworks.NET to v15.0 (steam_api64.dll v6.28.18.86) which fixes corrupted UTF8 strings.
• Properly escape characters above 7-Bit ASCII for correct display in RichTextBox.
• Fixed some context menu entries being added twice (this had no side effects though).
• Fixed crash with Unhandled ArgumentNullException when Steam UGC workshop request for a mod dependency failed. Resolves #258.

Technical

• Removed obsolete compatibility warning regarding VERY old (AML v0.4.1 alpha version from 2016) settings file format.
• Updated Sentry SDK to latest version. Resolves #196.
• Replaced deprecated Sentry DSN with new one. Resolves #252.
• Removed MessageBoxManager class - no more usages and default MessageBox is sufficient.
• Added XML schema description file for log4net to avoid warnings.

Release v1.5.0 (beta 2)

Download: XCOM2_AlternativeModLauncher_1.5.0-beta2.zip

Note that this is a beta-release and may contain bugs. Consider waiting for the final release to get a more polished experience.

Preface

This is a important hotfix following the first 1.5.0 beta, because enabling/disabling mods wasn't working properly in that version.

Infos

Refer to the installation instructions about how to install or update AML.

• Check out the Wiki for some useful tips.
• For questions or suggestions you are welcome to join our Discord channel or start a Discussion.
• If AML is crashing or otherwise not working as expected, you can report a bug here.

Changelog

• Fixed writing XCOM 2 XComModOptions.ini to wrong the folder, causing changes from mods not being applied to the game.
• Fixed "Quick toggle arguments" option not being visible in the settings dialog.
• Fixed spelling error `File->Open Special Folder->XCOM 2 - Iinstallation".

View full v1.5.0 changelog.

Release v1.5.0 (beta)

Download: XCOM2_AlternativeModLauncher_1.5.0-beta.zip

Note that this is a beta-release and may contain bugs. Consider waiting for the final release to get a more polished experience.

Preface

Hi everyone, sorry for the lack of updates. I have been pretty much the only contributor to AML during the last 2 years and real life kept me busy. Maybe I will consider to roll out smaller but more frequent updates in the future.

AML v1.5.0 introduces some new features and changes that mainly aim to improve usability. There are also a bunch of bug fixes. See the changelog for details.

Infos

Refer to the installation instructions about how to install or update AML.

• Check out the Wiki for some useful tips.
• For questions or suggestions you are welcome to join our Discord channel or start a Discussion.
• If AML is crashing or otherwise not working as expected, you can report a bug here.

Changelog

New features

• Added context menu option "Unsubscribe" to unsubscribe from Workshop mods without deleting them from the mod-list. Resolves #209.
• Added context menu option "Resubscribe" to re-subscribe to Workshop mods. State will be shown as "Downloading" until the Workshop download finished. Resolves #208.
• Automatic mod update when AML is starting can now be limited to "enabled" and "new" mods.
  • If you have many mods that you are not actively using, this can greatly reduce the time until AML is ready to launch the game.
  • Can be enabled/disabled in settings dialog. Disabled by default.
  • Mods will be automatically updated when they get enabled because mod data could be severely outdated.
• Added "Copy to clipboard" option to mod context menu. Resolves #233.
  • Mod name, installation path, steam URL and workshop URL can be copied.
  • If multiple mods are selected, all entries will be listed separated by line breaks.
• File menu now provides options to easily access some game related folders and log files.
  • Options to open installation and data folders from AML/X2/WotC/Chimera.
  • Options to open log files from AML/X2/WotC/Chimera.

Usability

• When WotC is available, the "Run XCOM 2" and the "Run Challenge Mode" buttons are now hidden from the menu by default. Can be changed from the settings if desired.
• Mods are no longer automatically hidden when detected as "Not Installed" on application start. The user is now prompted to choose if those mods should be hidden instead.
• Context menu option "Show in Explorer" will now be hidden if selected mod is not installed.
• Use proper Markdown text formatting when displaying release information in the update dialog. Resolves #222.
• Use modern folder selection dialog when selecting mod directories. Resolves #225.
• Mod folder selection dialog now uses most recently used documents folder.
• Replaced the mod list "ContextMenu" with modern variant ContextMenuStrip, which also supports tool-tips.

Misc improvements

• Added support for md file extension for readme files.
• "Not installed" now has precedence before "Not loaded" with respect to the state shown in the state column.
• Config and log Files are now always stored in the AML executable folder, even if the application was started from a different working directory. Resolves #223.

Fixes

• Fixed not getting the correct ini file path, when the mod folder name contained the word "Config". Resolves #241.
• Fixed AML using wrong base path ("...\XCOM 2\XCom2-WarOfTheChosen" instead of "...\XCOM 2") when user selected the XCOM executable from the WotC sub-folder.
• Fixed wrong character encoding in mod title and description to properly support other languages. Resolves #215.
• Updated Steamworks.NET to v15.0 (steam_api64.dll v6.28.18.86) which fixes corrupted UTF8 strings.
• Properly escape characters above 7-Bit ASCII for correct display in RichTextBox.
• Fixed some context menu entries being added twice (this had no side effects though).
• Fixed crash with Unhandled ArgumentNullException when Steam UGC workshop request for a mod dependency failed. Resolves #258.

Technical

• Removed obsolete compatibility warning regarding VERY old (AML v0.4.1 alpha version from 2016) settings file format.
• Updated Sentry SDK to latest version. Resolves #196.
• Replaced deprecated Sentry DSN with new one. Resolves #252.
• Removed MessageBoxManager class - no more usages and default MessageBox is sufficient.
• Added XML schema description file for log4net to avoid warnings.

Release v1.4.1

Download: XCOM2_AlternativeModLauncher_1.4.1.zip

This release only contains a single fix, that resolves an issue with AML not properly detecting Steam Workshop identifiers, if the mods are located in a folder other than the Steam mod directory (steamapps\workshop\content\268500).

See issue #228 for details.

Please read the v1.4.0 release notes for a complete overview of changes since v1.3.2.

Release v1.4.0

Download: XCOM2_AlternativeModLauncher_1.4.0.zip

Preface

Release v1.4.0 introduces support for XCOM Chimera Squad (see Getting started) and includes new features, many usability improvements and also lots of bug fixes. See the changelog for details.

Refer to the installation instructions about how to install AML.

• Check out the Wiki for some useful tips. It is a work in progress, so consider checking for content updates from time to time.
• For questions or suggestions you are welcome to join our Discord channel.
• Infos on how to report bug here.

This change log contains the combined content from all pre-release versions.

Changelog

Main features

• Added support for XCOM Chimera Squad.
• New Mod Dependencies overview panel that shows dependent and required mods for the current selection. #56.
• Mod state filtering allows you to easily filter mods by current state (duplicate, new, conflict etc.).
• Duplicate mod ID handling allows you to have multiple mods with the same mod identifier installed at the same time. #101.

Usability

• New mod list column "Source" (not visible by default). See Working with the mod list. #182.
• Added options to "Enable" and "Disable" selected mods using the right click context menu.
• Available quick toggle arguments drop-down menu can now be configured from settings dialog.
• After refreshing the mod list, the last mod selection is now restored.
• Remember last selection for "Enable grouping".
• Remember last selection for "Show state filters".
• Option to choose between using a translucent (better visibility of colored rows) or an opaque selection color for mod list items.
• Improved visibility of the "splitter" between mod-list and mod-details that allows to resize the panel.
• Preserve mod list category grouping and selection after opening/closing the category manager.
• Fixed AML not properly saving the expanded/collapsed state for categories.
• Display message when mod list is empty, suggesting to check the mod folder configuration.
• Changed some default mod list column settings (size and visibility).

Misc improvements

• Mod conflicts detection - Fixed some false positives. One common example is the X2Action_MoveClimbWall override. #102. (credits to @robojumper)
• Mod conflicts detection - Fixed some false negatives. #148. (credits to @robojumper)
• Improved Steam Workshop default mod folder detection. #39.
• Improved mod update processing to be more reliable and faster.
• Improved very slow processing when (un-)checking many mods at once.
• Moving a mod to a collapsed category will no longer expand all categories. #176.
• After a mod download is completed, only refresh the respective mod instead of the whole mod list.

Fixes and technical changes

• Potential fix for the issue where the settings.json gets corrupted, preventing AML from starting until it is deleted manually. #206. AML will now create a backup file settings.json.bak after each save. This can be used to restore the last working state, by replacing the invalid settings.json, should AML complain that the settings file can not be loaded.
• Fixed crash when closing AML while mod update process is still running. #191.
• Fixed rare crash when AML was checking for updates. #202.
• Fixed crash when ini file from config tab drop-down was not accessible. #205.
• Fixed crash when processing XComMod file with invalid key-value pair formatting. #210.
• Fixed "About" menu spawning on the wrong screen. #164.
• When deleting multiple selected mods, the mod info panel wasn't cleared properly afterwards. #180.
• Fixed category sort order inconsistencies. #177.
• Fixed potential crash when launching the game while mod updates are still running. #159.
• Fixed crash when not subscribed to any mod. #190.
• Fixed "Use workshop tags" not working for mods from custom mod folders. #168. * File->Search for new mods did not work properly. #172.
• The Use workshop tags option was displayed when a workshop id was available, but did nothing when a mod was located in a custom mod folder. #168.
• Implemented semantic versioning. #145.
• Updated Steamworks.NET.dll from v12.0 to v13.0. Updated steam_api64.dll from v4.28.51.7 to v5.25.65.21.
• Fixed DirectoryNotFoundException when importing mods. #185.
• Fixed issue detecting path to game directory when longer than 100 chars. #186.
• Fixed possible ArgumentException when selecting mod while change-log tab is visible. #187.